Need help on getting to Reno in 2014

Heading to USBC Bowling Nationals in Reno next year for the first time ever. I've flown to Vegas many, many times and know what is a good deal and what isn't.

Never flown to Reno.

Wondering what the best options are?? Are flight prices traditionally high there?? Better to fly into somewhere else (Sacramento??) and drive the rest of the way??

Just seeing if anybody had any ideas....

 

Southwest flies to Reno just as the do Vegas so same deal basically.

 

Allegiant started flying twice a week to/from Reno... Fridays and Sundays. I found fares for $49 each way (yes, I know Allegiant charges even for carry-ons, but just alerting for the option).

We are going up this year. Flying into Vegas on Southwest on May 11, Flying into Reno on Allegiant on May 12, bowling May 13-14, flying back to Vegas on Southwest on May 15 and flying back home on Southwest on May 16.

Others in our group are flying the round trip into Las Vegas on May 11, then renting a minivan and driving (450ish miles each way). Dividing the cost of the van and gasoline five ways in making the cost around $70 per person all-in, with the side benefit of having transportation available in Reno. Other benefits are less bowling ball lugging and staying OUT of the casino for 7 hours each day.

In the past, others have flown into San Francisco, Oakland or Sacramento and driven in (3-4 hours, depending on weather).

There really are a lot of options available. I hear bowlers all the time complaining about how hard it is to get into Reno, but I think it comes down to complaining for the sake of complaining.

Wait until everyone sees how much air fare and hotels are in 2015 for El Paso... an area with no casinos!

 

We fly to RNO from Phl or Newark and the prices are traditionally much higher than to Vegas, even on SW. On our last trip to LV we drove to Reno-about 7-7 1/2 hr drive. Don't know if that's an option for you but we enjoyed the drive. Another option is to fly to Sacramento and drive. As long as it's not in winter, that's not a bad drive either. Car rental prices are usually high in Sac. though. Although we love Reno and Tahoe, getting there cheaply is always a challenge.

 

Thanks for the replys. Yes - I am a Southwest customer and fly them 95% of the time. Never flown for bowling before, but SW is a no-brainer when you figure all the added luggage due to taking your bowling equipment.

Obviously the fare calendar is not open that far out, but I've been doing some comparisons of Reno and Vegas, and Reno seems 20-25% higher from Omaha.

I guess I'm not opposed to flying part way and then driving the rest.

What's Reno like gambling wise?? I'm guessing a middle of Vegas Strip and Downtown, with it a lot closer to DT than Strip..... Just a guess though.

 

I fly to Reno out of Omaha for the USBC Open as well. Will be there this year in May. Got flights for about 250 RT on a sale back in Feb. So there can be some decent fares to Reno at times. I have paid as much as 350. I have even used Amtrak to get there, but you can't be in a hurry. Train stops right near the bowling stadium.

 

I love Reno. But get any comparisons to Vegas out of your mind.

It is like any middle-American city, except with about a dozen casino resorts dumped in a two-square mile area. The food isn't a star like it is in Vegas (though don't get me wrong, they have great restaurants, just not GREAT restaurants). And no shows. They don't really exist.

Outside of the casino district, there are a couple of resorts (Peppermill, Atlantis, Grand Sierra, John Ascuaga's Nugget) that are all very nice, but the rest of the city is just that... a city. Crime is not higher or lower than most cities, there is a AAA baseball team, a river with activities, and "stuff" to do a short drive away (Virginia City, Lake Tahoe region).

 

Curiousity --- how long of a trip via Amtrak from Oma to Reno???

 

So you are basically....

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It takes around 35 hours from Lincoln, NE. Like I said can't be in a hurry, but the route through the mountains in Colorado is one of the more scenic. You can go cheap and ride coach, but for that distance it is best to get a sleeper car, which depending on when you go can be expensive. The time I went on Amtrak, I rode the train out and flew back on Southwest. Kind of fun hanging out in the lounge car. Meet a lot of interesting people on the way.

 

That's tmass and papa potter... They're from Nebraska, you know.

 

I need one of those jackets. You think if the team wore those, you would get the team pride pin?

mjames - looks like you are bowling the same days we are. good luck.