From the Airport to Your Hotel
Harry Reid International Airport (formerly McCarran) is remarkably close to the Strip — just a few minutes by car. The most popular option is rideshare services. Uber and Lyft both operate from a designated pickup area on Level 2 of the parking garage. Expect to pay $15-25 for a ride to most Strip hotels.
Taxis are available at the taxi stand outside baggage claim. The fare to the Strip is typically $20-30 including tip. Note that taxi drivers are required to take the tunnel route to the Strip, which is faster but slightly more expensive than surface streets.
For budget travelers, the RTC Route 109 bus runs from the airport to the south end of the Strip. The fare is $2 for a single ride or $5 for a 24-hour pass. The ride takes about 15-20 minutes depending on traffic.
Pro Tip
If you are arriving late at night, rideshare wait times can be long. Consider pre-booking a shuttle or having your hotel arrange transportation.
Getting Around the Strip
Walking is the primary way to get around the Las Vegas Strip, but distances are deceptive. The Strip is over four miles long, and navigating through casino lobbies adds significant distance. A walk from Mandalay Bay to The STRAT takes about 90 minutes at a steady pace.
The Las Vegas Monorail runs along the east side of the Strip from the MGM Grand to the SAHARA, with stops at several major casinos. A single ride costs $5, and a 24-hour pass is $13. It is useful for covering longer distances but does not reach every hotel.
Free trams connect several casino complexes: the Bellagio-Vdara-Aria tram, the Excalibur-Luxor-Mandalay Bay tram, and the Mirage-TI tram. These are excellent for covering short distances in air-conditioned comfort.
Pro Tip
The monorail stations are located at the back of the casinos, not on the Strip side. Factor in the walk through the casino when planning your route.
Rideshare and Taxis
Uber and Lyft are widely available throughout Las Vegas and are generally the most convenient option for getting around. Prices are usually lower than taxis, though surge pricing during peak times like late Saturday night can make them comparable or even more expensive.
Every major casino has a designated rideshare pickup area, usually in the parking garage or porte-cochere. These are well-signed but can require a few minutes of walking from the casino floor. Taxis can be hailed at taxi stands outside every major hotel but cannot be flagged down on the street.
Pro Tip
If you are going to a popular restaurant or show, have your driver drop you off and plan to use rideshare for the return trip. Parking at Strip casinos can be expensive and time-consuming. For shows slightly off the Strip like WOW – The Vegas Spectacular at the Rio, rideshare is the easiest option — the ride from center Strip takes just five minutes.
Public Transit: The Deuce and SDX
The RTC operates two bus routes along the Strip. The Deuce is a double-decker bus that stops at every major casino and runs 24 hours a day. The SDX (Strip and Downtown Express) makes fewer stops and connects the Strip to downtown Fremont Street.
A single ride costs $2, a 2-hour pass is $6, and a 24-hour pass is $8. The buses accept cash (exact change only) or you can buy passes through the rideRTC app. The Deuce can be slow during peak hours due to frequent stops and heavy traffic, but it is an affordable way to cover the length of the Strip.
Pro Tip
The 24-hour pass is the best value if you plan to use the bus more than twice. It also works on the SDX route to downtown.
Day Trips: Rental Cars and Tours
If you plan to visit the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, or Valley of Fire, you will need transportation beyond the Strip. Rental cars are available at the airport and are the most flexible option for day trips. Expect to pay $40-80 per day depending on the season.
Organized tours are another popular option. Bus tours to the Grand Canyon South Rim take about 12 hours and cost $80-150. Helicopter tours offer a more dramatic experience for $200-400. Hoover Dam is just 45 minutes from the Strip and makes an easy half-day trip.
For Red Rock Canyon, which is just 30 minutes west of the Strip, a rental car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. The scenic drive through the canyon is one of the most beautiful short drives in the Southwest.
Pro Tip
Book Grand Canyon helicopter tours for early morning departures. The air is calmer, the light is better for photos, and you avoid the afternoon heat and turbulence.