Getting around Las Vegas without a car is easy if you’re on or near the Strip. Here’s when to use rideshare, a taxi, the bus, the Monorail or the free trams, honestly ranked by a 24-year local.
Rideshare for most trips. The Monorail and free trams to beat traffic.
The Deuce is the budget pick, taxis win when rideshare surges, and walking only works for short hops.
Uber or Lyft
Door to door, any hour. Watch for surge pricing after big events.
The Deuce, $8 for 24 Hours
Runs the Strip around the clock. Slow in traffic, but cheap.
Las Vegas Monorail
Seven stops on the east side of the Strip, above the traffic.
Monorail guideResort Trams
Mandalay Bay to Excalibur, and Bellagio to Park MGM, at no cost.
Las Vegas isn’t a walking city. Distances are longer than they look, the summer heat is serious, and the Strip runs about four miles end to end. But you don’t need a car if you’re staying on or near the Boulevard. You just need to know which ride fits which trip.
The Quick Comparison
| Option | Cost | Best For | Skip It When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rideshare | Varies, with surge pricing | Most trips, any time | Right after a big event |
| Taxi | Metered, with flat rates from the airport | Event nights and the airport | Normal nights when rideshare is cheaper |
| Deuce bus | $8 for 24 hours | Budget trips with time to spare | You need to be somewhere on time |
| Monorail | $6 a ride, less online | East side of the Strip and the convention center | Your destination is on the west side |
| Resort trams | Free | South and center Strip hops | Going beyond the tram line |
| Walking | Free | Neighboring resorts | Summer afternoons and long distances |
Rideshare: Uber and Lyft
Rideshare is the default for most visitors, and for good reason. It’s door to door, available around the clock, and you see the price before you commit. The catch is surge pricing after big events at Allegiant Stadium, the Sphere and T-Mobile Arena, and during convention departures. When the app is surging, check the taxi line.
At the airport: Don’t request your ride from baggage claim. Walk to the rideshare pickup in the parking garage first. At Terminal 1 that’s Level 2. See our airport transportation guide for the full details.
The Deuce Bus
The Deuce runs up and down Las Vegas Boulevard 24 hours a day, and an $8 pass covers 24 hours of rides. At night the top deck is one of the best cheap views of the Strip.
The downside is that it sits in the same traffic as everyone else. On a busy night, a trip that looks like 10 minutes on the map can take much longer. Buy your pass in the rideRTC app before you board. Our Deuce bus guide covers the rest.
The Las Vegas Monorail
The Monorail runs on an elevated track behind the resorts on the east side of the Strip, so it skips street traffic entirely. Its seven stations are MGM Grand, Horseshoe/Paris, Flamingo/Caesars Palace, Harrah’s/The LINQ, Las Vegas Convention Center, Westgate and SAHARA.
- Fares: $6 a ride at the station, cheaper as an eTicket online, with unlimited passes available. Nevada residents pay $1 a ride with a valid Nevada ID.
- Hours: 7 AM to midnight Monday, 7 AM to 2 AM Tuesday through Thursday, and 7 AM to 3 AM Friday through Sunday.
Our Las Vegas Monorail guide has the hotels at every station and when it’s worth riding.
Free Resort Trams
The most underused way to get around. Two free trams connect major resorts on the west side of the Strip:
- Mandalay Bay, Luxor and Excalibur: Runs the south end of the Strip. Heading north it stops at Luxor and Excalibur. Heading south from Excalibur it goes straight to Mandalay Bay, skipping Luxor. From Excalibur, a pedestrian bridge gets you to New York-New York.
- Aria Express: Connects Bellagio, Aria and Park MGM through the middle of the Strip.
Taxis
Taxis use the meter for most trips, with flat rates by zone from the airport to the Strip. They don’t surge, so on a big event night a taxi is often the smarter call. You’ll find taxi stands at the airport and at major Strip resorts.
Walking
Walking works between neighboring resorts, in mild weather, and when you’re not in a hurry. What looks like a quick hop on the map is often a long walk once you add the size of the buildings, the crowds and the crosswalks. See our Strip walking distances guide and walking in Las Vegas guide before you commit.
Never walk from the airport. There’s no safe route, and with luggage in the heat it’s dangerous. Take a taxi, a rideshare or the bus.
Driving Anyway? Reserve Your Parking
If you do bring a car, most Strip resorts charge for parking. Check our free parking guide first, and for shows and games, reserve a garage ahead.
Where You Stay Changes Everything
A center Strip hotel near a Monorail station or a tram puts most of the Strip within a short ride. Read our neighborhood guide before you book.
Getting Around Las Vegas FAQ
Can you get around Las Vegas without a car?
Yes, if you’re staying on or near the Strip. Rideshare, taxis, the Deuce bus, the Monorail and free resort trams cover most trips.
How much is the Las Vegas Monorail?
A single ride is $6 at the station and cheaper online, and unlimited passes are available. Nevada residents pay $1 a ride with a valid Nevada ID.
How much is the Deuce bus?
An $8 pass covers 24 hours of rides on the Deuce, which runs along the Strip around the clock.
Are the trams in Las Vegas free?
Yes. The Mandalay Bay, Luxor and Excalibur tram and the Aria Express tram connecting Bellagio, Aria and Park MGM are both free.
Is it cheaper to take a taxi or Uber in Las Vegas?
On a normal day, rideshare is often cheaper. After a big event, taxis can win because they don’t surge, and airport taxis use flat rates to the Strip.
Can you walk the Las Vegas Strip?
Short hops between neighboring resorts, yes. Longer distances take much more time than they look on a map, especially in summer heat.