McCarran International Airport (LAS)

Car Rental: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Rent-A-Vette, Hertz, and Thrifty. Tip: Taking I-15 freeway from the airport is a good option when headed to north of Caesar’s Palace or to Downtown. Otherwise take Paradise Road.

Taxis: Casino-resort shuttles and taxis are plentiful, costing $10-$12 to the Strip and $20 to downtown. When taking a taxi from the airport to the Strip, take Paradise Road, then have the driver make a left at the cross street nearest your casino-resort. Don’t get suckered into a more expensive ride up I-15 freeway, then to the nearest cross street that takes you back to the Strip.

Shuttles to the Strip cost $9, limousines cost $12.  Add $5-$7 for Downtown.  A low cost alternative is the Bell Trans limos from the airport to hotels along the Strip and to downtown.  You can pay as little as $4, but this is not an option for those in a hurry, since you share the ride with others stopping at casino-resorts before you.

To the relief of many people stuck driving or walking the Strip during very hot or cold weather, Las Vegas Monorail runs daily from 8a–2a to stations behind attached to the Sahara, Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas Convention Center, Harrah’s, Flamingo, Bally-Paris and MGM Grand.  Surprisingly there is no current stop at the Sands Convention Center/Venetian. If you plan to visit a lot of casinos, its best to purchase a 1-day pass for $10 or a 3-day pass for $25; otherwise it costs $3 per ride.

There is also a FREE automated tram between Mandalay Bay, Luxor and Excalibur and another between Treasure Island and Mirage. A double-decker air-conditioned public bus runs through the Strip to Downtown at regular bus fare.

Trolley Buses only cost $1.50 for one-way scenic rides along the superbly landscaped and scenic Las Vegas Strip. If you don’t mind public buses, board at the corners near large Casino Resorts.

Maverick Helicopters
Experience a breathtaking flight over Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon
PHONE: Toll-free 888-261-4414

Trams on the Strip
Casino owners don’t want their patrons frustrated in traffic or exhausted, so they built 4 disconnected but, nonetheless useful trams:

• MGM Grand-Aladdin-Paris-Bally’s-Flamingo-Harrah’s-LV Convention Center-LV Hilton-Sahara (8am-Midnight); up to a 4-mile ride costs $3
• Mandalay Bay-Luxor-Excalibur (24 hours) free
• Mirage-Treasure Island (9am-Midnight) free
• Bellagio-Monte Carlo

Las Vegas Freeway Network, oriented to the Strip, Downtown and a few east-west residential areas, has been out-striped by population growth. Fortunately, It will eventually encircle the metro area to reduce funneling all traffic by the Strip and Downtown. The Strip is a magnificent landscaped boulevard that compliments the billion-dollar casino resorts on each side. Though Interstate 15 Freeway has been upgraded in every way, allow extra time to destinations along its path during commute hours. If traveling beyond the Strip or Downtown, acquaint yourself with these freeways and parkways:

         Summerlin Parkway, connects from I-515 going west
  15    Interstate Freeway, north-south to Utah and Los Angeles
  93    US Highway from Las Vegas to Lake Mead and southeast
215    Interstate Freeway, connects I-515 with the Airport and I-15
515    Interstate Freeway, northwest to downtown to southeast
602    State Route, Las Vegas Blvd, "The Strip" to Downtown