First holiday abroad - why do I need to know?
Posted by mcboobie@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 33 comments
I have never been abroad (bar a ferry day trip to France in year 6)
I am turning 40 and am being taken to Las Vegas!
We are going for 5 days - solid itinerary of shows, day tours and experiences.
I have no idea what to take or what to do before I go.
Please help me pack and prepare!
I am female, will be travelling with my sister (late 20s). Thank you!
DisloyalMouse@reddit
You’ll need a passport and E-visa thing - don’t loose your passport.
It’s in the desert. Most buildings have AC in them but outside it will be hot. You’ll probably want to bring warm weather clothes - shorts/dresses/skirts/tank tops/etc.
When I went to Vegas about 15 years ago, I was told that hotel occupancy is typically at about 80%. So there’s lots of tourists who have been gambling - mostly in cash. I was told walking on the strip after dark is mostly fine, as there’s lots of people about. But if you’re going off the strip after dark, make sure you take a cab. Even if it’s only a couple of blocks.
You’ll want to look at the exchange rate with the Dollar and find out if it’s cheaper to take cash, bring a preloaded card or use your debit card (lots of banks charge for foreign transactions and often their exchange rate isn’t very good).
Most ATMs in the US charge per transaction (or they did when I went) so it’s better to take out more money in fewer transactions.
If/when you gamble, set yourself a limit (per day/per session/over the trip). And once you’ve spent it, you stop. I would treat it more like spending money and any winnings is a bonus.
Look up US tipping culture and know when you’re expected to tip.
Have fun, don’t get drunk and accidentally get married at a drive in chapel or getting a questionable tattoo lol.
VolcanicBear@reddit
You will need a passport, and an ESTA to enter the US.
Las Vegas is in the middle of a desert, so look up what weather to expect. You will want sun cream regardless.
You'll want something for the 9+ hour flight each way.
Other than the ESTA and passport though, you don't really need much. Most places in Vegas have finally caught up with contactless payment, so get a Wise card or something.
mcboobie@reddit (OP)
Great advice, and reassuring as I always forget things!
VolcanicBear@reddit
I agree with the "allocate a certain amount to gambling" comment as well.
I've personally been to Vegas twice and never touched any form of gambling, there's enough to do there without it, but if it is something you enjoy then it's definitely something you want to set a cap for.
mcboobie@reddit (OP)
We are definite more the exploring/doing something type. Luckily, gambling is the one vice I’ve never acquired a taste for!
VolcanicBear@reddit
If you're partial to the Devil's Lettuce, don't get it anywhere on the strip. They'll try and flog you CBD products as THC.
Mint Cannabis is pretty good.
gt94sss2@reddit
Don't forget to get travel insurance
beernon@reddit
Don’t exchange cash. Only old people do this.
Get a Monzo or similar global mastercard. It lets you spend like a local, no foreign fees or anything. It also lets you take out a certain amount of cash from ATMs abroad for free.
When you pay with them at card terminals it might give you a message about some exchange. Reject all the exchange offers and select payment in the local currency. By doing this you take advantage of the fantastic Mastercard exchange rate.
kittykat7931@reddit
Last time I went on holiday I was so overwhelmed with sorting everything out I asked ChatGPT what I should pack and the list it gave me was very useful. Sounds daft but it helped me focus as I had a list for hand luggage and one for the hold and it certainly worked as I only had a couple of things that weren’t worn.
mcboobie@reddit (OP)
This is an interesting approach that I haven’t thought of. Thank you.
cookycookie88@reddit
I just fucking love spag bol, I could eat it everyday for the rest of my life! My death row meal ❤️
unknowntoff@reddit
Scrub your social media, US border control has gone full authoritarian so they'll want to make sure you're not talking about their supreme leader Mango Mussolini, so if you've sent anything negative about the current US government to friends or family, unsend it.
mcboobie@reddit (OP)
Also, I am a green smoker so your last bits are very useful
unknowntoff@reddit
Enjoy! Legal stuff is really good, check out NuWu, it's the largest dispensary in the world.
mcboobie@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much!!
mcboobie@reddit (OP)
This is a real concern of mine. My only sm is Reddit so I will delete the app before I travel.
unknowntoff@reddit
No worries, and yeah good idea to delete Reddit when you go.
mcboobie@reddit (OP)
Thank you
damapplespider@reddit
Don’t judge the rest of the world by Vegas. Most of it is much nicer. Some casinos offer ‘gambling schools’ in the mornings where you can play for very low stakes if you just want the experience. I learned to play craps in one in NYNY.
Make sure you have travel plugs - if one of you has a charger with multiple USBs, it will help. Some chargers come with alternate plug heads for travelling
If you are changing currency before you go, get a selection of notes. The US expects tips and it’s easier with some lower denomination bills. Make sure you have a debit card with no foreign exchange fees so you can use ATMs or pay in dollars. Never accept the offer to pay in sterling. And make sure you have a credit card so that if there’s a problem, you have a back up. Don’t take all your cards or cash out with you.
If you are doing a Grand Canyon trip, try to get a South Rim one rather than the West Rim or landing in it. It gives you much more of a sense of scale and awe.
Have fun and just enjoy the experiences. You’ll see some really random stuff out there.
mcboobie@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much for this! Great knowledge!
GenericBrowse@reddit
Went to Vegas in first week of September 2014, it was ridiculously hot. My mum's false nails melted off whilst she was sat by the pool!
Definitely try and get a helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon
Venturing off the strip can feel dodgy
A lot of the hotels are connected by walkways (and a monorail) so use them where you can.
There is/was a bar on 64th-ish floor of Mandalay Bay, thats nice to sit out and watch the sun go down.
Make the most of all you can eat buffet places, but choose wisely.
There are a couple of outlet malls that you can get the bus to from the Strip.
Be prepared to walk a lot
Friday night/weekend in Vegas can feel very different to during the week
mcboobie@reddit (OP)
Her nails melted off 😱 I am definitely not prepared! I am very interested in the sunset bar, thank you. I will hit google!
DaveBeBad@reddit
Take Comfortable shoes. Very comfortable shoes.
The inside of each casino is massive and the strip is about 4-5 miles long (although there is a monorail) and at least a couple of the big casinos stretch further away - and Fremont Street is a taxi ride from the strip.
It’s also apparently gotten really expensive in the last few years apparently.
In summer, it can be really hot (take factor 50) but everywhere inside is air conditioned. So prepare to go hot-cold-hot-cold as you move around.
It’s big, brash, tacky and in-your-face. Some love it, some don’t.
mcboobie@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
itallstartedwithapub@reddit
Depending when you are going, it can get very hot so be prepared for the weather as it won't be like home!
Exploring Vegas involves a tremendous amount of walking, comfy shoes are a must. Even getting around your own hotel can be a long journey.
Things there can be extremely expensive or much more reasonable depending on what/how you do them. Unfortunately everything has gone up in price quite a bit the last few years, but it's still possible to have a great time without breaking the bank too much (although be prepared for some price shocks).
Consider heading down to the old downtown (Fremont Street) if you have time, for a different kind of Vegas experience.
You'll need an ESTA to enter the US, and you need to apply for that before travelling.
Cards are accepted almost universally now, but tipping in cash is common and expected for face to face services like bell boys. It might be better to take cash with you rather than rely on obtaining it locally as most ATMs charge a lot.
mcboobie@reddit (OP)
Thank you for taking the time to reply This is a great answer.
Current_Mongoose_844@reddit
Allocate a specific amount of money you want to gamble and stick to it. Keep it in cash. Leave your wallet in the hotel room
mcboobie@reddit (OP)
Excellent advice. Thank you
Tanto207064@reddit
Don’t pack a coat you won’t need one
mcboobie@reddit (OP)
Understood 🫡 we are going early June so I will heed this advice!
mrfluffypants1504@reddit
Unless they go in winter - I was there in the snow. It was freezing.
mcboobie@reddit (OP)
I am going early June, if that helps. I think it will be hot but I’ve heard the air con can bring the casinos down quite a bit. We won’t be in those much, tbh. We are definitely more the exploration types!
AutoModerator@reddit
Please help keep AskUK welcoming!
When replying to submission/post please make genuine efforts to answer the question given. Please no jokes, judgements, etc. If a post is marked 'Serious Answers Only' you may receive a ban for violating this rule.
Don't be a dick to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on.
This is a strictly no-politics subreddit!
Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.