Getting Around Las Vegas
The Strip looks walkable on a map, and isn't. Here's how the Monorail, Deuce bus, Vegas Loop, free hotel trams, rideshare, and your own two feet actually compare in 2026 — with verified fares.
Quick Answer
Use a mix: walking for nearby hotels, Uber or Lyft for most other Strip trips, the Las Vegas Monorail ($6 single / $15 day pass) for east-side Strip distances, the free hotel trams between connected properties, and the Deuce bus ($8 / 24 hours) if you're heading to Fremont Street. You almost never need a rental car for a Strip-only trip.
Sources: Monorail fares from lvmonorail.com; Deuce/RTC fares cross-referenced from Wikipedia — The Deuce / RTC Southern Nevada (confirmed unchanged for 2025–2026); Vegas Loop info from The Boring Company. Re-verified 2026-04-09.
Every Way to Get Around the Strip
Six legitimate options. Each one is great for some trips and terrible for others — the trick is matching the mode to the trip.
Walking
Best for: Adjacent properties only
Free
Pros
- Free, obviously
- Lets you actually see the Strip
- No surge pricing or wait times
Watch Out
- The Strip is over 4 miles end-to-end — much longer than a map suggests
- "Next door" hotels can be a 20-minute walk because of casino floors and pedestrian bridges
- Brutal in summer (100°F+) and unpleasant in winter evenings
Uber & Lyft
Best for: Most non-walking trips
Variable; surges on weekends
Pros
- Available almost everywhere on the Strip
- Direct door-to-door service
- Best option for late-night returns from clubs
Watch Out
- Surge pricing on Friday/Saturday nights and during major events
- 20+ minute pickup waits at popular Strip hotels after midnight
- Hotel pickup zones are often 10–15 minutes from the casino floor
Las Vegas Monorail
Best for: Center & east-side Strip travel
$6 single ride / $15 day pass
Pros
- Bypasses all street traffic — fastest option for east-Strip distances
- Day passes pay for themselves if you ride 3+ times
- Air-conditioned and reliable
Watch Out
- Stations are on the east side of the Strip only
- Stations sit at the back of casinos — usually a 5–10 minute walk from anywhere useful
- Closes nightly (latest is 3am Fri–Sun)
The Deuce (RTC bus)
Best for: Strip-to-downtown trips, budget travelers
$8 / 24 hours
Pros
- Cheapest motorized option on the Strip
- Runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Connects the Strip to Fremont Street downtown
Watch Out
- Slow — gets stuck in the same traffic as everyone else
- Crowded on weekend nights
- Only the upper deck has good views; lower deck can feel cramped
Vegas Loop
Best for: Convention attendees, Resorts World ↔ LVCC
$4.25 between resorts
Pros
- Fastest option between connected stations — no traffic
- Cheap relative to rideshare for short hops
- Operating hours typically extend through evening events
Watch Out
- Limited to 8 stations — only useful if you're going to one of them
- Currently serves Resorts World, Westgate, Encore, and LVCC
- Airport service is mixed-mode (underground + surface streets), 10am–9pm only
Free Hotel Trams
Best for: Connected MGM properties, Mandalay-Excalibur, Mirage area
Free
Pros
- Completely free, no ticket needed
- Air-conditioned
- Connects pairs/triples of properties on each end of the Strip
Watch Out
- Very limited routes — only useful between specific properties
- Stations can close for maintenance with little notice
- No connection between south-Strip and center-Strip trams
Las Vegas Monorail Fares
Verified from the official LV Monorail site. Pay with the eTicket / mobile option for the discounted price; window prices are higher.
| Pass | Window Price | eTicket / Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Single ride | $6.00 | $5.50 |
| 1-day pass | $15.00 | $13.45 |
| 2-day pass | $26.00 | $23.75 |
| 3-day pass | $32.00 | $29.95 |
| 4-day pass | $39.00 | $37.00 |
| 5-day pass | $47.00 | $44.50 |
| 7-day pass | $62.00 | $57.50 |
Hours
Monday 7am–midnight; Tuesday–Thursday 7am–2am; Friday–Sunday 7am–3am
Stations
- • Sahara (north terminus)
- • Westgate
- • Las Vegas Convention Center
- • Harrah's & The LINQ
- • Flamingo & Caesars Palace
- • Horseshoe & Paris
- • MGM Grand (south terminus)
Children 5 and under ride free. Nevada residents get a $1 single-ride rate.
RTC Deuce Bus Fares
The Deuce is RTC Southern Nevada's Strip route — a double-decker bus that runs the length of the Strip and connects to Fremont Street downtown. The same Strip & All Access pass works on the Deuce and on residential routes.
| Pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Single ride (on-board cash) | $4.00 |
| 2-hour pass | $6.00 |
| 24-hour pass | $8.00 |
| 3-day pass | $20.00 |
Hours
Operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Route
Runs the length of the Las Vegas Strip from the South Strip Transit Terminal to Fremont Street downtown
Note about SDX: The Strip & Downtown Express (SDX) was discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic and has not returned. The Deuce is the only Strip-corridor RTC service. If you see older guides referencing the Strip and Downtown Express, they're outdated.
Vegas Loop
The Boring Company's Tesla-tunnel system. Currently 8 operating stations across Resorts World, Westgate, Encore, and the Las Vegas Convention Center campus. Useful if you're heading to one of these stations — otherwise, stick with rideshare.
| Route | Price | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Resort to resort / LVCC | $4.25 | See station signage |
| Resorts World or Westgate ↔ Harry Reid Airport (T1 or T3) | $12.00 | 10am–9pm |
Operating Stations
- •Resorts World
- •Westgate
- •Encore
- •Las Vegas Convention Center (multiple)
Limited airport service has been operational since late December 2025. As of April 2026 it runs as a "mixed-mode" trip — vehicles begin underground and surface to city streets to reach the terminals. Construction on the 2.25-mile fully underground Airport Connector twin tunnels was targeted for Q1 2026; verify current completion status before relying on the underground route.
Where Uber & Lyft Actually Pick Up at Each Strip Hotel
Most major Strip hotels moved rideshare pickup into the self-parking garage years ago — and the walk from the casino floor is rarely under 5 minutes. Here's where to head and how long to budget at each property.
Verify on arrival. Strip hotel rideshare zones change quarterly. Strip hotel rideshare zones change quarterly. This data is the pre-trip orientation only — follow in-property "Rideshare" signage on arrival, which is always more current than any third-party guide. Last verified 2026-04-09.
Bellagio
MGM Resorts
Pickup: Self-parking garage rideshare zone, accessed via the south valet area off Flamingo Road.
After 1am on weekend nights, expect 15–25 minute pickup waits. Set the pickup before you start walking.
ARIA Resort & Casino
MGM Resorts
Pickup: Self-parking garage, ground level — follow rideshare signage from the casino floor.
Aria has one of the cleanest, best-signed rideshare zones on the Strip. Use it instead of the porte-cochère.
The Cosmopolitan
MGM Resorts
Pickup: Self-parking garage, west valet area — separate from the main hotel valet circle.
Marquee club exits funnel into a different zone — follow staff direction at 2–3am to avoid the valet pile-up.
MGM Grand
MGM Resorts
Pickup: East self-parking garage, ground level. Signed as "Rideshare" from the casino.
MGM Grand is enormous — give yourself extra walking time, especially after a Hakkasan or T-Mobile Arena event.
Mandalay Bay
MGM Resorts
Pickup: Self-parking garage rideshare lane, accessed near the north convention entrance.
For Michelob ULTRA Arena events, use the dedicated post-event rideshare staging — same garage, more attendants.
Park MGM
MGM Resorts
Pickup: Self-parking garage rideshare zone, accessed off the north valet road.
After Dolby Live shows, the post-show surge clears in roughly 15 minutes — don't panic-cancel.
Luxor
MGM Resorts
Pickup: Self-parking garage, accessed via the east valet road. Follow rideshare signage.
Excalibur
MGM Resorts
Pickup: Self-parking garage, north end. Walk through the casino to the parking entrance.
New York-New York
MGM Resorts
Pickup: Self-parking garage rideshare zone, accessed via the south valet road.
Caesars Palace
Caesars Entertainment
Pickup: Forum Tower self-parking garage rideshare zone — follow signs from the casino through the Forum Shops corridor.
Caesars Palace is geographically huge. The Forum Shops route is the fastest path to the rideshare garage from most of the property.
Paris Las Vegas
Caesars Entertainment
Pickup: Self-parking garage rideshare lane on Le Boulevard side, near the Bally's/Horseshoe shared garage.
Planet Hollywood
Caesars Entertainment
Pickup: Miracle Mile Shops parking garage, ground level. Signed as "Rideshare" from inside the mall.
Planet Hollywood concert and Zappos Theater shows generate big post-show surges — wait until the lobby clears before requesting.
Flamingo Las Vegas
Caesars Entertainment
Pickup: East self-parking garage, ground level — follow signs from the LINQ Promenade entrance.
The LINQ Hotel
Caesars Entertainment
Pickup: East self-parking garage shared with the LINQ Promenade — follow rideshare signage.
Horseshoe Las Vegas
Caesars Entertainment
Pickup: Shared self-parking garage with Paris Las Vegas, rideshare lane on Le Boulevard side.
Wynn Las Vegas
Wynn Resorts
Pickup: Dedicated rideshare lane at the north valet circle — separate lane from valet itself.
Wynn and Encore have the best rideshare experience on the Strip — short walks, dedicated attendants, less surge.
Encore at Wynn
Wynn Resorts
Pickup: Dedicated rideshare lane at the south valet circle, near the Encore Beach Club entrance.
Post-XS rideshare clears in about 20 minutes after club close. The lane is enforced — don't use the valet line.
The Venetian Resort
Apollo / VICI
Pickup: Self-parking garage rideshare zone, ground level — accessed via the casino-level porte-cochère.
Venetian and Palazzo share the same garage — confirm which tower the driver is at before they pull in.
The Palazzo at The Venetian
Apollo / VICI
Pickup: Shared Venetian/Palazzo self-parking garage rideshare zone.
Treasure Island (TI)
Phil Ruffin
Pickup: Self-parking garage, ground level — signed from the casino floor.
Las Vegas Hilton at Resorts World
Genting
Pickup: Dedicated rideshare zone in the self-parking garage, well-signed and one of the newer setups on the Strip.
Resorts World is also a Vegas Loop station — for short hops to LVCC or Westgate, the Loop is faster than rideshare.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Fontainebleau Development
Pickup: Dedicated rideshare zone in the self-parking garage — newest property on the Strip, cleanest signage.
SAHARA Las Vegas
Meruelo Group
Pickup: Front porte-cochère rideshare lane — separate lane from the main valet circle.
SAHARA is one of the few Strip properties where rideshare is still effectively at the front door.
Frequently Asked Questions
How visitors actually search for Vegas transportation.
How do you get around Las Vegas?
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The Strip is best handled with a mix: walk for nearby hotels, rideshare (Uber/Lyft) for most other trips, the Las Vegas Monorail for east-side Strip distances, the free hotel trams between connected properties, and the Deuce bus if you're going to Fremont Street. Most trips on the Strip don't need a rental car.
Is the Las Vegas Strip walkable?
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Yes, but the Strip is much longer than it looks on a map — over 4 miles from Mandalay Bay to the Stratosphere/STRAT. Adjacent hotels often look "next door" but require navigating through a casino, across a pedestrian bridge, and through another casino — often 15–25 minutes door-to-door. Walking is great for sightseeing but plan extra time and rest stops, especially in summer heat or winter evenings.
How much does the Las Vegas Monorail cost in 2026?
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A single ride is $6 ($5.50 with a mobile eTicket). A 1-day unlimited pass is $15 ($13.45 eTicket), and multi-day passes run from $26 (2-day) up to $62 (7-day). Nevada residents get a $1 single-ride rate. Children 5 and under ride free. Pricing verified from the official LV Monorail site as of April 2026.
How much does the Deuce bus cost?
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The Deuce costs $8 for an unlimited 24-hour pass, $6 for a 2-hour pass, and $20 for a 3-day pass. A single ride paid in cash on-board is $4 with no transfers. The Deuce operates 24/7 along the Strip and connects to Fremont Street downtown. Pricing is the same Strip & All Access RTC pass — confirmed unchanged for 2025–2026.
Is the Vegas Loop open? Where does it go?
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Yes — the Vegas Loop has been operating since 2021 and as of April 2026 connects 8 stations across Resorts World, Westgate, Encore, and the Las Vegas Convention Center campus. Inter-resort rides are $4.25. The airport (Harry Reid / LAS) connection runs from Resorts World or Westgate for $12 and operates 10am–9pm. As of April 2026 the airport service is "mixed-mode" — vehicles begin in the tunnel and surface to city streets to reach the terminals, with the fully underground 2.25-mile Airport Connector still under construction.
Do I need a rental car in Las Vegas?
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Almost never for a Strip-only trip. Rentals add parking fees ($18+/day at most Strip hotels), potential resort-fee changes, and the hassle of valet timing. Get a rental only if you plan to leave the Strip for day trips like the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, or Death Valley.
How long does it take to walk the Strip?
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End-to-end the Strip is over 4 miles, which is about 90–120 minutes of walking at a tourist pace — and that's without stopping at any casinos. Most people break it into segments rather than trying to walk the whole thing. Mandalay Bay to Bellagio is roughly 30–40 minutes; Bellagio to Wynn is roughly 20–30 minutes.
What is the best way to get from one casino to another on the Strip?
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For adjacent properties: walk or take the free hotel trams (Mandalay Bay ↔ Excalibur, Park MGM ↔ Aria/Bellagio, Mirage ↔ TI). For east-side distances: the monorail is the fastest. For anywhere else: Uber or Lyft. Avoid walking long distances in summer afternoons or after 1am unless you're prepared.