Does Renting a Car in Las Vegas Make Sense?

Key Points:

• A rental car can make sense if you’re planning day trips to attractions outside the city, like the Hoover Dam.

• If you plan to stay near touristy areas, a rental car is likely unnecessary, as transportation is plentiful.

• Paid parking has further reduced the appeal of renting a car.

Over 41.5 million people visited Vegas in 2024, and according to a visitor profile survey conducted by the LVCVA, only 15% of them rented a car.

The truth is, renting a car in Las Vegas is unnecessary, considering most attractions are close enough to walk, and cheap transportation options exist for the ones that aren’t

That said, there are occasions when renting a car makes sense. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty.

Pros of Renting a Car

Freedom

Pretty basic. Some folks want to go where they want, when they want, without enduring small talk with a rideshare driver.

I get it.

Day Trips

The best reason to rent a car is exploring attractions within day trip range.

If you’re planning to visit Seven Magic Mountains, the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire State Park, or even the Grand Canyon, renting a car could be a great option.

If you need some itinerary inspiration, here are the top day trips just outside Las Vegas.

Explore Like a local

If you’re hoping to visit a restaurant, museum, or casino focused on the locals market, renting a car could be a good call.

Branching out from the Strip and Fremont Street can help you find cheaper food, drink, and casinos off the beaten path where slots are a touch looser.

Cons of Renting a Car in Vegas

Getting Your Car is a Pain

Unfortunately, the airport rental car center isn’t located right in the terminal.

Instead, rental car customers need to deplane, collect any checked bags, and then wait in line for a shuttle bus that will take them to the rental car center. Once there, you’ll get to wait in line again to be assigned a vehicle.

If you rented from a discount agency, you may need to take a second shuttle from the rental car center.

In my experience, the whole shuttle process amounted to 30 – 40 minutes of wasted time.

Parking isn’t cheap

While a few resorts on the Strip offer free parking, many now charge for it. Check with your hotel, but if yours charges for the rental car, you’ll be able to save some money by skipping it.

Parking is Inconvenient

In addition to some resorts charging for parking, walking from the ramp to the casino can be quite a haul. Comparatively, Uber, Lyft, or even Taxis drop you off right at the casino entrance. No hiking required.

It can also be difficult (and stressful) to find the entrance to self-parking ramps at several casinos if you’re unfamiliar with the area.

Traffic Can Be Brutal

Driving in Las Vegas can be a challenge due to the high volume of traffic. If you don’t do well in high-stress driving situations, then renting a car in Vegas may not be right for you.

Tips for Renting a Car in Vegas

Book From a non-airport location: While lacking the convenience of an airport pickup, “neighborhood” or “city” car rental hubs tend to offer lower rates than you’d find if opting to pick up at the airport. Those lower rates oftentimes justify the hassle and cost of taking an Uber or Lyft to chase your car down.

Give Turo a shot: If you need a car for just one day, use an app like Turo, a peer-to-peer rental service. Adding to the convenience, many providers will deliver your car directly to your hotel. Unique vehicles are also available via Turo that aren’t through traditional car rental agencies. I once rented a Tesla Model S for a day trip to the Hoover Dam and the experience was much more memorable than if I had rented a Camry.

Reserve early, and always be re-booking: Reserve a rental car in advance and check back often to gauge if prices have dropped. Because most car rental reservations are cancellable, you’ll be able to cancel and re-book to take advantage of any drop in price. Warning: Taking the cheaper “non-refundable” rate upfront could end up costing you more in the long run.

Don’t be scared of that EV: I recently rented a Tesla Model 3 in Las Vegas to gauge how much of a hassle an electric vehicle would be vs. a traditional gas car. It was awesome.

While most hotels offer EV charging in their ramps, I used and abused the Tesla Supercharger behind LINQ, which was both easy to use and fast.

If you’ve never driven an EV before, treat your trip to Vegas like a test drive. I loved my experience so much that I came home and ordered a Tesla Model Y. No joke.

So, Should You Rent a Car in Las Vegas?

It all depends on whether the pros outweigh the cons.

If you hope to take a day trip or two away from Las Vegas, a rental likely makes sense.

If, on the other hand, you’re planning to stick close to the Strip and Fremont Street, I’d recommend skipping the car rental and relying on other transportation options as needed.

There’s a reason so many people rent a car on their first trip to Vegas, and then never again.