Is renting a car a "must do" to get around?

My wife and I will be taking our first trip to Vegas 10/29-11/2. We are staying at NYNY. I didn't realize exactly how big the "strip" is but now I see its roughly 4 miles long.

We can certainly do it, especially with all the stops since we'll likely be checking everything out but is renting a car something we should really consider? I was planning to just hang out on the main strip and if there was something we really wanted to do far away just take a taxi. I planned to take a taxi to the Hard Rock to check that out.

I see there are all day monorail passes, so I might get an all day pass for that if it looks worthwhile.

 

We drive to Vegas from California and when we get there we park our car. The traffic is pretty hairy and we drink when we gamble. I wouldn't rent a car unless you want to go to someplace like Hoover Dam. You can get transportation via shuttle bus, city bus, monorail, taxi, etc. for less than it would cost to rent a car. And you won't have to worry about driving and parking.

 

It all depends on where you're staying and what you want to do...
The hotels offer free shuttles...
The Deuce is pretty cheap
The MonoRail isn't too bad either..

 

Hubby and I normally rent a car.. but that is so he can golf. Next trip we are not renting a car, and will cab to and from the airport. We can cab or walk anywhere we want to go - and no golf planned this trip. Definitely not necessary to have a car. NYNY you can cross to MGM and take the monorail ,or walk to Monte Carlo and take the free tram to Cosmo or Bellagio, and walk from there. You can also jump on the free-tram at Excalibur and take that down to Mandalay Bay to Luxor and Mandalay Bay. I would recommend a cab to Hard Rock.. it is quite a long way from NYNY. Cab from airport to hotel (ARIA for us) was roughly $20 one way.

 

If you plan on sticking to the strip, you can skip the rental. You can see most of the strip doing a leisurely stroll and for most people, there is no need to go more north than Wynncore. And there is no need to try and see every single casino, just the one that appeal to you.

 

Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like there are plenty of options and taking advantage of the free trams is a good idea. Other than the Hard Rock we don't have any other plans to leave the main strip but of course that could change. Even still, a taxi seems like it would be cheaper (and easier) than hassling with a car.

 

Being your first trip I see no need to get a rental. There will be more than enough for you to see on the strip, all within walking distance.

 

We will be there exactly the same days. Maybe pass in the airport and never know it. We go 4 to 6 times a year and always rent a car. Why, because we have off strip restaurants and casinos to hit.

First trip, don't bother with a car. Taxis and shuttles are available so enjoy your selves and don't worry about driving somehwere you are nor familar with.

Best of luck, wish we could figure out how to meet up.

 

This x2!

 

No need for a car for such a short time and being on the strip only.

Get a Deuce bus pass.

The monorail sucks cuz it's so far back off the strip. It's only good for going far north from the south, imo.

 

May also depend on your walking ability. Here is my take. It cost me $80 at Enterprise to rent a car for 4 days. It's $20 each way to the airport. It will be $15(?) each way to Hard Rock. I highly recomend a trip downtown. Great atmosphere and canopy show. That is at least $15 each way. NYNY to Encore, fashion mall or wynns is quite a walk. $10 by cab.
With a car you either park free in casino self parking lot and all casinos have them or you pay $2 for valet.
Now if you drink a lot forget the car.
Have fun either way. LV is a great people watching town.

 

Sounds like most people hit on the points I would make.

I didn't have a rental car for my first several trips to Vegas. Yeah, the bus can be slow at times, and a hassle when trying to get off strip, but it does the job when you need it. I walked too much during my early trips, but I was young and energetic.

You will spend more for a rental car and gas during your stay, but not a lot more, (assuming you booked a car at a good rate, which may or may not be possible at this point.) But the flexibility is worth it, especially if you want to go to off-strip locations more than once or twice during your trip.

I almost skipped the rental car last time I was in Vegas, but the cost of cab rides to/from the airport and the cost of one trip between two hotels (stayed at two places as usual) added up in a hurry. Wanting to go anywhere off the strip one time made it a no-brainer to get the rental car.

Until you know you want to go to off-strip locations on a trip, you're better off relying upon taxis and buses. I know my way around Vegas now, so that makes life easier, but I wouldn't want to try driving around Vegas without having decent working knowledge of its ways and means. After 20+ trips and a handful of trips with a rental car, I'm still fuzzy on a few of the finer points of navigating the Vegas area.

 

No=Freedom of choice

To the Op, having a rent a car is a must do, No.

But for us, we will never go to LV & not have a car waiting on us at McCarren.

Freedom of choice, no taxi lines, no shuttles, no busses & an In & Out Burger, M-Resort, or Gold Nugget is just a quick trip away.

Not having to walk through that puss pocket of a Casino block,
Home of the porn slappers & hooker Depot.
Nothing like the smell of stale beer & warm vomit!
Driving past [STRIKE]Harrah's & Flamingo[/STRIKE] is=winning!

 

habsfan...you have already received great advice. We didn't rent a car until our 5th trip. There is so much to see and do on the strip that a car is not needed...until you get to a point where you want to explore the rest of the city and surrounding area. Monorail (fee) runs down the east side...some smaller free monorails run down the west side. Many people use the deuce (very economical but can be a sardine can). I only responded due to the fact that I will be there the exact same dates as you! Have a great time, we may pass each other unknowingly.

 

Since you will only be there for 3 days I would pass on the rental car. I believe the 24hr bus pass is still $8, I would consider using the bus. Walk away from the hotel and use the bus to get back. Plus, you can use the bus to go to Fremont Street.

If you were staying longer I would suggest a rental so you could see Hoover Dam, the desert, and some of the local casinos.

IMO the car adds a little more stress to the trip.

 

I don't do rental cars because my BAC is probably above .08 the entire time I'm in Vegas, and I don't do buses because buses suck. You have the right idea, stick with cabs. There's no shortage of them in Vegas.

 

I couldn't agree more!

And if you want to go downtown you can get a bus pass I just paid 8 bucks for 24 hour pass last week. They make it very easy to take public transportation.

Also make sure you tell the cab driver NO Tunnel- shortest route- surface roads only, please!

Being a gambler I'd put a bet you will hear, from the cabbie, " Oh I NEVER do that".lol

Have a great first trip!

 

There are some reasons for a car.

But, first trip - save yourself the effort.

From NYNY you can walk to so many casinos. We have been known to walk from Mandalay Bay up to Mirage and back. With lots of stops along the way.

As to Hard Rock - I guess there are folks that have this on their list, but it really does not amount to much compared to all the places on the strip.

 

I have my airfare for trip #20 in February and I haven't rented a car yet. Real reason is that I teach Driver Ed, and vacations for me usually mean, staying out of a car. I enjoy the big city while visiting and I think using public transportation is interesting, convenient and fun most of the time. You can grab yur bags at the aiport, walk down the stairs to ground zero and catch the WAX hourly. They have ticket machines there and I think you can buy a 24 hour pass or a 3 day pass there, or just hop on for $2.00. It stops at NYNY on Tropicana, at the side of the hotel. Aside for having to wait for the bus, it is faster than a cab or renting a car. A 3 day pass and 24 hour all access pass is good for 72 hours anywhere, on any bus as many times as you would like including the Deuce.

Now walking the strip sightseeing is a lot of walking even though everything seems close, it is not. One tires easily on all concrete pavement. If you had tonpay $3 a pop for hopping on the bus you wouldn't do it but with a pass you cam hop on, ride a block or two and get off and on as often as you like.....no change. It is easy and convenient. You can ride the deuce or SDX downtown for the light show as well. After 3 days there will still be plenty to see and do, believe me, and if you return there will be 10 times as many new things to check out as well......that's the beauty of LV, there are always new hotels, new places to eat, new exhibits, new shows etc.

As most have suggested, you will do fine without a car, and after your first trip you will have a better idea if you will want to rent one next time you visit. Have fun!

Jimbo338

 

Help me out here. How do I get a rental for 4 days for $80.00? I can't come close to this for Nov 10th - 14th or is it just because of veterans day?