Las Vegas: Rental car or rely on taxi

[DizBelle]

Vegas, 4 days, will mostly likely stay on the strip, hotel has free self-parking. Do we get a rental car or go with taxi cabs?

 

[luvmy3jewels]

I vote taxi. If you are staying on the strip, you can walk to almost everywhere (or ride the tram/monorail). I wouldn't go through the hassle of getting a rental car for that short a visit.

 

[lspst8]

I'm not a Vegas expert, but both time's I've been there, I did not rent a car and had no problems. I stayed at Harrah's and MGM which both have monorail stops and did a lot of walking. Only used a taxi to get to and from the airport and to go downtown to Freemont Street.

 

[Meriweather]

We use the Duece bus system. Works well for us.
We buy a day pass ($5 when we were there last). It is good for 24 hours and runs the strip and to Fremont area....and out to the outlet mall where the Disney outlet is

 

[LoraJ]

DH and I stayed at one hotel with a rental car for the same time period some friends stayed at another and they took cabs. The amount they spent on cabs was way more than what we spent on the car.

We like to casino hop and go downtown during our visits. We do not enjoy waiting for buses or walking long distances in the heat. While some casinos may be close to each other, they aren't that close. Parking is free just about everywhere or can be validated. We use the roads that run parallel to the strip and rarely hit traffic.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Use the taxis and good ole' shoe leather to get around the strip. Last time we were there (years ago, mind you), we walked everywhere. When we did use a taxi, they ended up being $10 (tip included) no matter where we went on the strip.

 

[VAN]

I've been with and without a car. It really depends upon your agenda. If you plan to stay on the strip with maybe one trip downtown, then you don't need a car.

If, like me, you find the strip casinos don't offer the games you like ($5 BJ pitch), then you may want a car to begin exploring other casinos off-strip (love The M Resort and Southpoint!!!).

So, just take a look at what you plan to do. If you haven't been in a while or this is your first trip, you will probably be fine without a car.

 

[sbell111]

We pretty much always get a rental car. That being said, if you are just going to enjoy teh strip and not venture out, you don't need a rental.

 

[everylastbreath]

Couldn't PAY ME to drive there.. Taxi's all the way.

 

[Danauk]

If you aren't planning to go off strip then I would just use a taxi. We have a hire car with us when we go to Vegas, but we use it to drive out to other near by places (Red Rock Canyon for a drive and walk, trip out to Hoover Dam etc) plus we are always going some other place as well as Vegas when we visit. When we are in Vegas though we still often use a taxi even though we have a car. This way DH can have a drink when we go out to dinner etc.

 

[JayhawkMomma]

The Deuce is only $7 for 24 hour access. We used it in February and never had to wait more than 5 minutes for a bus to come along. It's not the fastest mode of transportation but it's really convenient. You couldn't pay me enough to drive up and down the strip, traffic there is CRAZY.

 

[LoraJ]

The Deuce is only $7 for 24 hour access. We used it in February and never had to wait more than 5 minutes for a bus to come along. It's not the fastest mode of transportation but it's really convenient. You couldn't pay me enough to drive up and down the strip, traffic there is CRAZY.

There is no need to drive up and down the strip. The other roads are much faster.

 

[Pakey]

I'm a frequent visitor and if I'm staying on the Strip, I do not get a rental car. Unless I'm in heels, I prefer walking everywhere.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I vote taxi. If you are staying on the strip, you can walk to almost everywhere (or ride the tram/monorail). I wouldn't go through the hassle of getting a rental car for that short a visit.

Exactly. Almost everything is walkable you'll also find that a lot of people will be walking with you so it's a good people watching thing also.

 

[pooh6890]

While the valet is free at most hotels, try it during big conventions or concerts or fights.....it's sometimes impossible to valet or even self-park. Taxis are fast and very economical. Unless you want to venture off the strip, I would do taxis. Just remember the taxi lines are incredibly long at certain times too, so do plan for that.

 

[bookgirl]

I've driven the east coast, west coast and Houston/Dallas Tx. I would not drive around Las Vegas if you paid me.

Besides the crazy drivers (mostly taxis but also out of towners who are lost), the fact is that the hotels all have conveluted parking and entrances and it can be hard to navigate.

I have to close my eyes to ride in the taxis as they are kamakazi drivers but they do know thier way around and at least they seem to be aware of the crazy streets and secret entrances.

And to be honest, I use the bus system a lot then walk in the area I'm visiting. Taxis I use when I have a time frame or I'm going off area like to the mall or a local place.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Unless you plan to go off strip to Red Rock or Hoover Dam or someplace you don't need a car. There is a trolley that runs the strip, a bus and a monorail. We have never had trouble getting where we wanted to go without a car. I'd just rely on public transport/taxi. Even getting from the airport is easy.

 

[malibuconlee]

I've never rented a car in Vegas. We like to drink when there and not worry about driving. We take cabs, walk or occasionally use the Monorail.

 

[nashville_minnie]

We just returned from our first trip to Vegas. DH had a conference, so our rental car was paid for by his work. But even if it wasn't, I would have wanted the car. No, we didn't use it every single day, some days we just walked the strip. (we were there for a week) But I loved having it to easily get to places off the strip (Target for some sodas/snacks for the room, the Outlet malls, various restaurants, plus a side trip to Red Rock Canyon, and also to the Hoover Dam).

I also rent a car at WDW each time, because I just can't be bothered with the hassle of waiting around for the buses and such. i guess i am just a go where i want to go when i want to go person.

If you are only going to be there for a few days & have no interest in doing anything off of the strip, then you may not really find a car useful. just compare the cost of a car to the cost of taxi to/from the airport & see what works best. Like other poster said, there are LONG lines at each casino entrance to catch a taxi, so be prepared to wait.

 

[pilotwife_02]

If you are only planning on staying on the strip or close to it while there I vote don't bother with a rental car. We have never rented one while there, we usually use the monorail and when needed get a taxi.