Hopped off the plane at LAS with a dream and a mesh tank top…but do you jump in a cab or an uber? Whichever you choose, they’ll play your song! There are a lot of great ways to get around town, here’s the rundown of your options.
There’s always a line of taxis waiting at the airport and every major hotel/casino. They’re the easiest, most ubiquitous form of transportation on the strip and downtown. But it’s a little different here, you can’t hail a cab on the street like New York. It’s actually illegal to pick people up from the street. You can only grab one at a designated location which your hotel will provide. The fare depends on how long you’re in the cab. So cross your fingers to hit every green light!
Both Uber and Lyft are available and abundant in Vegas. The cost depends on where you’re going and when. They have surge pricing during peak hours that can be 2 to 3 times the normal rate. A great way to save some money and guarantee your ride is to schedule it. If you know exactly when you need to leave, definitely schedule the ride. They’re available in any part of town, on the strip and downtown as well as the outskirts.
Photo Source
The Las Vegas Monorail is a fun and efficient way to get up and down the strip. It arrives every 4 to 8 minutes at 7 stops. Hop on and off at MGM Grand, Bally’s/Paris, Flamingo/Caesars Palace, The LINQ/Harrah’s, Las Vegas Convention Center, Westgate, and the SAHARA Las Vegas Station. Train hours are Mondays 7 am -midnight, Tuesday-Thursday 7 am-2 am, Friday-Sunday 7 am-3 am. They have mobile ticketing at $5 for one ride, $13 day pass, $23 two-day pass, $29 three-day pass, $36 four-day pass, $43 five-day pass, and $56 for a week pass. Nevada residents only pay $1 per ride (limit two per day). Kids 5 and under ride for free!
Photo Source
This is a favorite for tourists, it’s a great way to get around and sightsee at the same time. This double-decker fun bus goes from Mandalay Bay to the Fremont Street Experience. And they stop at almost every hotel on the way. Conveniently running 24/7 this is an awesome option for the night owls. It runs every 15 minutes from 7 am-2 am and every 20 minutes from 2 am-7 am. They have a second option as well – The Strip and Downtown Express. That one starts at the LV Premium Outlets and goes to the South Strip Transfer Terminal. They make 3 stops along the way and runs every 15 minutes 9 am -midnight.
There are some casinos that offer free connecting trams! Their stops are limited but it’s a great way to get around one area. Check out the Vegas tram map to see where it stops and what’s nearby. There are 3 currently running. The Aria Express Tram stops at Park MGM, Crystal Shops, and Bellagio/Vdara. It runs 8 am-9 pm (till 11 pm during T-Mobile Events) Monday-Thursday and 8 am-2 am Friday-Sunday. The Mandalay Bay Tram stops at Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay. It’s open 10 am -midnight 7 days a week and runs every 3-7 minutes. The Mirage-Treasure Island Tram goes back and forth between those two hotels. It’s open 12 pm-9 pm Sunday-Thursday, 12 pm-12 am Friday-Saturday and runs every 8 minutes.
This is for those who are “go big or go home” types. It’s Vegas baby, treat yo’ self to a party experience while getting around. Great for those celebrating, here for a special event, or big groups. There are tons of limo and party bus companies to choose from. And you can customize your experience. You can pick the size and style of your liking and have it for just a night or your whole trip. What’s a Vegas vacation without some kind of debauchery, right?!
Photo Source
There’s always the car rental option. If you plan on venturing off the strip then it’s a good idea to rent a vehicle. With the Grand Canyon, Red Rock, Lake Mead, and Lake Las Vegas nearby, there’s a lot to see off the beaten path. Renting a vehicle affords you the freedom to explore all that Vegas valley has to offer. There are plenty of car rental companies with various types of vehicles available. But if you’re going to rent a car, why not grab something glamorous? Rent a Slingshot and zip around town with all eyes on you. Zoom up and down Las Vegas Boulevard in an Aston Martin, a Lamborghini, or a Ferrari. Ride in luxury in a Cadillac or a Mercedes-Benz. You came to Vegas to splurge, right?! So have some fun, get where you need to go, and ride in style.
You’re now the master of getting around Las Vegas! Happy travels and have fun out there!