Getting around LV

[Ellen aka Snow White]

We are going back to Las Vegas for a convention in January. This will be our 2 trip there - the first trip we felt "lost and confused" all the time about the transportation.

First what is the best way to get from the airport to the hotel (Paris) if we are not renting a car. Last time we ended up sitting in a van for the longest time waiting for him to get enough people and then he put us out at the back door of the Paris! I need step-by-step instructions on this one - as we were just lost when we exited the airport doors.

Second - is the monorail worth the $. We didn't know about the monorail before going last time so we never used it. We like to visit the different casinos and see all the sights - is the monorail the best way? We did a whole lot of walking last time!!
TIA
Ellen

 

[kaytieeldr]

Take a taxi. Tell the driver not to use the tunnel and to let you out at the lobby. Note that this may involve driving on the Strip, which can be time-consuming (and thus increase the fare) due to traffic. Maybe more expensive than a van, but certainly more personalized as well.

The monorail 'only' stops at seven properties or combinations of properties, and only on the east side of the Strip - and at the back of the properties, to boot. Your stop would be the Bally's/Paris one, which has actually always been the Bally's stop - at least since the monorail was first created to run just between there and the MGM, before the expansion.

Really, more convenient would be the CAT (Citizens Area Transportation) buses. They seem to stop every few feet - yes, I'm exaggerating - and some routes run 24 hours.

 

[beautybelle]

I cant scream this loud enough but stay as far away from the taxis as you can possibly get. They are a rip off. Even the people who work and live there will tell you that.
The best and cheapest would be The Deuce. Its a double decker public bus thats runs up and down the strip. It costs $2.00 one way or $5.00 for 24 hours.
I just got back from there yesterday and this is how we traveled after getting shafted twice by the taxis. The guy that operates a gondola at the Venetian gave us the heads up on the bus. Thank goodness because its no telling how much we would've been out if he hadnt.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

To and from the airport, with luggage and all, taxi is probably the best bet.

Traveling during your trip is really up to you, but here are a few recommendations.

First of all, you're staying at Paris..is the convention there also?

The only way the monorail makes sense (outside of DL & WDW ) is if you're traveling to the Las Vegas Hilton or the Convention Center OR if you're traveling from one end of the Strip (MGM) all the way to the other (Sahara), then you can almost justify the price and the long walk to the monorail.

The Deuce works well, unless you're in a hurry, then take a taxi (or walk). Remember to have exact change.

 

[Ellen aka Snow White]

First of all, you're staying at Paris..is the convention there also?

The only way the monorail makes sense (outside of DL & WDW ) is if you're traveling to the Las Vegas Hilton or the Convention Center OR if you're traveling from one end of the Strip (MGM) all the way to the other (Sahara), then you can almost justify the price and the long walk to the monorail.

The Deuce works well, unless you're in a hurry, then take a taxi (or walk). Remember to have exact change.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Are the buses a new addition to LV because I really don't remember seeing them 2 years ago?? Are there specific bus stops to get on and off??

The convention is at the Paris so that won't be a problem. However, we do have a business dinner at The Capital Grill. Last year we took a taxi that took forever to get there and cost a small fortune. We actually decided to walk back after the dinner! I have been trying to figure out if the monorail would help with us getting there. I don't mind walking, except I would perfer doing it AFTER dinner instead of arriving to nice dinner after a couple mile hike! Any thoughts?
TIA

 

[kaytieeldr]

Nope - buses have been around for years. You just don't notice them. The Deuce buses are relatively new - they started operating in 2005, but they're just a different style of the buses the CAT uses http://www.rtcsnv.com/transit/deuce/index.cfm
There's a trip planner on the main rtcsnv page; it looks like there's a bus stop very close to the Paris Strip entrance, and you'd get off at the Wynn and cross the street (carefully!) to the Fashion Show Mall.

I don't believe the taxis are a rip-off, at least not any more than anywhere else. An informed passenger - one who knows what route is the most direct and efficient and requests the driver use that route - won't get ripped off.

For example, it's about a mile and a half from Paris to FSM (where the Capital Grille is). Ordinarily, due to traffic, I would suggest back roads, Most time,s the Strip is REALLY backed up, especially weekend nights - but with traffic lights and the Strip being such a direct route, that's not going to cost you a lot more, if anything, than the back roads. AND you'll know where you're going. I mean, I might tell the driver to take Paradise and cut over to the Strip at the right location (I forget what street that is at the moment), but I would know whether he/she is doing what I asked; you probably wouldn't.

The monorail will NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT help, even financially. You would need to walk through Paris, through the hallway connecting it to Bally's, go downstairs at Bally's and down the hallway to the monorail. You would then ride it a mere two stops, exiting at Harrah's/Imperial Palace. You would then need to walk through Harrah's to the Strip, then turn right and walk past the Venetian/Palazzo and to/ward the Wynn, crossing the street (carefully!) at some point, to get to the Fashion Show Mall and the restaurant.

 

[Magix]

My Dad and I used the Deuce bus to get from Luxor down to the Wynn and back when we were out there in October. It works well, but do be prepared to be squished in like sardines. But, it's cheap and it gets you where you need to go. Lots of stops at all the big casino areas. You can take it from Paris to the Wynn, then just cross the street to FSM. The bus has video screens that show you the upcoming stops, so you'll know when you want to get off.

Go here for a route map: http://www.rtcsouthernnevada.com/transit/route/deuce/deuce(6-1-08).pdf

 

[phinsphan]

I go to Vegas several times a year. From the airport to the Paris take a taxi. It will cost about $15-$20 or so but it's worth it. Once at the Paris the bus is an option, walking is of course an option with optical illusion thrown in and then the monorail. The monorail is my favorite but you have to remember the monorail is at the back of all of the hotels but where you are staying at the Paris there is a stop at Paris/Ballys. The monorail only goes to MGM grand on that side of the strip. To go from there to say......Mandalay Bay you'd have to get the Excalibur/Luxor/Mandalay Bay tram.

I use the monorail as much as possible or I walk very slowly wherever I need to go. The Deuce bus or the "trolley" are good options IF they aren't filled to capacity. If they are that experience is horrible IMO and I'd rather walk, pay more for a taxi or use the monorail.

I wish I was going soon. I'm a while out before I'm back and I miss it. I got an email for NYE at Monte Carlo that was tempting but I deleted it. It's not too far of a drive for me but I'm a single mom and I'm against Vegas for my kids on NYE.

Good luck. I hope you have a great time!!!
Phins

 

[CruellaDuVille]

I always rent a car. It gets me to where I want to go fast and they are very cheap in Vegas (check out Dollar). One cab ride pretty much pays for the car for a day.

Gambling is better off strip and I always hit the Disney outlet.

 

[sunshinemummy]

I always rent a car. It gets me to where I want to go fast and they are very cheap in Vegas (check out Dollar). One cab ride pretty much pays for the car for a day.

Gambling is better off strip and I always hit the Disney outlet.

same here! I will never go to Vegas again without renting a car! I've rented the last two visits and it was great. It only costs $12/day to rent a car and every hotel has free slep-parking or use the valet...it worked out cheaper to do this rather than take cabs everywhere. It made shopping easy too!

 

[jlima]

One cab ride pretty much pays for the car for a day.

Yep.

Just rent a car. Self parking will be free at your hotel; and for valet just tip a few bucks when you take the car out of valet. The mall does have a restaurant valet parking; and the last time I parked there (for Cafe Ba-Ba-Reba) it was free and I just tipped $2. Leave Paris and turn right on the Strip. Go through the light at Flamingo; and through the light at Spring Mountain Rd. The next light is Fashion Show Drive; make a left. There is a turning arrow. The restaurant valet is a few hundred feet ahead on the left. Take the elevator to the Capital Grille.

 

[Ellen aka Snow White]

Thank you to all!! I knew my DIS family would come through. Once again I learned something new - we never considered parking would be free .
We now have rented a car. Thanks "jlima" for the directions to the restaurant parking - looks simple enough.
Thanks again!
Ellen

 

[jlima]

Thank you to all!! I knew my DIS family would come through. Once again I learned something new - we never considered parking would be free .
We now have rented a car. Thanks "jlima" for the directions to the restaurant parking - looks simple enough.
Thanks again!
Ellen

Anytime!

One benefit to staying at Paris is that the property is more compact than most. The entire complex is only 14 acres; and from the guest room elevators to the parking garage is a reasonable walk of maybe 4 - 5 minutes; and the parking garage has lots of elevators. (I used to work there.)

At the airport, you will have to take a shuttle to an off-site location. This facility has only been open about a year and a half; every car rental company operates there. It is very simple to take surface streets to Las Vegas Blvd. and take the strip to PLV; or get on the freeway (I-15 north); exit Flamingo east; then make a right on the Strip and a left into PLV (three turning lanes, protected with a turning arrow - very easy).

Good Luck! - Joan

 

[jlima]

One more - If you don't want to take the Strip to Capital Grille, then when you leave Paris, exit to the rear of the property; and turn right on Audrie; then left on Harmon; then left on Koval. Cross Flamingo; and continue until Koval comes to a dead end at Sands Ave. (the monorail track will be directly above you and you will be right between the Sands Convention Center, the Wynn employee garage and the Wynn employee entrance. Turn left onto Sands Ave. You will pass a few stoplights. At Las Vegas Blvd, make a right then get all the way over to the left. Turn left on Fashion Show Drive and the mall restaurant valet is just ahead on the left. Good luck!