Getting around in Las Vegas can be accomplished with relative ease once you know which method of transport is best suited to you.
Airport Shuttle
Unless you have booked an all-inclusive package that includes airport shuttles you will need transportation to your hotel. Several shuttle companies operate from McCarren International Airport to the Las Vegas strip, downtown Las Vegas, Boulder Highway and the outlying hotels. Travel arrangements can be made outside of the baggage claim area for one-way or round trip transport. Round trip fares are slightly less than double the one-way fare. Approximate round trip fares per person are as follows: Strip hotels--$8.00 Downtown hotels--$10.00 Off strip hotels--$13.50 Reservations are recommended for timely return to airport.
Limousine Service
Prices for limousine service in Las Vegas range between $35/hr for a basic limo up to $80/hr for a super-stretch limo. Limousines also offer shuttle service between McCarren Airport and Strip hotels from about $4.00 per person and downtown hotels from about $5.00 per person, be aware that for this price it is more likely that you will be placed in a shuttle bus or van operated by the limo company. A fairly new option exist to pre-arrange for a limo to pick you up and/or drop you off at McCarren Airport, or anywhere else you may require a limo to take you (especially helpful if you are getting married in Las Vegas or attending a wedding during your stay). There is no cost or obligation on your part if you submit your information to have several companies bid on providing you with limo service.
Taxi Services Taxi fare in Las Vegas is governed by the Nevada Taxicab Authority and as such all fares between 16 companies operating in the Las Vegas valley will be the same. Once you enter a taxi the meter will start at $3.20. If the taximeter senses that the taxicab is moving less than 8-12 MPH, (as is the case when stuck in traffic) the taximeter will assess a charge of $.25 (twenty-five cents) every 41 seconds which equals $22/hour. While travelling at speeds above 8-12 MPH the rate is $2.00 per mile which is broken down into 1/8th of mile segments of $0.25 each. There is also an additional $1.20 fee for all trips that begin at McCarran Airport, this will result in trips to your hotel from the airport costing more than your return trip to the airport. Once the taximeter senses that the taxicab is moving at a speed greater than 8-12 MPH the fare calculates on the actual distance traveled.
Car Rentals
Cab fares add up quickly, buses are slow and the strip is long if you are walking. a rental car in Las Vegas is recommended if you are going to be doing a lot of travelling around town. The major car rental companies have booths at McCarren Airport but we suggest that you book your car before you leave home, if you wish you can reserve a rental car here. Having a car at your disposal will give you more time to enjoy your Las Vegas vacation without transportation worries.
City Buses
The citizens area transit or CAT is the Las Vegas public transit system. The 2 routes that most Las Vegas visitors will be concerned with are the #301 and #302 which both run the Strip from the south to Fremont street. The 301 stops at every stop along the strip while the 302 is the express bus and stops at fewer locations. Fare to use the CAT bus sytem is $2.00 with exact fare required, drivers will not make change for you.
Trolleys
The trolley bus travels from The Stratosphere to the South Strip area, it does not travel to Fremont Street. Trolley bus fare is $1.50 exact fare only with hours of operation between 9:30am to 2:00am on a 20 minute schedule. The trolley bus does serve the purpose of transport and is generally less crowded than the CAT buses but be forewarned, has uncomfortable wooden seats (nostalgic I suppose) and stops at every major hotel along the strip making transport very slow.
Las Vegas Monorail
The Las Vegas monorail runs from the MGM Grand Hotel to Sahara Ave. The Las Vegas Monorail operates 7 days a week from 7:00am to 2:am Monday - Thursday and until 3:00am Friday - Sunday, Each car on the Monorail holds 72 riders seated and 152 riders standing with the approx. time to ride from one end of the 4 mile long Las Vegas strip is being 14 to 16 minutes, depending on the speed of boarding and unboarding passengers. The monorail tickets can be purchased at vending machines located inside each station and at station hotel properties.