Getting to, from and around Las Vegas can be half the fun of the trip. Almost 20 airlines go to Las Vegas so getting there isn't a problem from just about any place in the world. And once you are there your options for getting around from shuttles to limousines and more are almost limitless, and the cost can be also, almost limitless that is.
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Las Vegas Airport, Planes and Shuttles
There are 18 airlines that service Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport. The biggest is probably Southwest. The other airlines are AirTran, Alaska, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Jetblue, Midwest, Northwest, Spirit, Sun Country, United, United Express, US Airways, Virgin America and Westjet. Many of the airlines offer deals for Las Vegas and there are many travel and hotel packages available. Contact your airline or your travel agent to get tickets and deals for discounts at hotels and cheap flights.
When you get ready to leave Las Vegas at the end of your vacation, depending on the airline you can check in for your flight even before you get to the airport. The latest place to do that is the Venetian lobby site, which currently serves customers of Southwest Airlines and US Airways, with other carriers soon to be added. Four other off-airport check-in locations are now available for travelers flying on Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines and United Airlines, as well as Southwest and US Airways. These sites are located at the Las Vegas Convention Center (Central Concourse, across from Exhibit Hall C3); Luxor (Business Center level near VIP check-in); McCarran Rent-A-Car Center (main lobby); and The Venetian's Sands Expo Center (Level 1, near the Package Center).
From the airport, a variety of shuttle/limousine services are available at McCarran, and are located on the west side of baggage claim outside door exits 7-13. Most of the shuttles charge between $6-$7 to get to a hotel on the Strip. Downtown is a dollar or two more. Many hotels operate shuttles to and from the airport so be sure and check with your hotel.
Limousines
Traveling around Las Vegas in a limousine is a great way to relax and enjoy yourself. It also can be a lot of fun. If you have a group, it can also be very cost effective. Instead of grabbing a bunch of cabs, everyone piles into the limo and off you go to party. You can get limos that hold as many as 20 people. A limosine can also take you to and from the airport. It's obviously more expensive, but if you want to make an impression, it might be worth it. The same holds true if you are trying to get into that special nightclub or if you've got tickets to a show such as Cirque du Soleil.
If you are having a wedding here, you of course want to get a limousine for the bridal party. When looking for a company to rent the limo from, ask about training and background checks for chauffeurs. You want good service and careful driving of course. Also ask how often the limousines are inspected. You may be able to find special offers or deals for limo service too. Limo prices are usually charged by the hour or day. The longer you rent for, the lower the hourly rate.
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Car Rentals and Other Options
All of the major national rental car chains are located at McCarran International Airport. They include Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Savmor and Thrifty. All of the rental companies are located in one place. You should take the rental car shuttle to get to them. Each rental company does not operate its own shuttle bus. There is just one. Having a rental car can make it both easier and tougher to get around Las Vegas. If you are spending all your time on the Strip or at your hotel then the car is just going to sit there. If you plan on using it to get around, but will spend most of your time on the Strip or downtown then the car could actually be a burden. Finding parking is always a problem and after a night of partying, you probably shouldn't be driving anyway. However if you plan to travel away from the center of town, to Lake Mead or other sites, perhaps go golfing a car can be a real convenience.
There are plenty of taxi companies that service the airport. Taxicabs are available on the east side of baggage claim, outside door exits 1-4. There is a $1.80 charge on all fares originating at the airport. The maximum number of passengers allowed in any taxi is five (5), including infants and children. Make sure you have enough cash on you because most taxis will not accept credit card payments or travelers checks. Taxis are one of the easiest ways to get around once you are in town. All of the hotels have taxi stands. Some times the lines for a cab can get long, but they tend to move along quickly. Also, be aware that there are rules on where the taxi can drop you off. So don't be surprised if the driver refuses to stop in the middle of the block or most other places on the Strip.
Believe it or not, public transportation is pretty good in Las Vegas. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) operates busses to, and from the airport and along most major thoroughfares. They also operate what is called the Deuce. It is a bus service that runs up and down the Strip and to downtown. It usually runs every 15 minutes. It's $3 for a one-way ticket, but the better deal is to pay $7 for a 24 hour pass. That pass is also good on all of the bus routes.
There are three monorails operating in Las Vegas, two of them are free, the third is the largest and costs. The Las Vegas Monorail runs from MGM Grand to the Sahara Hotel with a total of seven stops. The other stops going north from MGM are Bally's / Paris Las Vegas, Flamingo / Caesars Palace Station, Harrah's / Imperial Palace Station, Las Vegas Convention Center Station and Las Vegas Hilton Station. Single ride tickets cost $5, a day pass is $12 and a three-day pass is $28. The clock begins and the expiration date and time are stamped on the ticket with first use at the fare gates. The two free trams/monorails run between Treasure Island and Mirage and from Excalibur to Mandalay Bay. They run every few minutes.
