Las Vegas is a popular tourist city that’s home to not only spectacular casinos and stylish resorts but also an open air mall with free entertainment, amusements parks, museums, and Shark Reef Bay (North America’s only predator-based aquarium). Here are some helpful tips for getting around in town once you touch down at the airport.
Getting To and From the Airport
Many hotels offer free shuttles to and from the airport, which is something you will want to look into when booking a hotel in the city. Alternatively, there are several companies that offer shuttle services from the airport to various hotels. You will likely share the ride with other people and the cost of a one-way ticket comes to $10.00. Buy a round-trip ticket if you want to take the same shuttle back to the airport, as doing so is slightly cheaper than buying two one-way tickets.
Another option is to take a taxi. Taxi fees for rides originating from the airport start at $4.40; the final cost is determined by your destination and how long it takes to get there. Rides from town to the airport start at $3.20.
Getting Around the City
Renting your own car gives you the freedom to go where you like, when you like. The city offers plenty of free parking, as do most hotels, making it easy to get around town. However, you will need to make a car rental reservation at least a few days before you arrive if you expect a car to be waiting for you as soon as you land in town.
Another option is to use Las Vegas’s handy monorail system. An unlimited day pass costs $12.00 and the tram runs up to 3:00 in the morning on Friday and the weekend. Alternatively, those who don’t mind doing a bit of walking can save this money by taking free trams to and from different hotels and well-known tourist spots. At present, the free trams run from Mirage and Treasure Island, Mandalay Bay and the Excalibur (with a single stop at the Luxor), and the Bellagio and Monte Carlo (with a single stop at Crystals Shopping Center).
Rideshare Options
Uber has been in operation in Las Vegas since September 2015. At present, the company offers UberX, which is a low-cost ride service for individuals and small groups, and UberXL, a low-cost ride service for large groups. The cost per ride is determined by your point of origin, destination, the time you are traveling, and the ride service you select.
Lyft also operates in Las Vegas. The company offers standard rides for individuals and groups of up to four people and SUV rides for groups of up to six people. The Standard Ride has an initial cost of $1.50, a service cost of $1.70, and a minimum fee of $5.00. The SUV ride has a minimum fare of $7.00 with an initial cost of $3.30 and a service fee of $1.70.
Unique City Laws
Las Vegas loves party animals; real animals, not so much. The city doesn’t allow residents or tourists to walk with a pet on the Strip between 12:00 noon and 5:00 am.
If you rent a car, be aware that the police will not come to the scene of a car accident unless someone is hurt or the accident has caused a major road obstruction. In the event of a fender-bender, call your car rental company (they may send someone out) or take lots of pictures, exchange insurance information, and draft a written statement that you and the other drive both agree to and are willing to sign.
Do you know any other good ways to get around Sin City? Feel free to let us know in the comments section below!
