Once you’ve booked your flight to Las Vegas, you still have important transportation decisions to make—mainly figuring out how you will
get around the ever-bustling Entertainment Capital of the World. Unfortunately, the city’s public transport system is nowhere near as
comprehensive as the one in London. But if you want to avoid hiring a car, you can manage quite well with what’s available. In fact,
you’ll find there are many different ways to explore Las Vegas by ground—and by air. So here’s some information to help you plan out your
transportation before you arrive.
Going to and from the Airport
Most flights land at McCarran International Airport, which is located near the Strip. It’s one of the busiest airports in the world.
McCarran International Airport is comprised of two terminals. Domestic flights arrive at Terminal 1, and international flights—such as
those operated by Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and bmi—arrive at Terminal 2. There are several companies that offer transportation to
and from the airport. They are located outside the baggage claim area at Terminal 1. Bell Trans, CLS, Gray Line/Coach USA and Showtime all
provide shuttles that go to the Strip and Downtown Las Vegas for less than $10. There is also a taxi queue. The fare is $3.30 for the
first mile, plus $2.40 for each additional mile and $0.20 for every 24 seconds of waiting. You can have up to five passengers for no
additional charge, but there’s a $1.80 fee for every fare originating at the airport. Another option is to rent a limousine. The cost is
not as high as you might imagine. The hourly fee for a basic sedan limo starts at $39. And, if you do decide you’d like to hire a care,
there’s a free shuttle bus that will take you to the McCarran Rent-a-Car Center, which is home to 12 major car rental companies. It
departs every five minutes.
Getting Around by Ground
Aside from walking, you have six options for ground transportation in Las Vegas—bus, trolley, taxi, limousine, monorail and rental car.
Bus
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada operates several bus systems in Las Vegas. CAT (Citizens Area Transit) covers
the greater Las Vegas valley. The gold double-decker Deuce, reminiscent of London’s red buses, operates along the Strip 24 hours a day
with stops at most of the city’s major resorts. The ACE Rapid Transit System is being launched in early 2010 to provide quick connections
between Downtown Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Strip. For routes, schedules and fares, call 001-800-228-3911 or visit
rtcsouthernnevada.com.
Trolley
The Las Vegas Strip Trolley provides hop-on, hop-off sightseeing travel along the Strip and beyond. It has stops at all the major hotels
and goes as far south as the Silverton. There are also routes that will take you to Downtown Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Convention Center
and Hard Rock Hotel. Riding in the Las Vegas Strip Trolley’s colourful coach with its brass fixtures, park lighting and wooden benches is
a unique experience. For schedules and rates, call 001-877-332-8689 or visit lasvegasstriptrolley.com.
Taxi
You’ll find taxi queues in front of all the major hotels, shopping centres and visitors’ attractions in Las Vegas. You may have a short
wait during busy periods, but generally there is always a steady flow of cabs coming and going. Taxi fares are outlined in the “Going to
and from the Airport” section above. If you’d like to arrange a cab in advance, here are some companies that are registered with the
Nevada Taxicab Authority to contact.
• Ace (001-702-736-8383)
• Checker (001-702-873-8012)
• Desert Cab Company (001-702-386-9102)
• Lucky Cab Company (001-702-477-7555)
• Star/Yellow Cabs (001-702-873-2000)
• Western Cab Company (001-702-736-8000)
• Whittlesea Blue Cab Co. (001-702-384-6111)
Monorail
The Las Vegas Monorail provides a quick, easy and affordable way for visitors to travel along the east side of the Strip in air-conditioned
comfort. It’s a state-of-the-art, automated rail system that runs above the city’s streets between the MGM Grand and the Sahara hotel. It
has seven centrally located stations, many of which are found at major resorts. There is also a station at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The Las Vegas Monorail runs Mon.-Thur. from 7.00-2.00 and Fri.-Sun. from 7.00-3.00. A single ride ticket is $5 and an all-day pass is $14.
Call 001-702-699-8200 or visit lvmonorail.com.
Limousine
Hiring a limousine for a cruise down the Strip or a night on the town will add special memories to your Las Vegas visit. You can select
from town cars, sedans, limos, stretch Cadillac Escalades, SUVs, Hummers or—if you are travelling with a big group—limousine buses. Some
companies features packages with champagne and roses for the ladies.
• Bell Trans (001-702-739-7990, bell-trans.com)
• Celebrity Coaches (001-800-840-0881, celebritylasvegas.com)
• Las Vegas Limousines (001-702-736-1419, lasvegaslimo.com)
• On Demand Sedan (001-702-876-2222, odslimo.com)
• Presidential Limousines (001-702-731-5577, presidentiallimolv.com)
Rental Car
Although public transportation is the most economic way around town, you’ll find hiring a car is affordable and can save you time and
hassle if you plan to explore the greater Las Vegas area. The following companies are based at the McCarran Rent-a-Car Center:
• Advantage (001-800-777-9377, advantage.com)
• Alamo (001-877-222-9075, alamo.com)
• Avis (001-800-331-1212, avis.com)
• Budget (001-800-922-2899, budget.com)
• Dollar Rent a Car (001-800-800-4000, dollar.com)
• Enterprise, (001-800-261-7331, enterprise.com)
• Hertz (001-800-654-2210, hertz.com)
• National (001-877-222-9058,nationalcar.com)
• Payless (001-800-729-5377, paylesscarrental.com)
• Savmor (001-800-634-6779, savmorrac.com)
• Thrifty (001-800-367-2277, thrifty.com)
• US Rent-a-Car (001-702-798-6100, us-rentacar.com)
Getting Around by Air
If you’re planning to spend most of your time on the Strip or in the Las Vegas vicinity, then ground transportation will likely meet your
needs. However, if you’d like to widen your horizons and explore Southern Nevada and the stunning Southwest, you should consider air
transportation options. Maverick Helicopters, a popular air sightseeing tour company that is based in Las Vegas, has a strong 15-year
history of showing visitors the best of the region. Not only do they have an impressive list of tour packages covering Las Vegas and the
West and South Rims of the Grand Canyon, but they can also create a special charter itinerary to whisk you anywhere you’d like to
go—whether it be for a round of golf, a wine tour or a hike in Utah’s Bryce Canyon. For more information, call 001-702-261-0007 or
0800 098 8515. You can also visit
Maverick Helicopters UK.
Written by Travel Gal, Renee Libutti