With the strip's flat topography, it's nearly possible to view The Strat from Mandalay Bay on a clear day. But don't let the sightline fool you, the strip is actually 4.2 miles long. Thankfully, Las Vegas offers lots of options for transportation to get you around on and off the strip. And, public transportation options are a lot cheaper than you'd think. Below, we've detailed the easiest ways to navigate Sin City:
The Monorail
Perhaps the most efficient way to get up and down the strip, the Las Vegas Monoral arrives every 4 to 8 minutes at seven stations: MGM Grand, Paris/Bally's, Linq/Harrah's, Las Vegas Convention Center, Westgate, and SLS. Train hours run from 7 a.m. to midnight Mondays, 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, and 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. on weekends, so you don't even have to watch the clock. And it's pretty reliable. The Las Vegas Monorail has carried more than 80 million riders since opening and boasts a 99-percent service rate. Not only an eco-friendly option due to its status as mass transit, the Monorail is 100-percent electric and runs with zero emissions. It's a great way to get around to the many things to do in Las Vegas.
With mobile ticketing, riders can get a one-ride pass for $5, day pass for $13, two-day pass for $23, three-day pass for $29, four-day pass for $36, five-day pass for $43, and a week pass for $56. If you're local, Nevada residents only pay $1 per ride. (Note that there is a two-ticket purchase limit per day.) The best news for families? Children five and under ride free, so this is a great economic option for families that's also good for the environment.
If your hotel doesn't have monorail access, never fear?the following hotels offer free shuttles to the nearest monorail stop: Sam's Town, Orleans/Gold Coast, M Resort Spa & Casino, Palace Station, Green Valley Ranch, and South Point Hotel.
The Deuce
Feeling lucky? The Deuce on the Strip is a great way to sightsee and get around at the same time. Double-decker vehicles run from the Fremont Street Experience downtown to Mandalay Bay. Stops are made at nearly every hotel on the route. Running 24/7, the Deuce on the Strip is a great option for late-night partiers who want to stay out past the monorail's hours. The bus runs from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. every 15 minutes and from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. every 20 minutes.
Rushing from one major stop to another? The Strip & Downtown Express has a larger route--starting at the LV Premium outlets and running to the South Strip Transfer Terminal--and makes select stops in between. For example, you can get from Stratosphere to Bellagio in only three stops. The Express runs 9 a.m. to midnight every 15 minutes.
Fares are $6 for a two-hour all-access pass, $8 for a 24-hour all-access pass, and $20 for a three-day all-access pass. Tickets can be purchased on board, via the rideRTC transit app, or at a ticket vending machine. Exact fare is required to purchase tickets on the bus.
Like the Monorail, the Deuce has some benefits for locals and families. Nevada residents get 50-percent off the above-mentioned prices, and may be asked to show a valid Nevada idea on board. Additionally, children five years of age and younger ride free with a responsible adult.
If you're exploring larger Las Vegas, the RTC bus serves the region with lines to every neighborhood, with direct routes like the Golden Knights Express, which will get you to the game and back for $2 each way. Download the rideRTC transit app and use the trip planner for directions and schedules specific to your destination.
Driving
Driving to the strip is easier than you may think if you aren't planning on imbibing. Parking at the Casinos is surprisingly affordable, and several even offer free parking (including Circus Circus, SLS, Stratosphere, Treasure Island, Trump International Hotel, the, and the Wynn).
While many hotels offer self-park, some will only have a valet option (like Trump International, for example). In this case, remember to have a few bucks on you ($2 to $5 each time) to tip your valet.
Ride-Sharing & Taxis
If you like the idea of traveling by car but don't want to be on the road jostling with aggressive Taxi drivers yourself, there are plenty of ride-sharing and taxi options in Las Vegas. The city allows both Uber and Lyft, which are popular choices in Las Vegas. On ride-sharing apps, the cost varies depending on where you're going, and, when. During popular times (for example, if there is a post-concert rush), Uber will charge a "surge fare" that can be two or three times as much as the typical cost.
In this case, a Taxi might be preferable. Main hotels and venues typically have taxi lines waiting for you when you leave. But, remember that you can't hail a taxi on the strip like on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. By law, the taxi must pick you up at a designated location, which your hotel/venue will provide. The fare depends on how long you are in the car, so it might be a little more expensive to go the same distance in traffic than if you get lucky and catch every green light.
If you're new to the city, be sure to give your cab driver specific instructions so that you take the most direct way possible. If you're coming from the airport, specifically ask them to take Swenson Avenue to your hotel, not the airport tunnel, which locals say can take much longer, especially in rush hour.
Limousine
You'll spot them as soon as you leave the airport-limos lined up to take you to the strip in style. If it's a special occasion, it's probably not as expensive as you might think, especially to carry a big group (about $10 per passenger). You get to arrive in style and leave an impression on the kids that they'll talk about for years to come.