Transport Guide
Getting Around Las Vegas
The monorail, free trams, the Deuce bus, rideshare and walking — how to move around the Strip and downtown without wasting time or money, updated for 2026.
By Greg Gomes · Reviewing gambling venues since 2011 · Updated 2026
The first thing first-timers get wrong in Las Vegas is distance. The Strip looks walkable on a map, but it's about four miles long, the resorts are enormous, and in summer the heat is punishing. Knowing your transport options — and which one fits each journey — saves hours and a surprising amount of money. Here's the honest rundown.
Walking — free, but mind the distances
Walking is how you'll cover most short Strip hops, and it's part of the experience — but manage your expectations. The full Strip is roughly four miles, resorts are deceptively large (crossing a single mega-resort can take 15 minutes indoors), and pedestrian bridges route you up and over the big intersections. What looks like a five-minute stroll between two hotels can easily be twenty.
Summer reality check: when it's 105°F+, walking long stretches of the Strip is genuinely draining and can be dangerous. In peak heat, lean on the air-conditioned options below for longer trips and save walking for short hops.
The free trams — the best-kept secret
Several groups of resorts are connected by free, air-conditioned trams that most first-timers don't know about. They're the best-value transport in the city because they cost nothing:
- South Strip line: Mandalay Bay ↔ Luxor ↔ Excalibur.
- Aria Express: Park MGM ↔ Aria/CityCenter ↔ Bellagio (via the Shops at Crystals).
If your journey lines up with a tram route, take it — especially in the heat. They run frequently and save a hot walk.
The Las Vegas Monorail
The Monorail is a fast, fully air-conditioned train running along the east side of the Strip. It covers its 3.9-mile route in about 15 minutes, with trains every 4–8 minutes, and it completely bypasses road traffic.
The seven stations
MGM Grand, Horseshoe-Paris, Flamingo-Caesars, Harrah's-LINQ, Boingo at the Convention Center, Westgate, and SAHARA. Note it runs along the back (east) of these properties.
Hours & tickets
- Hours: from 7am, closing around midnight on Mondays, later (up to 2–3am) the rest of the week. Confirm current hours before relying on it late at night.
- Tickets: single rides start at around $6, with 1- to 7-day unlimited passes available — a multi-day pass works out cheaper than repeated single fares or rideshares if you'll use it a few times a day. Online e-tickets are usually cheaper than the machines.
- Nevada residents can get $1 single rides with valid state ID (limits apply).
Honest limitations: the Monorail only serves the east side of the Strip, the stations are often a long walk through the back of each resort, signage can be poor, and it does not go to the airport, and does not reach Fremont Street / downtown or stop at the Sphere (it passes close but doesn't stop). It's excellent for east-Strip and Convention Center trips, less useful otherwise. Buy a single ride first and see if the walk-to-station reality suits you before committing to a multi-day pass.
The Deuce bus — Strip to downtown
The Deuce is the double-decker public bus run by the RTC. It's the workhorse for getting between the Strip and Fremont Street / downtown — the trip the Monorail can't do. It runs 24 hours, stopping at major resorts and attractions along the Strip and continuing down to the Fremont Street Experience.
- Tickets: buy a time-based pass (e.g. a 24-hour pass) at the on-street kiosks, on the RTC app, or on board. It's the cheapest motorised way down the Strip.
- Trade-off: it's cheap and frequent but slow in Strip traffic and can get crowded. Great for the downtown run; less ideal if you're in a hurry.
Uber & Lyft
Rideshare is widely used in Vegas and often the most practical door-to-door option, especially in a group, at night, or in the heat. A few local quirks worth knowing:
- Pickups are centralised. Big resorts route rideshare pickups to designated areas, usually in the parking structures — follow the signs, as it can be a walk from the casino floor.
- Surge pricing is real. Fares spike sharply when a big show, concert, sporting event or convention lets out. If everyone's leaving at once, expect to pay a premium or wait.
- For short Strip hops in traffic, walking or the tram can genuinely be faster than a car stuck on Las Vegas Boulevard.
To & from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
The airport is close — just a few miles from the south Strip — which is a real Vegas advantage. Options:
- Rideshare / taxi: the quickest door-to-door. Note the airport has designated rideshare pickup zones; taxis are metered. Neither the Monorail nor the trams serve the airport.
- Ride-share is usually cheaper than a taxi for the Strip run, though airport surge and fees apply.
- Hotel shuttles exist but are slower, stopping at multiple properties.
Remember: the Monorail does not connect to the airport — a very common first-timer assumption. You'll need a taxi, rideshare or shuttle.
Should you rent a car?
For most first-time visitors staying on the Strip or downtown: no. Between walking, trams, the Monorail, the Deuce and rideshare, you can reach everything — and a car brings daily parking fees ($15–40 at many Strip resorts), traffic, and the hassle of not being able to drink and drive.
Rent a car only if you're planning day trips — Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Hoover Dam, or the Grand Canyon. For those, a car (or an organised tour) is the way to go. For the Strip itself, skip it.
Quick decision guide: Short Strip hop → walk or free tram. East-Strip or Convention Center → Monorail. Strip to downtown → the Deuce. Night out, group, or in a hurry → rideshare. Day trip out of the city → rent a car or book a tour.
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