Getting long hauled, or taken for a longer ride than necessary by Vegas cabbies is a common complaint of visitors. Oftentimes, newcomers to Vegas don’t even realize they have paid an inflated fare.
The taxi industry’s bad reputation in Las Vegas has driven many to avoid the mode of transportation altogether, opting for rideshare services Uber or Lyft which are typically cheaper and have always offered transparent pricing.
In an effort to reinstate trust in the cab industry, the Nevada Taxicab Authority initiated flat rates from Harry Reid International Airport to hotels along the Strip to address customer fears of getting long-hauled.
Airport taxi flat rates were approved as a 6-month pilot program and adjustments could be made down the road if deemed necessary.
The flat rate that customers pay is based on which “zone” your destination hotel is located within.
Taxi Flat Rates from the Airport to Strip Hotels By Zone
Zone 1 – $19: Delano, Excalibur, Virgin Las Vegas, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, OYO, and Tropicana.
Zone 2 – $23: Aria, Horseshoe, Bellagio, Elara, New York New York, Marriot Grand Chateau, Paris, Park MGM, Planet Hollywood, Polo Towers, The Cosmopolitan, The Orleans, The Signature at MGM, Vdara, and Travelodge by Wyndham.
Zone 3 – $27: 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, The LINQ, The Mirage, The Palazzo, The Venetian, Westin, Trump International, TI, Westgate, and Wynn.
Note that flat rate fares do not include credit card fees, gratuity, or a $1 fuel surcharge.
The real question is if taxi flat rates from the Airport to Las Vegas hotels are a good deal. Not really. More on that below where I compare taxi flat rates vs. rideshare options.
Taxi Prices Still Expensive vs. Uber/Lyft
While transparent pricing is a welcome move by an industry that is often perceived as acting unethical, we don’t expect throngs of visitors to flock back to cabs as prices are still inflated compared to rideshare operators like Uber and Lyft. For example:
- A zone 3 cab trip to Caesars Palace will cost you a $27 flat rate while an Uber would be $15-$20 depending on demand.
- A zone 2 cab trip to MGM Grand will cost $23 flat rate while an Uber would be $9-$15.
- A zone 1 cab trip to Tropicana will cost $19 flat rate while an Uber would be $10-$15.
Keep in mind, cabs also charge a fuel surcharge and credit card fee in addition to the flat rate fare (which most of us use as it’s the 21st century) while Uber/Lyft do not.
Ultimately, I’m grateful that the taxi industry has adopted a straightforward pricing structure that will prevent unknowing visitors from getting ripped off. I want newcomers to leave Vegas with a good taste in their mouth, making them more likely to return.
Seasoned vets will also appreciate not needing to ask their driver to take a certain route to avoid the dreaded long haul.
I’m glad the cab industry has finally realized that it’s difficult to maintain and grow your market share when your customers have to ask you upfront not to steal from them.
What are your thoughts? Will this move win your business back? Let me know in the comments!
Related Articles:
- Las Vegas airport transportation options – A full breakdown.
- Things to do at the Airport – For those with time to fill!
Feature Image: ©zhukovsky/123RF.COM
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.
Alan Earl Oncken
Tuesday 22nd of November 2022
Article is dated. Uber?Lyft has now exceeded taxi's.
Jake Hoffman
Tuesday 22nd of November 2022
@Alan Earl Oncken, that may *sometimes* be true, but rideshare is still cheaper than cabs 95% of the time.
Friday 7th of October 2022
It would be nice for the Monorail to open the free parking lot at Sahara Station. The Convention center and County Commission isn't wrong to want a real mass transit system. But until they figure it out, why make everyone suffer.
Judy Gordon
Monday 16th of May 2022
If you get a taxi from the airport to hotel and there are 3 people is it based on number of people or flat fee
Jake
Monday 16th of May 2022
@Judy Gordon, it’s a flat fee.
Thursday 27th of January 2022
The pricing structure is a welcome change, but it's not competitive.
Tom Marcone
Friday 27th of December 2019
The taxi union used to run the city but the strength of rideshare has put them on their knees. Their lame effort to regain market share is 3 years to late. When the city approves the continuation of the monorail to McCarren the taxi union will all but dissolve. About time in my opinion.