Plane Tickets and Car Rentals

[HurricaneKatt]

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I'm trying to get my interview tickets and having a bit of a rough time. Flying anywhere from Alaska sucks, we're pretty much stuck with 2 airlines. Okay, more than 2 but still, a relatively small number. This severely limits options. I'm a fairly seasoned traveler, but I'm hoping someone will have helpful advice... student discounts, anything like that?

Also, for my interview at Nevada I can spend $200 less on my ticket if I fly into Vegas instead of Reno...but then I need a way to get TO Reno. I'm 22 so renting a car is spendy, but still not $200 spendy. But are there any buses that go between the two cities or anything like that? I'm already missing a few days of work, on top of being broke, so the most economic way I can do this would be best.

 

[Sheldon Cooper]

It's about a 7 hour/450 mile drive drive from Vegas to Reno...just fly.

 

[Josh2389]

The Greyhound runs from Vegas to Reno, but I think it stops in Salt Lake City and it takes about 18 hours or so. I believe the cost is $80 one way. Is flying into Sacramento or Davis cheaper? Theres an Amtrak train that goes from Sac to Reno, or Davis to Reno and its faster and cheaper than a bus.

 

[alexrgross]

You can post on craiglist in both cities that you are looking for transport, and when. Also, sometimes there are ads on CL for that too and its mostly a gas expense share and quick too. Its pretty reliable, but make sure to quiz the drivers a bit on their car, their plans in destination, and times, etc - this helps to make sure they are legitamate.

 

[Josh2389]

You can post on craiglist in both cities that you are looking for transport, and when. Also, sometimes there are ads on CL for that too and its mostly a gas expense share and quick too. Its pretty reliable, but make sure to quiz the drivers a bit on their car, their plans in destination, and times, etc - this helps to make sure they are legitamate.

Actually a good idea that I forgot. Just be careful of Craigslist serial killers. Kidding aside, there ARE a lot of scammers and shady people on CL, keep that in mind you're looking in Las Vegas, where there are as many shady folks as working girls out there.

 

[alexrgross]

Yes, be really careful and be sure to quiz the driver on basic things they should know about the trip. On craiglist, these people can be found under community, and then rideshare...I just checked and it looks like there are a bunch of people looking for people to take to Reno, to help pay gas.

The above post about serial killers and scammers is very very important. You really need to make quiz the driver about the trip - if he plans to stop anywhere on the way, has he done this before, who is he going to see, whats his full name. Also, be sure you tell someone you trust who you are going with, their phone number, and when you expect to arrve - then check in when you get there safely!

However, enjoy the benefits of rideshare. Ive done it a few times and it can be really a fun, safe experience.

 

[IMSingular]

It's about a 7 hour/450 mile drive drive from Vegas to Reno...just fly.

+1.

Well 450 miles at 25mpg will cost $110. Then rent the car for two days. At 22yr you may have to get the insurance. Then you will be damned tiered for the interview. Bus? You may have to add two more days to itenarary.

 

[varsityblue]

I'm trying to get my interview tickets and having a bit of a rough time. Flying anywhere from Alaska sucks, we're pretty much stuck with 2 airlines. Okay, more than 2 but still, a relatively small number. This severely limits options. I'm a fairly seasoned traveler, but I'm hoping someone will have helpful advice... student discounts, anything like that?

Also, for my interview at Nevada I can spend $200 less on my ticket if I fly into Vegas instead of Reno...but then I need a way to get TO Reno. I'm 22 so renting a car is spendy, but still not $200 spendy. But are there any buses that go between the two cities or anything like that? I'm already missing a few days of work, on top of being broke, so the most economic way I can do this would be best.

1) If money is a major concern, see if you can register to get a Zipcar monthly membership. You might save $150 if you were to fly into Vegas, get a Zipcar, and drive to Reno. 🙂
2) If money isn't a major concern, just fly right into Reno.

 

[chrissyxf]

I have been able to get way cheaper flights by flying really out of the way or volunteering a stop/splitting the flights.
1) i.e. buying flights separately from alaska to washington state then washington state to las vegas. I've used kayak to orchestrate these things to find out what flights are going where and then booking on the actual airlines website. Very time consuming but it can be worth it. I was able to get 2 roundtrip flights the week of Christmas, 2 weeks before christmas for only 500 bucks by doing this. (Had to go home for a family emergency--> would highly recommend buying flights 4-6 weeks out from your planned trip).
2) Or flying from alaska to Texas but the mid-stop happens to be las vegas and you just don't complete the 2nd leg of the flight. This article talks about how to do that/the drawbacks (no checking luggage and you have to book your flights one-way, not roundtrip) http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505123_...-to-save-plenty-on-airfares-should-you-do-it/

Good luck!

 

[pdxjazz]

Yeah I would check into flights into Sacramento. Allot closer to Reno than Las Vegas, and they have a major freeway between the two cities. May hit snow on the pass if the weather is bad and you are renting a car and driving over. The train might be worth looking into, although you will have to add $ for taxi's to/from the SMF airport, as well as to/from your hotel in Reno (if your hotel doesn't have a free shuttle) so factor that in.

Might be almost as cheap, and certainly easier just to bite the bullet and fly directly into Reno.