Driving in Las Vegas

One major question that travelers who fly to Vegas have to ask themselves upon planning their trip is whether or not to rent a car for their stay. Making that decision can be difficult, because while there are several public transportation options within the city, they all have their limitations:

1. "The Deuce" Bus: The Deuce is a double-decker bus that runs 24 hours a day and stops at several of the resorts between Mandalay Bay and downtown. A 3-Day pass is $20. While this is an affordable option for sight-seeing, it certainly isn't the most speedy form of transportation. The Strip on most days and nights is snarled with traffic, and while scenic, it won't get you to your destination quickly. It's crowded, loud, and on a hot day can be sticky and icky. Further, while the Deuce runs every 15 minutes, there is often a long line at the stop closest to the hotels, so you could be waiting for some time to board.

2. Monorail(s): There are two convenient monorails on each side of the Strip. On the same side as MGM Grand, the Las Vegas monorail (run by the city) stops at six different hotels and casinos as well as the convention center. Trains arrive every 4-9 minutes. A single ride ticket is $5 and for $22 you can get an all-day pass. The monorail on the opposite side of the Strip is run by MGM and only stops at MGM properties. One goes from Mandalay Bay to Excalibur, one goes from Monte Carlo to Bellagio. The MGM trams are free of charge. There is also a free tram between the Mirage and Treasure Island and Caesar's Entertainment properties have free shuttle buses between their properties, so that may be an option as well. While the monorails are another great sight-seeing option, they are limited to just the Strip properties around the stations, so any other nearby-Strip properties of interest (Hard Rock, Stratosphere, Palms, etc.) or downtown Vegas will require another form of transportation.

3. Cabs: While cabs are relatively cheap in Las Vegas, if you take more than a few trips, it can start getting expensive. The minimum is $6-$7 per ride, but with tip, you are looking at $10 or more per trip. If you have a group of 4 or more, it may not be a bad option if you are splitting the fare. But, another issue to watch out for is that the service is only as good as the driver you get, and that can be just as much of a gamble as you'll get inside the casinos. Many unsavory drivers will "long haul" you, that is, intentionally taking a longer route to your destination in order to run up the cab fare. A recent Time magazine article stated that riders in Vegas were overcharged by an estimated $14.8 million because of cab drivers "long-hauling" them. So, if you don't know exactly where you are going and the directions to get there, chances are high that you may get ripped off. Further, the lines for cabs outside the resorts can often be quite long, adding unecessary frustration and waiting when you just want to get to where you are going.

So, you may have already deducted from the above list that my recommendation is to spend the money and get a rental car. Not only is a rental car the most convenient way to get around the Strip, it'll give you a chance to go off Strip if you want to visit Mount Charleston, Hoover Dam or some of the great off-Strip casinos like Green Valley Ranch or the Red Rock Resort.

The best deal that we have found here in Vegas for renting a car is Fox Rent A Car. You'll save anywhere from 20-40%, the reason being that their lot is offsite of the airport. They do have a shuttle that will take you to their lot, but you have to take a shuttle to get to the main rental car lot from the airport anyway, so you have to take a second shuttle to get to Fox once you've shuttled to the rental car area. It's a little bit longer of a trip, but if you don't mind taking the extra time, it can save you some big money.

Another great secret to know about the Strip is that both valet and self-parking are free at all the Strip resorts (but NOT downtown). Self-park is a great way to go if you are okay with a little bit of walking. There's not much to navigating to the self-parking lot, either. Just follow the signs for "self-park" as you enter the resort. A great tip is to always drive up to the very top open-air level of the self-park. Not only will you remember more easily where your car is, some of the best views of the Strip and surrounding valley can be seen from these levels. Some amazing ones we've observed are at Caesar's, Aria, Treasure Island, New York New York and Mirage. (The one above is one we took from the top of the Rio garage.) Bring your camera and take some time to enjoy the view!

Valet parking is a perfect option if you have physical limitations or just want to get right in the front door of the resort without a lot of extra walking around. Here's another secret: Having your bags sent to your room is not a luxury only afforded to celebrities and the super-wealthy! Any hotel guest is entitled to free bellhop service on the Strip. So don't struggle to drag your bags through the hotel and up to your room; just head to the valet area and ask for a bellhop to take your bags up to your room when it's ready. It's convenient and safe. However, make sure to TIP both your valet driver and your bellhop! (A couple bucks each is sufficient.)

Getting around the traffic on the Strip can be a little difficult, so my husband Matt has some tips to share, since he is an expert at avoiding the jams! Stay tuned for our next blog, which will be chockful of secrets on how to "backdoor" your way around the Strip and avoid the traffic.