If you're currently planning a trip to Las Vegas, you could be wondering if you need to rent a car. In some cities and towns, not having access to a car can make things very difficult. If you're wondering if this is the case for Las Vegas, well, it depends. Vegas locals often prefer to have vehicles rather than relying on other transportation options, unlike some cities, like NYC. Still, it isn't usually necessary for the average tourist to have a rental car while visiting Sin City. Of course, this depends on your particular travel plans, itinerary, and preferences, but these are some of the reasons why a rental car may not be a necessity for your upcoming vacation in Las Vegas.
Rental Rates Are Often High
If you're reading this blog, chances are good that budget is at least somewhat of a concern. You could be wondering if it's worth it to spend a significant percentage of your travel budget on a rental car. As is the case in any market, rental car rates vary based on when you're renting, which company you're renting from, and which car you're renting. Rates can be pricey at times, though. If you're hoping to save money whenever possible on your Las Vegas trip, you may find that skipping the rental car makes sense. Of course, you can check out rental car rates while you're doing your research and planning. If you can find an affordable rental car, it may be worth it. If you find that rates are higher than you hoped and you're concerned about budgeting, there's a good chance that skipping the rental car makes sense.
It May Be a Hassle
Depending on the situation, you may find that renting a car for your Las Vegas vacation is more of a hassle than it's worth. During busy times, waits at the Rent-a-Car Center (which is located a few miles from the airport and is the place where most travelers go to pick up and drop off their rental cars) can be long. When you arrive in Las Vegas, you'll have to deal with these waits before you can begin your vacation. When it's time for you to fly home, you'll have to leave early to get to the Rent-a-Car Center in time to drop off your rental, take the shuttle to the airport, and make your flight.
You Can Use Uber, Lyft, or a Taxi
One good thing about Las Vegas is that there are plenty of transportation options for tourists. Uber and Lyft are very popular in Sin City. During the pandemic, it was often difficult to get a rideshare, but that's not the case now. You should generally be able to grab an Uber or Lyft without a long wait time. There are also plenty of taxis around the city that will get you where you need to go.
You Can Try the City Bus System
During the pandemic, because of the shortage of Uber/Lyft/taxi options, I decided to try out the city bus system. I'm from a place where public transportation isn't really a thing, so I had zero experience with city bus systems. I did find some things confusing at first, but if you have a little more experience with buses, you'll likely find it's a lot easier for you. The bus system is very cheap. As of 2023, a 24-hour all access bus pass is $8, and a 3-day pass is $20. You also have the option to purchase single-ride or two-hour passes, if you prefer. You can get to pretty much anywhere in the city with the bus system.
If you're wondering if the buses in Las Vegas are safe and pleasant...well, that depends. The buses are comfortable and climate-controlled. There are times when they're busier and crowded, but that's not always the case. Sometimes, you can get to your destination without a lot of walking and without many bus changes. Generally, when I've had to walk a lot or get on multiple buses, it was when I was traveling from the Strip to suburban areas. "The Deuce" bus will take you up and down the Strip and back and forth from Fremont Street without the need to change buses.
Walking is an Option
If you're staying on the Las Vegas Strip and don't have mobility issues, you'll likely be able to walk to wherever you want to go. It's easy to walk from one resort to another, or even to walk the entire Strip. Be aware that it's more walking than it sometimes seems, though; each resort is huge! Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, wear sunscreen, and drink plenty of water, especially during the hot and dry desert summers. There are lots of things to see and do as you walk, so don't hesitate to take a break here and there.
Parking Can Get Expensive
In the past, all of the resorts on the Strip had free parking, so you didn't have to worry about parking charges like you do in many cities. A few years ago, this changed, and now most of the casino hotels on the Strip charge for parking. This can really add to your travel costs. Be aware that in some cases, you can get free parking, such as if you have a certain status with the casino's player's club, or if you're a veteran. If you do need parking while you're staying in Las Vegas, contact the resort where you'll be staying to see if you qualify for free parking.
There's a Monorail You Can Use
If you're looking for a fast, easy, and affordable way to travel up and down the Las Vegas Strip, you should definitely check out the Las Vegas Monorail. The Las Vegas Monorail runs on one side of the Strip, and it has seven different stops, running from the MGM Grand at the south end of the Strip, all the way to the Sahara at the north end. As of July 2023, a single ride on the Monorail costs $5.50 if you buy online, and a 24-hour pass is $13.45. You can also buy multi-day passes, all the way to a seven-day pass, which is $57.50.
You Can Make Use of a Free Tram
In addition to the Monorail system, on the other side of the Strip, there are a couple of free trams that you can use. One tram runs from Mandalay Bay to Luxor to Excalibur. When traveling in the opposite direction, it runs from Excalibur to Mandalay Bay, without a stop at Luxor. If you're staying at Mandalay Bay and want to be able to easily move around the south end of the Strip, this tram is very useful!
There is also a tram that runs from Park MGM (near the entrance to Aria) to The Shops at Crystals to Bellagio, near the spa.
Finally, there's a free tram that runs in-between Treasure Island and Mirage. This is a very convenient tram; the stops are both near the entrance to the casino, so you can get to the action right away, without a lot of stopping.
Some Activities Include Free Transportation
If you're planning on going horseback riding in Red Rock Canyon or otherwise going off the Strip for fun activities, you could be wondering how you'll get to your destination. Some of these companies actually offer free transportation to and from the Strip or Fremont Street as a part of their packages. This is definitely something to consider when you're booking off-Strip activities.
Drinking and Driving is a Concern
Finally, there's a pretty big drinking culture in Las Vegas. Even people who don't drink a lot at home might find themselves sipping on a mimosa at breakfast, enjoying a margarita by the pool in the afternoon, or walking around in the evening with a tall slushy drink from Fat Tuesday's. You definitely don't want to put yourself or others at risk by driving while intoxicated, nor do you want to ruin your vacation by getting charged with a DWI. If you're planning on partaking in legal marijuana use while you're visiting Sin City, there's a safe and legal driving concern with that, too. If you don't have a rental car, you can enjoy adult beverages or cannabis without worrying about safety or legal issues.
Of course, I'm not saying that you shouldn't rent a rental car if you really want one. There are legitimate reasons to rent a car, such as if you're planning on spending a lot of time off-Strip or if you want to take a road trip to California or Utah while you're visiting the southwest. For the average tourist, though, it's often unnecessary and may prove to be more of an expensive hassle than it's worth. Naturally, as a part of your travel planning, you should weigh out the pros and cons of renting a car so you can make the right decision for you and your vacation.
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