Since our plane arrived early, and we had been jonesing for a cigarette anyway, we went outside the terminal to have a smoke while we waited for our luggage to come through the queue. There was a woman sitting next to us, equally puffing away, and we chatted because we had noticed she boarded the plane in Charlotte with us.

She said they were driving directly from San Francisco to Reno, for a little drinking and gambling. Of course my eyes lit up when she mentioned casinos, Susi sighed. The woman said the drive was only about 4 hours, I got even happier, Susi frowned even more. Of course, she knew it was only 4 hours away but she had kept that info from me.

After checking in our hotel and chatting it up with the concierge, who turned out to be a gambler as well, we got information on a tour bus that leaves all the time for a nominal fee. Getting directions to the tour bus office, we trekked off on an endless journey, described by Susi on her San Francisco review, to Mission Street.

Lucky Tours has several offices in and around San Francisco. Fortunately this one was accessible after a 20 mile hike. We scheduled our trip for Friday and Saturday, at a rate of $55.00 per person. While you may think that $55.00 a head is a little steep, take everything into consideration:

Car rental and gas, adding our getting lost both to and from, the drive through the mountains and the endless return trip - priceless

Trip cost, $55.00 - less $28.00 in cash vouchers to three casinos, less $10.00 in food vouchers, 1 night hotel stay, somebody else driving. It ended up costing a mere $17.00 a head. Truthfully, you couldn’t get a car and hotel for $17.00. At least not one you could drive or a hotel you would lay your head in. Prices for trips leaving on Saturday or holidays run $70.00 and $75.00, respectively.

They offer several packages, we elected the 2-day package, but they have day trips, week long stays, ski trips, and packages for even longer visits. All include cash vouchers and food vouchers, as well as hotel accommodations. Naturally a hotel is not available in the package for the day trip fee.

You must provide transportation to the pick up point yourself. Upon arriving you receive your round-trip tickets and load up on the bus. You make several stops along the way, at their other offices, picking up other happy-go-lucky bus partners, before you get on the road proper.

The bus was a newer one, the seats were quite large and comfortable. A bathroom was available on the bus although the durn door wouldn’t stay shut and kept banging open when no one was using the facilities. Most people seemed to have brought a snack along, we were looking longingly at their little packets. What we didn’t know was the driver was supposed to stop half way through for snacks, but he was behind and didn’t bother to make a stop. The return trip was much different. We not only packed snacks but the driver stopped as well.

When you arrive at the hotel, you are given your vouchers and check-in to secure your room. You are on your own until the next morning when the bus picks you up to deliver you to the next casino on the list. Our schedule was a little messed up and instead of stopping at the first casino for several hours before going to the hotel, we went directly to the hotel. Generally you stop at a casino, play for a while, then go on to the hotel & casino where you will spend the evening. Each casino supplied food and cash vouchers in varying amounts.

If you miss your return bus or elect to stay longer, you can go on stand-by basis for a one-week period. I wouldn’t want to take that chance though, the buses always seemed pretty packed. Of course, I know there were two seats vacant on one of the buses because one of our bus mates hit for $2 million dollars the first night and headed right back to San Francisco, probably by chartered plane … lol …

All personnel involved with Lucky Tours were pleasant and helpful. Each thoroughly explained the trip to you and answered every question you had professionally. I wouldn’t hesitate to take another trip with this service, seriously, where can you have so much fun for $17.00?

Lucky Tours is located throughout the San Francisco area. We chose the office at 1119 Mission Street, 1-415-864-1133. If this is out of your area, I am sure they can direct you to a location closer to you. Their other offices are located in Oakland, Albany, Vallejo, Fairfield, Concord, San Leandro, Union City, Milpitas, San Jose, and Sunnyvale. You can look them up at www.luckytours.com.




Recommended: Yes

Best Suited For: Friends
Tour format: Bus
Tour length: One Day
Tour type: Group