Going to Vegas in August, spending 4 nights at Aladdin. Will visit Stratosphere and downtown. Also spending one day with my sister, who lives on Karen Ave., off Paradise. She doesn't drive.

Do you think I should rent a car or just take a cab to see my sister and the bus other places? Even if I got the car for only two days, it would be about $75.00 with all the added taxes and valet tips. Is it worth it?

Haven't been to Vegas in four years. They say traffic is bad, but how bad? Is there construction on the strip or Paradise?

Would you recommend getting the car or not? Thank you.

$75 is way too much for 2 days. Try dollar.com, use code DESLV. Should be under $20/day. As for valet tips, just self park, it's much quicker anyway. Taking buses or trams takes forever to get where you need to be. I usually get a car, parking is free, don't drive down the strip, use the back roads. Otherwise, take a cab, but you won't be saving any money, just the hassle of picking up and car, parking it, driving while drinking, etc.

We were discouraged from renting a car as everyone said we could taxi or walk most places on the strip . . . but . . . being from Texas where everyone drives, my hubby was not to be without wheels.

It was GREAT having a car, it is hotter than h*ll in the summer and it was wonderful walking out and having the valet get the car (and he precooled it) and then dropping it off at each spot (valet parking only costs $1-$2). It was very convenient and we found we enjoyed just driving around and looking, things you wouldn't see with a taxi. It gave us a lot of flexibility and things are much farther apart than you would think.

Go for the car!

Sandy

Alamo Car Rental at the airport will rent an economy car for a day for $20-base rate. Try them.

Thanks for your replies, folks. I'm going on a package that has transfers so I don't need the car directly from the airport. It does seem to be about $75.00 for two days because my husband is 6'4", 275 lbs. and doesn't fit well in an economy car. Also, the initial car rental rates seem low, but then they add on a bunch of taxes and fees, making it much higher than you thought.

Anyway, I'll appreciate hearing more responses pro/con car vs. cab. Thanks a lot, and ladies have a Happy Mother's Day.