Transportation Options in Las Vegas

In Las Vegas, things are not always as they appear. An enormous hotel and casino that seems so close that you can touch it may actually be a mile away. This deception can lead you to walk countless miles to get to mega-resorts that are "right there", when actually they aren't. It's great if you want the exercise, but you don't have to spend your entire vacation walking endless miles in the baking Las Vegas sun. With the myriad of affordable transportation options available on the Las Vegas Strip, it's possible to see all the sights and still stay as cool as a cucumber.

In recent years, Las Vegas has seen unprecedented growth in the number of visitors that come to town to eat, shop, drink, and gamble. To accommodate these visitors, and to alleviate traffic on the strip, several new transportation options have become available. The most recent and most affordable is The Deuce. The Deuce is a double-decker bus that runs up and down the Las Vegas Strip. It can take you all the way from Mandalay Bay to Fremont Street, with stops near all the major casinos along the way. The Deuce holds 97 people and costs only $2 one way or $5 for an all day pass. The Deuce runs 24 hours per day and leaves just about every ten to fifteen minutes. For more information on The Deuce, you can check them out online at www.thedeucelasvegas.com.

If you prefer to glide on an elevated train, instead of roll on a bus, there is the Las Vegas Monorail. The Las Vegas Monorail is more expensive than The Deuce, but tends to be a little less crowded, so it may be a more comfortable ride. The one drawback is that you generally have to walk a fairly long distance from the strip to the back of the casinos to get to the monorail. If you are staying at a hotel that has a monorail stop, then it is a great option. The Las Vegas Monorail costs $5 for one ride or $15 for an all day pass and operates from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day. The monorail stops at seven stations from the MGM Grand to the Sahara. Their website is www.lvmonorail.com for more information on all of the station stops.

The Las Vegas Strip Trolley is a small trolley that travels along Las Vegas Boulevard. It goes mainly from Mandalay Bay to the Stratosphere, with stops at the major casinos along the way. Unlike The Deuce, it will not take you all the way down to Fremont Street and it does not run 24 hours per day. Still, it is a good option if you are just traveling around the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. The Trolley runs about every fifteen minutes and costs $2 for a one way trip or $5 for an all day pass.

There are also a few free trams that have limited stops and will take you to certain casinos. There is a tram that goes from the Mirage to Treasure Island and back. This tram runs about every ten to fifteen minutes between 9 a.m. and 1 a.m. Another tram goes from the Excalibur to Mandalay Bay and runs about every ten minutes. The third tram travels between the Bellagio and the Monte Carlo.

Of course, you can always rent a car, which is a good idea if you plan to take several trips off the strip. However, If you plan to drink while you are in Las Vegas, I would rule out this option . After all, who wants to spend their vacation in the Clark County Jail? Taxis are readily available and a good option if you are short on time. On a busy weekend, however, you may be stuck in traffic while the meter on your fare continues to tick higher. If you are just looking for transportation to and from the airport, either a taxi or an airport shuttle is probably your best bet. Airport shuttles are a good bargain if you are traveling solo, but a taxi is probably better if you are traveling with two or more people. Shuttles cost about $5 to $6 one way to hotels on the strip. You can get more information on shuttles at www.a2zlv.com/transportation/airshutt.html.

Some off-strip casinos also offer shuttle buses that will take you to their hotel for free. I would say this is very generous of them, but I think they just want you to gamble at their casino instead of one on the Las Vegas Strip. Nevertheless, it is a nice service and a way to see casinos off the main drag without any transportation expense on your part. For more information on hotel shuttles, go to www.a2zlv.com/transportation/shuttle.html.

As you can see, there are countless options when it comes to getting around town in Las Vegas. With a little planning, you can spend more time enjoying your vacation and less time getting from point A to point B. Hopefully this information is helpful and good luck on your next trip to Las Vegas.