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Las Vegas Transportation Options – How To Get Around


Key Points:

  • Uber & Lyft tend to be cheaper than taxis, however, taxis tend to be more convenient to hail.
  • The cheapest transportation options are the Deuce Bus route and the Monorail (when there’s a stop at your destination).
  • Transportation in Vegas is about to change forever as the underground Vegas Loop system expands.

Transportation options in Las Vegas are wide-ranging and include taxis, limos, rideshare apps, buses, the Monorail, shuttles, and free trams.

I figured it would be helpful to put together an all-inclusive guide covering transportation options in Las Vegas spanning all budgets and luxury preferences to help you plan for your trip.

As you’ll see, there are plenty of ways to get around Vegas without a car.

Uber & Lyft

Among the most convenient and cost-effective Vegas transportation options are rideshare apps.

All Vegas casino properties now have Uber/Lyft pick-up locations, most of which are clearly labeled.

This method of getting around has become popular because it’s cheaper than using cabs and you’re less likely to get “long hauled” as Uber and Lyft drivers just follow the directions provided by the app.

If you have concerns that a rideshare driver took the “scenic route” in an attempt to drive up your fare, you can easily ask Uber or Lyft to review the ride to see if a refund is in order.  

Rideshare apps are my go-to preference for getting around in Vegas.

Rideshare Cost Examples: 

  • Bellagio to Fremont Street: $15 using UberX 
  • TI to Mandalay Bay: $11 using UberX 
  • Flamingo to Circus Circus:  $10 using UberX 
  • Airport to mid-Strip resorts: $15-$20

Tip: Shop around for the best fare as there are often differences in prices between Uber and Lyft, sometimes significant.

See Also: Las Vegas Airport Transportation – The best options!

Taxis

Pickup locations for taxis at resorts are usually in a more convenient spot than their rideshare peers, and cabs are lined up ready to go at all times meaning there’s not usually a wait to ride.

Although cabs are among the quickest Las Vegas transportation options, that convenience comes with a price. Fares are generally 20%-30% more expensive than rideshare apps but if you are looking to take off quickly or don’t have a smartphone then cabs can be a good option.  

Adding to the expense, cabs charge an extra fee to use a credit card so bring cash or prepare for an even more expensive ride.

Related: Current taxi flat rates from the airport to Strip hotels

Taxi outside of Caesars Palace
©zhukovsky/123RF.COM

Limos

The most expensive and luxurious transportation option in Vegas are limos. Limousine services from companies like Presidential, Bell, and Omni are typically billed by the hour and you can expect to pay around $60/hr for a stretch option.

Las Vegas Monorail

The Monorail can be an inexpensive way to get up and down the east side of the Strip, running north from MGM Grand all the way to Sahara and Westgate. In between, there are stops at Harrah’s, Flamingo, and the Las Vegas Convention Center as well.  

The Monorail does not connect to the airport or downtown.

Here’s a breakdown of Monorail costs, however, there is commonly a discount for booking online: 

  • Single Ride: $6 
  • 24 Hour Pass: $15 
  • 2 Day Pass: $26 
  • 3 Day Pass: $32
  • 4 Day Pass: $39
  • 5 Day Pass: $47
  • 7 Day Pass: $62

Lack of convenience is the main knock against the Monorail as stations require a significant walk between the stop and the resort.

If you’re OK with covering some ground on foot though, the Monorail can be a great way to get up and down the east side of the strip and north to Sahara or Westgate.

Monorail in front of the High Roller
©billroque/123RF.COM

The Deuce Bus

The Deuce bus route runs up and down the Strip and connects to Fremont Street downtown.

Stops are numerous, clearly marked, and located in front of nearly every Strip casino. Just start walking in either direction on the Strip and you’ll hit one.

While riders can use the self-service kiosk to buy a single ride, 2-Hr or 24-Hr passes at most stops, I’d recommend downloading and buying on the rideRTC phone app, which is more convenient.

Buses run every 15 – 20 minutes during the day and the route is in operation around the clock.  

Deuce Bus Fares:

  • 2-HR Pass: $6  
  • 24-HR Pass: $8 
  • 3-Day Pass $20 

While the bus is among the cheapest transportation options in Las Vegas, it’s often not the fastest due to how many stops it makes. If you’re in a hurry, employ another mode of transport.

I actually weighed the Pros & Cons of a Bus Pass in Las Vegas to help you decide if a purchase is worthwhile.

Bus on the Las Vegas Strip in front of Flamingo
©zhukovsky/123RF.COM

Free Transportation on the Strip

Trams

There are a few free trams in Vegas that can save you some steps and are detailed below:

The first is a tram that runs from Excalibur to Luxor to Mandalay Bay at the south end of the strip on an elevated track.

There is also a tram that connects Mirage and TI on the north end of the Strip.

A free tram also connects Bellagio, Crystals, and Park MGM/Aria. 

Strip Shuttles

Several hotels downtown and off the beaten path offer free shuttle service to the Strip. Check out our full list of hotels that offer Strip shuttle service here.

Aria Express tram on the tracks with Veer Towers in the background
©ericbvd/123RF.COM

Downtown Las Vegas Loop Shuttle

The Downtown Loop is a free shuttle bus that makes stops at points of interest in downtown Las Vegas like the Mob Museum, Circa, The Arts District, Brewery Row, Fremont Street Experience, Pawn Plaza (Pawn Stars Pawn Shop), the Las Vegas Premium Outlets, and more.

Notably, the shuttle also connects downtown to STRAT at the north end of the Strip.

I’ve ridden the shuttle numerous times now and wholeheartedly recommend it if you intend to visit a landmark on its stop list.

Renting a Car

If you plan to rent a car to get around Vegas, ensure you book your reservation in advance as it will be significantly cheaper.

If you go with a second-rate (meaning cheap) rental company, you can reserve a car for as little as $20 plus fees and tax (which will drive the cost up to about $45 per day).

If you wait until you get to your hotel, there will still be opportunities to rent, but it will be more expensive.   

Paid parking at many Las Vegas resorts is making renting a car a more spendy proposition, although there are still places to find free parking on the Strip. Ultimately, there are numerous ways of getting around Las Vegas without renting a car. In our opinion, a rental isn’t necessary. More on the pros and cons of renting a car in Vegas here.

If you do decide a rental is necessary, check out my guide to finding the cheapest car rental in Las Vegas.

Hertz Rental Car Counter at the Airport
You don’t need it – ©tupungato/123RF.COM

Getting around Vegas on Foot

The most common way to get around Las Vegas is on foot. There is no better mode of transportation to view all the properties and people-watch along the way.

Be warned, resorts appear closer than they are in reality. Wear comfortable shoes and don’t be afraid to catch a ride if you get tired!  

Underground Loop Transportation System

A new addition to the Las Vegas transportation landscape, the Boring Company’s Loop underground tunnel system is growing its footprint by the day.

At this point, the Resorts World Loop Station is open and connects the property to the Las Vegas Convention Center, which also has 3 separate stops that conventioneers can leverage to move across the sprawling campus.

Encore and Westgate will both soon also have a station connecting to the Convention Center in the near future.

A plan to expand the system city-wide was recently approved by both the Clark County Commissioners and the City of Las Vegas.

Under the plan, The Boring Company will pay for the tunnel system, and resorts will cover the cost of their own station if they want to opt-in.

The plan (shown below) is to expand this system to include additional resorts, the airport, and downtown Las Vegas.

Map depicting Vegas Loop stops, and future plans for a stop at each Las Vegas resort
Vegas Loop current routes (yellow) and proposed routes (blue)

Hopefully, my rundown of Vegas transportation options was helpful! With options spanning the price, convenience, and luxury spectrums, there’s something for all tastes and budgets.

Feature Image: ©4kclips/123RF.COM

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Hardison

Tuesday 7th of March 2023

Note - Rideshare is only cheaper during non-peak hours. During peak hours it can be much more expensive than a cab ride. For example. Last night I paid $43 dollars for a 7.6 mile ride from the airport to Henderson via Lyft. 1)That same ride cost me 17 dollars Wednesday night from the same location in Henderson to the airport via lyft. 2) Using the standard rates for cabs, that ride would have cost me no more than $38.00 via taxi even including the various surcharges for cc use, waiting time, and airport.

Jake Hoffman

Wednesday 8th of March 2023

Absolutely beneficial to price out your options. I'd still argue that rideshare being more expensive than cabs is rare though, even during peak times to and from the airport. Keep in mind, cabs charge fuel surcharges, credit card surcharges, etc. on top of the flat rate.

I'd also suggest checking prices on both Uber and Lyft as one is commonly much cheaper than the other during peak times.

Katie

Monday 7th of March 2022

Do Uber's run from Las Vegas airport to the Southern Nevada Visiting center? We are looking for a ride mid-March

Ana

Wednesday 9th of March 2022

Is there easy transportation for someone with a wheelchair if needed

Stan

Monday 25th of June 2018

This is the best summary of getting around Vegas that I've seen.

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