Here’s my accommodation guide on where to stay in Munich and how to choose the best area to stay in Munich.
Munich (German: München) is a well-known tourist destination and it is impossible that you have never heard of it. It’s a great destination for a short city break or a week-long vacation in Europe. Simply visit the famous Marienplatz main square and some of the churches and museums when visiting this city. The world’s most beautiful castle, Schloss Neuschwanstein also can be visited on a day trip from Munich.
Munich is also famous for the Oktoberfest festival. Many travelers flock to this city during October to enjoy the popular German beer and food. How could someone go to Germany without spending some time in this lovely city? If you’re still wondering whether you should take a day trip or stay for longer, trust me, you must stay at least one night here to explore the city in fullness!
To look for the best hotel in München, I’ll break the city down for you to help you plan better for your stay in Munich. For each area, I’ll also share some great accommodation options in the different price ranges that suit your budget and needs.
If you’re ready to book now then start your search for where to stay in Munich!
If you’re planning a trip to Munich, I would highly recommend you to read through our Munich Accommodation Guide to choose your best stay in München. The best places to stay in Munich are Munich Old City (Altstadt-Lehel), Ludwigsvorstadt, nearby Olympiapark, and nearby airport.
Here is the quick tips when choosing where to stay in Munich:
Munich Old City (Altstadt-Lehel) – Where to stay in Munich for the first time.
Ludwigsvorstadt – The best place to stay when traveling by train.
Nearby Olympiapark – Where to stay in Munich on a budget and also great for families travelers.
Nearby Airport – For those to catch an early or super late flight.
Now, here’s where to stay in Munich in more detail.
Munich Old City
First of all, we recommended staying right in the heart of the city. The Munich Old Town (Altstadt-Lehel), is also known as the historic center of München. Staying in the center heart of Munich will always have its advantages. This is where you’ll find all the most important landmarks of Munich, including Marienplatz and tons of great restaurants and pubs. Most of the attractions can be reached by walking.
The downside is the hotel’s price might be a bit higher and you might need to book further in advance, especially during the peak season to make sure you find a great deal!
To treat yourself during your stay in Munich, stay in the Bayerischer Hof Hotel. The historical 5-star hotel is one of the most luxury hotels in Munich, offering 5 gourmet restaurants, 6 bars, and an exclusive spa with a rooftop pool.
The luxurious rooms and suites of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof each feature an original design, ranging from cosmopolitan to colonial style. All the staffs are incredibly friendly and supportive. The best part of the experience together with the comfortable stay!
Hotel Torbräu
This historic 4-star Hotel Torbräu is a family-run property in Altstadt-Lehel. The property is a beautiful ‘traditional’ style building, that features classically furnished rooms. The location is excellent and centrally located in the old town. The Marienplatz is only 10 minutes away and the Isartor S-Bahn Train Station is only 100 meters away from the hotel.
Best mid-to-high Range Hotel in Munich Old City
Mercure Hotel München Altstadt – The superior 3-star hotel located in Munich’s Old Town, a 3-minute walk from the famous Marienplatz square and 15 mins walk from the main train station. A very well located hotel with a reasonable price. Basic but clean and comfortable, with a good breakfast. Everything you would need when looking for where to stay in Munich.
Designer Hotel MIO by AMANO
Hotel MIO by AMANO – Another cool designer hotel in Munich with beautiful decoration for the hotel and rooms. The location was perfect less than a ten-minute walk to Marienplatz and the train station. The rooms are comfortable with decent size.
Room view for Motel One München Sendlinger Tor
Motel One München Sendlinger Tor – Another popular pick in Munich. The hotel with a cool design and the rooms are very clean and comfortable. Located at a perfect location and within easy walking distance to a lot of Munich’s main tourist attractions.
Ludwigsvorstadt
Besides, in the nearby neighborhood of Altstadt, Ludwigsvorstadt is another common choice for more reasonably priced accommodation. This area is an amazing choice for people traveling to Munich by train and the train station is located in this area. There is a wide range of accommodations to choose from, so you can get the cheaper and budget accommodation in Ludwigsvorstadt.
Ludwigsvorstadt is located south of Altstadt, with less than 30 minutes short walk away. So it is still very convenient to visit Munich when staying in Ludwigsvorstadt.
Friendly reminder: Ludwigsvorstadt is the popular place to stay in Munich during Oktoberfest. The reason is simple, Theresienwiese is located in this area, which is the venue where Oktoberfest takes place in Munich. Book early to avoid disappointment as rooms running fast during this season!
High Range Hotel in Ludwigsvorstadt
Mercure München City Center
For a comfortable stay that’s still reasonably priced, look no further than the Mercure München City Center. This 4-star property is in proximity to the train station and many of the city’s major attractions. Spacious rooms with modern design with Bavarian influences. A clean and comfortable bed guarantees your best stay in Munich.
NH Collection München Bavaria
NH Collection München Bavaria – The 4-star superior hotel is directly beside Munich Main Station and offers panoramic views of Munich city center. Most travelers love this property as it offers an early check-in option and free luggage storage if you’re planning to travel outside Munich for a couple of days.
Mid-budget Hotel in Ludwigsvorstadt
Room view in Arthotel Munich
Arthotel Munich is a 3-star superior hotel, only 5 walking minutes from Munich Central Station and walking distance to the city center. It is one of the popular stays when looking for where to stay in Munich. Great breakfast and superb value for money. Nearby to the Oktoberfest site, it is recommended to book early to secure your room.
Budget rooms in Hotel Eder
Hotel Eder is a wonderful and authentic family-run hotel in the heart of Munich. It is located in a quiet street and very close to all public transportation, with a 3-minute walk from Munich Main Station. The Munich Old Town is just a short walk from the property. Best budget stay in Munich!
Nearby Olympiapark
Munich isn’t a city that’s known for being budget-friendly, but you still can find good budget accommodation if you are willing to stay slightly away from the city center. We recommended looking for accommodation nearby the tram station which can get you to the center in 20-30 min.
Besides, the Olympiapark areas are also the perfect place for travelers in the bigger group who looking for overnight in Munich at a good value for money. The accommodation in this area offers bigger rooms which are also great for travelers with family or friends.
H2 Hotel München Olympiapark is an extremely popular mid-budget stay in Munich. The property is a modern minimalist clean room for your comfortable budget stay in Munich. It is conveniently located near the Olympic village with a U-Bahn subways station right in front of the hotel. The property is very suitable for travelers with families and kids with double, comfort triple, and quadruple rooms available to choose from.
MEININGER Hotel München Olympiapark is located easily accessible by public transport and super convenient. Besides, there is also inexpensive parking available for guests. Very clean rooms and spacious family rooms.
B&B Hotel München-Olympiapark is accessible by trains and close to shops and a metro station. 7 stops will bring you back to the Munich city center. The rooms are slightly room but clean with the best value for money. Everything you need for a short stay in Munich.
Nearby Airport
If you are coming to Munich for a short period of time, arriving late at night or early in the morning, or simply need to be close to the airport for an easy departure, then here are some excellent hotels that are nearby to the Munich Airport.
Novotel München Airport is one of the best value hotels for stopovers in Munich. The property is conveniently located near the airport, with easy access by bus and train station. The rooms are spacious and clean, with good noise isolation. The shuttle bus stop to the airport is just located right next to the hotel.
Hilton Munich Airport
Hilton Munich Airport is fantastically located right next to the airport for an early morning flight. It is located across right the road and can easily access the airport on foot. Beautifully decorated, and clean cozy rooms. Highly recommended if you are looking for staying nearby Munich airport.
B&B Hotel München Airport – If you’re on a budget then this Ibis hotel in Munich will be just great. It is a functional airport hotel with reasonable value for money. It is small but clean and comfortable with a shuttle to the airport for an early flight. A great choice for a short layover in Munich.
Overview: Best Stay in Munich
Lastly, we hope you enjoy reading our München accommodation guide when choosing your best stay in Munich. We explained everything you need to know about the best areas to stay in Munich, with the best selection of hotels in each area for different budget ranges.
Accommodation options in München are plentiful for those with a deep wallet, though budget travelers will have to look for staying slightly away from the center. But still, there’s something for everyone for your best stay in Munich. Happy travel to Munich!
Looking for a specific place to stay in Zurich? Here are our highest recommendations places and best pick hotels if you are looking for where to stay in Zurich.
If you are planning a trip to Switzerland, makes sure to visit Zurich to truly experience this fantastic city. It is one of the must-visit cities in Switzerland, featuring many amazing things to do in the city. You have to spend at least one or two days in Zurich when exploring Switzerland.
However, searching for where to stay in Zurich can be a headache. Zurich is an expensive place to visit, in terms of transportation, food, and also accommodation. Although Zurich has a range of accommodation, from luxury to mid-range, and budget hostels, there is no real bargain when you’re looking for where to stay in Zurich.
Our Zurich accommodation guides include some best hotel recommendations for the different price ranges. If you haven’t decided where to stay in Zurich, check out the recommendations with our pick of the best hotels in Zurich.
If you like the idea of staying in the city, here are our quick tips for where to stay in Zurich:
District1, Altstadt (Old Town)
Unterstrass
Zurich City West
More detail on why you should stay in these areas in Zurich.
What is the best place to stay in Zurich?
District 1, also known as Altstadt (Old Town) without a doubt, is our top choice for where to stay in Zurich. The Old Town is probably the best place to stay in Zurich in terms of convenience. Most of the major sites are within walking distance including Hauptbanhof can easily get around in the city. Here you will get a range of mid to high and luxury hotels in this area.
Where to stay in Zurich for family and kids?
We recommended staying in the Unterstrass, district 6. This area is slightly further away from the town but less crowded. It is still very mobile and convenient.
Where to stay in Zurich for budget travelers?
For budget travelers, staying in Zurich West can be a good option. The accommodations here are cheaper compared with the old town area. It is further from the city center but it is still very convenient as the Zurich’s public transport (trams and trains) system is very thorough and easy to use. A short ride can easily get you to the main attractions.
Friendly reminder, Zurich is the central hub of finance and business not only for Switzerland but also for the world. Accommodation can be run out when there is a special event or conference. We recommended booked your accommodation as soon as possible as your travel plan is set. This not only can secure your stay in Zurich but also can get a cheaper price as the hotel rate will get an increase when the rooms run out!
District1, Altstadt (Old Town)
As for many historical European cities, the Altstadt (Old Town) is always the preferred area to stay in. It’s centrally located and all the best things to do and see can be reachable by easy walking. The main train station is also located in the old town area, so you can easily walk to the hotel once you reach Zurich.
Among those areas, Altstadt (Old Town) is also the best place to stay if you are visiting Zurich for the first time. Here is our best pick when looking for where to stay in Zurich.
Probably the most luxurious and high-class hotel in Zurich, Hotel Schweizerhof Zurich has everything that you could imagine. The location is excellent and situated right opposite the main station at the beginning of the Bahnhofstrasse. One minute of the short walk can get you to the main train station.
While the hotel is decorated in a classic European style with two award-winning in-house restaurants and a classy whiskey bar. Rooms are sound-proofed and offer adjustable beds and contemporary amenities. Excellent and professional staff guarantee your best stay in Zurich. Check for the best rate here.
Central Plaza
High-range: Central Plaza Hotel is perfectly situated at Zurich’s Central Square right next to the main railway station. Centra Plaza Hotel is within 5 minutes walking distance from the main station and has easy access to most of the attractions in Zurich. The Bahnhofstraße, Zurich’s most popular shopping street, is only a few steps away from the hotel.
The property offers upscale soundproof rooms with comfortable beds for resting your head after a tiring trip in the city. The professional staff is charming and friendly. Definitely a pleasant stay in Zurich! Book your stay here.
Motel One Zurich
Best Pick: Motel One Zürich is my top pick when looking for where to stay in Zurich. It is a more balanced option that combines style and comfort without the high price tag. Everything about the hotel was amazing. Incredible location, close to the train station and the attractions, with many great restaurants and pubs nearby.
Motel One Hotel features modern comfortable rooms and elegant design. Incredibly helpful and friendly staff make this somewhere you’ll be happy to relax. A great value for money when you are looking for where to stay in Zurich. Check for the best rate here.
Hotel Limmathof
If you are searching for where to stay in Zurich which is centrally located and at a reasonable price, Hotel Limmathof is what you are looking for. Hotel Limmathof is a mid-to-budget hotel located in the heart of the old town. The location is awesome, which is close to train stations, shops, and attractions.
The staffs are very helpful and welcoming with reception open 24 hours. The room was very clean and comfortable though maybe some refurbishment is needed. With the price offer in Zurich, Hotel Limmathof is definitely a great deal! Check for rooms availability here.
Unterstrass
For travelers with family and kids, we recommended staying in Unterstrass, Zurich. Located in District 6, the Unterstrass is a perfect place to stay when you want to easily go around Zurich without being in a crowded place. It is slightly further away from the town but it is still very mobile and convenient. Besides, a short tram ride can easily connect you to the city center.
The Hotel Krone Unterstrass serves all your family members by offering a comfortable stay in Zurich. It is located right next to the Kronestrasse train station, so very convenient to get to the city center.
The rooms are clean and spacious with great bathrooms. The friendly staff makes every effort by providing help and support for every guest. An excellent stay in Zurich for the price you paid. Check for rooms availability here.
ibis Styles Zurich City Center
The ibis Styles Zurich City Center is well located, with an only a 5-minute walk from the main train station. This newly renovated property can be considered as mid-budget accommodation when you are looking for where to stay in Zurich. But still, the elegant design of the hotel gives you a good and relaxing feel about the property.
Due to Zurich’s high prices and costly accommodation, staying in Old Town is more suitable for high-end travelers who want to stay near the attractions without budget concerns. In fact, public transport is pretty convenient and well-connected in the city, so staying in Zurich West is another great option if you are looking for accommodation with budget-friendly.
Here are a few recommendations if you are looking for where to stay in Zurich City West.
For a great price and best quality, H+ Hotel Zurich is one of the popular picks when looking for where to stay in Zurich. The hotel is not in central Zurich but can be reached by taking the city tram which takes approximately 15 mins to the main attraction. A bus stop is also located right in front of the property.
The hotel is nicely decorated and clean. Spacious rooms and comfortable bed. Great value for money. Check for the best rate here.
ibis budget Zurich City West
The Ibis Budget Zurich City West is a good place to stay in Zurich if you are looking for a good clean place to rest on a reasonable budget after sign-seeing in the city. The property is located in the trendy Zurich city West with well deserved by public transportation at a good price. It is well connected and easily accessible with 10 minutes of public transport from the city center and Zurich Main Station. If you prefer to walk, it’s about 30 minutes walking distance to the center.
Staffs are very friendly and helpful. A simple free breakfast is provided too for guests staying at the hotel. Take note that this is a budget hotel, so you’ll get what you paid for. Check for rooms availability here.
Overall: Best Place To Stay in Zurich
All in all, Zurich is an expensive city to travel to and travelers aren’t going to have it too easy in Switzerland. So it is very important to know where to stay in Zurich to find the perfect Zurich accommodation for your wants and needs.
For an experience like no other, we highly recommended Motel One Zurich and Central Plaza as the best places to stay in Zurich. Both are located in the Altstadt (Old Town) so it is very convenient to visit all the attractions in the city.
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!
