The time has come for an updated version of my popular re:Invent guide. In 2024, I wrote a very long post and tried to cover everything. This year, I will take a multi-post approach and share my tips and tricks on specific topics in each one.
I have attended re:Invent every year since 2016 and have collected a fair amount of tips and tricks on how to survive not only re:Invent but also Vegas as a city. If you read my 2024 guide, you will recognize some parts but hopefully also discover some new hidden gems.
In this episode, I will delve into Vegas as a city, travel, and accommodations.
AWS re:Invent means you should prepare to walk a lot, get very little sleep, gain a ton of learning, and meet some new friends!
Travel
So, you're coming to re:Invent—that's awesome! You will have an amazing time.
When booking your travel, there are some simple "rules" I have learned over the years that make things much smoother. First of all, I don't recommend getting to Vegas later than the Saturday before re:Invent. Especially if you travel internationally, my experience is that I need the Sunday outside in natural light to fight jet lag. The rest of the re:Invent week will mostly be spent inside with artificial lights. So, a full day of sun and natural light helps my body adjust to the new time zone. Badge pickup also opens on Sunday, and picking up your badge early is a good thing.
I normally travel back home again on the Friday afternoon or the Saturday of the re:Invent week. There are sessions planned until lunch on Friday, so getting a flight in the afternoon is a good option.
Other things to know are that re:Invent takes place the week after Thanksgiving, meaning it's a busy travel weekend. Expect longer wait times at airport security and immigration, especially if you arrive as early as the Thursday the week before. But the entire weekend is busy, so plan for that. Tight connections are probably not a good thing. I rather spend some extra time at the airport than feeling the stress in the immigration line.
Getting from/to the airport
Basically, you have two ways to get from the airport to your hotel: Taxi or Rideshare (Uber/Lyft). Don't assume that Uber/Lyft will always be the cheapest; they often are, but during busy hours, the price goes up, and the wait can easily be an hour or even more. There is a fixed rate between the airport and the hotels on The Strip (Las Vegas Blvd). Sometimes the drivers insist you use the meter, but it will always be more expensive than the fixed price, so don't fall for that trick. This is the first scam to look out for. Normally, I do use Rideshare, but I always check the price and the wait time. One good thing about Taxis is that they can drop you off at the entrance; Rideshares are often referred to the side entrance.
For more information about fixed rates, visit Nevada Taxicab Authority
re:Invent Campus
Before we start digging into accommodations and where to stay, it's good to understand how the re:Invent campus is built. It stretches all the way from Mandalay Bay in the south to Wynn/Encore in the north. This is a huge distance; we're talking about 75 minutes walking or 15 minutes by car, depending on traffic. It is across the entire Strip.
Maps of the campus are available on the re:Invent webpage.
The campus consists of two main categories of hotels: venue and sleeping hotel. A venue is where you will find sessions and content; most venues also serve as sleeping hotels. Then the sleeping hotel is just for accommodations; there are no sessions or content. For all Venues and sleeping hotels, check out Maps of the campus.
Accommodations
So, where should you stay? That is not an easy question to answer. The main re:Invent venue is The Venetian, where the Expo is located. Close to The Venetian is Caesars Forum and Wynn/Encore, which will host a good portion of the sessions. In the south, Mandalay Bay hosts a lot of sessions.
There are many good hotels in Vegas, and where you stay depends on your budget. To be honest, you will not spend much time in your room, so for me, a comfortable bed and a clean room are all I ever ask for. So, I normally like to stay somewhere in the middle. My favorite hotels include Paris and Horseshoe, but also New York New York and MGM in the south end. Venetian is a great hotel but costs a lot more. I feel that Horseshoe is an underestimated hotel; it's very close to Caesars Forum, and you can walk down Linq Ln, which is a great shortcut.
I need to throw in one of my friends' favorite hotels, Casino Royale. I have never stayed here, but the prices are good, and it's close to the venues.
The hotel prices have increased a lot during 2024 and 2025, and the average price on The Strip is now $203. AWS offers deals on several hotels on the campus from the re:Invent portal; to access that, you need to have a ticket in place.
During the last couple of years, I have said that you should not assume that the prices via AWS are always the best; you need to do some research, and most years I have managed to book at a cheaper price outside of the re:Invent portal. For 2025, it does look like the AWS prices are the best.
Here is an extra tip for you if you plan to come back again next year. All hotels in Vegas offer free cancellations, all money back. So, by booking already in February, you can score some sweet deals.
Viva Las Vegas
The first thing to know about Vegas is that it has become much more expensive. See the budget section below to make things a bit cheaper.
Vegas Weather
The winter weather in Vegas is very unpredictable. I have seen everything from snow to very warm weather. In the morning, it can go as low as 5-10°C (40-50°F), and in the afternoon, it can easily reach 25°C (75°F) in the sun. Layers, light jacket, hoodies are your friend. It rarely rains, but when it does, it RAINS. If you have room in your suitcase, packing an umbrella or a rain poncho is a good idea.
Places to Eat
Even though there are meals being served, breakfast and lunch, at re:Invent, you still need to find some good food for dinner and if you arrive in Vegas early. Just to mention, during re:Invent, there will be a lot of free parties where you can also get dinner. But here are my favorite places to eat.
Breakfast
My absolutely favorite breakfast spot is Mon Ami Gabi by Paris. They serve some amazing Eggs Benedict, but their waffles are also really good. Now you can also get both brunch, lunch, and dinner here if you like.
My second breakfast spot is Eggslut inside Cosmopolitan; their egg sandwich is to die for!
Dinner
For dinner, I could mention so many good places, but these are four places that I truly enjoy. You could eat here without totally breaking the bank.
Gordon Ramsay Pub and Grill Inside Caesars Palace, you will find one of Gordon's many restaurants in Vegas. Here you can get some classic pub food but also signature dishes like Beef Wellington.
Yard House On the Linq Promenade, you will find Yard House, a good chain restaurant with great food and beer for reasonable prices.
Virgil's Real BBQ Staying on the Linq Promenade, you will find this BBQ place. Is it the best BBQ in Vegas? No, it's not, but it's still really good and located on the Strip. Off the strip, you will find Rollin Smoke BBQ.
Peppermill and Fireside Lounge A classic restaurant that serves really good steaks.
As an honorable mention, I need to throw in Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen. Now this is really good food and a true experience, but it's super expensive!!
Budget Tips
Cheap Eats
Food in Vegas can be really expensive; there are so many nice restaurants. However, places with cheap and good food are rare. So, these are my favorite spots. All prices mentioned are at the time when I'm writing this post.
Burger
Inside the Miracle Mile Shops in Planet Hollywood, you will find Ketchup Premium Burger Bar. Here you can get a burger and fries for $6.
Vegetarian
Also inside the Miracle Mile Shops in Planet Hollywood, you will find Tacotarian, an all plant-based Taco place. You can get Tacos for $3.99.
Chicken
There are two locations for Dave's Hot Chicken, inside the Miracle Mile Shops in Planet Hollywood and by Grand Bazar shops by Horseshoe. Here you can get a chicken deal between $6-8. Don't be afraid of the Hot Chicken name; you can pick your heat level.
Morning Coffee Hack
The lines at Starbucks can be crazy long in the morning when everyone is trying to grab that first cup of joe. Instead of waiting in line, go to the sportsbook or the center bar of your hotel; most hotels have this. Early in the morning, they will be serving affordable, freshly brewed coffee without any lines. Best survival hack ever for a coffee maniac like me.
CVS, Target, ABC
Buying your snacks at the hotel convenience store is crazy expensive. See the Scams section. Instead, go to CVS, Target, or any of the ABC stores. Here you can get snacks and drinks for a fraction of the price. I normally go once and stock up for the entire week.
Five Things to Do in and Around Vegas
Vegas is the party capital of the world, and there are plenty of entertainment and things to do. During re:Invent week, you will be fully busy with re:Invent, so don't try to add a lot of other things to your schedule. If you arrive a few days before and want to mix things up a bit, this is what I would recommend.
Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon
Rent a car and drive to Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon. I have on several occasions done exactly this. Eagle Point in Grand Canyon West is a good location. This is around a 2.5-hour drive.
Las Vegas Bus Tours
The hop-on hop-off bus tour is a great way to see many of the things. It travels up and down The Strip, and you can get on and off at several locations. A great way to see the Las Vegas sign in the south and ride all the way up to classic casinos like the Golden Nugget on Fremont Street. Check out the website for tickets and maps.
The Sphere
The Sphere opened up in 2023, and there are some good shows, like Postcard from Earth, Wizard of Oz, and some more. I have seen Postcard from Earth and think it was entertaining and fun.
Meow Wolf Las Vegas
I have been to other Meow Wolf installations but never the one in Vegas. Meow Wolf is an interactive art installation, and the one in Vegas features the greatest supermarket experience in the world, created by over 300 artists. Prepare to have your perception of reality altered. Omega Mart is where reality checks out! Visit the website for prices and opening hours.
Neon Museum and Art Districts
The Neon Museum is very popular and is a nonprofit open-air exhibition of over 200 old neon signs salvaged from old casinos and businesses. Many of the signs originally crafted by the Young Electric Sign Company are now preserved in the Neon Boneyard. There are guided tours that bring Las Vegas history to light through storytelling. Visit the website for prices and opening hours.
Five Free Things to Do in Vegas
Now, let's dive into some free things to do in Vegas.
Bellagio Fountain
The Fountains of Bellagio are a choreographed fountain spectacle, with water jets reaching up to 140 meters (460 feet) that are synchronized to music ranging from classical to pop. It opened in 1998 and remains one of the most iconic and frequently photographed attractions on the Las Vegas Strip.
Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Located just inside Bellagio’s lobby, the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens features themed floral and plant displays that change seasonally. Often highlighting events like spring, summer, fall, winter, and Christmas. Open to the public at no charge, and offers a serene, artistic escape from the bustle of the Strip. Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Las Vegas Sign
The Las Vegas sign is a bit overrated, but as a first-timer, it for sure should be on your list.
Walk The Strip
Just go for a walk down The Strip, take photos of all of the hotels. Walk into M&M Store, Hershey's, Coca-Cola, and several others.
Fremont Street Experience
Fremont Street is the older part of Vegas, and this is where you find classic casinos like the Golden Nugget. Fremont is well worth a visit. Go in the evening, buy a beer, listen to some music, hang around, and eat some cheap food. The prices on Fremont are significantly lower than on The Strip.
Don't Get Scammed
When visiting Las Vegas and re:Invent for the first time, or any time for that matter, you don't want to go home and feel that you got scammed. In this section, I'll try to list some of the most common scams in Vegas; avoid them!
Bicycle Ride
There is a new scam floating around, especially around The Sphere. There are people offering bicycle taxis to and from your hotel. Often without any listed price, and when arriving at your destination, they demand a large sum for the ride, upwards of $100 per person is not unheard of. Avoid them at all costs!
Hotel Convenience Stores
NEVER ever buy things from the hotel convenience stores; this is seriously overpriced. You can have to pay upwards of $25 for a bag of candy or snacks. The prices are also dynamic, meaning that things are more expensive during certain hours of the day. See the budget section for where to buy your snacks.
Hotel Minibar
If the convenience store wasn't bad enough, the minibar is a crazy scam. A bottle of water can be upwards of $25. Also, the minibar comes equipped with sensors, so if you remove an item, you will be automatically charged.
Show Girls and Characters
All over The Strip, you will find all kinds of characters, from Disney to Transformers, and show girls with big feather attire. All of them want you to take a picture with them, afterwards they will require a hefty tip, $50 easy. Now it is a tip, and they can't legally charge you, but at the same time, you probably don't want to make a big scene. IF you would like to take a picture with them as a memory, make sure to agree on the "price" before snapping the image!
Monk Scam
This is not unique to Vegas. All over, you will run into these fake monks that try to give you a bracelet. Just don't take it. If you do, they will start asking that you make a donation. If you then try to hand the bracelet back, they will argue that since you touched it, it has lost its "magic". Just avoid them, and put your hands up if they try to put the bracelet on you.
Fake CD Scam
Also not unique to Vegas, is people who try to give you a "free CD". They claim to be struggling artists and even sign the CD for you. Of course, they also want a donation for the CD. If you take it and hand them some cash, the CD is 100% blank.
Fremont Street Stands
The street stands on Fremont Street are crazy overpriced. If you want to buy from them, make sure to haggle a lot!
Tips, Tips, Tips Everywhere
Vegas runs on tips; many of the hospitality workers rely on tips. I personally don't like the tipping culture, but when in Vegas, make sure you tip the cocktail waitress, housekeeping, taxi drivers, and other hospitality staff. If you go to a re:Invent party with free drinks, tip the waitress. First of all, you will get great service, but second, as this is a free event, they don't make tips, so be kind and leave a tip. Make sure to bring cash for easy tipping.
Five Vegas Rookie Mistakes to Avoid
When in Vegas as a rookie, there are things you should know that maybe aren't classed as scams, rather mistakes to avoid.
Not Trying the $20 Trick
The “$20 trick” is a popular Las Vegas trick for getting a complimentary room upgrade at check-in. When you hand your ID and credit card to the front desk agent, you discreetly include a folded $20 bill between them and politely ask if there are any complimentary upgrades available. While it’s not guaranteed to work, many times it works. Especially during less busy times, making it a legendary—and sometimes effective—Vegas travel hack for better views, larger rooms, or extra perks.
Not Using In-Room Safe
One of the biggest mistakes would be to not secure your room door or use the in-room safe. You don't want anyone to get into your room, but if they do, you don't want them to easily steal your laptop. Use the safe, people!
Hotel Minibar
This almost classifies as a scam! Be aware of the minibar in the room. The drinks and snacks are crazy expensive, and many of the minibars have sensors that detect if you remove an item and automatically charge you! There are normally some vague signs about it, just don't touch the items in the minibar, and absolutely don't remove something to keep the drink you bought at Target cold.
ATM Fees
Make sure you bring cash! The fees charged by the ATM machines in the hotels can be upwards of $10 per withdrawal!
Pot Builder Slot Machine
If you plan to play some slot machines, understand that the "Pot builder" machine, these are machines that show some form of graphics like gold in a pot, fireworks about to go off, pigs that get bigger and bigger. If the pot fills up or the fireworks go off, you win the bonus. This graphic is just a graphic and does not indicate that you are "close to winning".
Early Packing Tips
I will do a full episode around packing tips when we get closer to re:Invent. But I wanted to add some small short advice already now, mainly related to Vegas and not the event itself.
Shoes
Great walking shoes, trust me, you will be walking. On average, I walk between 25-30K steps per day. Also, bring more than one pair.
Chapstick and Moisturizer
Vegas is in the desert, trust me! Your lips and skin will thank you!
Earplugs
Hotels and Casinos are loud. RePlay is loud. Your ears will thank you!
Travel Adapter and Power Bank
If you live outside of the US, don't forget your travel adapter! For all attendees, a power bank is good to have, to keep your phone charged all day.
Getting Around
First of all, don't underestimate the distance between hotels. They might look close, but the time it takes to get from one hotel to another can be very long. Also, just walking from the entrance of the hotel to your room can be an easy 15 minutes; these hotels are huge.
The transportation options you have are:
Walking
I like walking! I tend to walk everywhere. Often this can be the quickest route, depending on traffic. BUT!! Distance, don't underestimate it. Walking from Venetian to Mandalay Bay is an easy one-hour walk. So, before opting for this, make sure to check Google / Apple maps to see how long it will take.
Free Trams
There are some free trams running between certain hotels on the strip, for example, between Bellagio and MGM Park, or between Excalibur and Mandalay Bay.
Monorail
There is a monorail that runs between MGM Grand and Sahara; you can buy single ride, day, and week passes. During re:Invent, AWS often offers free rides between MGM Grand and The Linq station during certain hours.
Final Words
This was the first episode in "How to re:Invent." Stay tuned for more episodes on how to plan sessions, reserved seating, re:Invent in general, and final packing advice!
See you all in Vegas! Send me a message on LinkedIn if you like to meet up!
Don't forget to follow me on LinkedIn and X for more content, and read the rest of my Blogs.
As Werner says! Now Go Build!
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