Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

FAST FACTS: FOR THE INTERNATIONAL TRAVELER 47
See “Getting Around” in chapter 4 for
more information on renting a car in
Las Vegas.
BY BUS Although bus travel is often
the most economical form of public
transit for short hops between U.S.
cities, it can also be slow and uncomfortable—certainly
not an option for
everyone (particularly when Amtrak,
which is far more luxurious, offers similar
or slightly higher rates). Greyhound/Trailways
(& 800/231-2222;
www.greyhound.com), the sole nationwide
bus line, offers an International
Ameripass that must be purchased
before coming to the United States, or
by phone through the Greyhound
International Office at the Port Authority
Bus Terminal in New York City
(& 212/971-0492). The pass can be
obtained from foreign travel agents and
costs less than the domestic version.
Costs for 2003 passes are as follows: 4
days ($175), 7 days ($224), 10 days
($274), 15 days ($334), 21 days ($384),
30 days ($444), 45 days ($484), or 60
days ($594). You can get more info on
the pass at www.greyhound.com, or by
calling & 212/971-0492 (2–9pm) or
& 402/330-8552 (all other times). Special
ticket rates are available for seniors
and students. Though bus stations are
often located in undesirable neighborhoods,
the one in Las Vegas is conveniently
located in a safe part of
Downtown.
BY TRAIN Amtrak (& 800/USA-
RAIL; www.amtrak.com) does not currently
offer direct rail service, although
plans have been in the works to restore
the rails between Los Angeles and Las
Vegas for years now. At press time,
Amtrak wouldn’t confirm a date, but
various reports have indicated that some
time in 2004 they will restore service
using the TALGO. This Europeandesigned
“Casino Train” completes the
trip from Los Angeles in about 5 1 ⁄2
hours, with a wholesale seat price of $99
round-trip. (There’s some talk that the
train’s route may continue on to Salt
Lake City, but this had not been finalized
at press time.) We still don’t believe
this is going to happen in our lifetime.
Much of the train will be presold to
various hotels, so the final price to the
traveler will depend on how you get
the ticket. High rollers will probably
end up with freebies, but the ticket
will most likely be $99 if you purchase
at the counter. In the meantime, you
can take the train to Los Angeles or
Barstow and Amtrak will get you to
Vegas by bus.
FAST FACTS: For the International Traveler
Automobile Organizations Auto clubs will supply maps, suggested
routes, guidebooks, accident and bail-bond insurance, and emergency
road service. The American Automobile Association (AAA) is the major
auto club in the United States. If you belong to an auto club in your home
country, inquire about AAA reciprocity before you leave. You may be able
to join AAA even if you’re not a member of a reciprocal club; to inquire,
call AAA (& 800/222-4357; www.aaa.com). AAA is actually an organization
of regional auto clubs; so look under “AAA Automobile Club” in the
White Pages of the telephone directory. AAA has a nationwide emergency
road service telephone number (& 800/AAA-HELP).
Business Hours Offices are usually open weekdays from 9am to 5pm.
Banks are open weekdays from 9am to 3pm or later, and sometimes on
Saturday morning, although there’s 24-hour access to the automated