Major city · United States
Laughlin
Go for 1–2 nights if you want cheap riverfront casino rooms and a Colorado River base; skip in Jul–Aug, when 45°C+ days make the strip unwalkable.Go for 1–2 nights if you want cheap riverfront casino rooms and a Colorado River base; skip in Jul–Aug, when 113°F+ days make the strip unwalkable.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat), and heat waves above 48°Cavoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat), and heat waves above 118°F
- Airports
- IFP · LAS · PHX
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Laughlin is a small casino town on the Nevada bank of the Colorado River, about 140 km (98 mi) south of Las Vegas and a 2-hour drive away. Nine hotel-casinos line Casino Drive, a river walk connects them, and the water — not the gambling — is what makes it different from a Vegas suburb. Rooms are far cheaper than in Las Vegas, and the town works as a stop between Las Vegas and Arizona or Southern California.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Laughlin, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLaughlin is a small, low-crime resort town; the real risks are summer heat, long desert drives and casino floors where free drinks add up.
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · +1 702 298-3321 Laughlin Visitor Information Center
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportIFP Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport (Across the river in Bullhead City, Arizona; charter and seasonal flights only, no major airline.).
- Getting aroundThere are no freeways through town; Casino Drive is the spine.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSteakhouse dinner (The Range, Saltgrass)Before tax and tip.$30–70
- BeerDraught beer at a casino bar$5–9
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–30
- Budget bedCasino-hotel room, a night, per roomUS$60
- Mid-range bedBudget motel or RV park cabin, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedBudget motel or RV park cabin, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$170 · High US$320
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- IFP Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport (Across the river in Bullhead City, Arizona; charter and seasonal flights only, no major airline.) · LAS Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas (About 2 hours by car; direct shuttle services run to Laughlin.) · PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (About 4 hours by car.)
Weather and climate
Laughlin: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
19°C66°F
6°C43°F
3 rd
Feb
22°C72°F
8°C46°F
3 rd
Mar
26°C79°F
11°C52°F
2 rd
Apr
31°C88°F
15°C59°F
1 rd
May
36°C97°F
20°C68°F
1 rd
Jun
41°C106°F
24°C75°F
1 rd
Jul
44°C111°F
28°C82°F
2 rd
Aug
43°C109°F
27°C81°F
3 rd
Sep
39°C102°F
23°C73°F
2 rd
Oct
32°C90°F
16°C61°F
2 rd
Nov
24°C75°F
10°C50°F
2 rd
Dec
18°C64°F
5°C41°F
3 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
There are no freeways through town; Casino Drive is the spine. The Southern Nevada Transit Coalition runs two local bus routes, one of them 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A car is the practical choice for Grapevine Canyon, Big Bend and the Arizona side, and the Laughlin Bridge crosses to Bullhead City in a few minutes.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bullhead City, Arizona
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Drive or walk across the Laughlin Bridge
The Arizona side of the river; entry point for Highway 68 and the route to Kingman.
Grapevine Canyon Petroglyphs
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Drive NV-163 west, then a short dirt road and a walk
Rock drawings dated roughly 1100–1900 AD; go early, carry water, no shade.
Searchlight
goDoor to door: About 45 min
NV-163 west to US-95 north
Former mining town with a small museum and two casinos; about 40 mi northwest.
Door to door: About 2 h
US-95 north via Searchlight and Boulder City
About 98 mi; the usual way in and out, and the airport link.
Needles, California
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
NV-163 west to US-95 south
Route 66 town on the way to Southern California; little to hold you overnight.
Boulder City
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 45 min
US-95 north via Searchlight
Historic town and Hoover Dam access; better as a stop on the drive, not a day return.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Casino Drive riverfront
The nine big hotel-casinos sit in a row along the river; the river walk links them, so you can park once and walk between properties.
Upper Laughlin (Needles Highway side)
Parks, the library and the aquatic centre; quieter, and a short drive from the casino strip.
Avi Resort area (south)
Native American casino and golf at the southern tip of Nevada, about 20 km south of the main strip.Native American casino and golf at the southern tip of Nevada, about 12 mi south of the main strip.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–220 excl. bed
- High
- $220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Casino-hotel room1 × 2 nights × US$110 | US$220 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$170 | US$680 |
| Big Bend of the Colorado day use, per vehicle1 × US$10 · check | US$10 |
| Big Bend camping, per night1 × US$20 · check; utility hook-ups about $10 more | US$20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$97 |
| Trip total≈ US$267 per person per day, bed included | US$1,067 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax is added at checkout. Flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Casino buffet or café meal | $15–30 |
| Steakhouse dinner (The Range, Saltgrass)Before tax and tip. | $30–70 |
| Draught beer at a casino bar | $5–9 |
| Casino-floor drink while playing | Free; tip $1–2 a drink |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $15–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat is the main risk: days above 43°C are normal in July and August, and heat waves above 48°C happen. Carry water and do outdoor sights before 10:00.Summer heat is the main risk: days above 43°C are normal in July and August, and heat waves above 48°C happen. Carry water and do outdoor sights before 10:00 AM.Summer heat is the main risk: days above 110°F are normal in July and August, and heat waves above 120°F happen. Carry water and do outdoor sights before 10:00.Summer heat is the main risk: days above 110°F are normal in July and August, and heat waves above 120°F happen. Carry water and do outdoor sights before 10:00 AM.
- Non-US citizens who win big at a casino may have 30% withheld by the IRS; ask the casino for the 1042-S form and keep it.
- Free casino drinks are for players only — tip at least $1 a drink or service slows down.
- The Colorado Belle has been closed since 2020; check before planning around it.
- Distances are long and desert services are sparse: fill the tank before leaving town.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Laughlin Visitor Information Center
- +1 702 298-3321
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
LaughlinLaughlin
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Laughlin Visitor Information Center+1 702 298-3321
Embassy
No embassies in Laughlin; consulates are in Las Vegas, and national embassies are in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Las Vegas airport → Laughlin, direct shuttle: about 2 h; check current fare and schedule
- Casino Drive strip, one end to the other: about 3 km; walkable in cool months, bus or taxi in summerabout 1.9 mi; walkable in cool months, bus or taxi in summer
- Big Bend of the Colorado day use, per vehicle: $10 (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the river walk? — Where is the river walk?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- One more, please — One more, please
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- Call 911 — Call 911
US tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Laughlin. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat), and heat waves above 48°C · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for IFP and LAS: shuttle and drive times field-checked, late-arrival fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: the river walk between casinos, Upper Laughlin parks, Big Bend, and the Avi area.
- Place pages with verified hours and cutoffs (Grapevine Canyon, Big Bend, Don Laughlin's Classic Car Museum, Laughlin Event Center) and eat pages with last orders.
- Heat and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.