Taxis, Monorail and buses
The best Las Vegas taxi and transport options
Airport taxis and their flat zone fares, Uber and Lyft, the Zoox and Waymo robotaxis, the Monorail, the Deuce bus and a rental car for day trips. Here is how to get around Las Vegas. We also give honest advice on the fees added to the taxi fare, where to find your ride at the airport and whether you need a car at all.
See our 5 picks
A taxi from the airport to the Center Strip is a flat $26.25, plus fees. On the Strip itself, the Monorail and the Deuce bus are cheaper than a cab for short hops.
For Red Rock, Valley of Fire or the Grand Canyon on your own, you need a car. The table further down compares every route.
Our 5 picks: sightseeing buses and shuttles
Two open-top bus tours, a one-way shuttle to the Grand Canyon South Rim and two Emerald Cave kayak trips with a shuttle. All five have free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
- from €52 per person Our top pick
24 or 48 hours
Hop-on hop-off bus
24 or 48 hours 4.2 (1,032) reviews on GetYourGuide
Hop-on hop-off open-top bus, 24 or 48 hours
Unlimited hop-on hop-off rides for 24 or 48 hours on an open-top double-decker, with digital commentary. You activate the ticket in the operator's app. It starts at 3973 Linq Ln.
Best for Sightseeing with transport built in
Check availability: Hop-on hop-off open-top bus, 24 or 48 hours on GetYourGuide - from €53 per person
2 hours, with audio
Open-top night tour
2 hours 4.2 (2,656) reviews on GetYourGuide
Open-top bus night tour
A 2-hour night tour on an open-top double-decker, with audio commentary. It is not hop-on hop-off. There are two meeting points, depending on the option.
Best for A first night on the Strip
Check availability: Open-top bus night tour on GetYourGuide -
from €85 per person 1–5 hours 4.2 (27) reviews on GetYourGuide
One-way shuttle to the Grand Canyon South Rim
A one-way ride between Las Vegas and Williams, Tusayan or the South Rim, by option. Each guest can bring one suitcase and one small item. It needs a minimum number of travelers.
Best for Going on to the South Rim without a car
Check availability: One-way shuttle to the Grand Canyon South Rim on GetYourGuide - from €88 per person
5.5 hours, self-guided
Kayak rental with shuttle
5 h 30 min 4.5 (63) reviews on GetYourGuide
Emerald Cave kayak rental with shuttle
A 5.5-hour self-guided kayak rental on the Colorado River, with a shuttle from Las Vegas. The park entry fee is not included, the listing says.
Best for Paddlers without a car
Check availability: Emerald Cave kayak rental with shuttle on GetYourGuide -
from €154 per person 3 hours 5.0 (20) reviews on GetYourGuide
Emerald Cave kayak tour with shuttle
A 3-hour guided kayak tour with a round-trip shuttle, all gear, snacks, water and park entry. The river is 53°F all year, so expect to get wet.
Best for A guided river trip with everything included
Check availability: Emerald Cave kayak tour with shuttle on GetYourGuide
Bus tours and shuttles compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Pickup | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hop-on hop-off open-top bus, 24 or 48 hours | €52 per person | 24 or 48 hours | Meeting point | Sightseeing with transport built in | The one ticket on our list that also works as a way around town. |
| Open-top bus night tour | €53 per person | 2 hours | Meeting point | A first night on the Strip | The lit Strip from the top deck, with a 21+ option that adds a welcome drink. |
| One-way shuttle to the Grand Canyon South Rim | €85 per person | 1–5 hours | Meeting point | Going on to the South Rim without a car | The only shuttle on our list that reaches the national park. |
| Emerald Cave kayak rental with shuttle | €88 per person | 5 h 30 min | Pickup included | Paddlers without a car | River time without driving, with up to 10 people. |
| Emerald Cave kayak tour with shuttle | €154 per person | 3 hours | Pickup included | A guided river trip with everything included | The only kayak pick on our list that includes the park entry fee. |
Hop-on hop-off open-top bus, 24 or 48 hours
€52 per person24 or 48 hours 4.2 (1,032)
Details
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Who it suits
- Sightseeing with transport built in
- Why we picked it
- The one ticket on our list that also works as a way around town.
€53 per person2 hours 4.2 (2,656)
Details
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Who it suits
- A first night on the Strip
- Why we picked it
- The lit Strip from the top deck, with a 21+ option that adds a welcome drink.
One-way shuttle to the Grand Canyon South Rim
€85 per person1–5 hours 4.2 (27)
Details
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Who it suits
- Going on to the South Rim without a car
- Why we picked it
- The only shuttle on our list that reaches the national park.
Emerald Cave kayak rental with shuttle
€88 per person5 h 30 min 4.5 (63)
Details
- Pickup
- Pickup included
- Who it suits
- Paddlers without a car
- Why we picked it
- River time without driving, with up to 10 people.
Emerald Cave kayak tour with shuttle
€154 per person3 hours 5.0 (20)
Details
- Pickup
- Pickup included
- Who it suits
- A guided river trip with everything included
- Why we picked it
- The only kayak pick on our list that includes the park entry fee.
- Small group: Emerald Cave kayak rental with shuttle takes up to 10 people.
- All 5 offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 24 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
The fastest way to choose how to get around
Most visitors need only three answers. The table further down compares every route with its source.
- Airport to the Strip: a taxi at a flat zone fare, or Uber and Lyft from the garage.
- Along the Strip: the Monorail on the east side, or the Deuce bus, which runs 24/7.
- Day trips: a rental car or a tour with pickup.
Airport to the Strip: taxi, rideshare, shuttle, bus and private transfer
From Harry Reid Airport, a taxi or a rideshare is the simplest way to the Strip. Shared shuttles serve "select Strip hotels and other areas", the airport's page says, but it lists no prices.
Rental cars are all at the Rent-A-Car Center, reached by free shuttles from the terminals. The Monorail does not serve the airport.
The public bus stops at Terminal 1, Level Zero. The airport lists Route 108 on Paradise Road and the Red Line on Maryland Parkway; neither runs on Las Vegas Boulevard.
The road tunnel from the airport has lane closures for repaving through December 2026, so allow extra time.
Taking a taxi cab from the airport
At Terminal 1, the taxi stand is outside baggage claim on the east side, near doors 1–4. At Terminal 3, it is outside on Level Zero, near door 52.
Taxis use a flat fare from the airport to three zones on the Strip. All taxi companies take credit cards.
Robotaxis: Zoox and Waymo
Zoox runs driverless rides between the airport and select Strip destinations. You book in the Zoox app and board on Level Zero at Terminal 1 or 3.
Waymo also picks up on Level Zero, the airport announced on October 21, 2026. For now, only existing Waymo riders can use it.
Taxi and rideshare prices in Las Vegas
A taxi from the airport to the Strip costs a flat $22.25, $26.25 or $30.25, by zone. The Nevada Taxicab Authority sets every fare.
On top come a $3 card fee, a 3% tax and a fuel surcharge of a few dollars. The regulator also lists a $2.40 airport pickup fee.
Getting married? Our page on a Vegas wedding in Las Vegas compares chapels and packages.
Taxi rates: the meter and the airport zone fares
Zone fares only apply to direct trips. A stop outside the zones goes on the meter, the Taxicab Authority's FAQ says.
On the meter, a ride starts at $5.50. The first mile costs $8.21 and each mile after it $2.96. Waiting costs $32.40 an hour.
| Zone | Area on the Strip | Flat fare |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Sunset Road north to Tropicana Ave | $22.25 |
| Zone 2 | Tropicana Ave north to Flamingo Road | $26.25 |
| Zone 3 | Flamingo Road north to The STRAT | $30.25 |
Uber and Lyft in Las Vegas
Uber and Lyft both run at the airport. At Terminal 1, pickup is on Level 2 of the parking garage; at Terminal 3, on the garage's Valet Level.
Neither company publishes a fixed fare. The app shows your price before you book, so compare it with the taxi zone fare.
Getting around the Strip: Monorail, Deuce bus and public transport
On the Strip, the Monorail and the Deuce bus are the two public options. The Monorail has 7 stations from MGM Grand to SAHARA, on 3.9 miles of track behind the east-side resorts.
A Monorail ride end to end takes about 15 minutes, with trains every 4–8 minutes. It runs from 7 a.m. until midnight on Monday, 2 a.m. Tuesday to Thursday and 3 a.m. Friday to Sunday.
A single ride costs $6.25, or $5.75 online. A 1-day pass costs $15.50 ($13.95 online), and a 3-day pass $33 ($30.85 online).
The Deuce runs 24/7 from the South Strip Transit Terminal to Fremont Street, RTC's schedule says. By day, a bus comes about every 10–15 minutes.
A 24-hour Deuce pass costs $8 and a single ride $4, per RTC's fare page (archived May 2026). Buy passes at stop machines or in the rideRTC app, and board at the front door.
Two short trams are free. The Aria Express links Bellagio, Aria and Park MGM, and another links Mandalay Bay, Luxor and Excalibur. The Mirage–Treasure Island tram is closed, news reports say.
Walking looks short on a map, but July highs average 105°F (41°C).
Is there a Las Vegas train?
Not yet. Brightline West, a fast train to Rancho Cucamonga in California, is still being built, and its site gives no opening year.
Within the city, the Monorail runs on raised track behind the east-side resorts.
Hop-on hop-off bus tours: sightseeing with transport built in
A hop-on hop-off bus is a sightseeing tour, not cheap transport. The Deuce costs $8 for 24 hours, while the bus tour starts from €52. You pay for the commentary and the open top deck.
The ticket lasts 24 or 48 hours and is activated in an app. It starts at 3973 Linq Ln.
The open-top night tour lasts 2 hours and is not hop-on hop-off.
For guided city tours with a host, see our Las Vegas city tours page.
Route by route: which is cheapest, fastest and easiest
The cheapest way along the Strip is the Deuce, at $8 for 24 hours. The quickest on the east side is the Monorail, about 15 minutes end to end.
The easiest from the airport is a taxi at a flat zone fare, with no changes. Every figure below comes from the operator, with its source.
| Route | Option | Time | Cost | How often | Hassle | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Reid Airport to the Center Strip | Taxi | Not stated | Flat fare $26.25 (Zone 2); $22.25 or $30.25 for Zones 1 and 3; plus $3 card fee, 3% tax, fuel surcharge | Taxi line: T1 doors 1–4, T3 door 52 | Direct; flat fare only without stops | Nevada Taxicab Authority: fares |
| Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) | Not stated | Price shown in the app | On demand | Pickup in the garage: T1 Level 2, T3 Valet Level | Harry Reid Airport: taxi and rideshare | |
| Robotaxi (Zoox) | Not stated | Shown in the Zoox app | On demand | Level Zero pickup; select Strip destinations only | Harry Reid Airport: Zoox | |
| Robotaxi (Waymo) | Not stated | Not stated | On demand | Existing Waymo riders only for now; Level Zero | Harry Reid Airport: Waymo arrives | |
| Rental car | Not stated | Rental price plus hotel parking | — | Free shuttle to the Rent-A-Car Center first | Harry Reid Airport: all options | |
| Harry Reid Airport to Downtown | Taxi | Not stated | Metered: $5.50 start, $8.21 first mile, $2.96 per mile after; plus $2.40 airport fee, $3 card fee, 3% tax, fuel surcharge | Taxi line | Direct; no flat zone | Nevada Taxicab Authority: fares |
| Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) | Not stated | Price shown in the app | On demand | Pickup in the garage: T1 Level 2, T3 Valet Level | Harry Reid Airport: taxi and rideshare | |
| The Strip to Downtown and Fremont Street | Bus (Deuce) | Not stated | $8 24-hour pass; $4 single (RTC fare page, archived May 2026) | 24/7; about every 10–15 min by day (RTC 2024 schedule) | One bus; front-door boarding; pass from stop machines or the rideRTC app | RTC Deuce schedule (2024) and fare page |
| Taxi | Not stated | Metered (no airport fee) | On demand | Direct | Nevada Taxicab Authority: fares | |
| Along the Strip | Monorail | About 15 min end to end | $6.25 one ride ($5.75 online); 1-day $15.50 ($13.95 online) | Every 4–8 min; from 7 a.m., until midnight–3 a.m. by day | East side only; stations at the back of the resorts | Las Vegas Monorail: route and tickets |
| Bus (Deuce) | Not stated | $8 24-hour pass; $4 single | 24/7 | Stops on both sides; Strip traffic | RTC Deuce schedule (2024) and fare page | |
| The Strip to Hoover Dam | Car | Not stated | Parking $10 (Nevada garage) or free (Arizona Lots 13 and 14); Visitor Center $15, Dam Tour $40 | Dam open 5 a.m.–9 p.m.; tours 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | About 30 miles southeast via I-11 and US-93 | Bureau of Reclamation: Hoover Dam |
| The Strip to Red Rock Canyon | Car | About 30 min, 17 miles | $20 per car, plus a timed-entry reservation Oct 1–May 31, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Scenic Drive from 6 a.m.; closes 5–8 p.m. by season | Book the time slot first | BLM and Red Rock Canyon fees |
| The Strip to Grand Canyon West (Skywalk) | Car | About 2 h 15 min, 122 miles (park service) | All-Access Pass $99 | Daily from 8 a.m.; last ticket 4:30 p.m. (Arizona time) | Hualapai land, outside the national park | National Park Service: Skywalk |
| The Strip to the Grand Canyon South Rim | Car | Not stated | $35 per car; plus $100 per non-US resident aged 16+ | — | 278 miles via Kingman and Williams | National Park Service: South Rim directions and fees |
| Shuttle (tour) | 1–5 hours by option (listing) | From €85 one way | See the listing | One suitcase and one small item per person | GetYourGuide: one-way shuttle listing |
Read from the operators' own pages on 24 October 2026. Fares and timetables change; check before you travel.
Day trips on your own: by car, bus or tour
For most day trips, you need a car or a tour. We found no public bus to any of the places below.
If you'd rather not drive, a Hoover Dam tour from the Strip includes pickup and the entry ticket.
Short on time? Las Vegas to Grand Canyon by helicopter takes about 35 minutes each way on the landing tour, the listing says.
For the South Rim without a car, a one-way shuttle runs from €85. Tours that do the driving are compared on our day trips from Las Vegas page and our Grand Canyon tours page.
- Hoover Dam: about 30 miles southeast via I-11 and US-93. Parking is $10, or free in Arizona Lots 13 and 14.
- Red Rock Canyon: 17 miles, about 30 minutes. Book a timed entry from October to May.
- Valley of Fire: $15 per car without Nevada plates.
- Seven Magic Mountains: about 10 miles south, and free.
- Grand Canyon West: 122 miles, about 2 h 15 min, the park service says. The pass costs $99.
- Grand Canyon South Rim: 278 miles. Entry is $35 per car, plus $100 per non-US resident aged 16 and over.
- Death Valley: about 120 miles and 2 hours, the park service's FAQ says. Entry is $30 per car, card only.
When a rental car makes sense, and when it does not
For the Strip alone, you don't need a car: the Monorail and the Deuce cover it. Resort parking costs money, and Caesars says its rates may rise for big events and holidays.
A car makes sense for Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire and Death Valley, or for a group that splits one car.
In the 2026 Las Vegas Travel Cost Study, booking sites showed average daily rental rates of $49 to $77 across 3 sites, before fees and taxes, on 24 October 2026.
If you stay on the Strip, you may not need a car at all: see where to stay in Las Vegas.
For Red Rock, Valley of Fire or the Grand Canyon on your own schedule:
Tips for getting around Las Vegas
Know the taxi extras
Card payments add $3, and a 3% tax and a fuel surcharge come on top. All taxi companies take cards.
Go direct for the flat fare
Airport zone fares only apply without stops. A stop outside the zones goes on the meter.
Find the rideshare garage
Uber and Lyft pick up in the parking garage: Level 2 at Terminal 1, the Valet Level at Terminal 3.
The Monorail is east side only
Its stations sit at the back of the resorts, so allow time to walk through. It does not go Downtown.
Mind the heat on foot
Normal July highs are 105°F (41°C). Use the Deuce or the Monorail for longer stretches.
Check race-week changes
In Formula 1 week, the Monorail runs nonstop from November 17 at 7 a.m. to November 23 at 3 a.m. RTC says the Deuce runs a changed schedule that week.
Real questions about getting around Las Vegas
How much is a taxi in Las Vegas?
How much is an Uber in Las Vegas?
Is Uber or Lyft cheaper than a taxi in Las Vegas?
How do I get a taxi in Las Vegas?
Is there Uber in Las Vegas?
Do I need a rental car in Las Vegas?
Does the Monorail go to the airport?
How do I get from the Strip to Fremont Street?
More Las Vegas bus tours and transfers, live
More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.
See every tour with today's prices and open dates on GetYourGuide.
Browse all on GetYourGuideSources (26), facts checked on 24 October 2026
- Nevada Taxicab Authority: approximate fares
- Nevada Taxicab Authority: airport zone FAQ (PDF)
- Harry Reid Airport: taxis
- Harry Reid Airport: taxi and rideshare
- Harry Reid Airport: all options to and from
- Harry Reid Airport: Zoox
- Harry Reid Airport: Waymo arrives
- Harry Reid Airport: public bus
- Harry Reid Airport: buses and shuttles
- Las Vegas Monorail: route map
- Las Vegas Monorail: tickets
- RTC Deuce schedule, 2024 (mirror)
- RTC fares page (Internet Archive, May 2026)
- Brightline West
- Caesars Entertainment: parking
- Bureau of Reclamation: Hoover Dam
- BLM: Red Rock Canyon
- Red Rock Canyon Las Vegas: fees
- Nevada State Parks: Valley of Fire
- Seven Magic Mountains
- National Park Service: Grand Canyon Skywalk
- Grand Canyon West: hours and directions
- National Park Service: Grand Canyon fees
- National Park Service: Death Valley FAQ
- National Park Service: Death Valley fees
- National Weather Service: Las Vegas climate book
Written by the Things to Do in Las Vegas editorial team.