Long gone are the days of visiting Vegas and having to opt between hoofing it down the Strip or flagging down a taxi. What many first-time visitors don’t realize is that it can take quite some time to get from one hotel to the next on the Las Vegas Strip. These days, options are aplenty, from the rideshare apps you use at home and on vacation, to Vegas-specific transportation systems and options that some locals don’t even know about yet. Read on to learn how to get from A to B in LV.
Getting Around in Las Vegas
Rideshare Rules
First up: Rideshare. Uber and Lyft are available via their respective mobile apps. Still, the most important thing to note is that there are designated rideshare pickup and dropoff locations at most businesses on the Strip. Look for signage by the parking garage, main entrance, or valet areas to find where that particular spot is to get to your ride quickly.
Downtown Loop
If you want to visit Downtown Las Vegas, loop up the Downtown Loop provided by RTC. This free shuttle service transports riders to several attractions in the downtown area, seven days a week. Stops include the Strat, City Hall, the Las Vegas North Premium Outlet, the Mob Museum and the Fremont Street Experience. You can view live shuttle locations using the GoVegas app, so it’s easier to ensure you don’t miss your bus.
Las Vegas Monorail
Did you know Las Vegas has a monorail? A lot of people don’t, including locals and regular visitors. The Las Vegas Monorail runs along the Strip from the MGM Grand to the Sahara, with a total ride time of 14 minutes. There are a total of seven stops along the route at significant landmarks, including Caesar’s Palace, the Linq and the Las Vegas Convention Center. Ticket options range from a $5 single ride, unlimited daily passes and a weeklong pass. Each stop has a vending machine to purchase tickets, and they are also available as mobile tickets using the app. Little known fact: Las Vegas locals can purchase two one-way tickets for $1 apiece per day or a 20-ride pass for $20 with local ID. It’s a great way to get around the Strip during conventions without paying for parking at more than one spot (or moving your car).
RTC Bike Share
You’ve probably noticed a surge in cities offering rental scooters for visitors to get around town if you’ve done much traveling lately. Vegas has a rental bike program available in the downtown area for riders to use classic and electric bikes to get around town via RTC Bike Share. Rental stations are scattered around the downtown area, and passes are available at the attached kiosk or online using their app. Riders can pick from $5 day passes for unlimited half-hour rides or get a monthly or annual pass for regular use. Bike route maps are available online to plan your route, and free helmets are available at the Bonneville Transit Center.
Big Bus Tours
One way to get around Las Vegas while taking in the sights is with a ride on a hop-on-hop-off bus from Big Bus Tours. The route includes locations up, and down the Las Vegas Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas, so you’re close to all of the major attractions and only a short walking distance from other activities. There’s even a spot in the Arts District where you’ll find numerous shopping and dining options of all kinds. The bus also stops at the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, so you can get that essential Vegas Instagram photo. If you have time, book a night tour too—the entire city looks completely different after the lights go down.
Vegas Loop
The newest mode of transportation is currently designed especially for convention visitors. The Vegas Loop by The Boring Company (a brainchild of Elon Musk) provides emissions-free transportation between the three main halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Passengers can board a Tesla at stations located by the South, North and West Halls and be taken underground via a tunnel to quickly access the other convention center halls. The project aims to cut down on convention-related traffic and emissions and hopes to one day connect the convention center, Strip hotels, Downtown Las Vegas and the airport. The Vegas Loop recently opened a station at Resorts World Las Vegas.
