Best Way To Get Around Las Vegas Without A Car
Las Vegas is known as a tourist hotspot and a major destination for gambling and entertainment. The city has become notorious for its traffic jams and can be a nightmare to drive by car. If you are looking forward to visiting Las Vegas or any other place outside of town, then you should consider using public transportation.
There are plenty of ways to travel around Las Vegas without using a car. Some of them include bus services, taxis, ride sharing apps, and the Tram/Monorail. This article gives some great ideas on how to get around Las Vegas without a car and save money at the same time.
Walking
If you want to do some serious people watching and get around town without spending any money then walking is certainly your best bet. One thing to keep in mind when planning on walking is that everything is really far apart. Even just venturing over to the next casino could be an hour walk.
With that being said, be sure to be prepared before you leave your hotel. Comfortable shoes are very important because like we said before everything is really really far apart. Those wearing sandals or heels will regret it the next day.
And finally if you do decide to walk everywhere, wear proper clothing, wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water so you don’t get fried. 100 degree plus temperatures are the norm for summer months.
Taxi
Even though taxi drivers are notorious for trying to rip off tourists, they are regulated by the state of Nevada, so you shouldn’t worry too much about getting stuck with a shady driver.
You can catch a cab almost anywhere in Las Vegas, except right outside on the strip where taxis cannot pick up passengers. Local safety laws actually prohibit taxi cabs from picking up someone directly on the Las Vegas Strip. However, you can usually find a taxi pick up stand near any shopping, hotel or tourist attraction.
How Much Are Las Vegas Taxi Rates
Taxi fares vary depending on distance traveled. Fares generally start at $3.50 per mile and increase based on time length and destination. Some taxi drivers may try to charge extra for certain destinations, like casinos, so ask the driver beforehand. Because rates may change in the future you can find the most current pricing here.
How much is a taxi from the airport to the Strip in Las Vegas?
To help visitors navigate the city and avoid long-hauling practices by taxi drivers, the Nevada Taxicab Authority recently approved a flat rate between the airport and various hotels along the strip. While the flat rates are only valid until June 30th, you can expect changes in the future.
Zone 1: $19 will get you to Delano, Excalibur, Virgin Las Vegas, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, OYO, and Tropicana.
Zone 2: $23 will get you to Aria, Bally’s, Bellagio, Elara, New York New York, Marriot Grand Chateau, Paris, Park MGM, Planet Hollywood, Polo Towers, Cosmopolitan, Orleans, Signature at MGM, Vdara, and Travelodge by Wyndham.
Zone 3: $27 will get you to Caesars Palace, Circus Circus, Encore, Flamingo, Gold Coast, Harrah’s, Hilton Grand Vacations, Las Vegas Convention Center, Palace Station, Palms, Resorts World, Rio, Sahara, Strat, LINQ, Mirage, Palazzo, Venetian, Westin, Trump, TI, Westgate, and Wynn.
Take an Uber or Lyft
Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are great alternatives because they are free to use and offer transparent pricing. They also have a wide network of drivers across the city. Just download the app, request a driver, and wait for a green light to show up. There are no hidden fees and you won’t be charged extra for surge pricing.
With taxi rates increasing every year, it may be worth it to look into getting a rideshare account. Not only do they cost less, but they also give you access to a wider range of vehicles and drivers. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about paying extra for long hauls.
Is Uber or Lyft cheaper than a taxi in Las Vegas
Uber and Lyft are two great options for getting around Las Vegas without a car. Not only do they provide safe, reliable service, they also save money compared to taxis. Both apps charge the same rate regardless of where you are headed. You won’t find any hidden fees.
We recommend using Uber or Lyft instead of taxis in Las Vegas because they are usually cheaper and provide transparent pricing. You should be able to easily find out how much it costs to travel between the airport and any hotel on the strip via the app.
However, there are times such as peak hours or off hours when taxis are still the most convenient option.
Buses – The Duece
One of the best ways to get around Las Vegas without a car and avoid wasting money is to take advantage of the Deuce, a 24 hour bus service that covers the whole length of the Las Vegas strip. Buses stop at nearly every major attraction along the strip, making it easier to explore the city.
Travel Pass fares are $6 for 2 hours, $8 for 24 hours, and $20 for three days. These fares include access to all stops and transfers between buses and can be purchased at one of the many ticket vending machines along the Strip.
To find out where the nearest Deuce stop is, check out the official route map. The Deuce stops frequently throughout the night and during peak hours, so don’t worry about missing your ride. Just hop on board and enjoy the sights of Sin City!
Las Vegas Monorail/Tram
A lot of people who visit Las Vegas assume that the Monorail and the Tram are one and the same. They are in fact two different services.
There are three free Trams running on the west side of the strip between Mandalay Bay and the Treasure Island casino. You can catch the tram at any of the stops along the route. Each stop has a map showing where the next tram will arrive.
Once you reach the end of the line, simply hop on another Tram heading towards the destination of your choice. The Trams operate every 15 minutes during regular hours and every 30 minutes after 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. During peak times, the frequency increases to every five minutes.
On the east side of the strip, the Las Vegas Monorail operates between seven stations: MGM Grand Station, Bally’s/Paris Las Vegas Station, Flamingo/Caesars Palace Station, Harrah’s/The LINQ Station, Las Vegas Convention Center Station, Westgate Las Vegas Station and Sahara Las Vegas Station.
The Monorail operates every few minutes and is open 7 a.m. to Midnight Monday, 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday through Sunday.
The Las Vegas Monrorail and Tram can be great options for getting around town quickly and easily however stations can be hard to find and quite a walk behind the casinos. Just make sure to see where they are on a property map before you head off searching for one of the stops.
Can you ride the Las Vegas Monorail or Tram for free?
While the Tram is free to ride, the Monorail will cost you some money to ride. You can either pay $5 per ride or buy a day pass for $15 which gives you unlimited rides for one day. Multi day passes are also available. If you purchase an eTicket you can save some money.
The Las Vegas Monorail isn’t technically part of the city of Las Vegas. Instead, it’s owned by MGM Resorts International and operates within the boundaries of the City of Paradise.
Does the Las Vegas Monorail or the Tram go to Fremont Street?
Unfortunately no, neither the Tram nor the Monorail will take you all the way to Fremont Street. The Tram will go as far north as Treasure Island casino and the Monorail’s last stop is at The Sahara. Both are still quite a walk to Fremont Street.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, if you’re planning a trip to Las Vegas, you might want to consider taking public transportation instead of driving. Not only will you save money, but you won’t have to worry about parking or traffic jams. Plus, you’ll get to see the city from a whole new perspective.