2006 was my first visit to Reno, five of us guys flew down from Winnipeg to Reno via United airlines on Thursday and returned Monday, we had a great time.
We stayed at the Sands Hotel - old but reasonable in cost - four nights for a room with two queen beds $310US tax included. Most hotel / casinos have free shuttles from the Reno airpot to their hotel, a nice touch and saves the taxi fare (~ $30.00 one way)
Next visit I will stay at a hotel on the main strip like the Eldorado, the Eldorado has better meals, we had breakfast at the Eldorado each day as the pickup point for the shuttle bus to Stead field is at the Eldorado.
The airace shuttle bus is $18.00 for a daily round trip ticket via a greyhound type bus. The bus shuttle tickets at a sidewalk booth at the Eldorado
I would be sure to buy on line in advance the reserved grandstand seating for Sunday's final races, we bought in June, the the seats were great, bring or buy stadium seats as the alum, bench seats are hard.
We bought pit passes tickets on line also but we had to exchange these pit tickets for pit passes at a small ticket booth at the pit entrance so why would one bother buying in advance to end up in line with folds buying pit passes there. However going through the pits was very worth it.
Daily entrance tickets can be bought on the air race gate entrance - lineup is not too bad.
Military members get in free - a herc pilot in our group saw that sign at the ticket booth, said yipeee, showed his id and got in free for all days.
Food was ok to good, prices in line with other airshows, the beer price was reasonable and tasted great on Sunday in the grandstand.
Weather Friday was windy and cold +42F, so bring very warm clothes just in case, we're from the frozen tundra, has some warm clothes but still felt cold.
Hope this helps - have a great trip.
my reno pics at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/89033098@N00/sets/72157594291709080/