Going to the Las Vegas Grand Prix: a practical guide
Las Vegas is a race that takes over a working city. Here is how to make race week easy instead of exhausting.
1. Plan around the road closures
The track uses public roads, including Las Vegas Boulevard itself. Closures build through race week and are at their heaviest on race night. A trip that takes ten minutes on a normal evening can take an hour.
- Leave far earlier than your map app suggests, especially Saturday.
- Walking is often faster than rideshare near the circuit. Wear shoes you can do several miles in.
- Rideshare pickup points move during the week. Check your ticket's zone information for the nearest designated pickup.
- Pedestrian bridges and casino walkways get crowded — budget time to get across the Strip.
2. Dress for a cold desert night
People pack for "Vegas" and forget it's November in the desert. Sessions run late, and after dark the temperature can fall to around 5–10 °C (low 40s to 50 °F). Bring a warm layer, a hat and gloves if you are in an open grandstand.
3. Expect very late nights
You will often walk out after midnight. Avoid booking an early Sunday flight unless you're happy running on little sleep, and keep your phone charged — tickets, zone entry and rides all live on it. A small power bank is the most useful thing you can carry.
4. Where to stay
Hotel prices on race week rise sharply, particularly on the centre Strip. Ways to keep costs down:
- Off-Strip and Downtown — often far cheaper, with the Deuce bus or a rideshare to get closer.
- Henderson or Summerlin — quieter and good value if you have a car, but allow for traffic.
- Short stays — many visitors come only for qualifying and the race; Friday and Saturday nights cover it.
- Book flexible rates — prices can fall in the final weeks as hotels release blocked rooms.
5. Tickets
Buy from the official race site or its authorised partners. Resale is common for this event, and so are scams — be wary of social-media sellers, screenshots of tickets, or anyone asking for payment by gift card or wire transfer. If a deal looks too good, it is.
6. No ticket? You can still enjoy the week
- Fan events and team activations pop up around the city during race week.
- Many casino bars and sports books show every session.
- Remember that many viewing spots along the circuit are screened off on track nights, so don't count on seeing cars for free.
Race-week checklist
- Ticket in your phone wallet and screenshot of your zone map
- Power bank and cable
- Warm jacket, hat, comfortable shoes
- Ear protection — essential for children
- Photo ID and a card (many venues are cashless)
- A meeting point agreed with your group in case phones die