Having made the drive from Los Angeles to Vegas a few times, I can say that it sucks. Even if you somehow get to speed the whole way and there's no traffic, its a 4 hour drive. My truck is a gas guzzler and I probably burn over 100 bucks on gas total during the trip. Then I have to worry about parking my car and walking/getting a cab from casino to casino, etc. (My friends and I rarely stay in hotel/casinos, usually Motel 6 etc).

Southwest/jetblue flights are around 100 there and back, so thats more than I spend on gas. But I don't have to do any driving for extended periods, and I can use cabs for transportation there. And since my trips have been 1-2 day affairs, getting a room really isn't necessary since I can sleep on the flights.

L.A. brick and mortar players, do you do this on a regular basis? Is it just more efficient having your own car there or taking a cab and losing the responsibility of driving?

I have stayed in the Motel 6 on many ocassions on cheap trips, not a bad place to crash as long as you arent bringing a girl...then its a big nono (unless its yer wife )

Ive done a ton of the driving thing and flying thing from LA...I prefer the flying --although if you are a sqeemish flyer you might like driving better (in the summer esp) as the summer winds, hot weather, and mountain flows can make the flights extemely bumpy (although I must say having to hold the hand of the sexy girl next to you cause she is scared is +EV)

Just realize, that is about $25 per cab ride to and from the Airport. Once the tram is running, that might be cheaper.

Anyone who takes a trip to Vegas and is worried about $25 just needs to stay home. I don't want that nit at my table anyway.

1) Substitute the city Burbank for the city L.A. and now life and parking is a lot easier.
2) Flying will always be more expensive when you include parking - cab fares, etc. Planes use gas, too you know.
3) Flying is physically easier, especially if you want to pull a poker all nighter.

On four LA 2 LV trips a year, I drive 1 time and fly 3 times. Driving is really useful for exploration of different casinos and restaurants that are off the strip.

If I planned on jumping between casinos a lot, drive. If I am just hunkering down in one casino and playing until my eyes close or explode - fly. FWIW, YMMV.

It's true about the flights but i prefer to drive. I want to be mobile once I'm there so that I can get to a better game faster, and also my favorite places to eat are off the beaten path.

That said, I hate driving it alone so PM me if you ever want to share a drive. My car gets about 30-32 mpg on the trip.

Also for a cheap stay binions is better than motel 6. and if you give them just a little bit of play they give a great rate and $2 per hr comps.

I drive. I vastly prefer flying, but its too expensive. I live maybe 10 minute drive from Burbank airport, but flights on Southwest are over $250 round trip on weekends once you factor in taxes and fees. Actually, now over $300 most of the time. This is for Friday to Monday stays.

Once you factor in cabs and stuff, its pricey.

Plus I often stay downtown or at off strip places like Orleans.

One thing I am looking into is renting a car from now on. Enterprise is hella cheap. Economy cars are around $12-15 a day and a mid size like an Impala or Nissan Altima is $19 a day. As it stands I drive a sports coupe that requires premium and gets about 19 mpg. I'm renting a car on a trip I am taking with friends in April and if all goes well, I'm probably gonna go that route from now on.

I would stay at Motel 6 next to Hooters and across from MGM anyday than Binions..but thats me

Alternatives: Orleans or Golden Nugget if you must stay Downtown (but why ruin a good time)

motel 6 shows at $77 on weekends no? why that when you can get a "big" hotel for the same or less?

Yeah, Motel 6 > Binion's by almost any measure. If you're on foot, it's a reasonable walk across the street to MGM and the monorail stop.

I fly almost every trip and rent a cheap car. I can still cab it on drinking nights. There are times when having a car is much better than relying on cabs. Try coming out of MGM when a show lets out or Bellagio at 11 pm on a Saturday. The cab lines are a good 30 minutes long. Besides, it's kinda fun waiting in the Bellagio valet lounge watching Benz after 7 series after Lexus being brought up, then they bring my piece o' crap rental Cobalt.

last summer i was out there for an extended trip and had my car... i know the town well now and ill be out there for a week or two in june and likely a couple times earlier as well... trying to decide if i want to rent a car... probably helpful when i miss the last tram at 2am and decide to play till 8am instead of getting a cab

isn't it more a matter of convenience than time?

i've only flown to Vegas once but I've made the drive probably 30 plus times. if there's absolutely zero traffic (if you can leave off hours from LA to beat the weekend crowd and you leave early Sunday or wait until Monday) it's about a 4-ish hour trip depending on where you live. if you fly, you have to leave for the airport, get there, pass through security, board, take off, fly, land, get out get a cab, get to the hotel. it's just about 4-ish hours to do that too and that's if your plane takes off on time.

it seems to me that all you save is the hassle of not having to drive, which can be a big deal if you stay up all night and can't physically drive back so I totally understand it.

if you stay near the monorail, you can get to different places fairly easily. just depends how much you want to move when you're there I guess.

I have to drive because i have family in town so I need to be able to get around to them. Plus, when I go to Vegas I usually take hte wife and kids so they can spend time iwth family while Dad the degenerate goes out gambling all night!

If I go solo and know where I'll be spending my time I'd consider flying though simply for the convenience of the trip home.

Michael

Southwest flight costs go up dramatically if your trip is a last minute decision. Last minute trip = drive. $100 round trip fares still exist with 30+ days planning. Weekends will be higher, but not ridiculous. But 30+ planning is a must.

75.99 is standard weekend rate for the 6 - like 45ish weekdays
You cant get big hotel for less on weekends. La Quinta is like 100 generally. Best to do is play slots/table games at Harrahs and get the free rooms they give out like crazy to all their propertes. Other good alternative is Priceline hotel price offer. These days you can see the winning hotel bids in Las Vegas.

When you are close to date....Priceline FTW

yeah... i booked 3 nights at imperial palace (the cheap one ) for $73 total with those little "2 nights cheap" coupons they send out... probably gonna do the same for a couple nights in july... just gotta figure out where to stay the other nights that i dont have coupons for which through kayak is not bad... if i rent a car then staying at the cheapest places isnt as big a deal to me as being in the perfect location.

I cant tell you the number of times I have been there...prolly 1/2 the time or more with my own car...but the many times I didnt have a car I NEVER rented one...and I used to go on business as well.

What you cant walk, cabs, trams and Monorails will do IMO

Id rather grab a cab than look for place to park the car or wait for the valet to bring it to me (and have to give him tip as well)

Another alternative to driving or flying is the Lux Bus. From their site:

http://www.luxbusamerica.com/index.php

"Passengers travel in luxury aboard Lux Bus’ state-of-the-art motor coaches appointed with leather seating, seat back audio, and feature films. Our onboard coach attendant caters to our passengers needs with complimentary beverages, snacks, pillows and blankets. Sit back, relax, and allow the professional Lux Bus America staff escort you safely, peacefully, and well rested to your next destination."

Round trip from LA is $119 everyday. Even cheaper if you join their frequent rider club. Their main terminal is in Anaheim. They would pick you up at a hotel in the LA area (they have service from 90+ hotels including the commerce casino) and take you to the Anaheim terminal. Then to Vegas with 3 different terminals: Luxor, Riviera, or the Golden Nugget.

A good deal for the money, plus you can actually sleep on the way.

I just want to say that the Burbank airport is the bomb. The valet there is incredible, too. Cheaper than long-term Outter-Slabobia parking at SJC or SFO. Damn you, Burbank!

Priceline is the nuts. On my last trip to Vegas I took my girlfriend (who was high-maintenance), and without telling her I booked on Priceline and got us a room at Planet Hollywood (which after its remodeling is a really nice place) for $50/night and then did the $20-bill bribe/trick at the desk to get us bumped up to a suite with a view of the Bellagio fountain. Best view of the strip I've ever had (including from a suite at Caesar's that was over 200/night) and for the lowest money I've spent. She didn't suspect a thing and thought I really sprang for the trip.

EDIT: to say, flying is still preferable imo. Driving is -EV emotionally, especially on the way back, and with gas and everything it's much better just to spend the $200-$250 for the flight + the minimal cab fares. But I say this as someone leasing a car for which I'm only alotted 12k mi/yr, so I don't want to needlessly run up the mileage on it.

How far/long from there to the cardrooms?

Burbank Airport to Commerce Casino bout 30 minutes at the right time