A First-Hand Plus-Sized Guide to a Las Vegas Vacation - Chubby Travelers (2024)

Las Vegas is one of my favorite places on the planet. I fly 14 hours, travel over 5,000, and spend two weeks in Vegas at least twice a year. That's a whole month of vacationing in Vegas each year, so it's safe to say I know a few things about navigating Sin City as a plus-sized visitor.

It's fair to say that every Vegas guide would look different, depending on the writer's personal experiences and preferences. The same could be said for this one in places, as I naturally have my favorites regarding hotels, food, and drink. But this plus-sized guide to Las Vegas has been written for larger travelers who want to experience all that Vegas offers without physical limitations because of weight or size. I want to reduce your anxiety ahead of your trip, and I hope this article does exactly that. So let's get started.

Flying to Vegas

I fly to Vegas. I live too far even to consider an alternative method of transport. As I now live in Europe, I prefer Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy. Premium Economy gives you a load of extra space and is significantly cheaper than the first-class product offered by Virgin.

If you are flying domestically from an airport with multiple options, I recommend flying with whichever airline offers the most space. Our guide to airline seat sizes will provide more information, but here's a quick overview of the airlines with the largest seats:

• Delta Airlines, ranging from 17.5 to 18.6 inches as standard (bigger than most)
• Spirit Airlines ‘Big Front Seat‘ is 20 inches but comes at an additional cost

Southwest has some of the smallest seats in the sky, averaging around 16.5 to 17 inches. As a big passenger, even half an inch can make a difference. So, given the choice, I would avoid Southwest where possible. If you can afford to upgrade to premium or first class, you will have additional space on any airline. Check out our list of the best seat belt extenders if you want to take your own.

Note: You can get exclusive flight deals with Expedia when booking through Chubby Travelers.

Travel from the airport

Harry Reid International Airport is about 15 minutes from The Strip or 20 minutes from Downtown on a good day. Vegas can get incredibly busy, so these travel times can change drastically during peak times and big events.

You can easily get an Uber or Lyft from the airport, but I recommend just heading to the taxi rank. There is a Government-imposed fixed fee on airport taxis to the strip, ranging from $22 to $30, depending on your zone. See a brief overview of the zones below and the official map provided by The Taxicab Authority:

• Zone 1 (South Strip – $22): Includes hotels like Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur
• Zone 2 (Mid Strip – $26): Includes hotels like Aria, Bellagio, New York New York, Paris
• Zone 3 (North Strip – $30): Includes hotels like Caesar's Palace, Flamingo, The LINQ, Wynn/Encore

You can, of course, always do it in style. If you're in Vegas for a bachelorette party or just coming with a group of friends, you can always book a limousine. They can cost anywhere from $100 to over $300, depending on how big or fancy you want to go.

Choosing where to stay

Vegas hotels are iconic. They range from budget to extravagant to the downright strange. Each hotel has its benefits and unique features, and I could probably make a case for all. Location is the number one thing to consider when choosing where to stay in Vegas. More on this below.

Hotel location

Hotel locations in Las Vegas tend to be categorized into on-strip, off-strip, and Downtown (Fremont Street and surrounding areas). Which of these you prefer depends on what you're looking for. I've explained a little more about this below.

On-strip hotels

I'd recommend an on-strip hotel to any first-timer. Las Vegas Boulevard is one of the most iconic streets in the world, and there's nothing like being right in the action on your first visit. Even after visiting Vegas 10+ times, the strip is still my favorite place to stay. You can soak up the atmosphere, enjoy the best views, and easily walk between strip resorts.

However, the strip isn't for everyone. If you want to enjoy Vegas at a slower pace, you might choose to stay off-strip. You should also consider your mobility. Some of the strip hotels are colossal and can be a 10+ minute walk to the guest elevators, around crowds of people. Walking between strip hotels is fairly easy, logistically, as most are connected. But it also means that you will need to walk or use a scooter, rather than relying on public transport.

Deciding on-strip is just the beginning. Then, you need to choose which part of the strip you want to stay on. This is important because Las Vegas Boulevard is 4 miles long. The center strip is the busiest, with the highest density of casinos and hotels, whereas the north and south trips are a little quieter.

My favorite on-strip hotels that I've stayed at and highly recommend: The Cosmopolitan and the Bellagio (Center strip, higher-end), The Flamingo (Center strip, more affordable), New York New York (Center strip, more affordable), and Fontainebleau (North strip, higher-end).

Off-strip hotels

Off-strip hotels are exactly what you'd expect – hotels that aren't on the Las Vegas strip. But it also describes a hotel that isn't Downtown or on Fremont Street, either. These hotels are particularly popular with return visitors who have exhausted themselves with too many strip stays, families, or even couples looking for a more relaxed vacation. They can also be more budget-friendly.

When staying off-strip, as more tranquility means being further away from the action, there are a few things to consider. The first is transport. You will likely need to rely on Uber, Lyft, or a cab to visit other resorts and landmarks, such as the Las Vegas sign or the Bellagio fountains. This will need to be factored into your budget and plans. Many off-strip resorts attract locals rather than tourists, so you could argue they lack the fun atmosphere compared to the on-strip options. But this is completely subjective. I'm a big fan of many off-strip casinos and hotels, but I wouldn't necessarily stay in one for longer than a few nights. I'd miss the strip.

Some of my favorite off-strip hotels: Durango, Red Rock, and Virgin Hotel

Downtown hotels (Fremont Street)

Downtown is considered ‘Old Las Vegas,' as it was the city's gambling hub long before the strip existed. At about a mile long, it's much smaller than the strip and, therefore, much more densely populated with hotels and crowds. As a frequent Vegas visitor, I'd describe downtown as a bit like The Wild West. You will love it, or you will hate it, and you will find a dividing opinion between ‘strip people' and ‘downtown people.'

I personally love Fremont Street. It has a certain charm and lower table limits than on the strip. A co*cktail costs a little less, and the crowd is generally more relaxed and dressed down. This is where the real party is. But you will find a lot more street performers and touts downtown than you do on the strip, and they are harder to avoid because of how it's laid out. This can make some people uncomfortable; I've sometimes felt that way. Downtown Las Vegas is a must-visit for me, but it's not where I would want to stay.

Some of my favorite hotels on Fremont Street: Circa, The D, and The Plaza

Which hotel to stay at?

Now that you know where you would like your hotel to be located, the next step is deciding exactly which hotel to stay at. There are hundreds of hotels in Vegas to suit every budget or taste, and everybody will have their favorites.

As I mentioned a little earlier, my favorite hotels in Vegas are The Cosmopolitan and the Bellagio. Both are center strip, and both are considered quite high-end. The Cosmo has a modern and ‘cool' feel, with a younger crowd, whereas Bellagio is more ‘old money' with a more traditional luxury style. I often do a split stay with a few nights in each (they're next door to each other). I'm also a big fan of New York, New York. It's more budget-friendly and lacks some of the Cosmo or the Bellagio features, but it's an absolute ball.

If you'd prefer a hotel without a casino, a popular choice is the Vdara. It's attached to several other bustling resorts but is quieter and has some of the best long-stay accommodations on the strip. There's a full kitchen and washing facilities in your room.

The best way to decide which Vegas hotel to stay in is to consider location, budget, and personal preference regarding amenities and hotel features. I have my favorites, and you will have yours. A great way to choose is to look at what the masses say. A quick Expedia search with a filter of hotels with guest ratings of 8+ gives you plenty of options, including The Venetian, Mandalay Bay, and The Wynn.

How to get around Vegas as a larger person

The Vegas Strip is very well connected, and you can get around quite easily, logistically. But as a big person, planning ahead is key. Don't get caught out thinking that things are closer than they are. Here are some of the main ways to get around as a plus-sized traveler.

Walking

Walking is unavoidable in Vegas. Even using the transport methods listed below, you'll need to walk to pickup spots. Hotels are huge, and even walking to the resort next door could sometimes take 10-15 minutes. I'm still quite mobile, so I don't struggle too much in doing this when I take it at my own pace. I'm a stroller, and I've never had an issue once I found comfortable enough shoes. Hokas. Thank me later.

If you're worried about walking or aren't physically able to, scooters are common in Vegas. Don't be uncomfortable; hire a scooter and enjoy the same routes with assistance.

The Vegas Monorail

The Las Vegas Monorail is a great way to get up and down the strip and a cheaper cab alternative. Trains arrive every 5 minutes and run between Sahara (North) and MGM Grand (South). Stops between are The Westgate, The Convention Center, LINQ, Flamingo/Caesars Palace, and Paris/Horseshoe.

A 1-day pass costs $15 at the time of writing or $13.50 if purchased online in advance. Since you're unlikely to see everything in a day, the best value is probably the 3-day pass, at $30. During a busy period, one single cab fare between the first and last stop would likely cost more than $30.

One thing to be very aware of is the walk to and from the Monorail stations. MGM Grand, in particular, is a hell of a walk from the hotel reception for a larger person.

Hotel Trams

The two trams in Las Vegas are not to be confused with the Monorail on the other side of the street. This service is available between a select few hotels but can be very useful if you're casino hopping.

• The Aria Express Tram: This tram runs between Aria and Bellagio, stopping at The Crystal Shops in between. It provides access to Vdara and ParkMGM between Aria and Bellagio. It is active from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Sunday.
• Mandalay Bay to Excalibur Tram: Runs between Mandalay Bay and Excalibur, stopping at the Luxor in between. It's fantastic if you're staying south strip. It is active from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. Monday through Sunday.

Both trams are completely free, arrive every 5 minutes, and have flexible running hours.

Uber, Lyft, etc

Each casino and hotel has a cab pickup spot near the valet. There are plenty of Uber, Lyft, or white taxis in Vegas, so you'll never wait long. The benefit is door-to-door service, but it's not without its drawbacks. You'll pay much more during busier periods and spend a lot of time in traffic on the strip.

Vegas money-saving tips

It's difficult to do Vegas on a tight budget. A budget, sure, but a tight one is tough. The truth is that Vegas is expensive, and some of the expense is unavoidable, especially if you plan to visit bars, clubs, or pool parties. As somebody who has visited Vegas numerous times, I've outlined some of the ways to make the most of your money.

1. Utilise player cards and reward programs: Every casino and resort has a rewards program. You can earn points for every dollar spent on food, drink, or gambling in the casino. Those points can be converted into food and beverage credits, and even free stays and freeplay on slots. If you're going to be spending a single penny, you should be rewarded for it. MGM Rewards and Caesars Rewards are the two biggest in Vegas.
2. Make the most of happy hours: Navigating Vegas happy hours should be an Olympic sport. Thankfully, there's a website dedicated to it. Plan your day around the best happy hour offers for special deals like $5 co*cktails, cheap beers, and even discounted bar food.
3. Eat off-strip, or at least out of the resort: If you're looking for cheap eats, avoid eating in your casino or hotel resort. Even better, if you can, go somewhere completely off-strip. This can add up to a lot of savings over a vacation.

Final thoughts

I absolutely love Vegas, and I'm a very large woman. The key is preparation. If you go in summer, it will be extremely hot, so take anti-chafing products, light clothing, and a handheld fan. Wear the damn shorts.

Regardless of season and weather, Vegas can involve a lot of walking, so pack comfortable shoes. Trust me, getting this wrong can ruin your trip. The great thing about the city is that everyone is there for a good time and fun, and nobody judges you for your weight. You don't need to worry.

Feel free to reach out to me with any Vegas-specific questions for plus-sized people.