Getting around

I've been to Vegas twice over the last two years. I like the place well enough to make my annual vacation there. First time I stayed at the Sahara and got around by monorail and the occasional free shuttle (like the Paris-Rio shuttle for the Penn & Teller show), plus one cab ride to the outlet mall. I found enough to do on the Strip that such transportation was enough. I walked a lot, too.

Second time I stayed at the Imperial Palace aand got around on the Deuce. This time I finished looking over what I missed the first time (Startosphere and Downtown, mostly). I also walked a lot (walking a lot and Vegas have to be linked in a thesaurus somewhere).

Next year I'll probably stay at IP again, but I'd like to get to know more of Vegas than the Strip and Downtown (I've also been to Hoover Dam). So, question: is the three-day pass you get for the Deuce good for other public transport routes? And, any tips on what to see off strip? I did go to Sam's Town and Ethel M's as part of the Hoover Dam tour.

Next question, should I rent a car instead? I try not to because of the expense. Not so much the car and gas, but the insurance. I'm also uncertain as to the parking situation in Vegas.

Thank you all in advance.

Quote: Nareed

Next year I'll probably stay at IP again, but I'd like to get to know more of Vegas than the Strip and Downtown (I've also been to Hoover Dam). So, question: is the three-day pass you get for the Deuce good for other public transport routes? And, any tips on what to see off strip? I did go to Sam's Town and Ethel M's as part of the Hoover Dam tour.

As far as I know, the three day pass is only good on the Deuce. Off that route, you'll have to pay the usual $1.75 per ride or you can buy a full day pass for $4 or a three day pass for $15. As for things to see off the strip, I gravitate toward the natural beauty at places like Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire State Park and Mt. Charleston. If you're into NASCAR, they have a Track Tours and other things going on at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. I also recommend Springs Preserve. It's not all that far from the strip, and it's a pretty cool museum-type place that highlights the history of Vegas, geology, flora and fauna, desert living and sustainability. I also think Green Valley Casino and Resort are worth checking out (along with The District -- an attached open-air shopping and dining area).

Quote: Nareed

Next question, should I rent a car instead? I try not to because of the expense. Not so much the car and gas, but the insurance. I'm also uncertain as to the parking situation in Vegas.

Thank you all in advance.

If you want to see a lot off the strip, I think renting a car is worthwhile. Of course, I decline the insurance, since I have good coverage for my own car. Parking in Vegas is usually very, very easy. All the casinos have free parking garages and free valet (you should tip at Valet, though). Downtown is an exception, since there is less land. They charge for parking; however, you can always validate the parking ticket in the casino, even if you don't play.

Another sightseeing option is to take the day trip flight to the Grand Canyon. I did this last year with a friend who was visiting from Japan. I used to work at the Grand Canyon, so I opted for the trip to the SkyWalk because I had never been there before. It was a great trip and the time commitment wasn't bad. We were picked up at our hotel around 4AM or so and were back around noon--they also had an option for an afternoon tour if you don't want to get up that early. The cost was about $200/person.

Quote: kristim55

As far as I know, the three day pass is only good on the Deuce. Off that route, you'll have to pay the usual $1.75 per ride or you can buy a full day pass for $4 or a three day pass for $15.

Thanks! The rates sound reasonable enough. Now to make heads or tails of the routes posted on the CAT website. Usually I find I make more sense of bus routes actually riding the bus.

Quote: kristim55

If you want to see a lot off the strip, I think renting a car is worthwhile. Of course, I decline the insurance, since I have good coverage for my own car.

How does that work? I'd no idea your car insurance could cover a rental.

I think I'll try public transport first. If it's really bad I can always rent a car in Vegas.

24 hour and 3 day passes include the regular bus AND the Duece.
http://www.rtcsouthernnevada.com/transit/fares_passes.cfm

Rent a car? If so, do it at your hotel - NOT at the airport (unless you enjoy standing in long lines).

Rental car insurance? Check with your insurance carrier FIRST. Also check with your credit card companies. Some cards include rental car insurance.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

24 hour and 3 day passes include the regular bus AND the Duece.
http://www.rtcsouthernnevada.com/transit/fares_passes.cfm

Thank you. That's even better.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Rental car insurance? Check with your insurance carrier FIRST. Also check with your credit card companies. Some cards include rental car insurance.

Well, my car insurance currently only covers third party damages because the car is too old to be worth insuring (a vintage Nissan 98, no less). If they cover rentals they'll likely only cover what my insurance covers. I did check my credit cards and they don't offer rental car insurance outside of Mexico (BTW I live in Mexico City).

Thanks anyway.

Also renting off airport will save you a bundle in taxes. Taxes and fees can double your rental rates.

The three day pass is good on the local buses as well. Probably in March the Deuce will be restricted to Mandalay Bay up to the Sahara and be extended to include the Palace Station on the west of I15.
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The Deuce will not be restricted until it can be supplemented with the ACE (bus rapid transit). Bus Rapid Transit is kind of a cross between light rail and a bus, with special bus only lanes for part of the route. It will not stop in as many places as the Deuce on the strip, but it's whole route will include the Vegas Arts District, Fremont street, the off price mall, and the car rental places. They haven't announced the ticket prices. The ACE will make getting downtown considerably faster. Since the ACE will go to the convention center the monorail is becoming obsolete unless they extend it to the airport.
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Enterprise Rental Cars has dozens of locations around the valley besides the airport. I found it cheaper to rent a car and drop it off in San Diego than to take a bus. A popular day trip is to go to Hoover Dam, and the Lake Las Vegas district. Red Rock Park is the closest natural place to go for a hike in the mountains. It is very pretty. Going long distances by city bus is excruciating, and I wouldn't recommend it.

ACE? I just checked out the ACE website.

Looks interesting. It should be a good alternative to the Deuce (which is already a good way to get around!)

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I agree that what is REALLY needed is a monorail connection to the airport. The Google Maps sattelite view seems to indicate that there are vacant lots in the area where the monorail would need to be constructed, so why not?

Run it on the north side of those lots (keeping it out of the air space at the end of the runways), put a stop in by UNLV, then down Swenson to the terminal.

Quote: pacomartin

The Deuce will not be restricted until it can be supplemented with the ACE (bus rapid transit). Bus Rapid Transit is kind of a cross between light rail and a bus, with special bus only lanes for part of the route. It will not stop in as many places as the Deuce on the strip, but it's whole route will include the Vegas Arts District, Fremont street, the off price mall, and the car rental places. They haven't announced the ticket prices. The ACE will make getting downtown considerably faster. Since the ACE will go to the convention center the monorail is becoming obsolete unless they extend it to the airport.

We have a system like that in Mexico, called Metrobus. There are two lines so far with more planned. It's supposed to be working quite well. I think the original idea originated in Colombia.

The Monorail should go to the airport and farther north to downtown. But that's not the whole problem. another issue is the walking one does from the Strip to the monorail station. Except for the Hilton, it's a very long walk, sometimes heard to find without signs (all hotels have signs, though). Considering that and the price, it's just not worth it.

It's a great way to get to the strip from the Hilton or the Convention center. Otherwise the Deuce is more convenient, even if you're staying at the Sahara. If you're in the center of the Strip, you can even walk. If yoou're at the Stratosphere, you either walk from the Sahara or take the Deuce there.

Ok. It's faster than the Deuce if there's traffic. But it would have made a great deal more sense to build a subway line under the Strip (assuming you can dig under those massive buildings, of course).

It's hard to build a monorail that would serve the properties equally... a subway line along Las Vegas Blvd might have made sense but it would involve completely digging up the street and I think it would attract a seedy type on the stairwells late at night that you don't get in a monorail.

I think that the reason why the line is not built to the airport is because of the revenue that all the taxi drivers would lose. It's absolutely ridiculous that a city like Vegas doesn't have good public transit to the major hotels. But you could say the same thing about LAX or JFK as well.

Quote: boymimbo

It's hard to build a monorail that would serve the properties equally... a subway line along Las Vegas Blvd might have made sense but it would involve completely digging up the street and I think it would attract a seedy type on the stairwells late at night that you don't get in a monorail.

I think that the reason why the line is not built to the airport is because of the revenue that all the taxi drivers would lose. It's absolutely ridiculous that a city like Vegas doesn't have good public transit to the major hotels. But you could say the same thing about LAX or JFK as well.

The monorail stations are very nice, clean and clear. I mean totally clear. Sometimes you get there at 8 pm and there's no one else there. That can be scary, too. I misstrust secluded, public spaces when they're empty.

In Mexico city mostly you use cabs to get to and from the airport, or you drive. One airline, Interjet, offers a $5-$7 shuttle to selected places in the city. Cabs are pricey, about $20-$25 to my house. A full day of parking is about $23.

There's a subway stop near the airport, but you can't carry bags on the train, and the walk to the terminal is quite long. There are minibuses, known locally as peseros, which are minivan to van-sized, that do reach the airport (the fee depends on where you board), but again no bags allowed.

What Vegas should allow is hotels to send shuttles to pick up passengers. yes, I know that would bankrupt the airport shuttle business and wipe out lots of cabs.

Yeah, I realize that connecting the monorail to the airport would kill a portion of the taxi business. Hard to say how much really, since a lot of people probably would prefer taxis.

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No mass transit at the airport? I disagree. OK. I, by chance, got lucky. I was staying at the Sahara. There are two bus lines that go to the airport. #108 terminates at the airport and runs on Paradise, with a stop right by Sahara's hotel entrance, continuing on to the Downtown Transfer Center. The other bus, #109 goes south to the South Strip Transfer Terminal, or north along Maryland to the Downtown Transfer Terminal. At the SSTT, you can get on the Deuce, while the DTC is about a block from Freemont.

Isn't that good enough?

I'm pretty tired of people lamenting the loss to the taxi business if the monorail were extended to the airport (not to say anybody posting here is doing that). Has this become a nation of whiners? The taxi drivers don't deserve any special concessions, given the unsafe manner that they drive in, the collusion with the strip clubs, and long-hauling passengers. Those complaints not withstanding, does it make sense to hold up progress because somebody might have to get a different job? By that logic, we would never have permitted the automobile, because it would have hurt the horse and carriage business. In a capitalistic system, if you want to succeed, you have to keep up with the times, and be prepared for career changes, as the demands of the economy change. No wonder China is going to overtake us.

The other thing about the Monorail to the airport is the luggage going to and forth to the airport and the very long walk with luggage from the station to the front desk.

Quote: boymimbo

The other thing about the Monorail to the airport is the luggage going to and forth to the airport and the very long walk with luggage from the station to the front desk.

It depends on where the monorail station is.

In Newark, they have a FREE monorail going from terminal to terminal and to the 5 parking lots. There was talk of extending it into downtown Newark with a fee for that part of the ride. I don't know if they ever got that done.

The stations at the terminals are convenient enough. Right next to elevators that will take you to the departure ticket counters and baggage claim areas. Elevators in the stations in the parking lots too (and presumably, elevators in the downdown stations).

i always wondered why monarails are all over the strip, but conveniently stay away from the airport. there must be some strong political reason for that. but i don't think that system would have financial difficulties. we personally rent a car every trip because we go to so many places, but i just mentioned this very thing to my better half on our last trip.

On the topic of getting around, does anyone know how safe/reliable the other buses are in Vegas. Ive travelled on the Deuce before, but seen as Ill be staying at a hotel on Paradise Rd, the 108 springs up as a way to get Downtown, and further out towards Jerry's Nugget and such on other buses from the Downtown Transfer Terminal.

They are safe, but slow. I actually prefer route #116 to get from downtown to the strip. It is much faster and cleaner than the Deuce. You catch it by the Golden Nugget.
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Starting in roughly March they are going to update the bus system in Vegas with 5 or 6 high speed bus lines. It will take a few years to get them all open. They crisscross the city and are supposed to attract more middle class people.

The bus from the airport will be rerouted when the ACE comes on-line. It will include the Riviera, Circus circus, Sahara, and Stratosphere and will replace the Deuce on Las Vegas Blvd. It will be faster since it is going on a more direct route.

The Deuce will be limited to the strip, and the newly opened ACE will go downtown and to the car rental place.

Quote: Wizard

I'm pretty tired of people lamenting the loss to the taxi business if the monorail were extended to the airport (not to say anybody posting here is doing that)

Tijuana got rid of their system of station wagons that acted like buses. It put thousands of people out of work so there were riots. But the city simply couldn't afford such an antiquated system. I understand that Calcutta wants to put the rickshaw drivers out of business.

Efficient rail transit to airports is critical to reducing congestion. In addition they want to connect Harmon Ave. between Koval and Swenson so that UNLV students can get on the monorail (and include Hard Rock). Hopefully the corridor will become more appealing when development begins again. If the planned mega-hotels or the arena ever opens the transportation will be in place in advance instead of after the fact.

Quote: Wizard

Those complaints not withstanding, does it make sense to hold up progress because somebody might have to get a different job? By that logic, we would never have permitted the automobile, because it would have hurt the horse and carriage business. In a capitalistic system, if you want to succeed, you have to keep up with the times, and be prepared for career changes, as the demands of the economy change. No wonder China is going to overtake us.

I agree. But everything should be opened up. As it is, most municipalities in the world have a monopoly on public transportation. They either own it outright or sell concessions. there are also plenty of rules that prevent certain private businesses from offering some transportation services, like complimentary airport pick-up in Vegas (I know some hotels do it anyway, possibly by hiring airport companies).

Quote: Wizard

I'm pretty tired of people lamenting the loss to the taxi business if the monorail were extended to the airport (not to say anybody posting here is doing that). Has this become a nation of whiners? The taxi drivers don't deserve any special concessions....

I may have given you the impression that I am supportive of the taxi drivers arguments. Nothing could be further from the truth. I was merely mentioning it as a probable reason that it will either not happen or be delayed forever.

Personally, I have no love for taxis in general. It's absurd that at some locations there are parking lots FULL of taxis waiting in line for riders, while in other locations, people can't find a cab.

My buddy and I were at the LV Convention Center looking for a cab after the day's events were over. Doesn't the convention center let the taxis know when to expect a rush of people? At any rate, we could see cabs lined up, doing nothing, next door at the Renaissance Hotel. We walked over to get one of those cabs. When we mentioned the line of people at the convention center, the cabbie had some stupid, lame excuse about having already been waiting at the hotel for so long, etc.

Quote: Croupier

On the topic of getting around, does anyone know how safe/reliable the other buses are in Vegas. ... I'll be staying at a hotel on Paradise Rd, the 108 springs up....

I took the 108 from the Airport to Sahara. No problem.

I also WALKED over a mile to Albertsons to get some provisions to save money rather than go to restaurants every meal. For the trip back, I decided to take the bus. While waiting, I merely put my bags on the bench, and then, restlessly, paced nearby. Another passsenger comes up and sits down. He then tells me that I'm taking a big risk leaving my packages on the bench like that. I sit, we talk, etc. He's lived there about 8 years and knows all about Vegas's seedy side.

When I visited London in 1988, people were shocked to hear that I lived in New York City. How can ANYONE live there with all the crime? I'm thinking "What crime?" Oh, sure, there's crime, but not like these people thought.



Bottom line, is it safe? Probably no better or worse than any other city.

Quote: Wizard

I'm pretty tired of people lamenting the loss to the taxi business if the monorail were extended to the airport (not to say anybody posting here is doing that). Has this become a nation of whiners? The taxi drivers don't deserve any special concessions, given the unsafe manner that they drive in, the collusion with the strip clubs, and long-hauling passengers. Those complaints not withstanding, does it make sense to hold up progress because somebody might have to get a different job? By that logic, we would never have permitted the automobile, because it would have hurt the horse and carriage business. In a capitalistic system, if you want to succeed, you have to keep up with the times, and be prepared for career changes, as the demands of the economy change. No wonder China is going to overtake us.

Agree with you Wizard. I don't regret the loss of the taxi business. Perhaps it's politics in Vegas to not extend the monorail because of the taxi business. Being from outside of Vegas, I don't know why the monorail didn't start at the airport to begin with. Even if the monorail did go to the airport, it would only serve those hotels on the east side of the strip. Those on the west side would probably still take a cab.

China is going to overtake us because of the willingness of their citizens to live with alot less and make alot less in alot worse conditions in order to succeed, much like your forefathers did.

I never go to Vegas for less than 10 days and I always rent a car. A cheap economy car. I've found that taking cabs is way more expensive and not nearly as convienient as having a car. I also LOVE valet parking. I can't count the number of times I've waited 5min for my car and the people waiting in the cab line are still there. And if you pull up to MGM or Mandalay or wherever and they tell you valet is full except for guests of the hotel, just shove a 5 spot at the guy and they always let you in, I've never been turned away. Having a car in Vegas means freedom, I can be anywhere I want in 10min. I never drive on the Strip, I know all the short cuts better than I know my own town. I have talked to so many people I know who go to Vegas and never get more than 1000 feet from the hotel they stay at because they're too cheap to take a cab or rent a car. They don't know what they're missing.

I will have a car for the first time in Vegas, can you give me some tips on driving around? Is it better to drive to downtown rather than take the deuce? What side streets do I drive on? I will be staying at harrahs 1/2 the time and I would like to spend time off strip as much as possible during the day.

In my opinion (as an out-of-towner), there are three routes to downtown from the strip. Heading north on Las Vegas Blvd, one option is to cut left just after the Stratosphere and take Main Street to downtown. It brings you in past the end of Fremont Street, between the Plaza and Vegas Club. Options #2 & 3 are to take Las Vegas Blvd. a couple more short blocks past the Stratosphere to the light where Las Vegas Blvd and 4th Street split. Either of those work to get downtown, but on the trip back, 4th street is out because it is one way.

One route you need to learn is Paradise, as a way to bypass the traffic jams on the strip caused in part by all the people who are out driving, wanting to be seen on the strip.

I'll let the locals give the advice from there.

I heard all the gay stuff is on Paradise called the Paradise Fruit Loop, I want to check it out and see if it compares to the Castro in San Francisco. I looked on the website for Bluemoon, the gay resort but it was so expensive! I have a hard time justifying paying $200 a night for a normal hotel room when I can get the same free @ Harrah's. Any advice on other places to go off the strip in LV?

Quote: NicksGamingStuff

Any advice on other places to go off the strip in LV?

Well, there are lots of answers to that question, depending on what you are looking for. The category that you mentioned in this most recent post is well outside my area of knowledge or interests, so I will leave that to someone else to answer. The Las Vegas advisor web site has some info at this link.

Quote: Doc

In my opinion (as an out-of-towner), there are three routes to downtown from the strip. Heading north on Las Vegas Blvd, one option is to cut left just after the Stratosphere and take Main Street to downtown. It brings you in past the end of Fremont Street, between the Plaza and Vegas Club. Options #2 & 3 are to take Las Vegas Blvd. a couple more short blocks past the Stratosphere to the light where Las Vegas Blvd and 4th Street split. Either of those work to get downtown, but on the trip back, 4th street is out because it is one way.

One route you need to learn is Paradise, as a way to bypass the traffic jams on the strip caused in part by all the people who are out driving, wanting to be seen on the strip.

I'll let the locals give the advice from there.

Taking Paradise is the best way avoid the Strip. It intersects with all the main streets that cross Las Vegas Blvd and has 1/10th the traffic. If your as far south as Mandalay, just take the next light and jump on the freeway and get off at the Downtown exit. Its a very fast drive and saves the half hour it would take if you drove the Strip. Because Vegas is a relatively new city, all the streets are laid out in a logical fashion and getting around is easy. In no time you'll be zipping between Sams Town and MGM and the Golden Nugget like a pro.

"If your as far south as Mandalay, just take the next light and jump on the freeway and get off at the Downtown exit:

That doesn't make any sense. Anyone who's driven in LV even a handful of times knows that. If you're on Paradise you do not just "jump onto the freeway from the next light", and the "Downtown exit" is in the opposite direction from going towards Mandalay Bay from that so-called "jump".

Quote: JerryLogan

"If your as far south as Mandalay, just take the next light and jump on the freeway and get off at the Downtown exit:

That doesn't make any sense. Anyone who's driven in LV even a handful of times knows that. If you're on Paradise you do not just "jump onto the freeway from the next light", and the "Downtown exit" is in the opposite direction from going towards Mandalay Bay from that so-called "jump".

That was confusing. I meant if you're actually at Mandalay Bay casino. The freeway is very close, at W Russell rd. Dean Martin Dr is another good road that runs the same way as LV BLVD and seldom has a lot of traffic. I love MB, I spend a lot of time there playing in the daytime. They filmed the pilot for the TV series Las Vegas there, and a lot of the dealers have interesting stories about it.