Airport Shuttle
If you're flying into Vegas, the most economical way to get to your
hotel is probably on an airport shuttle. The shuttles gather just
outside the terminal in the same area as the taxis.
Shuttle service to the Strip or downtown costs less than $10, and buses run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Check with your hotel to arrange the return trip to McCarran.
Car Rentals
The average price for renting an economy car in Vegas is around
$25 to $30 per day, but the sky's the limit if you want to cruise
the Strip in something a little more extravagant. Rates will rise
on holiday weekends or when there's a large convention in town.
(Use Advanced Search to find convention schedules.)
As for driving, the city is laid out in a grid format, and easy
to navigate. Be sure to keep a map handy, though.
Search for Car Rental Companies >
Buses and Charters
There are several private companies that operate buses and charters
that travel to attractions in and around Las Vegas.
Search for Buses and Charters >
Limousine Services
There's certainly something to be said for seeing Las Vegas in style,
and you can do so for as low as $35 an hour. Options and pricing
vary widely depending on the vehicle and services you desire.
Parking
The good news is that free parking is abundant. Virtually every
major hotel offers free valet parking (it's customary to tip valets
$2 when they retrieve your car; this is still a great deal compared
to virtually every other major U.S. city.)
Parking is not allowed on the Strip itself, and several blocks of Fremont Street form a pedestrian mall, the Fremont Street Experience, and are closed to vehicular traffic. Your best bet to park on the Strip or downtown is in one of the hotel lots or parking garages. Be sure to take note on where you leave your vehicle, or even better, take advantage of valet parking whenever you can.
Public Transportation
Public bus transportation in Las Vegas is operated by Citizens Area
Transit (CAT). There are numerous bus routes throughout the area;
a one-way fare on the Strip costs $2, and slightly less in the rest
of the city. Buses on the Strip run 24 hours a day, seven days a
week.
For the latest information and scheduling, call CAT-RIDE at (702)
228-7433, or visit the CAT Web site.
There is also a trolley that runs the length of the Strip. Reasonable
fares and day passes are available, and the trolley runs from 9:30
a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Search for Local Transportation >
Taxis
You shouldn't have any trouble finding a cab in town. Fares start
with $2.70 on the meter, and $1.80 is then added for every additional
mile. All Las Vegas Taxi Companies have Lift equipped Vans that can accommodate one Wheelchair or Scooter.
Search for Taxi Companies >
The Las Vegas Monorail
The Las Vegas Monorail travels along the east side of The Strip
behind the resorts. Runs 7 days a week from 7 a.m. - 2 a.m. Monday
through Thursday and until 3 a.m. Friday through Sunday from the
Sahara Hotel to the MGM Grand with the following stops in between
- Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas Convention Center, Harrah's/Imperial
Palace, the Flamingo/Caesar's Palace and Bally's/Paris. See website
for individual, multi-day and group ticket prices.
www.lvmonorail.com
Vegas on Foot
With all of these transportation options, you will still cover a
lot of the city on foot. That said, the length of the Strip can
be deceptive... it takes more time than you would think to walk
from one end to the other. But parts of the Strip must be experienced
on foot: where else in the world can you marvel at dancing fountains
(the Bellagio), see an erupting volcano (the Mirage), or watch pirates
and sirens entertain on ships nightly? (Treasure Island, or T.I.)
Not to mention downtown's Fremont Street Experience, which is a
haven for pedestrians.
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and carry a bottle of water, especially
during summer months.
