This Keukenhof travel guide blog will step you through the things to know, the best things to do, and how to plan for a tulip day trip to Keukenhof from Amsterdam! My itinerary to this flower garden explains!
Keukenhof is such an iconic sight in Netherland in regards to the famous windmills. Known as Gardens of Europe, Keukenhof is one of the world’s largest flower gardens and probably the most beautiful spring flower garden in the world. Definitely, a must-visit place while you are in Amsterdam in Spring, and your Amsterdam itinerary can’t be complete without it
Every year during Spring, Keukenhof is very busy with people flocking from all over the world to see the beautiful tulips, the floral displays, and flower-themed attractions. Make sure you stop for a visit, whether you just want to catch a glimpse of the famous flower bulbs or want to spend hours wandering through its garden’s flowers. Trust us, the Keukenhof is one place you don’t want to sleep on.
A trip to Keukenhof is very simple and easy. But you might still wonder when is the best time, how to go there, and what to do in Keukenhof when you are in the garden. For your convenience, we have compiled this Keukenhof travel guide blog with the detail on the necessary travel information including the transportation, tours, and other services for your trip there. Let’s check it out!
Keukenhof is located in Lisse, a small town in the Dutch countryside. This flower garden has the most Dutch tulips which are famous the world over, with more than 7million flower bulbs planted in Keukenhof every year during Spring.
You’ll see the beautiful flowers of a different kinds (even though tulips are the most numerous) with different colors, beautifully combined like a painter would do. Every year there will be a theme for the flower show and it changed every year.
It is good to know that The Keukenhof Gardens are open only for about 8 to 9 weeks every year. 2024 marks the 75th opening of the gardens at Keukenhof. Besides, Keukenhof will be open from March 21 until May 12, 2024.
The blooming time will be around the end of April. If you are too early or too late for the garden’s flower show, the visit to the pavilion garden is still unforgettable.
To ease your time and effort, here is an Insider’s travel guide on things to know before visiting the Keukenhof,
What is the best time to visit Keukenhof?
The prime blooming time varies from year to year, depending on the weather. The best time to visit Keukenhof is the end of April as this is a higher chance of full bloom.
How much time do you need for Keukenhof?
We recommended at least 3 to 4 hours to explore the flower garden. Keukenhof is so huge and one can spend a whole day enjoying the beauty of all the flowers.
What time is best to visit Keukenhof?
The gardens can get very busy as it is only open for a few weeks every year. So expected huge crowd and long line-up during the weekend and school holidays. We recommend coming early when the garden is open so you can make the most of your time. Keukenhof opens at 8:00 daily until 19:30.
Can I cycle through Keukenhof’s park?
No. Keukenhof is a pedestrian park and you will be required to park your bicycle at the entrances to the park. You are free to cycle and explore the surrounding area outside of Keukenhof by bike.
Getting To Keukenhof from Amsterdam
Getting To Keukenhof from Amsterdam City Centre
Depending on your departure location, there is various transportation to get to Keukenhof. But rest assured. It is relatively easy to get to Keukenhof from Amsterdam with public transport. Here is how to get to Keukenhof from Amsterdam with travel information.
From the Schiphol Airport – If you are just arrived Netherland via flight, or have taken the train or bus to Schiphol Airport, take the Keukenhof Express bus (#858) to Keukenhof. Bus departs from the exit of Arrival Hall 3 – 4 to Keukenhof six times an hour. The easy bus ride takes about 30 minutes from the airport to the main entrance of Keukenhof.
From the city – If you’d rather take the bus from the city, there are direct buses from Leiden Centraal station, and transfer to Keukenhof Express (#854) to the Keukenhof. The Keukenhof Express departs up to four times an hour and takes 30 minutes to get to Keukenhof.
You can also take the metro M52 to get to RAI Amsterdam from Amsterdam’s central station or the city center. From there, take the Keukenhof Express (#852) straight to Keukenhof. This bus departs up to eight times an hour and it takes approx. 35 minutes to get to Keukenhof.
There are also buses departing from Haarlem station and Katwijk, Noordwijk or Noordwijkerhout. But the bus frequency is less.
Additionally, we recommended purchasing the Combi Ticket, which includes your transportation to and from Amsterdam, as well as your skip-the-line ticket into Keukenhof. It is helpful, especially the garden is always busy and you might end up spending a lot of time queueing for tickets. Price varies departing your departure point.
Keukenhof Travel Restriction: Because of the current global situation, Keukenhof can receive a maximum number of visitors per day although there is no corona measurement to visit the garden. The garden has implemented timeslots to prevent busy times during the day. The ticket can only purchase online with valid on a specific date and predetermined arrival timeslot arrival. Visit the Keukenhof official website for more details.
Tour To Keukenhof
If needed, there are also tours to Keukenhof from Amsterdam that takes to the garden from the city. These make good options if you want to take the hassle out of arranging your transportation.
We visited Amsterdam as part of our Europe trip in April. The visit to Keukenhof is part of our itinerary as we were so excited to visit this Tulip flower garden. From the city center, we decided to take the direct bus from the Leiden Centraal station so without worry on too much about the transfer time. About 30minutes of bus ride brought us to the lovely, colorful town of Lisse.
Once we get down from the bus, the entrance of the garden is just in front of us. Admission was very easy as we bought the combi ticket to Keukenhof in advance. So it is very easy and fast for us to get into the garden.
Beautiful Tulips in Keukenhof
As soon as we walked in the front gate, we were greeted by spectacularly synchronized and coordinated colors of flowers. There are several areas of themed garden spaces, all nicely kept and clean and tidy grounds.
These gardens have SO many different kinds of flowers such as hyacinths, daffodils, carnations, crocuses, lilies, irises, roses, orchids, and of course, Dutch tulips!
More beautiful Tulips in Keukenhof
Over 7 million beautiful tulips and other flowers were nicely decorated in every corner of the park. Most of the tulips were in full bloom and were very beautiful. Can’t imagine nature can be so gorgeous!
The Keukenhof is so enormous and you can spend hours walking around leisurely and taking hundreds of pics. Inside the garden, there are many benches to sit on and cafes or food stands if you are looking for some food or snacks. You can also buy tulips at the shops and they will explain to you how to plant the flower and take care of them. There even has an indoor flower exhibit inside the Keukenhof. Everything can be found inside the garden and is well-organized.
Beautiful Decoration inside the garden
After spending hours in the garden, we made our way out and back to Amsterdam for another adventure. My visit was in the mid of April and it was not the prime blooming for the garden’s flower show. But the experience in the pavilions is unforgettable. I can imagine the gardens will possibly be even more stunning for the next 2 weeks. Well worth a visit for the tulip maniac experience!
More Keukenhof Travel Guide Tips
Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll walk miles when visiting Keukenhof.
Be sure to pick up the free maps at the entrance to help you navigate the extensive park!
Inside the garden, there are many places to grab a cup of coffee, beer, or quick lunch. But there are particularly expensive! Besides, it can be a long lineup during busy hours. You can bring your own food and have it in the garden. Many benches and resting points are dotted around the park.
If you are directly going to Keukenhof once arrived in Amsterdam, there is a locker to store your luggage so you don´t have to worry about it. And, it’s FREE!
Try to get there as early as possible. When the buses and crowds arrive photo opportunities become more difficult.
For self-driving to Keukenhof, the car journey is around 25 minutes from the city. Plenty of parking in the gardens and it costs €6 per car.
Buy the combi ticket as it saves you plenty of time and you won’t have to wait in the queue for as long before entering. If you are planning on multiple visits to the Keukenhof, then purchase a season pass. It allows for unlimited entries and exits during the season.
Overall: A Trip To Keukenhof
All in all, a trip to Keukenhof is a must-do if you are in Amsterdam during April or May. It truly was a glorious experience of never-ending infusions of colors linked with different flowers in the garden. We could not have enough tulips, I am certainly glad I didn’t miss the trip to Keukenhof when visiting Amsterdam. This was a highlight of our trip to the Netherland!
If you plan to visit Amsterdam during Spring, you must consider putting the trip to Keukenhof as part of your Amsterdam itinerary. We stayed there for about 4 hours but if you have all day long is much better. Friendly reminder, buy your ticket in advance!
Lastly, looking for more Amsterdam travel information? Or planning for a day trip from Amsterdam? Check out more from the Amsterdam travel blogs below:
Ultimate Las Vegas itinerary with a detailed travel guide blog to visit the Nevada city, and with so many options for entertainment, food, shows, and activities at this crazy, non-stop destination.
A trip to Las Vegas is one of the quintessential American experiences with bright lights and non-stop entertainment. The iconic casinos, clubs and bars, nightlife, dancing fountains, free shows, animal habitats, and more in the 4-miles long Las Vegas Stripe. Having said that, you should go to Las Vegas at least once!
Being in Las Vegas is a great adventure of illusions, lights, shopping, people, drinks, and bets. This city can be overwhelming for first-time visitors when planning on what to do and eat in Las Vegas. To be honest, we weren’t quite sure what to expect on our first trip to Las Vegas except for the casino and entertainment. But our visit made me more in love with this city even without spending too much budget on it.
If you’re visiting Las Vegas for the first time, then this Las Vegas travel guide blog for a 1 to 2 days itinerary will tell you all you need to know to plan your trip to Las Vegas. We didn’t spend too much budget when navigating all the attractions but still have a great visit to the city. Just follow this travel guide and search for interesting landmarks to see the better chunk of Las Vegas efficiently and effectively.
Ready to hit the highlights of Las Vegas? Let’s start exploring Las Vegas, including where to stay, what to do, how to get there, money-saving tips, and more!
When talking about Las Vegas, most people will be thinking about the 4-miles long Las Vegas Strip. Official known as Las Vegas Boulevard, the Las Vegas Strip (The Strip) is the most iconic street and most visited avenue in the world. Here you can find a variety of hotels and casinos, dining, cruising, shopping, outdoor events, and entertainment. It is home to many of the world’s largest and most famous casino-resort-hotels in the city and probably the world.
Just north of Las Vegas is downtown Las Vegas. The Downtown Vegas by Fremont is where the original casinos started and it is the historic area before the development of the Las Vegas Strip. Many famous, or once-famous casinos, are located on Fremont Street. The venerable casino, Golden Nugget is located in this bustling downtown. The street still retains the classic Las Vegas charm with neon lighting and without being garish. It had a great atmosphere and lots of characters. But beware of the drunker and homeless that make you slightly consider your safety.
Best Time To Visit Las Vegas
The best time to visit Las Vegas is Spring and Fall. These two seasons are a pleasant time for a lovely visit to Las Vegas. The weather is wonderful because it is not too hot and not too cold. While summer is a scorcher and the temperature is often over 100C. It can get very hot during the daytime but you can get into a casino fairly quickly to cool off.
Las Vegas is never slept and is open 24 hours a day. This sin city is busy all year round regardless of any season. The week between Christmas and New Year and the holiday seasons are the super peak season in Las Vegas with visitors flocking into the town. Expect a rise in accommodation and food. Those with lower budgets, definitely don’t come during these times.
Where To Stay
There are countless nice places to stay around the Strip if you are having a good budget. For first-timer, we highly recommended staying in the center of the Las Vegas Strip. Staying in these areas while easy for you to access most of the attractions and save your traveling time. You won’t go wrong by staying in the below hotels.
Bellagio Las Vegas – Definitely a first-class property if you are looking for where to stay in Las Vegas. It is the most elegant of all with the ultimate five-star experience. From their accommodations, amenities, pools, casino, atrium garden, and shopping to their fabulous restaurants. The location is superb excellent and superb convenient for everything. The view of the fountain from the room was phenomenal and fabulous!
For mid-budget options, we would recommend staying in Flamingo Hotel, Excalibur, Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. The location is centrally located in the Strip at a reasonable price. The room is rather spacious and worth every penny.
Circus Circus Hotel, Casino & Theme Park is one of the popular picks for travelers who looking for slightly cheaper accommodation. The property is slightly outdated but the prices are reasonable with free self-parking for guests. Rooms are spacious and very suitable for families with kids. Staffs are very polite, welcoming, knowledgeable, and helpful.
Beware of the hidden resort fees when staying in Las Vegas. This is a common charge when you are staying in Las Vegas where the daily fee will be added and charged to your rooms. We recommended booking your stay via Booking.com as it will fine print all the charges to avoid any unpleasant experience during your trip to Las Vegas. Check your room availability for your stay in Las Vegas here!
Getting Around in Las Vegas
The nearest airport is McCarran airport and it normally costs you around $25 to get from McCarran airport to downtown. For a surprise, you can book the Las Vegas Luxury Limousine from Airport to your Las Vegas Strip hotel. Besides, you can also look for car rentals by renting a car for getting around in Las Vegas and nearby. The car rental price can go as low as $35 per day and we recommended comparing the price from RentalCars.com to get the best price for your rental car.
While taxis in Las Vegas start at $3.50 with the normal tariff being $3.25 per additional mile. Nearly every hotel will have a taxi stand and there is usually a taxi waiting to serve you. Ridesharing options are also available and cheaper than taxis.
Once you are on Las Vegas Strip, there is only one way to live the full experience in Las Vegas and that is to put on comfortable shoes and walk. The traffic here can be a pain and it’s best to just skip the driving if you can. In general, walking is probably the best option and faster than trying to drive on Las Vegas Strip. But if you are planning to get to some location, you’ll still need the transport for getting around in Las Vegas.
You can also save your feet and use public transportation. The bus system in Vegas with two types. The double-decker buses are known as “The Deuce” and the articulated buses are known as the “Strip and Downtown Express (SDX). The all-day pass is $8 USD and you can use it to get downtown from the Strip.
Another option is the monorail and tram. Not to be confusing about the monorail and tram on Las Vegas Strip. The monorail is on the east side of the Strip and it runs behind MGM Hotel all the way to the Sahara Hotel with 7 stops in between. The price is reasonable with a one-way ride is $5 USD, while a day pass is $13 USD. Multiple days pass also available.
While the tram is on the west side of the Strip and it’s free. The only downside is it is segmented and you have to find your way to get on and off between each stop. We will share more detail on how to make sure of the free tram in below Las Vegas travel guide blog.
Things To Do in Las Vegas Itinerary
The Las Vegas strip is just a fun way to spend time and see so many amazing features and people-watching. The casinos, shops, malls, and hotels, all have interesting things to see and different activities either free or for a fee. You could spend a week exploring the strip and never get bored.
Here are the Things To Do in the Las Vegas itinerary for first-time visitors:
Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas Sign
Strolling along the Strip during daytime
Walk into the hotels
Enjoy Nighttime in Las Vegas
See a Show in Las Vegas
Free Shows in Las Vegas
Best Food and Restaurant
Visiting the Casinos in Las Vegas
Shopping in Las Vegas
Make a Trip To Las Vegas Downtown
Let’s follow us to know more about our trip to Las Vegas below!
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign
First of all, your first stop on your Las Vegas itinerary has to be the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign! It’s an iconic landmark of Vegas so definitely a quick must-do while in town. The sign is located just south of the Mandalay Bay Casino & Resort. But it is not a short walking distance so you are still advisable to drive here.
At the Las Vegas Welcome Sign, you can take unlimited selfies here. Get here early if you want pictures without a big crowd or waiting in a long line. The queue can get very long so we suggested early morning or late night when everyone is at the casinos.
The spot has about 20 stops for parking but fills up quickly. But most people will spend less than 20 minutes for a photoshoot and go.
Strolling Along the Strip at Daytime
Walking along the strip allows for leisurely strolling. It can be a long walk, and we recommended you options to stop along the way for refreshments and bites.
Depending on your starting point, we recommended starting your walking journey from the South to the North. Along the journey, you will see the Excaliber, MGM, Caesar’s Palace, Mirage, New York, Paris Eiffel Tower, Bellagio Fountains, Cosmopolitan, Venetian, and ending at North is a fashion shopping mall, Circus Circus, and Stratosphere.
Take note the buildings are massive and each building is far apart and within a lot of walking distance. There are also several elevated crosswalks located up and down the strip to get from side to side at various points. Most of the time, you will be walking the strip numerous times between the MGM and Venetian and it is the most happening area.
It’s nice to watch the Burlesque dancers, street performers, people in costumes and others walk up and down the strip. It’s super easy and makes for a good stroll. Plus, it’s free!
Walk into The Hotels
Flamingo Habitat Garden
When strolling along the strip, we recommended stopping in at the various hotels along the way, taking pictures in iconic spots, and looking inside the decoration. Each hotel has different themes and their decoration are different so it is almost like stepping into different worlds with each one you walk into.
We had a great time at those famous hotels and their beautifully decorated attractions are awesome to see though. We took many lovely postcard shots outside and inside of the hotels.
The Eiffel tower near Paris Las Vegas is quite an iconic photo. We also walked past the Caesars Palace and saw the Trevi Fountain. It’s so fancy and luxurious! During your stroll, you can also visit Flamingo which has a habitat garden that is very nice and free.
Gondola Ride in Venetian Las Vegas
While in the Venetian Las Vegas, you can see the beautifully painted ceilings and Grand Canal. The gondola rides in Venetian Las Vegas are overpriced but the architecture and construction are magnificent. It’s probably one of the best on the Vegas Strip.
Enjoy Nighttime in Las Vegas
Las Vegas Light On
Las Vegas at night is like no other city you’ve ever seen. The strip is just too crowded and chaotic when the night started. I recommend walking the strip both during the day and coming back again at night for the glamour and light. It is a totally different experience for Las Vegas during daytime and nighttime.
The nighttime in Las Vegas is a marvelous spectacle that you must see and experience for yourself. It has impounded an impression on millions of people worldwide. With the glitz, the lights, the LED billboards, and the vibe, Las Vegas is a great area for entertainment, people-watching, and nightlife.
Las Vegas Travel Tips: Go to see the Las Vegas Nighttime at its finest with The Big Bus Las Vegas Open Top Night Tour. This tour will bring you from Vegas Strip to the heart of downtown on a double-decker bus through the Strip to enjoy the Fremont Street Experience.
You can’t go to Vegas without hitting at least one show. There’s such an incredibly diverse array of theatrical shows that will keep you busy. You can also find many choices of a live concerts by world-famous singers, such as Celine Dion, Rod Stewart. and many more. Here are my all-time favorite and interesting things to do in Las Vegas if you need some recommendations:
Absinthe at Caesars Palace is rated as one of the Best Shows in the history of Las Vegas. Absinthe is such a fun and intimate show. It’s a bit of raunchy humor but the skills of the performers are top-notch. You definitely don’t want to miss this one.
David Copperfield at the MGM Grand Hotel – The greatest illusionist of all time and the illusions were top-notch and mind-blowing. Audience participation makes things interesting, and it’s a great show for the family as well.
Las Vegas Travel Guide: Beware of solicitors handing out discount cards for shows and activities when you walking along the Strip. Some of the offers are sponsored by Timeshare vendors and their offers of free tickets come with the requirement to sit through the tedious sales pitch sessions.
Free Show at Las Vegas
Enjoy Free Show in Las Vegas
When you strolling along the Strip, don’t forget to stop by for the free shows in Las Vegas. Among them, the Pirate Show at Treasure Island, Volcano Eruption Show with its fireball-shooters and waterfalls outside the Mirage, and the Fountains of Bellagio dancing and musical water show are a couple of the bigger strip attractions.
Bellagio Fountain show
We love the Bellagio Fountain show and it definitely is a must-see while you’re in Vegas. We had a great show in the day times and come back for water and lights at night. The water can soar as high as 460ft and it offers a magnificent light and water display set to music. It happens every fifteen or thirty minutes and we watch it more than 3 times during our trip to Las Vegas. Absolutely gorgeous!
Take note that all the shows with showtimes, depending on the day and time of year. But it’s easy to find time for it and please check the respective hotel website.
Best Food and Restaurant
Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas
Las Vegas has millions of different bars, restaurants, and fast food to go in and out of. With all that money flowing in, Las Vegas has some of the best food in the world. But everything is really expensive so be prepared for overpriced food and drinks no matter where you go.
For fine-dining options. we recommended the Yellowtail (Bellagio), Lemongrass (Aria), The Peppermill, and Firefly and those are the popular picks for travelers when looking for the best food in Las Vegas. Take a hefty wallet tho as some eateries on the strip are very expensive. Also, the restaurants are all almost reservation only or if they allow walk-ins, please allow at least 30 minutes to one hour of waiting time.
If you are on a budget, choose wisely although there are tons of cheap eating places. There are many places where you can get a relatively inexpensive good meal. The places out of the hotels and restaurants on the backstreet will be almost half compared to those eats in hotels. We had Starbucks for breakfast where prices are almost 40% less.
Doing a buffet lunch is another great option for saving a few bucks for your expenses in Las Vegas. The buffet at the Las Vegas costs about $50 – $100 depending on the hotel.
Visiting the Casinos in Las Vegas
You can’t go to Las Vegas without trying your odds. All the casinos have their own themes and decoration but mostly are the same. It’s fun to look at even if you’re not a gamer. The table games seem to start from $10 minimum and there are a million spots to throw your change.
We did pop in a few of the casinos along the way to try our luck. Even though we are not big gamblers but we enjoying played the slot machines when we are in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Travel Tips: If you are going to the game, please know your limit and play within it.
Shopping in Las Vegas
M&M’s World
Las Vegas has some of the best shopping experiences that you’ll ever encounter. The shopping area is almost exclusively high-end with a cool vibe and modern architecture. Most of the major designers have shops along the Strip. If shopping’s your thing, you won’t be disappointed.
But there are some fun shops like Coke A Cola and Pepsi stores, M&M’s World, and Hershey’s that are good to visit. I love going into the M&M’s World for the sweet treats, gotta have chocolate!
Make a Trip To Las Vegas Downtown
You cannot visit Las Vegas and not go to the Las Vegas downtown for the Fremont Street Experience. It is different from the Strip and like getting into old-style Vegas with the oldest, smelliest casinos. The downtown areas featuring with great bars, nice restaurants, casinos, street vendors and actors, ziplines, and great places for people-watching. You also will see the multiple small wedding chapels Vegas is known for.
We also recommended taking a look into the dark side of Las Vegas history by visiting the Mob Museum. It is amazing and run by volunteers.
Check the Big Bus Las Vegas Tour which will bring you from the Vegas Strip to the heart of downtown on a double-decker bus through the Strip to enjoy the Fremont Street Experience.
There are three free tram services in Las Vegas that cover about half of the Strip. It can be a real-life saver when your feet are running for the whole day. The best part is these tram services are absolutely free and without additional cost and condition. However, it is run by separate teams and not interconnected.
Mandalay Bay – Excalibur Tram: This free tram runs between Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay. From Excalibur station, it’s a 4-minutes express tram direct to Mandalay Bay without stopping at Luxor. While from Mandalay Bay, it’s a 7-minutes ride with an additional stop at Luxor and ended at Excalibur. Tram services are in operation from 11:00 until 22:30 during weekdays and extended until 00:30 during weekends. Well-signs in all the casinos help you find the tram stations and it can help to save about 45 minutes of walking journey.
Aria Express Tram: A three-stop route that runs from Aria/Park MGM (formerly the Monte Carlo), Crystals, and Bellagio. The trams run every 10 minutes for a total 7 minutes ride from 10:00 to 4:00. You can access it easily from Monte Carlo’s Street of Dreams retail area to Crystals, the shopping mall at the heart of the city center with a 3 minutes ride, and take another four-minute trip to Bellagio.
Mirage – Treasure Island Tram: A 5 minutes tram that can save you about 30 minutes of walking time. It runs every 10 to 15-minutes from 9:00 to 1:00 every day and is extended to 3:00 on Friday and Saturday,
The Ideal Free Tram Route in Vegas
Here is the ideal way to use the free tram service in Las Vegas. Depending on where you started.
Start at Mandalay Bay to take the tram and exit at Excalibur. Follow the walkway and take the pedestrian overpass across Tropicana Hotel, walk past the New York-New York Hotel, and catch the next tram at Park MGM. Next, ride the Aria Express Tram to Bellagio. Enjoy the stroll and walk across Flamingo Road and Caesars Hotel. Lastly, catch the Mirage to Treasure Island Tram to the farthest point of the free tram service.
Above free tram service in the Las Vegas itinerary are on the west side of the Strip. You can continue the ride by using the monorail service on the east side.
Other Exclusive Things To Do in Las Vegas
Visit Hoover Dam from Las Vegas
Las Vegas Helicopter Night Flight with Optional VIP Transportation: See the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip and the surrounding region during the nighttime with a helicopter flight. You can soar over this famous stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard with an exclusive sightseeing tour of Sin City’s downtown skyline and beyond.
The Hoover Dam is a short drive from Las Vegas and I highly recommend taking the time to visit it when you’re in Las Vegas. The engineering marvel is truly amazing with a spectacular view of the Hoover Dam and the Colorado River. It is the second-highest bridge in the USA and very breathtaking when looking down to the Colorado river below. A visit to Hoover Dam is free if you are self-driving to the site with parking lots available. But the visitor center will cost you about $10. Guided tours are available from Las Vegas to Hoover dam at a reasonable price.
Here are the popular Hoover Dam Tour options from Las Vegas (Click to check for prices and detail):
Besides, you can couple the Hoover Dam with a trip Grand Canyon. We recommended spending at least staying 1 night at Grand Canyon as the journey easily takes up to 14 hours. If possible, get a rental car and spend for few days in Arizona. You can even further your trip to Antelope Canyon which is another must-visit attraction that can be planned from Las Vegas.
Bring your best walking shoes because you will need them. There are also a few stairway areas to reach certain venues. Be ready to walk the walk when you’re visiting the Strip.
Like all big cities, crime is always possible so keep your wallet and valuables safe at all times. Watch your surroundings and never leave anything unattended, especially leaving money in your machine, and walk away.
You should never buy tickets, casino chips, or passes off from someone on the street because most are fake and scams.
Keep an open mind when visiting Las Vegas. There are many street performers and people dressed in costumes along the street. Don’t stop for photography unless you want to pay. If you really want to take pictures, please make sure to ask for the tips to be given to the photo characters to post and pay.
Please be safe when crossing the streets. It is best to use pedestrian overpasses or other designated crossways.
Last but not least, the strip can be enjoyed for very little money if you like to walk and people-watching. But you can spend a lot if you enjoy and eat in the hotels or casinos.
Overall: A Trip to Las Vegas
All in all, we hope you enjoy this Las Vegas travel blog with a detailed guide and itinerary planning. Las Vegas has many cool experiences and so many things to do and see. It’s fun to walk and visit the strip during the day or night, and you never know what you’ll see! But it is NOT for everyone, especially for kids at night. The city is the constant smell of weed and cigarettes, and the sheer number of homeless people. Certainly not suitable for children.
But still, Las Vegas is a must-visit attraction for everyone once in a lifetime! We enjoy the beautiful resorts, shows and entertainment, the lights, the glitz, and the glamour of it all. The Strip is just a spectacle on its own, and some of the best people-watching in the world. Have a great time in Las Vegas!
We’ve put together a roundup of the best accommodation for travelers if you are looking for where to stay in Berchtesgaden. Check it out here with our best pick for your best hotel in Berchtesgaden for your vacation!
Berchtesgaden is a beautiful charming place in Germany with lots of attractions to see and do. Plan your visit to the famous historical sites of Lake Konigsee, Jenner Mountain, Wimbachklamm Gorge, Hitler’s Eagles Nest (Kehlsteinhaus), and its museum. It is the perfect place to plan for a day trip from Salzburg or a few days’ stay in Berchtesgaden for your holiday. We visited Berchestegaden and recommended staying at least one night to explore the attraction around.
For some travelers, staying in the right hotel is part of what makes the travel experience an interesting one. But not all travelers have the same needs or budgets. To help you decide on the best place to stay in Berchtesgaden for your upcoming trip, we’ve written this accommodation guide with our picks for a range of hotels for you.
When you are looking for where to stay in Berchtesgaden, there are not many accommodation options available in the area. Besides, most of the hotels is a family-run property with limited rooms available. Popular rooms are easily run out, especially during the summer holiday. So it is important to book your accommodation in advance.
To help you find to choose where to stay in Berchtesgaden for your upcoming vacation, here are our few quick tips to find your best stay.
Where to stay in Berchtesgaden for first-timer?
We recommended staying in the town area. The town area is not too far from the main station and can be reached in less than 10 minutes of walk. Most of the accommodations are scattered in this area. Many of Berchtesgaden’s best attractions can be reached by using transportation or self-driving. Highly recommended Hotel Bavaria for the best value!
Where to stay in Berchtesgaden on a budget?
There is a limited hostel and cheap accommodation available. KS Hostel Berchtesgaden GmbH is where you’ll find the best budget accommodations in Berchtesgaden.
Where to stay in Berchtesgaden if you are looking for a perfect relaxing gateway?
We recommended staying slightly away from town or nearby Königsse. Those accommodations will be less crowded but best to have your own transportation for getting around. Travelers will be pleased by its surroundings and mountain views.
Berchtesgaden Accommodation Tips: The good thing about staying at Berchtesgaden is you are entitled to the Gästekarte, a Guest pass for the free local bus ride in Bestesgaden and surroundings.
Hotel Bavaria
Best Pick – Hotel Bavaria: Boasting 100 years of dedicated service, the family-run hotel is situated at the foot of a small hill and it overlooks spectacular views of the Bavarian Alps.
The location is excellent by situated at the heart of Berchtesgaden and about 5-8 minutes away from the Berchtesgaden stations. 10-minute drive to the famous historical sites of Lake Konigsee and Hitler’s Eagles Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) and its museum. Besides, hotel guests will be provided with a guest card to take the local buses for free!
The room is clean and the bed is extremely comfortable. Breakfast is awesome, and 24/7 coffee machine drinks and hot water was provided. Excellent value for money!
Best Luxury – Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden: Modern and spacious, Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden is one of the best luxury hotels in the Bavarian Alps. The property is offering an outdoor pool and an indoor pool, a wellness spa, a fitness center, as well as a picturesque view of the mountain. 5-star rooms with spacious bedrooms and bathrooms. The hotel staff is so friendly and accommodating.
Everything about the hotel is amazing, you couldn’t have asked for much. This is also the best place to stay in Berchtesgaden for travelers with its transportation.
The Hotel Schwabenwirt is another popular pick for accommodation in Berchtesgaden. The location is superb in the center of Berchtesgaden and about 15 minutes of walking distance from the station. It is very easy to access all attractions and mountains from the hotel. Free parking lot available for guests.
Rooms feature traditional interiors and wooden furniture. If you are lucky, you might get a room with great views of the rivers, the town, and the mountains. Good value for the money.
Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten is a traditional Bavarian hotel in the city center since 1876. The rooms are not very huge but clean. Comfortable bed and bedding. The best thing about the hostel is its magnificent view. You’ll fall in love with its surrounding mountain views when you stay in the hotel.
Besides, the hotel also serves a very nice breakfast to kick start your days in Berchtesgaden. Friendly helpful staff and always ready to help if you need any recommendations around the area.
Hotel Grünberger Superior is a quaint 3-star family-run hotel near the city center. It is about a 5-minutes walk from the train station with parking lots available for guests. Besides, The property is charming with beautiful flowers decorated on the balcony and lovely situated right next to the river with a fantastic view. The rooms are clean and spacious. Perfect for a 1-night stay in Bershergaden!
KS Hostel Berchtesgaden GmbH is where you’ll find the best budget accommodations in Berchtesgaden. The property is a simple hostel accommodation with a simple plain bed in a dormitory room.
The best thing about the hostel is its location. It is right beside Berchtesgaden station and very easy to travel around. Highly recommended for budget travelers who look for affordable accommodation for a group of friends. Free transportation card to get to the Königssee.
Hotel Köppeleck stands beside a forest in the Berchtesgaden Nature Park and is surrounded by meadows. It offers a wonderful view of the Alps. The rooms are spacious and equipped with a balcony or terrace. The view was stunning, and the balcony itself was a great place to spend some time on.
The hotel is situated at the central point for visiting the surrounding attraction. Königsee lake is about a 5-minute drive from Königssee lake. Best for travelers for a perfect gateway with vehicles.
All in all, we hope our accommodation guide will help you decide where to stay in Berchtesgaden. Some of the properties are better for travelers who looking for a perfect gateway, and others are close to the station for easy getting around. Choosing the right place to stay will make your trip more relaxing and fun, especially with so many awesome things to do in Berchtesgaden.
If you still can’t make the decision, we highly recommend Hotel Bavaria as one of the best value stays in Berchtesgaden. If you’re looking for something more luxurious, you can’t go wrong with Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden. For Budget travelers and with a group of friends, KS Hostel Berchtesgaden GmbH is the right choice!
Last but not least, feel free to read through our travel blog below for your trip inspiration to central Europe.
Planning on things to do for the Grand Canyon itinerary? We’ll share the Grand Canyon travel blog with information on how to visit Grand Canyon South Rim in this detailed travel guide to help you with the planning.
A trip to Grand Canyon South Rim has great views of the canyon. Words cannot describe the absolute immense beauty of this place. You can walk along the rim, take a short hike, or go to the various viewpoints to immerse in the beauty of the canyon. We enjoyed our Grand Canyon experience! There are so many awesome spots to see and explore in the park. Trust us, Grand Canyon is one place you don’t want to sleep on.
For those of you planning your trip to the Grand Canyon, it’s important to plan your itinerary before your trip. That way, you can prepare in advance and make the most of your Grand Canyon trip.
Here, we wanted to share our Grand Canyon South Rim itinerary and detailed travel guide. In this Grand Canyon travel blog, we’ll include all the useful information and tips, including the best things to do and what to see in Canyon. Take a look!
Located in Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park is a truly magnificent place to visit. This awe-inspiring landscape is carved by the Colorado River and layered bands of colorful rock formation millions of years. It is one of the Seven Natural Wonder in the World and UNESCO Heritage Site. Besides, Grand Canyon is one of the most popular destinations in the world, which makes it also one of the busiest National Park in the USA.
We recommended Grand Canyon South Rim as it has a more scenic side and perfect place to begin your explanation of the Grand Canyon. It is dubbed the “true Grand Canyon” and is open 24 hours with a number of lodging choices, restaurants, shops, and facilities. While the North Rim is closed during the winter due to snow.
Grand Canyon National Park State: Arizona Address: S Entrance Rd, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023 Area: 1,218,375 acres Telephone: (928) 638-7888 Official Website: https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm
Entrance Fee To Grand Canyon NP
The entrance fee to Grand Canyon National Park is $35 USD per car and it covers up to 4 people in 1 vehicle for 7 days entrance in and out of the park. But if you plan to visit more than 3 USA National Parks within the year, we highly recommend you purchase an America The Beautiful pass. This pass grants you free admission to the National Parks and it definitely will save you a lot of money.
Here is some of the quick information for your Grand Canyon South Rim itinerary:
How Many Days for Grand Canyon South Rim?
It depends on what you want to see and do in Grand Canyon. One to two days is a perfect amount of time for a glimpse and introduction to this magnificent site. We recommend at least one full day at the Grand Canyon South Rim but this natural beauty can be visited for days and even weeks.
What to do in Grand Canyon South Rim for a few hours?
It is doable for a visit even you only have a few hours to spend in Grand Canyon. We recommended stopping by a few viewpoints to immerse the view of the Grand Canyon.
What to do in Grand Canyon South Rim in 1 day?
With one day at the Grand Canyon South Rim, you can visit a few viewpoints, take a short hike into the canyon, or watch the sunrise or sunset for the Canyon.
Is Grand Canyon worth a visit?
Definitely Yes! It is one of the most beautiful parks in the world and it worth spending time for a visit even if you just have limited time.
Best Time To Visit Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon South Rim is open all year round while the North Rim is closed during winter. The best time to visit Grand Canyon is during spring and fall when the weather is pleasant and less crowded.
While the Summer months will be the peak season for Grand Canyon, so please expect more crowds. The weather is hot and hiking can be challenging in the middle of the day. Please take more caution on the hot weather if you are planning to visit Grand Canyon in Summer.
Winter will be less crowded compared with spring and fall. Snow is possible and the weather is extremely low. But this also means quieter viewpoints and less expensive accommodation.
Where To Stay
There are two options if you are looking for accommodation when visiting Grand Canyon, which is within the park and outside the park. If you plan for the sunrise, the best way probably is to stay close by so you can catch the sunrise in the early morning.
Best Place to Stay within Grand Canyon
Staying within the Grand Canyon National Park will save you a lot of traveling time by driving in and out. You can also be camping and Grand Canyon with 3 campgrounds (Desert View, Trailer Village, and Mather) in the park. There are several accommodation options for in-park accommodation:
The historic El Tovar Hotel – The most premium accommodation option in Grand Canyon South Rim. It is a National Historic Landmark with 78 unique rooms and a fine dining restaurant.
Yavapai Lodge – There are 378 rooms for a regular basic stay in Grand Canyon. A great option for family travelers and is located slightly further far compared with other in-park lodges. Check prices now!
Bright Angel Lodge is often one of the cheapest options within the park. The lodge offers rooms and cabins and is located on the rim at the top of the Bright Angel trailhead. Check prices now!
Maswik Lodge has 280 contemporary-style rooms across 12 buildings.
Thunderbird Lodge featured with many of the rooms offers partial views of the canyon.
Kachina Lodge offers regular-style hotel rooms and it is clean and comfortable.
Best Place to Stay Outside of Grand Canyon
Another great option for where to stay when visiting Grand Canyon is outside the park. You can plan to stay in a nearby town such as Tusayan. Here is our recommendation:
Best Western Squire Inn is featured a lot of amenities and complimentary coffee in the morning. It took about an hour of drive to the entrance of the Grand Canyon. It is a very popular option accommodation option for those who plan to stay closer to the Grand Canyon entrance. Check for room availability here!
The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon is another popular pick. The hotel is located at Tusayan and about 1 mile from the South Entrance. The rooms are clean and quiet. An ideal for those who need a good rest after a tiring trip to Grand Canyon. Check prices now!
Grand Canyon Travel Tips: Accommodation is limited and the In-park hotels in Grand Canyon Village are extremely popular, especially during summer. So, book ahead of time to secure your stay. You can click on either of the hotels above to check on the prices and room availability.
Getting Around in Grand Canyon South Rim
Driving in the Canyon: Self-driving definitely gives you the most flexibility. Viewpoints of Grand Canyon like Lipan and Moran are accessible by car all year-round.
Free Shuttle Bus Service: Grand Canyon National Park provides a free shuttle bus service at the Southern Rim. There are 5 shuttle bus routes (only 3 routes during winter) are in operation. The bus makes multiple stops where you are able to get off and on. It is advisable that you get a map and carefully plan out which viewpoints are you gonna stop at. The wait between buses is about 15-20 minutes, giving visitors the perfect amount of time to admire the view, take pictures, and then take the next bus.
Helicopter Tour: If you’re the adventurous type, you can also take a helicopter ride over the canyon. It certainly is a cool once-in-a-lifetime moment flying above the canyon, but most likely also the most expensive activity around. You can check around the price here: Grand Canyon Tour with Helicopter
Grand Canyon Itinerary
The Southern Rim is easily accessible from Las Vegas, or from nearby cities like Flagstaff and Page. All are the perfect places to begin your adventure in the Grand Canyon. Very easy to do.
The day before, we drove from Las Angelos to Las Vegas with a rental car and spent the night there. The next morning, we continue our journey and headed to Grand Canyon. A 5-hour drive from Las Vegas put us in the South Rim entrance of the Grand Canyon.
At the Grand Canyon National Park, we took the shuttle option and hopped around to different viewpoints to have a different view of this natural wonder. The view was just amazing and immense! One of the must-visit National Park in the USA for sure!
There are dozen of viewpoints in the Grand Canyon and offer spectacular views of the canyon. Below are our picks and how we spend our time in the 1-Day Grand Canyon South Rim itinerary:
Arrived at Grand Canyon South Rim Entrance Point from Las Vegas.
Grand Canyon Visitor Center.
Mather Point.
Yavapai Point.
Hermit’s Rest Viewpoints (Trailview Overlook, Maricopa Point, Powell Point, Hopi Point, Mohave Point, The Abyss, Monument Creek Vista, Pima Point, and Hermits Rest).
Kaibab Rim Route: Yaki Point, Pipe Creek Vista.
Grand Canyon Visitor Center
Our first stop in the Grand Canyon itinerary was the Visitor Center, the busiest area in the Grand Canyon National Park.
At the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, you can get the ranger suggestions and the orientation maps to the Grand Canyon. Besides, the visitor center is the main shuttle bus interchange station if you plan to take up the shuttle service. It also has restrooms, the largest book and gift store in the park.
We are lucky as we parked right outside the visitor center. It can be hard to find the car park if you arrive late. While waiting, you can also enjoy the Granton Canyon View from the viewing point right in front of the visitor center.
Mather Point
Stunning View on Grand Canyon
Next, we walked from the viewing point by the visitor center to Mather Point, the closest view of the rim from the visitor’s center. It took us about 5 minutes as it is adjacent to the Grand Canyon Vistors Center.
If you only can visit one viewpoint in Grand Canyon, I would probably suggest Mather Point. The views are spectacular and amazing. It is probably the most crowded lookout point and it gives you a great view looking to the East side of the Grand Canyon.
To get there: Walk the Rim trail or take the Kaibab Rim Route, the orange line.
Yavapai Point
The Yavapai point is another place you have to go to see on the Grand Canyon itinerary.
We walked alongside the rim towards Yavapai Point. Alternatively, you can also take the shuttle over Yavapai Point. The trail is only 0.7km for one way and easy to walk through. Moreover, you’ll be rewarded with great views along the way.
The view from Yavapai Point is spectacular. The full grandeur of the Grand Canyon is on display and there are multiple spots to take. If you have time, it is also worth it to venture into the Geological Museum. The museum has a full model of the Grand Canyon and lots of interesting and informative about the geological history of the area.
To get there: Walk the Rim trail or take the Kaibab Rim Route, the orange line.
Hermit’s Rest Viewpoints
Next, we back to the Visitor Center and hop on the Hermit Road Shuttle to Hermit’s Point Viewpoints. This scenic route with a series of 9 stops with viewpoints that offer incredible views of the Canyon.
Hermit’s Rest Viewpoints (and shuttle stops): Trailview Overlook – Maricopa Point – Powell Point – Hopi Point – Mohave Point – The Abyss – Monument Creek Vista – Pima Point – Hermits Rest.
The en route is about 7 miles and the shuttle will stop at designated points for about 15 to 30 minutes. You can hop on and off along the stops to explore each viewpoint as much as you can, or even plan for a hike.
Powell Point
Powell Memorial
At Powell Point with Stunning Vista. We highly recommended spending some time enjoying the magnificent view at this stop.
There is Powell Memorial at the Powell Point viewpoint commemorates the 1869 and 1871-72 exploratory trips down the Colorado River by Major John Wesley Powell and expedition crews.
Hopi Viewpoint
Stunning Canyon View at Hopi Point
A short distance to Powel Point is the Hopi Viewpoint. The view is magnificent although it is quite similar to Powell Point. Hopi Point is also one of the popular viewpoints with its wide unobstructed views in the Grand Canyon.
Mohave Point
Another must-visit in the Grand Canyon itinerary. The Mohave Point offers views of the Colorado River deep in the canyon below.
Monument Creek Vista
One of the stops for Hermit’s Point Viewpoints is Monument Creek Vista. The view is stunning and worth spending time on the Grand Canyon travel blog.
Hermits Rest
Hermits Rest is the last stop on the Hermits Rest Road Shuttle bus service
Stone Building at Hermits Rest
At the last stop at Hermit’s Rest, there is a stone building with a fireplace selling gifts and serving hot drinks. You can take some rest and spend some time exploring around.
We started the Hermit Drive adventure after our lunch and hopped on and off along the stops. We stopped by Trailview Overlook, Maricopa Point, Powell Point, Hopi Point, Monument Creek Vista until we reached the Hermits Rest.
You can plan and spend at all the viewpoints depending on how much time is allocated for your Grand Canyon itinerary. In my opinion, Powell Point and Hopi Point have the best view along the Hermits Rest Route.
To get there: Take the Hermit’s Rest Route, the red line.
Sunset at Yaki Point and Pipe Creek Vista
Grand Canyon Itinerary – Yaki Point
In the late afternoon, we took the shuttle back to the Kaibab Rim Route. On this route, we stopped off the Yaki Point and Pipe Creek Vista.
Watching Sunset at Grand Canyon – Pipe Creek Vistas
During the evening, the Yaki Point and Pipe Creek Vistas are extremely stunning as fading light of sunset brings out rich colors in Grand Canyon’s rock layers. We spend a lot of taking nice photography at these two viewpoints while waiting for the sunset at Grand Canyon.
Lastly, we took our car and continue our journey to Page. We stayed one night in Page and prepared for our next adventure to Antelope Canyon.
To get there: Take the Kaibab Rim Route, the Orange line.
What and Where to eat in Grand Canyon
Food is very expensive and only have limited options are available inside the Grand Canyon National Park. You can go to the Grand Canyon Village or Market Plaza to look for food. But it is usually very crowded and lines get very long, especially during lunch hours.
Additionally, if you want to eat somewhere special then the historic El Tovar is a great option. It served with fine dining with stunning canyon views. Reservation is recommended.
During our visit to Grand Canyon, many restaurants are closed or carried out only. We bought the sandwiches for lunch and continue our venturing journey. So it is advised to plan your meals or have plenty of snacks before you go.
Hiking in Grand Canyon
Hiking is undoubtedly the best way to take in the grandeur of the Grand Canyon. We did not hike down into the canyon, but really enjoyed all the viewpoints along the rim road. If you’re planning for a great hike down into the Canyon, we recommended two options for a short hike in Grand Canyon.
From South Kaibab trailhead and hike to Ooh Aah Point, which is about 1.8 miles round trip. The Ooh Ahh Point is one of the favorite spots to stop for pictures and I highly recommend it for visitors looking for a shorter but worthy hike. It cannot be accessed by private vehicle and only can catch a shuttle (Orange line) to the trailhead. Alternatively, park on the side of highway 64 near Yaki Point road and walk about 1/2 mile to the trailhead.
Another less strenuous option is Bright Angel Trail. It is another popular and easiest access for hiking in Grand Canyon. It has lots of shops at the top where you can get last-minute supplies such as water and snacks. Parking is very limited and it is very difficult to find parking near the trailhead.
Watch Sunrise in Grand Canyon
If you are staying in Grand Canyon, don’t forget to wake up early for the magical sunrise when the light hits the canyon walls.
There are a few favorite spots for travelers to watch the magnificent sunrise view in Grand Canyon. The Mohave Point on Hermit Road and Mather Point, Yavapai Point nearby the Visitor Center are the popular sunrise viewpoints in Grand Canyon. The locations offer stunning sunrise vistas with stunning sunrise views.
However, expected a huge crowd to share the same excitement with you. It is recommended to stay within the park to save your traveling time in the early morning.
More Grand Canyon Travel Guide Tips
To enjoy the visit to Grand Canyon South Rim here is our quick and simple tips for your Grand Canyon itinerary:
Get the America Beauty Pass as it really saves us a lot of money during our trip to the USA.
At the Visitor Center at the park entrance, please get the maps and plan out what you want to see. Grand Canyon is easily planned for a self-tour.
Please fully utilized the shuttle system service as parking is limited at most of the viewpoints. If you are planning for self-driving, please start your day as early as possible. Please check the Grand Canyon NP website for road condition information.
Wear multiple layers for flexibility and comfortable shoes or hiking boots with a good grip. Hat and sunblock are highly recommended, especially in Summer.
Bring water and snacks as there are not many stores or vending machines in the park.
Cellular data and WiFi are basically nonexistent
Lastly, get to the Grand Canyon National Park early!
Overview: A Trip to Grand Canyon South Rim
All in all, a visit to Grand Canyon was on my must-do list and I’m happy to have made the effort to go. Photos alone do not do justice to the sights of the massive size of the Grand Canyon. You have to be with your eyes to admire this nature experience.
We were short in time and only had a few hours in Grand Canyon before we traveled to Antelope Canyon. In total, we spent just about 6 hours in the park. But still, we highly suggest making a stop even if you don’t have time for a full-scale adventure. This is a very easy and excellent sightseeing attraction on a world scale-definitely not to miss if you are in the canyon country!
Last but not least, we hope you enjoy reading our Grand Canyon itinerary. Do you plan on visiting other National Parks and popular cities in the USA? Feel free to check out our travel guide blog below.
