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If I were to say to you that I travelled from Los Angeles to Las Vegas solo by bus, would you believe me? Being the traveller that I am, I’m used to taking solo flights across the country by myself, with the small exception of someone always waiting for me on the other side. This year, I decided that I was going to attend Coachella with some friends who live in America, who would then have to go back to their respective homes after the weekend festivities – unfortunately for my dear friends, Americans don’t get the best annual leave entitlements.
One thing I knew for sure, though, after an 11-hour flight, a weekend wouldn’t be enough for me, and I wasn’t about to go home that quickly. I decided to stick around and travel to Las Vegas solo. Here is a quick post on what I learnt about my Las Vegas solo trip and a few things to do in Las Vegas solo.
Also read: Coachella Tips for First Timers: What I Wish I Knew Before Going
About Las Vegas
Las Vegas is known worldwide as the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” and while many imagine it as a party city for groups, it’s actually a fantastic place for solo travellers. The famous Strip is lined with iconic hotels, casinos, restaurants, and live shows, while Downtown Las Vegas offers a more historic, artsy vibe. Beyond the lights, you can also use Vegas as a base for incredible day trips to places like the Grand Canyon, which is where I went for the day.
From then on, I knew I would have to do some travelling alone….
Now don’t get it twisted, I can admit that I may have been slightly dramatic about it at first, I had so many thoughts rushing through my head like, “isn’t it weird to travel by yourself?” or “what good is travelling if its not a shared experience?” let me not forget my personal fave, “who’s going to take my pictures?” – which actually didn’t turn out to be too bad, who would’ve known the world had so many budding photographers, believe me when I say they did better than some of my closest friends (I know my friends won’t take offence LOOL)
There is something truly special about travelling alone. I feel like I have had enough me time to think through a lot of things, things that would be beneficial to myself and others around me. It was a refreshing experience, and I would like to share the seven things I learnt whilst travelling to Las Vegas solo.
When you’re travelling with friends, you tend to spend too much time entertaining each other rather than socialising and meeting new people.
Travelling to Las Vegas solo brought new confidence within me as I had to encourage myself to speak with the locals. I found that people tend to be more open and friendly when you tell them you’re from abroad and travelling by yourself, they would suggest cool and funky places I should visit during my time there.
Disclaimer – I wouldn’t suggest telling everybody that you are travelling by yourself, remember stranger danger, and not everybody is your friend. Use your discretion wisely.
5 Reasons to Travel to Las Vegas Solo
Do what you want to do, when you want to do it
Sometimes with friends, you aren’t able to do everything you would like to, as you would also have to take into consideration their wants and needs, which could prove to be difficult to coordinate in a short space of time. There seems to be an endless amount of planning (boring!), then you have those with the ‘assigned/ unassigned’ roles, you have your leaders, your followers, and the unbothered who just go with the flow. Travelling alone made me be all of those at once. It was amazing, when I wanted to go home, I went home; I went wherever I wanted to, whenever I wanted to, it was just GREAT!!
It’s empowering
When you travel alone, you can’t rely on someone else to read the map or carefully organise your day; you must do it all. And it’s easy. You will find out very quickly at every step that you can rise to the occasion. You have no choice. By making your own plans and caring for yourself, you’ll find you come away stronger, more confident and self-reliant.
Alone time is good for your soul
Alone time is so therapeutic. Naturally, I am an introvert, and so is my boyfriend. We have always agreed that this can sometimes be a negative trait. At home, I’m a very distant person, so sometimes it can feel like it’s you against the world. However, when you are alone in another country, you can have time to really connect with yourself away from the bullshit reality that we live day in and day out. It forces you to search your soul. Then come back home with dreams you never knew you even had; it’s like a deeper spiritual feeling.
New friends are not that hard to come by
Being in America with a British accent really worked to my advantage. It can sometimes be intimidating to speak with new people, but if you never try, how will you know where your conversation could lead you? On my way to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, I met a lovely lady and her mother, who took me under their wing for the day. We had such a great time, and I don’t regret plucking up the courage to speak with them. I have now met someone whom I am very likely to carry on speaking to for years to come.
Thank God for Social Media
My friends always knew where I was, and we made sure to have quick check-ins. Despite being in different countries, I knew that if my friends didn’t see an update on social media for more than 48 hours, they would begin to worry; a definite plus was that I was in an English-speaking country, so no language barriers, and being Daddy’s girl. My dad, who also lives in the States, was always checking up on me, making sure I wasn’t getting up to no good.
You were born in this world alone, you will die alone, so what’s stopping you from exploring the wonders of this world alone
It may sound a bit harsh, but I mean this in the nicest way possible. I feel like people need to remember that you cannot rely on anybody but God and yourself. One of my realisations whilst travelling solo was that I was going to be fine by myself, and guess what, I was, I met some beautiful people that I would now consider lifetime friends.
So GO ahead, take the leap, It’s time to do real things by yourself, for yourself, if you have a place you’ve wanted to go. Don’t know anyone to go with, look no further, just do it, by yourself and travel solo.
Practical Info for Solo Travellers in Las Vegas
- Where I stayed: Ellis Island Casino Hotel & Brewery. It was budget-friendly and within 5 5-minute walking distance of the Strip.
- Day trips to book: Grand Canyon South Rim, Hoover Dam, or a Las Vegas Strip helicopter ride. You can check prices and availability here.
- Best time to visit: March, May or September, November when it’s warm but not overwhelming.
- Getting around: The Strip is walkable, with lots of shops. I went and bought a MacBook. Taxis/Ubers are everywhere. Consider the monorail for quick solo transport.
Conclusion
Travelling to Las Vegas solo gave me freedom, confidence, and memories I’ll never forget. It was a reminder that you don’t need a group to experience the magic of a place; sometimes travelling alone opens doors you didn’t even know existed.
If you’ve ever thought about a solo trip to Las Vegas, let this be your sign to book it. Whether you’re dancing through the Strip, trying your luck in a casino, or standing in awe at the Grand Canyon, Vegas is a destination that will stay with you long after you leave.
If you’re heading to the Grand Canyon, you might enjoy my guide: An Amazing Day Trip at the Grand Canyon Solo
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If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me via Instagram. My DM’s are open to anyone on travel and foodie tips.
Speak soon,
Adebola MBV x
