WrestleMania 42 Travel Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them in Vegas)

If you’re headed to WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18–19, 2026, get ready for the most WWE-fun you’ll have all year — with energy, excitement, chaos, and very real crowds that can range from super friendly to… let’s just say rowdy if you’re unprepared.

We enjoyed last year’s WrestleMania in Vegas as it drew tens of thousands between a 2-5 day period, and now, the momentum for 2026 is huge, including events like WWE World, Raw, SmackDown, meet-and-greets, fan parties, and special experiences.

So before you book flights and start planning outfits, here’s everything you need to actually know.

TRANSPORTATION: It’s Fun… Until It’s Not 😅

🛫 Flights & Arrival

Vegas is a major destination year-round, but WrestleMania weekend pushes prices up fast. Flights that seemed reasonable in January will climb as the event nears. Our best tip? Book before you overthink it. If a price looks okay, grab it and move on because they will get more expensive. 

🚶 The Walks Are Real

Here’s the honest part: at peak exit time after the show, that 15–20 min can feel like forever. Crowds will surge and streets will be blocked off. Plan to walk slower, wear good shoes, and maybe consider staying for the post-show to allow the crowds to thin out.

🚕 Rideshares & Taxis (Helpful, But Not Effortless)

Rideshares like Uber and Lyft absolutely work in Vegas, but WrestleMania weekend is not a normal Vegas weekend. Expect higher rates from Thursday – Monday during all the events.

Friend tip: consider a taxi when flying in as taxis from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas do use a set (flat) rate for rides to most parts of the Las Vegas Strip, so you don’t pay a traditional metered fare like in many other cities for those trips. The flat rate only applies to direct trips from the airport to one of the predefined Strip zones.

Taxis Prices from Airport

1

Zone 1 (South Strip) – around $19 one-way (e.g., Luxor/Mandalay Bay area)

2

Zone 2 (Central Strip) – around $23 one-way (e.g., Bellagio, Planet Hollywood)

3

Zone 3 (North Strip/Stratosphere) – around $27 one-way (e.g., Sahara/Stratosphere area)

HOTELS & WHERE TO STAY (REAL TALK)

Las Vegas has tons of hotel options, but WrestleMania weekend rates are not cheap, even the “budget” places climb into the $$ range for those dates.

Below is what travelers and booking platforms show rough expected rates and distances for 4/16–4/20 weekend stays (prices can vary by room type, resort fee, and booking site, but these are solid ballpark figures):

Vegas has so many hotel options, but if you’re trying to balance location, comfort, event access, and cost, there’s one place you should seriously consider…

Official On-Location Hotel — Park MGM Las Vegas

This place is right in the heart of the Strip and is the official On-Location hotel because of its central access and relative closeness to everything — including Allegiant Stadium.

  • 🚶 Distance: ~1.5-2 miles from Allegiant Stadium (about 30-35 min walk — doable if you don’t mind a long stroll and crowds) or a short taxi/rideshare if your feet need a break.
  • 💰 Approx. Prices for 4 nights (Thu 4/16–Mon 4/20): Roughly $1,300–$1,700+ total (varies a LOT by room type, timing, and how early you book — but generally pricier than farther-north Strip options).
  • 🍸 Why it’s great: Stylish property next to T-Mobile Arena (where RAW and Smackdown will be held) with multiple restaurants, lounges, pools, and nightlife. It’s a hustle-and-bustle vibe and perfect if you want to be “in the middle of it all.”
Tips for Park MGM
  • You can walk to the stadium, but crowds and heat might slow you more than you think, especially post-show.
  • Consider rideshare for the first leg south, or use transit if you want to skip that long walk.
  • Book early and watch for rate dips because prices fluctuate a lot leading up to WrestleMania.

🥇 Closest & Best Walkable Options

1

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino

Great if you want to avoid rideshares post-show.

💰 Approx. $1,000–$1,500+ for 4 nights

🚶 ~10–15 min walk to Allegiant Stadium — easy, flat, fan favorite.

2

Luxor Hotel & Casino

Walk to the stadium plus easy Strip access.

💰 Approx. $800–$1,200+ for 4 nights

🚶 ~15–20 min walk — classic Vegas vibe, easier on budget than Mandalay.

3

Excalibur Hotel & Casino

💰 Approx. $700–$1,000+ for 4 nights

🚶 ~25–35 min walk — cheapest super close option.

Bring comfy shoes. 😉

🥇 Closest & Best Walkable Options

These are still great for WrestleMania, but plan rideshares or transit:

1

The LINQ Hotel + Experience

.

💰 Approx. $800–$1,200+ for 4 nights

🚗 ~10–15 min drive or rideshare (about 2 miles north on Strip).

Central Strip location = nightlife, restaurants, fast transit

2

Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

Classic budget choice with tons of Strip action.

💰 Approx. $800–$1,300+ for 4 nights

🚗 ~10–15 min drive or bus to stadium (about 3 miles).

3

New York-New York Hotel & Casino

Good balance of price and Strip fun.)

💰 Approx. $900–$1,400+ for 4 nights

🚗 ~10–15 min rideshare — not walkable, but quick drive.

🔹 Friend tip: Hotel rates can change a lot week to week so some fans (like us) have re-booked for hundreds less by checking deals or using hotel apps (like Caesars Rewards) to watch rates.

COST REALITY CHECK: IT’S NOT AS CHEAP AS IT USED TO BE

Vegas has historically been one of the more affordable big-event destinations, but WrestleMania weekend flips that:

  • Hotels go up fast
  • Resort fees add $30–$50+ per night
  • Food & drinks are far pricier during events
  • Uber/Lyft surge pricing happens around event start and finish (and we are talking between $60-$100 after the event)

So don’t panic, just budget more than you expect. You’ll thank us later. 😅

CROWDS & FAN BEHAVIOR — REAL STORY TIME

Here’s the thing: most people at WrestleMania are awesome. You’ll make friends in lines, bump into fellow fans everywhere, and share many laughs..

But…

  • Crowds get very dense before and after the event
  • Exiting the stadium can feel like herding cats (slow walking, bottlenecks)
  • Some folks are understandably hyped and can get rowdy or impatient
  • Long waits for rideshares post-show are common

Here’s what we learned the hard way:

  • Hang back a bit after the show and let the first tsunami of people clear out before you start walking.
  • If you’re meeting friends, set very specific landmarks 

Be patient and keep a sense of humor. A little kindness goes a long way.

EVENTS, PRIORITY PASS & TICKETS

WrestleMania weekend isn’t just one show, but it’s a full fan experience:

  • WWE World interactive fan convention
  • Meet-and-greets
  • Special club/lounge parties
  • WWE Raw and SmackDown tapings
  • Other fan-driven experiences

Tickets for these sell out, especially meet-and-greets and club events. Priority Pass packages through On Location give you early access, premium seating, and unique experiences like superstars appearances, exclusive areas, and hospitality, if that sounds like your kind of weekend, they’re absolutely worth considering (even though they’re pricey).

FOOD, DRINKS & SAVINGS STRATEGIES

Vegas food can be amazing, but on WrestleMania weekend:

  • Stadium food is expensive. If you are not signed up for one of the pre-show hospitality experiences, we suggest you eat before you go,
  • Convenience store snacks & drinks are way cheaper (just be mindful you can’t take it into the stadium).

Other fans also recommend hitting places like the In-N-Out near the stadium before crowds hit, but expect lines.

MEET & GREET ETIQUETTE (AKA DON’T BE THAT PERSON)

You will see wrestlers around Vegas and it will be AWESOME. But treat them like people, not props:

  • Don’t interrupt meals or private moments
  • Don’t chase them into hotel elevators
  • Don’t call them by real names
  • Be respectful of family time

FINAL WRESTLEMANIA FRIEND ADVICE

WrestleMania 42 weekend will be one of the best trips of your year. It’s loud, it’s bustling, it’s every kind of chaos you can imagine.

But you’ll enjoy it so much more if you:

✔ Plan early
✔ Budget realistically
✔ Wear good shoes
✔ Eat before the chaos
✔ Make rideshare & meet-up plans ahead of time
✔ And remember, the crowd’s big, but we’re all fans here

Vegas + WrestleMania = unforgettable.

Looking for some more lessons we’ve learned from traveling? Check out our blog on things we will never do again while traveling.

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