Las Vegas Airport Transportation

[tennisray]

I will be flying into Vegas in a couple of weeks.

I haven't been there in a while and I'm getting in later than my friends are.  Besides taxis, are there shuttles/public transportation, rideshares that would be cheaper?  From what I remember, a taxi ride wasn't too expensive, but it seems like there would be plenty of people headed in the same vicinity that a shared taxi would be most efficient.  I wouldn't mind walking a mile from dropoff to the hotel.

I used to ask people in the taxi line for sharing a ride into NY, but I'm not sure if that is acceptable behavior after the movie, Taken!  If there isn't already, there should be "an app for that".

Thanks!

[Returnoftheyeti]

The cheapest way to a hotel in Vegas is the Bell Transport shuttles. If you book online and round trip you even save more.  Otherwise just look for the signs in the luggage pickup area.

Vegas is owned by the taxi lobby, so no app, no ride sharing.  Google "Vegas uber 2014" for details.

[olivia]

It's actually dirt cheap to rent a car in Vegas, and valet parking is free everywhere.  (You do need to tip though.)  I always just rent a car when I go.  I've gotten rentals for as cheap as $13/day.

[tennisray]

Thanks, but even if it is inexpensive, I have gotten burned from getting a rental car, only to have some unexpected damage done (windshield crack/dent, etc). 

I'll look at that shuttle service, thank you. 

[Left]

if you are fit and up for a "short" hike, I think the strip is about 6 miles or less to the "older" casinos like MGM and Lexor, 2 miles, not too bad if you have no luggage to drag, but it's harsh in the heat/with kids. We did the hike before about 20 years ago since we didn't really drive then. The walk isn't to bad if you take in the sights alone the way. Good if you have nothing planned for that day anyways. If you did, then it sucks.

[flashpacker]

Another random option would be to take the free shuttle from the airport to the rental car depot and then take the SDX/Deuce bus up the Strip.

There are local buses that go from the airport itself too, but this sometimes involves taking a shuttle between terminals depending on your route.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Firefly+Car+Rental,+7135+Gilespie+Street,+Las+Vegas,+NV+89119/The+Venetian,+3355+South+Las+Vegas+Boulevard,+Las+Vegas,+NV+89109/@36.0936162,-115.2050524,13z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x80c8c43e49978efb:0x7edf0a3a459f4e9b!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c8c5ac4a5960ab:0xabb8c3cfb581d98b!2m2!1d-115.164313!2d36.060161!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c8c415ac77058b:0xa1b4397e7377d345!2m2!1d-115.169653!2d36.121174!3e3

I'm not necessarily suggesting these options. Just saying they exist!

[tennisray]

I am staying at the MGM...wow, I didn't realize how close the airport was to that hotel.  I am definitely ok to walk it.  However, I'm getting in at 9pm.  Would the walking be safe (other people around, sidewalks, etc)?  I grew up in NY, so I'm a city boy, but I also don't want to get mugged/run over to save some $$.

I've warned my friends that I don't find the typical Vegas stuff desirable (gambling/strip clubs/expensive dinners, clubs).  They don't live near me, so they don't know how frugal I've become. They keep thinking that once they get me out there, my old gambling/partying self will show up.   If I show up having walked it from the airport, they will finally believe me!

[Left]

personally, I like walking vegas strip at night. I just went there this thanksgiving :). 9pm is still "early" for vegas, keep your eyes out for pick pockets like usual, I didn't see any there but always take precaution is good advice anywhere.

The sidewalks aren't bad, actually pretty good compared to KC. The night air is cooler as well. I'd guess you could be at MGM by 10:30pm if you walked and took in sights at same time. Then get change and be back out on strip at 11pm and party to 2am. You are sleeping on the plane right to be well rested? :D

I don't gamble either, but I do enjoy going in and out of the different casinos and looking at them.

the hardest part of walk would be getting away from the airport, lots of traffic there since people normally don't walk away from there. So like above poster, maybe take the shuttle to the car rental building then walk from there, MGM should be in sight from the building, or close to it (I forget if something is blocking the view from there). I forget where the car rental building is actually. They have a bunch in same building, it's off of tropicana then if you walk west on the street, MGM is right there about 2 miles down. https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Airport+Rent+A+Car,+5030+Paradise+Road,+Las+Vegas,+NV+89119/MGM+Grand,+South+Las+Vegas+Boulevard,+Las+Vegas,+NV/@36.0990815,-115.1574412,15z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c8c5a5c21c7c0f:0x9d186757eff606e9!2m2!1d-115.148098!2d36.098295!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c8c5cc93820e25:0x9dd94505bd76107f!2m2!1d-115.170253!2d36.102576!3e2

[tennisray]

personally, I like walking vegas strip at night. I just went there this thanksgiving :). 9pm is still "early" for vegas, keep your eyes out for pick pockets like usual, I didn't see any there but always take precaution is good advice anywhere.

The sidewalks aren't bad, actually pretty good compared to KC. The night air is cooler as well. I'd guess you could be at MGM by 10:30pm if you walked and took in sights at same time. Then get change and be back out on strip at 11pm and party to 2am. You are sleeping on the plane right to be well rested? :D

I don't gamble either, but I do enjoy going in and out of the different casinos and looking at them.

the hardest part of walk would be getting away from the airport, lots of traffic there since people normally don't walk away from there. So like above poster, maybe take the shuttle to the car rental building then walk from there, MGM should be in sight from the building, or close to it (I forget if something is blocking the view from there). I forget where the car rental building is actually. They have a bunch in same building, it's off of tropicana then if you walk west on the street, MGM is right there about 2 miles down. https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Airport+Rent+A+Car,+5030+Paradise+Road,+Las+Vegas,+NV+89119/MGM+Grand,+South+Las+Vegas+Boulevard,+Las+Vegas,+NV/@36.0990815,-115.1574412,15z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c8c5a5c21c7c0f:0x9d186757eff606e9!2m2!1d-115.148098!2d36.098295!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c8c5cc93820e25:0x9dd94505bd76107f!2m2!1d-115.170253!2d36.102576!3e2

Great idea.  Thanks for the help.

[AlanStache]

personally, I like walking vegas strip at night. I just went there this thanksgiving :). 9pm is still "early" for vegas, keep your eyes out for pick pockets like usual, I didn't see any there but always take precaution is good advice anywhere.

The sidewalks aren't bad, actually pretty good compared to KC. The night air is cooler as well. I'd guess you could be at MGM by 10:30pm if you walked and took in sights at same time. Then get change and be back out on strip at 11pm and party to 2am. You are sleeping on the plane right to be well rested? :D

I don't gamble either, but I do enjoy going in and out of the different casinos and looking at them.

the hardest part of walk would be getting away from the airport, lots of traffic there since people normally don't walk away from there. So like above poster, maybe take the shuttle to the car rental building then walk from there, MGM should be in sight from the building, or close to it (I forget if something is blocking the view from there). I forget where the car rental building is actually. They have a bunch in same building, it's off of tropicana then if you walk west on the street, MGM is right there about 2 miles down. https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Airport+Rent+A+Car,+5030+Paradise+Road,+Las+Vegas,+NV+89119/MGM+Grand,+South+Las+Vegas+Boulevard,+Las+Vegas,+NV/@36.0990815,-115.1574412,15z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c8c5a5c21c7c0f:0x9d186757eff606e9!2m2!1d-115.148098!2d36.098295!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c8c5cc93820e25:0x9dd94505bd76107f!2m2!1d-115.170253!2d36.102576!3e2

Great idea.  Thanks for the help.

Careful what shuttle you get on, the above link does not go to the 'main' rental car location, that is on the southeast side of the airport and would be a good long walk (heck might be long run).

Rental cars can be very cheap in Vegas - parking is free like everywhere, also would let you get off strip easier.  But if you are going to mainly be on the strip you wont need one and it will only get in the way.  Taxis are plentiful and cheap. 

[Returnoftheyeti]

Don't walk it.  Seriously. Vegas is not a walkers town, and while its "close" to the MGM this is not a neighborhood you want to be walking through after dark.   Is it bad?  Not really,  will you get panhandled?  Absolutely. I am not even sure there is sidewalk the entire way.

[RNwastash]

Arebelspy lives in Las Vegas, he has helped me with great info regarding visiting Vegas.  You should PM him.  Didn't meet in person unfortunately, but a really nice guy from his emails.

[shadowmoss]

I'm going in a couple of week again, and was just there last month.  I usually go down and grab a bus to the south transfer station  and then take the SDX bus to the strip.  I buy a 3 day pass, but I think it is $6 for a couple hour pass.  Go down to (I think) Door 0 and out to the bus.  Ask the driver if the bus goes to the south transfer station.  I think there are 3 routes that go to the airport, and only 1 goes to the transfer station where you pick up the SDX.  I take a taxi back to the airport because there isn't an easy way to go the other direction that I have found.

That said, I took a taxi to the airport from MGM Grand when I was last there, and it was $11 +tip.  I took the monorail from the SLS where I stayed down to the MGM Grand since I had also bought a 3 day monorail pass and so that ride was free and I had the time, which made the taxi fare cheaper.

[UnleashHell]

The WAX bus leaves from the lower level roughly every hour and drops at a few stops along the way to NYNY - then pretty much downtown via the Interstate.  Costs $2

best way out of the airport.

[tennisray]

The WAX bus leaves from the lower level roughly every hour and drops at a few stops along the way to NYNY - then pretty much downtown via the Interstate.  Costs $2

best way out of the airport.

Great, it looks like the WAX or the 108 can get me there in under 10 minutes once I catch the bus.  Thanks!  I'll make sure to bring exact change.

[UnleashHell]

The WAX bus leaves from the lower level roughly every hour and drops at a few stops along the way to NYNY - then pretty much downtown via the Interstate.  Costs $2

best way out of the airport.

Great, it looks like the WAX or the 108 can get me there in under 10 minutes once I catch the bus.  Thanks!  I'll make sure to bring exact change.

I think that 2 dollars bills will sort you out. you can also buy a 24hour or multi day pass (don;t remember how many days) which is by far the cheapest way to travel around the town. many of the machines by the bus stops will offer this but as far as I'm aware you can;t do that on the bus itself. Single tickets only (my info may be out of date as I haven't been there for nearly a year).

[morjax]

if you are fit and up for a "short" hike, I think the strip is about 6 miles or less to the "older" casinos like MGM and Lexor, 2 miles, not too bad if you have no luggage to drag, but it's harsh in the heat/with kids. We did the hike before about 20 years ago since we didn't really drive then. The walk isn't to bad if you take in the sights alone the way. Good if you have nothing planned for that day anyways. If you did, then it sucks.

+1. It's a bit of a trek, but you can take the monorail from the Lexor area to get to the north end of the strip. I did this myself last year, and it wasn't too bad (especially if you're getting in at night). Daytime is hot, with kids would be potentially trying, but all in all, it's doable.

[Senor Smallchange Soulpatch]

The WAX bus is a reasonable idea.  It could conceivably even be faster than a cab depending on the what the cab line is like at the airport and if the bus schedule lines up conveniently with your arrival.

I wouldn't rule out taking the a cab either if you end up with a long wait until the next scheduled bus.  The fare to MGM would only be ~$12 or so.  Just specify "no tunnel" to the driver so they don't long haul you on the interstate. Or I suppose don't say that, then if they do long haul you anyway you can legally refuse to pay.

Those hotel shuttles are awful.  They're barely cheaper than a cab, especially to the South strip, but they take far longer.

Walking after dark is a bad idea.  The actual strip (i.e. Las Vegas Blvd. between Mandalay bay and Wynn) is perfectly safe to walk 24/7.  There are cops and casino security everywhere.  But go a block or two off of the strip and you can be in the actual ghetto.  Tropicana between LAS and MGM isn't a total warzone or anything, but it would not be enjoyable to be out there alone after dark, especially so if you're an obvious tourist.

[JetsettingWelfareMom]

I live in Vegas myself if you're coming here in the next few weeks it is not hot here at night but rather cool evening temps of maybe 35 degrees so don't go packing shorts for a hike. MGM is basically the closest casino to McCarren airport it's on the corner of Tropicana and Las Vegas Blvd but don't let the map fool you these casinos are huge and so is the airport my guess is 2 miles from door to door. I don't think it's unsafe per say there's a lot of pedestrian traffic but Tropicana is a very busy street and yes there might be some homeless in the area. I'm shocked that MGM is not offering a free shuttle service if you're staying there--if you don't know the city real well I'd say that's the best way to get checked in and oriented. And sometimes a $10 cab ride is worth it--this may be one of those times.
I had a friend who was here for Christmas who likened Vegas to a giant glittering prison complex--if you don't want to gamble they'll basically offer you a free shuttle to an overpriced shopping complex where you can sample all of the latest baubles. EVERYTHING is overpriced on the Strip they barely serve free drinks if you're gambling high roller. They'll also charge you an outrageous fee for Internet access, water, to use their swimming pool and anything else they can think up to charge you for. Depending on how long you are staying after you check in try to find someplace to get basic supplies for you and your friends to keep in your room--I'm talking grocery, booze, whatever. Otherwise you will be forced to eat overpriced meals 2-3 times per day. The Deuce is a good choice on the Strip--used to be $7 for  a 24 hour pass, runs every 7 minutes on the Strip and you can go explore off Strip stuff too with it. I like Red Rock Canyon, Mt Charleston, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead....but they won't tell you about those. Good luck!

[arebelspy]

I can give you a ride to/from the airport, if you'd like (and I'm in town; I'll be out of town for the Super Bowl, for example).  PM me if you're interested.  :)