Buses

We usually get a bus pass when we are in town. We like to go downtown 1 night and although we do a lot of walking, by the end of the day, it is nice to ride the bus back to our hotel. Does anyone know if the bus stops near the Las Vegas Hilton? We are planning on seeing a show there this year and would like to use the bus service.

The 108 stops on Paradise right by the LVH! I know for sure, as I took it from the airport on my last trip. If you're going from downtown, I'm sure there must be a similarly close stop. You'll have to get the 108 downtown from the Bonneville Transit Center.

The SDX stops somewhat near the LVH, but I can't picture exactly where you might catch it.
I know the monorail Sahara stop had a bus stop across from the back door of the Sahara, but I don't know if the new SLS has a back door. And that is a good bit of a walk.

There are other stops not too far, but I'm not sure I'd like being out and about late at night on those streets between the strip and the LVH.

I waited once after a show for the 108 and it was uncomfortably dark and deserted at that stop.
As I remember it was near an overpass. Were someone to have bad intentions, no one was there to interfere. As it turned out, no one was there at all.
The best way to get information is to plug your departure and destination into the lines on the bottom left of this screen

http://www.rtcsouthernnevada.com/transit/

It will route you.

Frankly, I'd take a cab for the show. You can use your bus pass to get very close and make the cab fare much less. If you are coming from downtown the SDX will get you near the Stratosphere and you can grab a cab from there.

The other advantage tot he cab ride is that it is a long, long, long walk in to the LVH along their access road from Paradise. A cab would put you at the door.


Also, if you are taking the SDX from downtown to the strip before the night of your show, pay attention to the stops in the area of the LVH and to how they look to you late at night.
I head out to the Clarion from downtown, and I'm okay with that. In fact, I had a long talk with a security guard at the Clarion, and he said that between there and the strip they have not had any trouble.
And I think he was being honest because he came from my childhood neighborhood and we had plenty in common and seemed to be straight with me.

I also get off the SDX along Convention Center Drive near the Clarion and walk up to the Riviera or to Peppermill.
But getting any farther East from the strip towards the LVH makes me uneasy.
Once I got off the SDX too soon and I'll guess that was about half way from the strip to the LVH, and the walk to the strip just seemed uncomfortable from a street smart perspective.

And when you get back , tell us what you decided, why, and what you did; then we can add that information to collected bits on buses. If you have time, give me a PM so I don't miss your trip report or bus post.

njude1971 said:

We usually get a bus pass when we are in town. We like to go downtown 1 night and although we do a lot of walking, by the end of the day, it is nice to ride the bus back to our hotel. Does anyone know if the bus stops near the Las Vegas Hilton? We are planning on seeing a show there this year and would like to use the bus service.

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The SDX will drop you off directly to/from downtown to the front of LVH (about a 1 block walk from the street to the hotel), whereas the 108 can only be caught to/from downtown at the downtown bus station, which is a few blocks south of Fremont street on Bonnieville and Casino Center. Never had an issue taking any bus in Vegas. The SDX is more convenient (drops you off at Four Queens, takes you back outside of Binions) but costs a few bucks more.

I see that stop on the rtc search. it is called Paradise at Convention Center. I can't quite find it on the map of stops unless it is called Convention Center, but all the stops are not always listed. Perhaps Viva can help with an exact name of the stop so you don't miss it.

It looks like a fairly short walk. Take a look at it on the maps or at night when you pass by and you can decide. Perhaps Viva is convincing me to give it a try as well.

The 108 does have to be picked up at BTC, but any bus going from Binions can get you to the BTC. I agree it is not the route I would choose if you are downtown. I'm not sure we know where you start from.

I don't think the cost is a factor for you as you write you have a bus pass.

Issues can occur at bus stops. I have walked away from a couple. One crazy guy on Flamingo was shouting at Bill and I and blaming us for killing his daughter. I have reports of guys grabbing money held waiting for buses and running.
Some folks are more comfortable in isolated areas late at night. I'm not. You can decide where you fit.

dewey089 said:

Perhaps Viva can help with an exact name of the stop so you don't miss it.

It looks like a fairly short walk. Take a look at it on the maps or at night when you pass by and you can decide. Perhaps Viva is convincing me to give it a try as well.

Click to expand...

The 108 bus stop is just to the right of the corner of Riviera Blvd and Paradise Ave, just in front of LVH. This will drop you off at BTC. The walk from BTC to Fremont is relatively short (about 4 blocks). In the day time, there are many professionals in the area heading to/from the courts. At night, I guess one could have concern though I was never in fear or had concern.

The SDX bus stop is just short of the corner of Paradise and Convention Center Drive. There is a machine which you can purchase a bus pass (necessary pre boarding for SDX, 108 accepts cash on board). This will drop you off on Fremont Street near the Walgreens.

The return bus stops will be on the opposite side of Paradise, in relatively the same spot (108 near LVH driveway entrance, SDX near CC Drive).

For most folks, I would recommend the SDX, mainly because it will be easier to navigate for someone not as familiar with riding buses or the RTC system, hitting the easy to find bus stops (Walgreens inbound, Binion's outbound).

The 108 is used mainly by students or workers. I've taken it both from the airport and to/from downtown and never had any concerns. I'm a bit younger and also from Chicago, so I may have less concern over what I see as typical city or urban folks taking a bus.

Dewey - LVH has relatively easy comps during non peak convention periods, they have several good VP games (LDW, NSUD, 9/6 BD & JOB), and I believe provides a good value of being closer to the strip (than Boulder Strip) and an easy bus route to/from the airport (via 108). I agree issues can happen at bus stops, but the LVH stops are safe, at least IMO.

Okay, Viva.
Clear and perfect for planning.
I may try a show at LVH next trip again and see how it feels.

Oh, and good information on walking from the BTC too. I have yet to do that either even in the daytime. I just get on something going downtown from there.

And thanks for the gambling overview. I am pretty well set on where I put my VP bankroll, but it may be helpful for others.

OP, let us know what you decide and how it goes.

The 108 bus stop going to the airport is right across the street from the LVH if you jay walk. Otherwise to have to go to the corner for the light. The stop going North or to the BTC you back track and you can't miss the stop it is on near the corner and the SDX also stop there. It is the corner of Desert Spring and Paradise. The 108 is coming off of Swenson and turns west on Desert Spring up to Paradise and turns and the stop is under the Monorail.

Thanks Keno. Would you be comfortable waiting at these stops say around 11 PM after an evening show? Have you done that?
Would you get on the first bus you saw or wait for the more efficient SDX?

The SDX does stop by the LVH / Convention Center. It will be a little of a hike, but if you're up to it the savings are worth it. I stay downtown and get a 3-day bus pass so I can hit the Strip (normally I attend conventions when I'm in town and it's worth it -- cabbing would be just too high).