Las Vegas
Miami
Many travelers compare Las Vegas and Miami because both offer warm weather, major events, and direct air connections from Europe (flights to LAS and MIA in 11–13 hours with 1 stop).The two cities, however, cater to different wishes: the 6.8 km-long Strip is an adult theme park, while South Beach is fine sand and turquoise water 18 km from the airport.In short, Las Vegas is a bargain for weekday hotels at $80–110, big shows, and trips to Hoover Dam (50 km); Miami is perfect from December to April, with Wynwood Walls, Cuban cuisine, and access to the Everglades (55 km).The weather is opposite: desert with summer 40°C vs humid tropical with rains from June.In this guide you’ll find concrete comparisons: daily budgets in $, distances in km, visit times in hours, and precise names of attractions and neighborhoods.I’ll show transport from the airport to the center, prices for museums and restaurants, and a combined Las Vegas + Miami itinerary with flights from 5h30.
Las Vegas vs Miami
| Feature | Las Vegas | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Daily budget | In Las Vegas a 3* midweek costs $80–110 (e.g., Excalibur, Luxor) + resort fee $35–45. Weekend: $150–220. Meals: breakfast $8–12 (e.g., Eggslut), lunch $12–18 (Tacos El Gordo $4–5 per taco), dinner $25–40. Transport: Monorail $14/1 day, RTC Deuce $8/24h.Cirque du Soleil shows $80–150. Budget/mid-range/luxury: $70–120, $150–220, $300–500+ per person per day.✓ Better | In Miami a 3* in South Beach costs $150–250 in high season (Dec–Apr) + resort fee $25–45, $110–170 in low season (Jun–Sep).Meals: breakfast $7–12 (La Sandwicherie), lunch $12–20 (Versailles), dinner $30–50 (La Mar $28–45).Transport: Metrorail $2.1 per ride, day pass $5.5; Miami Beach Trolley free.Budget/mid-range/luxury: $90–150, $180–270, $350–600+ per person per day. |
| Top attractions | Top in Las Vegas: High Roller at The LINQ ($36–45, 30 min), MOB Museum ($28–32, 2 h) in Downtown, Neon Museum ($20–32, 1 h), Fountains of Bellagio (free, 15 min).Excursions: Red Rock Canyon (24 km, entry $14 per car, 2–3 h) and Hoover Dam (50 km, tour $25–35).Many premium shows: “O” ($120–200, 1h30). | In Miami: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens ($22–25, 2 h), Wynwood Walls ($11–13, 1 h), PAMM – Pérez Art Museum ($18–22, 1h30), cruise on Biscayne Bay ($28–35, 1h30).Beaches like Lummus Park (free) and Crandon Park (10 km, parking $8/day).For families: Frost Science ($27–30, 2–3 h) with planetarium. |
| Food and restaurants | In Las Vegas you’ll find buffets and fine dining.Bacchanal Buffet (Caesars) $65–80; Wicked Spoon $45–55. Ethnic: Lotus of Siam (Thai, dishes $18–30) in Chinatown on Spring Mountain Rd, Raku (robata $45–70).Classic: Peppermill ($18–30).Budget: Tacos El Gordo ($4–5).Cocktails in speakeasies at the Cosmopolitan $14–18. | Miami is the kingdom of Cuban food: Versailles (Calle Ocho) medianoche $10–12, ropa vieja $14–18; La Camaronera pan con minuta $9–12. Seafood: Joe’s Stone Crab (seasonal, dish $40–70), La Mar ceviche $16–24. Street: La Sandwicherie baguette $10–14. Colado coffee $2–3 in Little Havana.Brunch in Wynwood $18–25.✓ Better |
| Climate and best time | Las Vegas has a desert climate: June–August 38–43°C (night 25–29°C), winter 13–16°C (night 3–6°C).Annual rainfall ~100 mm.Best time: Mar–May and Sep–Nov for walking the Strip and hiking at Red Rock.Avoid summer afternoons outdoors above 40°C; pools operate from May to September. | Miami is tropical: December–April 20–26°C, moderate humidity; June–September 31–33°C with afternoon showers and RH > 70%.Hurricane season: Jun–Nov (monitor NOAA).Swimming year-round (winter 24–25°C).Best time: Dec–Apr for beaches and events like Art Basel (December).✓ Better |
| Transport and how to get there | Airport Harry Reid (LAS) is 5 km from the Strip.Taxi/Uber: $18–28 to Mid-Strip (15–20 min).Monorail: $14/1 day, $36/3 days (7 stations, 6.4 km).Deuce bus $8/24h along the Strip.Intra-Strip taxi rides $10–18. Hotel parking $10–20/day.Car rental useful for Red Rock and Valley of Fire. | Airport MIA is 18 km from South Beach.Flat taxi $30–35 (25–35 min), Uber $22–32. Metrorail AirportLink $2.1 to Brickell; Miami Beach Trolley free.Day pass $5.5. Parking in South Beach $2–4/hour.Car recommended for the Everglades (55 km) and Key Biscayne (10 km).Heavy traffic on I-95 at 17:00–19:00. |
| Nightlife | Clubs in Las Vegas: XS (Wynn), Omnia (Caesars), Hakkasan (MGM).Entry $30–60 (men), $0–20 (women, guest list).Cocktails $15–22, beers $8–12. Fremont Street free live music; SlotZilla zipline $39–59. Alcohol in street in plastic containers permitted on the Strip.Shows until 02:00. | In Miami: superclubs LIV (Fontainebleau) entry $60–100, E11EVEN (24/7) $20–40, STORY $40–70. Cocktails $14–20, beers $7–10. Areas: South Beach (Ocean Dr), Wynwood for bars/art, Brickell rooftops.Salsa at Ball & Chain (Little Havana) drinks $10–12. Standard closing 03:00–05:00. |
| For families with children | In Las Vegas: Shark Reef Aquarium (Mandalay Bay) $27–33, 1–2 h; Discovery Children’s Museum $22–25, 2–3 h; Springs Preserve $18–20, 2–3 h; Adventuredome (Circus Circus) pass $40–60. Distances: Strip 6.8 km, sidewalks wide but crowded; stroller ok.Avoid late evening on Fremont.Short taxis $10–15 between hotels. | In Miami: Zoo Miami $22–25 (32 km from South Beach, 35–45 min), Miami Children’s Museum $22–24 (5 km), Frost Science $27–30 (planetarium included), Crandon Park (calm beach, parking $8).Stroller on Ocean Dr and Bayfront Park ok.Umbrella/sunbeds at South Beach $20–30/day.Ice cream at Azucar $4–6.✓ Better |
| Beaches and nature | Las Vegas has no beaches: aim for hotel pools (May–Sep).Nearby nature: Red Rock Canyon (24 km, scenic drive 21 km, $14), Valley of Fire (80 km, $9), Lake Mead (40 km, $12).From the Strip to Hoover Dam 50 km (45 min).Activities: hiking 2–4 h, Grand Canyon helicopter $350–450 (4 h). | Miami offers urban beaches: South Beach (Lummus Park, free), North Beach (quieter), Crandon Park (10 km, parking $8), Bill Baggs Cape Florida (14 km, entry $8/car).Nature: Everglades NP 55 km (airboat $30–45, 1 h).Swimming year-round.✓ Better |
| Shopping | In Las Vegas: Fashion Show Mall (250+ stores), Forum Shops (Caesars), Grand Canal Shoppes (Venetian).Outlets: Las Vegas North Premium Outlets (2 km from Downtown) with Levi’s $35–50, Nike $60–90. Sales tax ~8.38%.Hours: 10:00–21:00.Neon souvenirs and chips from $5–15. | In Miami: Lincoln Road (pedestrian), Aventura Mall (300+ stores, 25 km), Dolphin Mall outlet (19 km).Nearby: Sawgrass Mills (55 km, 45–60 min).Jeans $35–60, sneakers $70–110. Sales tax 7% (Miami-Dade).Hours 10:00–21:30, reduced on Sunday. |
| Safety and practical tips | On Las Vegas’s Strip and Fremont security is present, but beware of pickpocketing and timeshare scams.Avoid deserted areas behind the casinos after 23:00.Hydration: summer 40°C+.Call 911 for emergencies; official taxis at porte-cochère.Mandatory resort fee $35–45 per night at most hotels. | In Miami avoid parts of Overtown and Liberty City at night.In South Beach watch for spiked drinks and inflated bills on Ocean Drive (check the menu).Strong sun: SPF 30+.Red flag for rip currents.Emergencies 911.Regulated parking: fines $30–60. Carry small cash for tips 18–20%. |
| How many days you need | Las Vegas: minimum 2–3 days for the Strip, one show, and Fremont.Ideal 4–5 days with trips to Red Rock (half day) and Hoover Dam (half day).With Grand Canyon West (200 km, 2 h) add 1 day.Pace: attractions in the morning, pool in the afternoon, evening shows. | Miami: minimum 3 days for South Beach, Wynwood, and a cruise.Ideal 5–6 days with Vizcaya, Key Biscayne, and the Everglades.Days: 1 beach, 1 art/museums, 1 bay tour, 1 nature park, 1 shopping on Lincoln Road or at Aventura.Beachy pace with evenings in Brickell.✓ Better |
| How to combine the two cities | Direct LAS→MIA flight 4h45–5h15 with American.One-way fares $120–250 when booking 4–6 weeks ahead; checked bag $30–50. Afternoon departure from LAS is useful for evening arrival in Miami.Account for time zone -3 hours.No useful trains; coast-to-coast bus over 48 h not recommended. | Direct MIA→LAS flight 5h30–6h; alternatives with a stop at DFW or ATL 7–9h total.Prices $120–300; peak periods (Dec–Mar) rise to $200–400. Transfer MIA to lodging $22–35. Choose a night leg to maximize time in South Beach or on the Strip.Book with a 24–48 h buffer in case of weather. |
The Verdict
Choose Las Vegas
Ideal if you want top-tier shows, convenient hotels on the Strip, and day trips into the desert.Recommended period: Mar–May or Sep–Nov (25–30°C).Indicative budget: $150–220/day (hotel $100, meals $45, transport/show $30–60).Quick 4-day itinerary: Day 1 High Roller and Bellagio Fountains; Day 2 Red Rock Canyon (24 km, 3 h) + Cirque du Soleil; Day 3 MOB Museum + Fremont Street; Day 4 Hoover Dam (50 km, 2–3 h) and dinner at Lotus of Siam.
Choose Miami
Perfect if you’re looking for urban beaches, art in Wynwood, and the flavors of Little Havana.Best time: Dec–Apr (20–26°C, little rain).Indicative budget: $180–270/day (hotel $160 with fee, meals $45, activities $25–40).5-day itinerary: Day 1 South Beach + sunset at South Pointe; Day 2 Wynwood Walls + PAMM; Day 3 Vizcaya + Biscayne Bay cruise; Day 4 Everglades (55 km, airboat 1 h); Day 5 Key Biscayne (Crandon/Bill Baggs).