The Ultimate Guide to Getting Around Las Vegas
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With over 140 square miles across Las Vegas, it can be challenging to navigate without a plan. Whether you’re traveling by car, bus, or on foot, understanding the city’s layout and transportation options is essential for making the most of your visit.
Whether you’re heading to the Strip, Downtown, or off-the-beaten-path destinations, this guide will help you choose the most convenient and cost-effective options for getting around. From buses and monorails to the best ride-share options, you’ll be equipped to explore the city with ease.
Getting to Las Vegas
Before we get into all the transportation options you have within the city, let’s take a look at your options for getting into Las Vegas. You can fly into Harry Reid International Airport, which is located just a few minutes from the Strip.
Driving to Las Vegas is another option, which can offer a more scenic experience than flying. The main highways leading to Las Vegas include Interstate 15, which connects the city to Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, and US Route 93, connecting Phoenix with Las Vegas. If you go this route, you can also see many of the amazing attractions outside the city that you might otherwise miss.
Alternatively, you could take advantage of one of the intercity bus services offered to get to Las Vegas from a variety of cities. If you don’t mind a few extra hours of travel, this can often save you a significant amount of money compared to flights or driving. These buses typically have a wide variety of amenities like WiFi, power outlets, and upgraded seats.
Transportation from Harry Reid International Airport
After you land in Las Vegas, planning your transportation can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and stress-free start to your trip. Below are the most common options for getting to your hotel from the airport.
Taxis:
Taxis are one of the most recommended options for heading to your hotel from the airport and there’s a good reason! While most of the time taxis on the Strip will charge by either the miles driven or the time spent, trips from the airport are charged on a flat rate depending on the hotel you’re going to. The biggest con with this option is that the wait time can often be quite long since the line is fairly close to the exit of the airport.
Taxis are also a great option for getting around the rest of the city as they typically have the most convenient pick-up areas on the strip (most are situated by valet at the front of the resorts.) It is important to keep these pick-up areas in mind though, as you can’t hail a taxi from the street like other cities.
Rideshare
Rideshare is another incredibly reliable option for getting to your hotel. Although this is a bit trickier to find in the airport (Rideshare pick-up is in the parking garage in both terminals.) Rideshare services can be slightly more affordable than taxis, depending on demand and surge pricing. They also offer the convenience of booking and payment through mobile apps, making them a popular choice for many travelers.
Aside from airport transportation, both Uber and Lyft are available 24/7, making them a reliable option for transportation from anywhere in the city. They also offer a range of vehicle options, from standard cars to luxury vehicles, to accommodate different preferences and needs.
Shuttles
Shuttles are another convenient option for travelers. They are often more affordable than taxis and ride-shares, especially for solo travelers or small groups. While they are often the most affordable options, trips can take anywhere from 30-60 minutes with the amount of stops that need to be made for passengers.
Limousines & Private Cars
Perhaps the most luxurious of all, limousines and private cars are perfect for those wanting to start their trip in style. The downside is that they are the most expensive option and may require advance booking to ensure availability.
Walking in Las Vegas
Once you’re on the Strip, walking may seem like a great option, and with the addition of pedestrian-friendly bridges and walkways, navigating the bustling streets becomes more convenient. However, the sheer size of the Strip and the desert heat can make walking challenging, especially during the summer months. It’s essential to stay hydrated and plan your route to avoid exhaustion.
While it may not feel like it, the Strip is 4.2 miles long, and walking its entire length can take over an hour. If you plan to walk around the Strip, we highly recommend getting a good pair of walking shoes and to plan the majority of your walking in the mornings and evenings to avoid the heat. We also recommend making the most of the casinos to get some much needed air conditioning as many of them are connected by indoor walkways.
Another great tip we can give is if you have reservations to make sure you leave enough walking time to get where you need to go. As we’ve mentioned, the Strip is significantly longer than meets the eye so it’s important to plan ahead. Our map of the Las Vegas Strip also offers a walking time calculator to make this planning easier.
Public Transportation: The Deuce Bus System
Public transportation is another incredibly reliable way to get around the city, but there are some things you need to know as you plan out your routes.
The first thing to know is that the Deuce bus runs 24/7 and has two different schedules. You can expect to wait roughly 15 minutes for a bus between 7AM and 1AM, and up to 20 minutes between 1AM and 7AM.
You can buy tickets a few different ways, including through Uber, RideRTC, and the Transit apps, as well as at vending machines and onboard. Tickets are granted by hour or day with the cheapest being $6 ($3 for veterans, youth, K-12 students, those 60+, disabled, medicare eligible, and Mobility Trained customers.) We personally recommend the 24-hour pass or 3 day pass which allows you unlimited access for the entirety of your trip.
Above we have included the route for both the northbound bus and the southbound bus. If you want to know more about the Deuce bus system, you can check out our article here.
The Las Vegas Monorail
Perhaps one of the most affordable transportation options besides walking, the Las Vegas Monorail is a convenient way to get around the city. With stations along the entire east side of the Strip and trains arriving every 4-8 minutes, this can be an incredibly fast way to get around the city.
One extra benefit of the monorail is that it has direct access to the Las Vegas Convention Center, making it an ideal choice for convention attendees. Additionally, the monorail operates daily from 7 a.m. to midnight, ensuring accessibility for both early risers and night owls exploring the city.
Tickets can be bought online and at kiosks located at the entrance of each station. The Las Vegas Monorail offers a variety of ticket pricing options to suit different needs. Riders can purchase single ride tickets for a quick trip, or opt for unlimited ride passes that are available for one, two, three, or even seven days, providing flexibility for longer stays. Check out our guide for more information.
Rental Options
Renting vehicles can be a great option for those looking to do day trips outside of Las Vegas and for those with larger families that might require bigger cars than most taxis or ride-share options.
If you’re looking for a more tailored experience where you don’t have to drive, consider renting a limousine. Limousine rentals offer a luxurious and comfortable way to travel, complete with professional drivers who can take you to your destination safely. This option is perfect for special occasions or for those who want to enjoy the sights without the stress of navigating traffic.
While these options tend to be much higher priced, they can be worth the cost for those seeking a unique experience or looking to have a little more freedom in navigating the city. For rental cars, they are typically priced by day, and limousines will be priced either on a flat daily rate or by the hour.
Hotel Transportation
One often overlooked mode of transportation in Las Vegas is the ones that hotels provide to guests. These services typically include shuttle buses or private cars that transport guests to and from the airport or other popular destinations. Hotel transportation can be a convenient and cost-effective option, especially as many drivers work for tips.
In addition to the private cars hotels provide, there are also a number of hotels that offer tram and monorail systems to get between close-by hotels. The most notable of which are the tram system between Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay as well as the monorail system connecting Park MGM, Aria, and Bellagio
Parking in Las Vegas: What’s Free, What’s Not
If you’ve opted to drive to Las Vegas or have rented a car, it’s important to research parking fees and understand the options available. While we have guides on both parking fees in Las Vegas as well as where you can find free parking, we want to give a small overview of your options on the Strip below. It is important to note that our choices below for free parking apply only to guests of the hotel unless noted otherwise.
For resorts with paid parking, you can typically receive complimentary parking when you reach a certain tier with their rewards program.
Free Parking Options:
Best Western Plus Casino Royale
Circus Circus (Free for hotel guests and public)
Encore (up to 3 hours free for the public. Unlimited for hotel guests)
Treasure Island (Free for hotel guests and public)
Wynn Las Vegas (up to 3 hours free for the public. Unlimited for hotel guests)
Paid Parking:
Fees for parking will greatly depend on the type of parking you choose: self-parking is usually going to be in the lower range of $10-$30, whereas the cost for valet is typically higher at $35-$50, not including tips for the driver.
MGM Resorts:
Aria Resort & Casino
Bellagio
The Cosmopolitan
Excalibur
Luxor
Mandalay Bay
MGM Grand
New York-New York
NoMad Las Vegas
Park MGM
Vdara Hotel & Spa
W Las Vegas (formerly Delano)
Caesars Resorts:
Caesars Palace
Flamingo Las Vegas
Harrah’s Hotel and Casino Las Vegas
Horseshoe Las Vegas (formerly Bally’s)
NOBU Hotel
Paris Las Vegas
Planet Hollywood
The Cromwell
The LINQ Hotel + Experience
The Future of Las Vegas Transportation: Las Vegas Bullet Train
Now that we’ve covered all of the current options for transportation in Las Vegas, let’s take a look at what’s to come. The Brightline West bullet train aims to connect Las Vegas to Southern California via a high-speed bullet train. This innovative transportation option plans to ease traffic congestion, and offer a faster alternative to car and bus travel.
The train will have two stops between Los Angeles and Las Vegas which are Rancho Cucamonga and Victor Valley. The expected travel time for the journey is approximately three hours, significantly reducing the time compared to driving. The construction officially broke ground on April 22nd, 2024 and Brightline aims to have the train finished by the end of 2028.
