Getting Around Las Vegas

Getting Around Las Vegas

If you're exploring the Strip or Downtown, it's best just to park your car (it's free at most casinos) and walk. To get from one end of the Strip to the other, you might want to take a cab or the monorail. For other points in the city and beyond, use a car. Public bus transportation exists (on Citizens Area Transit, or CAT) but is geared more to locals than visitors. Both CAT buses and trolleys ply the Strip but can take forever in traffic—the fare on both is $2. Cabs are relatively expensive ($3.20 initial fare plus $2 per mile and $0.20 per 33 seconds) but can be very convenient and worthwhile, especially if a few of you are splitting a fare. A good rule of thumb is this: if you think you'll be operating beyond the Strip during your stay, consider a rental car. Otherwise, just plan on using cabs. Look at it this way: the few dollars you may save by renting a car rather than taking taxis is more than made up for in navigation and parking aggravation.

The Monorail runs from the MGM Grand to Harrah's before making a jog out to the Convention Center and terminating at the Sahara. Don't be fooled into thinking it's a sightseeing tour; the train runs along the ugly backsides of the resorts. It's a little pricy at $5 each way, but the ride makes sense on weekends when even the Strip's back streets are full of traffic.