Getting Around Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a compact city with many attractions available
in the central area around the Strip and downtown. Transportation
options are numerous and varied, from renting a vintage
Cadillac Eldorado or new Corvette, to hopping on a city
bus, taking a cab or riding the Las Vegas Monorail, one
of the most modern transportation systems in the world.
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 the airport.
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. As for driving,
the city is laid out in a grid format, and easy to navigate.
Be sure to keep a map handy, though.
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. 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.
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.
Taxis
You shouldn't have any trouble finding a cab in town.
Fares start with $3.30 on the meter, and $2.20 is then
added for every additional mile.
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. to 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.
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. |
