How long does it take to get from Downtown to Strip or Vice Versa.

I know it depends on how your getting there and where abouts your going but, we are stay at Golden Nugget but alot of activities we are planning are on the new strip Plant Hollywood and such.

 

My guess would be (and I've done all except cab):

- Walk - about 1.5 hrs
- Deuce bus - about 40 mins
- Cab - about 15 mins via non-strip streets

 

I'd put the SDX at about 25 minutes, too.

 

Traffic can be horrendous. I'd double the times above if there's a lot of traffic to deal with. Except the walking time. That would stay about the same regardless of traffic.

 

You can buy EXPRESS BUS PASSES from downtown that drop you off at the Bellagio, then you use the raised crosswalks to get over to Planet Hollywood. Then you grab the express bus right there in front of Paris to go back downtown.

http://www.rtcsnv.com/transit/fare-information/

A Three Day pass is 20 bucks, and if you are there for six days, do a three day pass, then when that one expires, do another one. The SDX is EXPRESS bus that goes pretty fast, The SDX is the LONG bus. DarreninGreenwood is probably close with his time. The same pass also allows you to ride the DUECE which is the double decker bus that stops at EVERY Bus stop.

I have done the walk twice, It is quite long and you will go through some areas that you wish you were not walking through. I NEVER do the walk at night.

Look for posts by DEWEYxxxx (I cannot remember his name other than DEWEY is first five characters.) Dewey has a lot of good information on how to use the buses.

SONYA has a nice post also

https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?94138-How-to-get-around-Transportation-Options

 

I have to 2nd the SDX from downtown to PH. I did that this past week. The only down side is that the SDX was packed when I was on it. But, I bought a 24 pass right at the Binions stop, and used it on the SDX/Duce, and the WAX the next morning. The Duce was also pretty full at about 10pm. I used it to go up to Riviera. Picked it up right in front of PH.

Keep in mind that the SDX only runs until midnight. After that, you have to use the Duce. But, when I picked it up at Riviera at about midnight, it wasn't too packed. And, it wasn't too long of a trip to downtown. They drop you off right at The D(4th and Carson). They have the Binions stop closed down because of the FME until 1am I think.

 

Your estimated time of arrival can vary depending on number of times you are robbed and/or raped on your journey.

 

Hopefully you jest...I expect to use the SDX and the Deuce late at night getting back to Four Queens.

 

You shouldn't have any issues. I walked to The D, and Freemont is only a block up on 4th. And, there's usually more than just 1 or 2 people getting off at the same time.

 

Don't pay any attention to such nonsense. These two buses are perfectly safe as are the stops on the strip or downtown. In between the strip and downtown are some sketchy areas, so I agree that late night walks from downtown to the strip are not a good idea.
If you ride the SDX, do remember to validate your ticket in the machine.
If you hit the timing right from Binions and you want to go the Tropicana area of the strip, the WAX will get you there much faster. But it only runs every hour and then not all day.
http://www.rtcsnv.com/wp-content/uploads/routes/2014/09/WAX.pdf (hit alt and + to enlarge the chart)
As you can see it runs from Binions from 5:24AM to 10:18 PM
What it avoids is the clog of traffic that develops as you head South during busy times of the day. I sometimes take it and walk back to Planet Hollywood because it will not get stuck in traffic.
As mentioned the SDX is a much faster bus and does not crowd up. I suggest you take it when you can even if the Deuce comes first to your stop because it just gets places faster. From downtown the SDX stops at Binions but the Deuce stops up next to Neonopolis. There you will usually find a seat. It is not too bad in the morning if it gets you to the area of the strip you want to visit.
You have to take the Deuce in early morning hours, but by then the bus riders are fewer. However, if you can get the last SDX to go back downtown so that. And if not, it sometimes is better to wait an hour or so and then take the Deuce.
All the schedules for buses are here
http://www.rtcsnv.com/transit/routes-maps-schedules/
so you can see where they stop and what times they run.
When I travel the strip with luggage, I take the Deuce because getting off with a suitcase while a stream of people are getting on the SDX can be a huge hassle. On the Deuce I try to take the seat facing the exit doors. Along the side is a fine spot for storing luggage out of the aisle and when you exit, you have all the time you need because no one is entering by the same door. The SDX has 3 doors and people hop on and hop off without showing tickets. Sometimes inspectors come and look for tickets.
And that same bus pass for the strip buses will get you on any Vegas bus, so if you want to visit off strip casinos, here is your chance. On those residential routes some bus stops can be sketchy late at night, but others are perfectly safe. Many of us stay at the Gold Coast for cheaper rooms and use the bus to get back. I like the Eastside Cannery Latin Dance on Mondays and can get back very quickly on the last bus at 1 AM. That stop is safe. I do it every trip.
The last statistics I saw indicate that you are 40 times more likely to be hurt or killed in an auto accident by driving than by riding the Vegas buses. Many of those accidents happen to cars that are rear ended while stopped to make left hand turns, so being a good driver doesn't matter. This is the one that always stays in my mind although it is many years ago. http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20133953,00.html

 

Dewey,
Thank you. Your info is very helpful. Our vacation is from the 19th thru the 24th. We're doing the south rim canyon tour on Wednesday so we'll probably get two 2 day passes for the busses. We plan on visiting the southern strip area on Monday, seeing Carrot Top that evening. We'll probably do "The Strip" Tuesday. Our plans are Open but I intend to hit the Rio seafood buffet.
In the early 80s I lived and used the Washington DC metro system, so I deal with some shady areas/characters if need be. I really don't expect any issues in Las Vegas...at least where we'll be going.

 

Don't forget to take all your tickets from the bus ticket machine. Some people are not used to multiple tickets for multiple trips and only take one ticket from the machine when they paid for additional. I found a ticket in the machine but bought my ticket anyways. When we got on the bus a couple from Europe that didn't speak much English were in a jam because they thought the one ticket they had was good for both of them. I realized I had their "lost" ticket and gave it to them.

 

Thanks everyone for the info.. I don't really remember it taking that long to get from one strip to the next. There will be 7 ladies of us going so we are excited and want to utilize our time wisely while we are there. Some have been to Vegas several times some have never been downtown to the old strip and some have Never been to Vegas at all this will be their First Time. So we sure want to get the most out of the short time we will be there.

 

7 of you?
Seriously - I would work something out with a limo...for short runs, it would only be about $10 to $15 from each you - and it will be comfortable - even with 7 of you...and not much more than two cabs will run you.
But if not a limo, then do the bus thing.

 

I second this. Did it on a bachelor party last year and it worked great. Just find a driver standing by his limo, negotiate a price and go. 10-15 a head is correct.

 

Ok so 10 -15 per person is this just for the ride to the strip cuz that seems like alot?

 

Yes. A cab between PH and downtown would be (roughly) $25. With 7 people you'll need two cabs. For a few more dollars a head you can all go together in a limo. If you're looking for economy, there are busses as people said earlier but I'm not familiar with that as I take a cab because I hate waiting on a bus all day like ZZ Top.

 

I don't know much about cab fares, but I have read posters here who paid $40 to get from downtown to the strip. This site suggests Binions to Planet Hollywood might be anywhere from $29 to $49 depending on traffic.
http://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=LV&from=Binion's%2C+Fremont+Street%2C+Las+Vegas%2C+NV%2C+United+States&to=Planet+Hollywood+Resort+%26+Casino%2C+South+Las+Vegas+Boulevard%2C+Las+Vegas%2C+NV%2C+United+States&fromCoord=36.171546,-115.14426000000003&toCoord=36.11013,-115.17077599999999

I am assuming the tip is not included in these fare estimates.

Is a limo a set fare or does that depend on traffic as well?

Here is a pretty good thread on picking a limo.
https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?117578-VIP-Limo-any-reports-good-or-bad

Also, I remember folks recommending a hired car on one site as a good alternative to getting from the airport to the strip. I can't find that recommendation, but it might work for your needs as well.
Include in cost comparison the idea of a 24 hour bus pass. 7 times $8, or $56 for the bus gets everyone to Planet Hollywood AND BACK regardless of traffic and with no tip, as well as giving them some strip rides in between as often as they like. And if you decide once you are on the strip to go in different directions and meet up later, you can do that as well on the same $8 bus pass. I would suggest taking the time to map out a route that includes the SDX rather than the Deuce. And then I'd walk in between stops unless the Deuce just happened to come as I exited the SDX.

 

A set rate per hour... and since no trip to/from downtown to the strip will ever take even an hour, it's a safe bet that it'll cost one-hour's use + plus tip... about $10 tip should be fine.
If she calls one of the popular limo services in Vegas & tells them that she's just looking for a ride for a party of 7 women, from a downtown hotel to a strip hotel...that she won't even need the full hour - I'm pretty sure they'll work with her on the rate...she needs to be sure to tell them that she'll use them for the return trip as well...figure on $70 each way for an 8-seater, each way, + $10 for tip.
$160 total for 7? That's only $23 each total.
Rountrip for two cabs would run a little less...say $130 total, or $19 each.
For the extra $4 each, the limo would be MUCH nicer, WAY more fun - and well worth it, in my opinion.

 

I agree @topcard. You can also negotiate with those limo guys who hang out around valet and the can stands. For 7 women, who knows, they might cut you a deal.