Getting around Las Vegas: public transport, passes and taxis

Las Vegas is a car city with a walkable core. The Strip and downtown are the two areas where you can manage without a car; almost everywhere else needs a ride or a bus.

The Strip is about 6.5 km (4 miles) from Mandalay Bay to the Strat, and the resorts are set far back from the road, so a 'short walk' between two hotels can take 20 minutes or more. Walking is still the best way to move between neighbouring resorts, especially in the evening when the lights are on and traffic crawls.

The Deuce bus runs the length of Las Vegas Boulevard and is the cheapest way to cover the whole Strip and continue to downtown's Fremont Street. Check current hours and route. Buses can be crowded at night and slow in traffic, but they beat walking in summer heat.

The Strip monorail runs along the east side of the resort corridor, roughly from Sahara to MGM Grand, and is useful if your hotel sits on the line. It does not reach the airport or downtown, so it is a supplement, not a full network. Check the current route and fares.

Harry Reid International Airport sits just south of the Strip; a ride-hailing car or taxi takes roughly 15–25 minutes to most Strip resorts depending on traffic. Taxis wait at the ranks outside the terminals, and ride-hailing pickups are in designated zones; follow the signs.

For locals' districts such as Chinatown, Summerlin or Henderson, ride-hailing is usually the simplest option, and buses are slower but cheaper. A rental car makes sense if you plan to leave the resort corridor: Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam and day trips to Primm or Laughlin are all easier by car. Note that many Strip resorts charge for self-parking and valet, so factor that into the daily cost.

Transit is the cheapest way around the resort corridor: single bus rides and 24-hour passes are modest, and the monorail sells single rides and day passes. Check current fares before you buy. Ride-hailing and taxis cost more but save time, especially at night and for airport runs. A rental car looks cheap per day until you add parking, resort fees and fuel; it only pays off if you are leaving the city.

Tipping is expected on taxi and ride-hailing fares, usually 15–20% added in the app or in cash. Hotel valet and self-parking charges vary by resort, so check before you book if you plan to drive.

Distances on the Strip are deceptive; use the free tram links between some resort groups where they exist, and cut through connected resorts to stay out of the heat.

Summer afternoons regularly top 40 °C, so plan walking for morning and evening and use buses, the monorail or ride-hailing in the middle of the day. Keep water with you.

If you are driving, avoid Las Vegas Boulevard at peak evening hours; use the I-15 or the 215 beltway for cross-town trips. Parking at Strip resorts is often paid, so check your hotel's policy before relying on a car.