Mass transit on the strip

Mass transit map for the strip will undergo some changes.

(1) In two weeks the ACE and the DEUCE will begin boarding at the same place on Fremont Street (by the Neonopolis mall). The current schedule has the DEUCE making 25 stops in about a 4 mile run from Downtown to Mandalay Bay. The ACE makes 16 stops in about an 8 mile run that includes both premium outlet malls, the furniture market, downtown, the convention center, the main part of the strip, Town Center Mall, and the car rental place. They take roughly the same amount of time to do their respective trips with the ACE moving at about double speed because of the tens of millions of dollars in improvements for that bus line.

The ACE and the DEUCE have 4 stops in common on the strip. The combined Fremont street stop will provide a 5th.

(2) Although not shown on the map they may screw around with the route #108 (one of two bus routes that serves the airport).
Currently
Route #108 takes 33 minutes to get from airport to downtown. It may be lengthened considerably. There is no #108 south.
Route #109 north takes 53 minutes to get from airport to downtown. It won't change.
Route #109 south takes 7 minutes to the car rental depot and where you can catch the ACE bus.

Right now route #108 is a tolerable trip while serving Circus Circus, Riviera, Sahara and Stratosphere. They are talking about taking a more round-about route (the way it was before March). If they make these changes, it may be just as long as route #109. I would no longer take the public bus under from the airport unless you are truly hard core budget traveler. Take a shuttle instead.

(3) The ACE EXPRESS-C LINE comes into UNLV and can be accessed from the airport by first taking route #109 north. Although this may look like an easy way to get to Treasure Island on the map, the frequency of these buses is not as rapid as the ACE or DEUCE. It could end up taking you a long time because of the wait between the transfer. Once again, I would probably look for a shuttle.

Just to repeat the rant, most European cities now put a high priority on public transport to the airport. The taxi and shuttle business in Las Vegas seems to want to see that it never happens here.

The 108 bus is great for Terrible's if you are looking for a hotel close to the airport. You have to get off on Swenson before Flamingo where the road curves by the Atomic museum. Then you can cut through a small apartment complex to get to Terrible's. The bus stop to go back is right across the street on Paradise. They also have an airport shuttle, but I prefer the bus. Maybe a 10-15 minute ride. A lot of airline personel stay there.

Quote: teddys

The 108 bus is great for Terrible's if you are looking for a hotel close to the airport. You have to get off on Swenson before Flamingo where the road curves by the Atomic museum. Then you can cut through a small apartment complex to get to Terrible's. The bus stop to go back is right across the street on Paradise. They also have an airport shuttle, but I prefer the bus. Maybe a 10-15 minute ride. A lot of airline personel stay there.

That's good advice. Terrible's is an inexpensive casino (mostly slots) that is very convenient to the airport. If you miss your flight this is a good place to go and kill one night. Stay in the new tower as it is much nicer.

The Bus stop is at the back of Embassy Suits and would be at
36.110986° -115.150348°
You could go through the Embassy Suites parking lot. Bus schedule confirms that it is about 13 minutes (6 stops) from the airport. The walk will be about 350 yards.

Or you could get off at the next stop about 300 yards away by the Schwartz Center for compassionate care, and go through that parking lot.

If you lose track and the bus crosses Flamingo Avenue then your walk will be closer to 600 yards.

The buffet is truly awful. Either eat in the coffee shop or there are several nice places within an easy walk. I think that Ghandi's has some of the best Indian cuisine in all of Las Vegas. Just walk past the Morton's SteakHouse and go to the shopping center. The shopping center is very shabby, but the restaurant is very nice.

Quote: pacomartin

To get to Terrible's Casino Take Route #108

The Bus stop is at the back of Embassy Suites and would be at
36.110986 degrees -115.150348 degrees
You could go through the Embassy Suites parking lot. Bus schedule confirms that it is about 13 minutes (6 stops) from the airport. The walk will be about 350 yards.

The final changes went into effect on May 23rd 2010 .

The ACE bus rapid transit and the DEUCE double decker bus go to the same place on Fremont Street.


As predicted Route #108 (starts at the airport) now can take up to 43 minutes to get to downtown. It is only slightly faster than Route #109 north. Neither of them take the shortest route.

I am actually really looking forward to trying out some of the public transit system in Vegas. Me and the wife are planning to do most of our getting around via public transport. The Las Vegas public transit system seems pretty comprehensive, i not the speediest. But considering a 30 Day unlimited travel pass is $65 (I think) it averages out at $4.33 per day, even if I am giving up some travel time.

Personally I wont be taking the bus rom the airport, mainly due to having been awake or roughly 20 hours by the time we land, so it will be a taxi. If I was travelling less time I agree with Paco that that the us would be a good option from the airport.

Probably doesn't belong in this thread, but I would suggest looking for a limo ride. Much more comfortable and a nonstop trip. I have paid as little as $35 for a ride from the airport to the strip (Venetian). Last time I was there (April) I paid $40 from the Venetian to the airport. Some of the limo drivers will make a deal, most of the bigger outfits will not. Just go outside and say "I'll pay $40 for a limo to (insert hotel name)". For the return trip, if your play warrants you may get comped a limo to the airport. Otherwise just go to the valet stand, tip them, and ask if they will see if any of the limos waiting will go for $40.

The ACE is probably the fastest public transit way from the airport to the strip or downtown now, with these changes. It doesn't stop directly at the airport, but the 109 south meets it at the South Strip Transit Center.

I really wish they had one of those automated ticket vending machines for the buses at the airport. As it is you have to pay full fare for the ride to the terminal and then buy a multi-day pass there. When I took the bus a few months ago I was lucky enough to have a very nice driver who gave me a free ride to the terminal to buy a pass, and just let me pay for the transfer...but I'm pretty sure they're not all like that.

Also, since the ACE makes limited stops, make sure you know what stop your hotel is closest to, if you're staying on the Strip...I found this out the hard way when I didn't realize how close the Flamingo is to the Bellagio stop and wound up all the way down at the Wynn.

Quote: OneAngryDwarf

I really wish they had one of those automated ticket vending machines for the buses at the airport. As it is you have to pay full fare for the ride to the terminal and then buy a multi-day pass there.

Things may have changed, but I've always just purchased a day pass on the bus. You need exact change, and I've just told the driver I'm getting a day pass and out one pops. I don't know if you can do the same thing with a multi-day pass, but I suspect you could. The transit site should list if that option is available.

The ACE will not accept payment on the bus at all. If a Ticket Vending Machine is available, the DEUCE will not either. You cannot purchase a 3,5, 30 day pass on the bus ever. Just a 24 hour pass.

They don't want to put a ticket vending machine at the airport. They really don't want tourists on the bus (except to go to the car rental place) which costs $2 (exact change). They route the airport buses to go far away from most of the hotels. Terrible's, Sahara, Stratosphere and Downtown are exceptions but they always involve long walks to the front door.

Quote: pacomartin

The ACE will not accept payment on the bus at all. If a Ticket Vending Machine is available, the DEUCE will not either. You cannot purchase a 3,5, 30 day pass on the bus ever. Just a 24 hour pass.

On the bright side there are a great many more ticket vending machines than there were last year. I think every ACE stop has one.

On the ACE you don't show your ticket, nor run it through a scanner. You simply get on and off through any of the three doors. However, an inspector may board the bus at any time and ask to see a valid ticket. If you don't have one, you'll at least face a fine.

During 6 days I used the ACE, I saw an inspector checking tickets just once. It was at the Downtown stop, and he asked to see tickets as passengers climbed aboard.

From what I understand, the ACE eliminated one-way fares, so you are pretty much required to buy a full day pass, or at least a round-trip fare.

I haven't heard that,but single trip tickets don't make much sense anyway.

Quote: pacomartin

I haven't heard that,but single trip tickets don't make much sense anyway.

I think the ticket machines on the Strip and Downtown sell a two hour all access pass. That would be about equivalent to a single trip.

I seriously doubt that ACE has eliminated one way fares. There is no reason for them to do that as they charge a premium for them. I just didn't want to contradict the post without checking it out myself.