Cheap way from SF to Vegas?

[+ friendofsheila]

Southwest is at least $119. Amtrak takes forever. Megabus doesn't go there.

 

Any tips?

[down_to_business]

Southwest is at least $119. Amtrak takes forever. Megabus doesn't go there.

 

Any tips?

 

If you are willing you can drive 30 miles and catch Spirit Airlines for roughly $75 (warning- additional fees for anything extra, very strict baggage rules)

[Diverdan]

For what it is worth, probably nothing, I will never fly Spirit Airlines. My feeling is that this is a terrible business model for airlines, but they seem to get folks to fly them.

[unsub2O17]

If you're willing to plan ahead, Southwest often has lower fares than what you quoted--more in the 89.00 each way range. And then there's driving all the way, but I like to drive.

[Tighty]

For what it is worth, probably nothing, I will never fly Spirit Airlines. My feeling is that this is a terrible business model for airlines, but they seem to get folks to fly them.

 

Me either. Beware of their hidden dees, something like $80 for carry on or checkin luggage. $10 to reserve a seat etc.

[Irtwo]

Amtrak takes forever.

 

Amtrak doesn't go to Vegas. It stopped about 15 years ago. If you book a train it will take you to Los Angeles or Kingman, AZ, then you have to take a bus the rest of the way to Las Vegas.

[nate_sf]

Greyhound? It ain't sexy but it's cheap!

[maninsoma]

I checked round trip fares from San Francisco to Vegas recently and found fares for December dates around $120 on Virgin and United. Maybe there was a sale at the time, because I just checked again for the same dates and the least expensive fare I found is about $178 round trip. Dates closer (next month) were about double, which I guess is typical for relatively last-minute bookings.

[down_to_business]

While I am not a fan of Spirit by any means, or their business model, they are the most inexpensive game in town (especially if you have no carry-on or checked baggage) and it seems the OP was asking for cheap. They fly from Oakland airport.

 

They have a small disclaimer on all their low internet fares that say something along the lines of even cheaper fares may be available at the airport. It seems that if you are willing to chance it, you might be able to fly for even cheaper if you show up to the airport- an hour or two before the flight, and they have seats available.

[+ not2rowdy]

If you can get to Stockton (SCK) or Monterrey (MRY) there are direct flights to Las Vegas on Allegiant Airlines. They don't provide service every day. Also gotta watch the add-on's. Prices often advertised under $50 each way.

[Guest countryboywny]

Greyhound? It ain't sexy but it's cheap!

 

Oh, I don't know about that Nate, a nice long trip with you in the back of the bus?? THAT could be sexy!

[instudiocity]

If you are willing you can drive 30 miles and catch Spirit Airlines for roughly $75 (warning- additional fees for anything extra, very strict baggage rules)

For what it is worth, probably nothing, I will never fly Spirit Airlines. My feeling is that this is a terrible business model for airlines, but they seem to get folks to fly them.

The Value Proposition is "Fast, Cheap, Good = you never get more than two of the three" Spirit has a demonstrated on-time record of 'almost never' so that kills "FAST". Spirit has a reputation for low fares but tends to do add-ons for carry-on bags, checking bags, a soft-drink, getting into the lavatory, and probably asking the flight attendant for a pillow - kills "CHEAP". And if on-time and inexpensive are out, only "GOOD" is left which means the planes probably won't crash.

 

No, I'd try someone else.

 

But the least expensive way I know is shared-ride with someone advertising on Craig's List. You wind up helping pay for gas. A friend travels from Sacramento to LA every weekend with a guy who lives in Sacramento and works in LA. The guy just wants some company and help with the gas.

 

and to the doubters... Don't knock Craig's List for ride hook-ups - I mean you fuck guys on Craig's List, Right?

[Guest countryboywny]

The Value Proposition is "Fast, Cheap, Good = you never get more than two of the three"

 

So true ISC.. I use that in my business, "Price, Quality, Service.. pick two"

[+ friendofsheila]

No car, so any drive is out of the question, even to another airport.

 

Greyhound was perfectly awful and unhelpful when I went some time ago. I swore I never would again and never will.

 

Has anybody had luck with thumbing a ride through Craigslist?