Guest Post by: HNLhulagirl
“The Strip” is a collection of hotels that range from the fabulous to the funky all positioned shoulder to shoulder for four and a half miles along the Las Vegas Boulevard.
Taxicabs are always available at the larger hotels to whisk away the high heeled and elegant to trendy clubs, shows and parties. For others, walking is a great way to soak in the ambiance of Sin City and enjoy the various attractions such as the Mirage Volcano and the Bellagio fountains. However, for those who would rather ride than walk, there are a few additional ways to get around the strip for little or nothing.
After months and months of trenching and building, the Las Vegas Monorail opened to the public in 2004. The modern system is cool and comfortable and provides riders with an elevated view of the east side of the strip. The route spans a distance from the MGM Resort and Casino to the south to the now closed Sahara Hotel to the north. The system is safe, reliable and easy to use. The narration is upbeat with celebrity voices. It consists of just one line that makes stops at resorts including Bally’s, Paris, Flamingo, the Las Vegas Hilton and the Convention Center. Tickets can be purchased via kiosks at the entrance or online. Single ride, all day and multi-day passes are available. Since the train is located in the rear of the resorts, access to the entrance always requires walking long distances thought casinos and resorts to access the stations. Not the best for those who are looking to minimize walking. The monorail operates Monday thru Thursday between 7 a.m. and 3 a.m. Monorail tickets also include connecting shuttle bus service to and from the Rio Hotel and Sam’s Town.
Another option for those who want to explore the strip is the Deuce Bus. This double deck bus operates up and down the strip along Las Vegas Boulevard. Part of the Clark County public transportation system, this is by far the easiest and fun to use. The shiny and clean buses operate every 10-15 minutes up and own the strip. The Deuce Bus operated 24 hours a day with many stops along the strip. For those seeking to see the row of kitschy Wedding Chapels and the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas, no additional fare is required. Speaking of fares, one can buy a 24 hour pass for $7, certainly one of best deals on the strip. The best seats are on the upper deck in the very first row. There the unobstructed views will wow and amaze. The bus is very popular so it is often quite crowded. So a squeeze into a stopped bus or passing up one may be necessary especially in the evenings when people are on the move to restaurants, show and clubs.
There are a handful of lesser known transportation options along the strip. Resort trams offer yet another option from getting between hotels along the strip. Operated by the hotels, they offer comfort and convenience. All are free and easy to use.
The Mandalay – Excalibur Tram is one of the most visible on the strip. The single line train shuttles between the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino to the Excalibur Resort and Casino and includes a stop at the Luxor Resort and Casino. Access is in the rear of the Mandalay. Luxor and Excalibur access is along Las Vegas Boulevard. This tram operates daily from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and trains leave every 3-7 minutes.
Another widely unknown tram is the tram the operated between the Mirage and Treasure Island. Access to this tram is easiest from the Mirage where the boarding area is adjacent to the main entrance. On the Treasure Island side, the tram arrives and departs from the rear of the resort. This rams operated everyday of the year between the hours of 7 a.m. and 2 a.m.
The newest tram system on the strip is actually an extension of an old one. Many remember the system that connected the Monte Carlo and Bellagio resort several years ago. It was shut down during construction on the new Bellagio Tower. It has re-opened to connect not only the new Bellagio tower, but to include the new glistening City Center complex. The tram still operates from the rear of the Monte Carlo Resort from the rear of the Bellagio, but stops now include the glittery new Crystals Shopping Complex, The gorgeous Aria Resort and Casino and the fabulous Vdara Hotel. The stations are ultra-modern and sleek offering views of the City Center complex that are particularly stunning at night. The tram operates every 7 minutes between 8 a.m. and 4 a.m. daily.
There are many transportation options available along the strip for Las Vegas visitors to enjoy. Use one or combine several to get the most out of a Las Vegas visit.
