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Why Doesn’t the Las Vegas Monorail Connect to the Airport?


Key Points:

  • The Las Vegas Monorail doesn’t connect to the airport.
  • There are no current plans to connect the Monorail to the airport, nor do I anticipate any to materialize.
  • Unfortunately, the Monorail is likely to be made obsolete in the near future as The Boring Company’s underground Loop system expands.

Extending the Monorail from The Strip to the Airport makes a lot of sense as it’d likely ease street traffic while giving visitors a direct, cost-effective option to reach their resort.

What are the factors that have prevented this historically, and could the Monorail extend to the airport in the future?

First, let’s take a look at the history of the Monorail in Las Vegas.

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

The Monorail Wasn’t Intended to be a Mass Transit Solution

Originally opening as a one-mile-long link between Horseshoe and MGM Grand in 1995, the Las Vegas Monorail wasn’t originally intended to be a city-wide mass transit system.

Only later, in 2002 was the Monorail expanded to include other casino properties up and down the Strip. Today, the Monorail is the only privately owned mass transit system in the US and operates as a non-profit organization.

As the system has expanded, there has been additional discussion about connecting the Monorail to both the airport and even Downtown but efforts have repeatedly fallen short.

Logistics Would Suppress Monorail Ridership

The Monorail runs behind resorts on the east side of the Strip and doesn’t stop at all of them. Are travelers really willing to walk from the already distant Monorail stations to their hotel? What if their hotel isn’t on a Monorail stop?

For Example, a guest staying at Bellagio would have an estimated .6 mile walk from the Horseshoe/Paris Monorail station to the front desk of their hotel. That walk would have them dodging crowds, going up and down escalators, and walking across Las Vegas Boulevard in the desert heat.

It’s a first-world problem, understood, but will travelers choose the Monorail over an Uber in that scenario to save a few bucks?

Funding an Airport Expansion Could be Challenging

Previous efforts to extend the Monorail system, like this proposed extension to Mandalay Bay, have struggled to raise the necessary funds to proceed.

Lenders are right to be skeptical, after all, the monorail did file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2010 leaving creditors holding the bag when they emerged in 2012.

Opposition from Cab Drivers

Extending the Monorail to the Airport would almost certainly result in fewer fares for cabs, however, there seems to be minimal organized opposition to expansion. Lack of protest by the cab community, however, is most likely due to the lack of firm project plans on the near horizon.

Experts have correctly pointed out that there will always be a type of traveler that prefers a cab to mass transportation. Besides, cab drivers in Vegas have much more to worry about with the surge in Uber and Lyft usage immediately threatening their job security.


Other Options Under Consideration

There has also been discussion about the potential for a light rail system to bridge the mass transit gap between the airport and downtown Las Vegas.

At a cost of around $750 million, the project could go a long way in easing congestion and simplifying ground transportation for visitors. The project in its current state wouldn’t address the Strip, however.

The Boring Company’s “Vegas Loop” System a Replacement?

There’s also a lot of buzz around Elon Musk’s Boring Company and a city-wide “Loop” system that would connect the airport to resorts on the Strip and Downtown via underground tunnels.

Riders would be shuttled in electric Tesla vehicles, or in electric trams. As of now, there is a working Loop at the Convention Center, which connects to Resorts World.

Stops that will connect Encore and Westgate to the system are in various stages of construction/development.

A citywide system that would connect to the airport has been approved by Clark County, and the City of Las Vegas has approved stops that will connect Fremont Street to the system.

In all, The Boring Company plans to offer 50+ stations across Las Vegas.

In fact, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) recently purchased the Monorail and killed its non-compete agreement that had prevented other forms of public transit from taking a foothold in Las Vegas.

Not only does it appear unlikely that the Monorail will be extended to the Airport, but it also seems unlikely that it will even exist at all in the future. Enjoy her while she lasts.

Monorail tracks with Bally's in the background
Monorail tracks running behind Horseshoe

See Also: Our guide to getting around Las Vegas!

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Rob375

Monday 1st of May 2023

Still need light rail system from the suburbs Henderson, Summerlin, North Las Vegas and NAFB to the core of the city.

G Gotm

Wednesday 21st of September 2022

People will more often than not stat where they want no matter if the monorail slides past the resort of choice. However, everyone enjoys convenience and a project taken upon by the city would be a worthwhile endeavor, regardless of taxi cab opposition. THE MONIRAIL is how to transport everyone to and from the airport. More commerce is good for LAS VEGAS. Jobs as well wi be created too. So stop your whining and get on with it

paul

Friday 22nd of May 2020

more likely, the core opposition to a monorail-to-airport simply comes from Hotels/Casinos that do NOT have stops on the Monorail = loss of room bookings at those hotels.

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