Uber and Lyft pickup - any different from last year?

My last trip to Vegas was almost 1 year ago. I tried Lyft for the first time. The pickup area was very chaotic - with about 100 people standing at the pickup area; which made finding the vehicle a little difficult.

Has the pickup area imporoved or anyone else had a better experience.

The same for Cosmopolitan - my pickup was at 8pm, which made for a very hectic and busy pickup area.

 

If you're in terminal 1, the pickup area has moved, which should make it easier to get to. You no longer take the elevator up to level 2m (https://www.mccarran.com/Transportation/RideShare).

I haven't been to Vegas since they moved it, but I would imagine it's similar to the old setup with marked parking spots that your driver should alert you to. To be honest, I find McCarren's Rideshare area one of the better setups I've experienced at a airport.

 

At the airport drivers should call or send a text with the post number of the spot they are waiting in. If they don’t then call or text the driver and ask. Then go to that post number and your driver should be there.

The Cosmo has changed the drop off area, it is now the first two lanes closest to the entrance, where the taxis used to be. The taxi pick up is now at the outside lanes furthest from the door.

The rideshare pick up area is still located along the north wall, the one next to the Bellagio, of the Cosmo. They have made the pick up area a drive through rather than the previous pull in and back out set up. So pick up traffic goes a little smoother now.

 

Having gone through this last week, the airport is slightly less chaotic, but still kind of chaotic. As mentioned, the drivers will let you know their post/stall number, and it's more convenient, but there are still a million people blocking the walkway for no good reason (though I think this is primarily a human problem, along the lines of people crowding the gate at airports even when they have assigned seats).

In terms of pickups elsewhere, the only place to watch out for is Aria. Aria's rideshare pickup is at the North Valet, not at the main entrance. The problems are that (1) lots of people stand around the main entrance looking for the driver, or (2) lots of drivers come to the main valet only to be turned away while their passengers are waiting at the proper spot. Luxor also recently moved their pickup spot. But for most resorts, rideshare pickup is pretty close to the primary taxi area.

 

Also the Aria is the North LOWER valet now, not the North UPPER valet where it used to be.

There are a few other places where this happens also. MGM, Venetian, Palazzo, Sahara, Stratosphere , Mirage, Bellagio, Excalibur, Luxor (as you mentioned they moved it back to the North entrance) and Mandalay Bay. All of these places ride share pick up locations are not by the main entrance.

 

Thank you, good point -- it's the north valet PICKUP at Aria (which is on the lower level by Jewel) not the dropoff, though my recollection is that it's been there for the few years. And I forgot about MGM, their pickup was in some random spot in the parking lot last time.

I thought that Mandalay and Bellagio were at least in the vicinity of the main taxi line. But the bottom line is, it's really important to check. Even if you think you know where the pickup is/was, these things are subject to change, like with the Luxor shift. The resort corridor is something of a maze, and it's not just like going from one residential address to another.

Also, try to put the name of the destination in there whenever possible. Not so much an issue for going to a major Strip resort, but it helps if you're going somewhere off-Strip.

EDIT: In terms of pickups, most places will have signs. If they don't, just ask Security. I just wouldn't assume that a Uber/Lyft can pick you up at the main dropoff.

 

I believe this has more to do with not having assigned overhead bin space rather than having assigned seats.

One time I was making a connecting flight with assigned seats. I arrived at my connecting flight as boarding was already in progress. I had a seat near the front of the aircraft. But by the time I got to my assigned seat the only available overhead bin space was a few rows behind my seat so I utilized it.

Upon arrival there was no way any passenger was gonna allow me to go back a few rows to retrieve my carryon. I ended up waiting until the entire aircraft had emptied before I could get my carryon and deplane.

 

That'd be logical, but alas, I see that with people without a real carryon (i.e., a purse or messenger bag that goes underneath the seat). People just like waiting in lines for some reason. See, for example, every damn brunch place in NYC.

 

The lower valet pick up has been there at least a year or better but it was at the upper level for quite awhile after I started driving.

Bellagio is in the lower bus lobby, I believe it was near the main entrance in the beginning but it got too jammed up with cars waiting on passengers so it got moved to the lower bus lobby.

Mandalay Bay pick up used to be at the Lower Beach Level but got moved recently. It’s now in a spot South of that between MB and Four Seasons. In fact we now have to enter at the Four Seasons entrance to get to the new MB pick up location.

 

What is the price difference for Uber and a taxi to the Excalibur? I always get a rental since personally I feel naked without a car. However I am considering not having a car this trip.

 

From where???

 

Sorry I should put down where from

Airport to Excalibur

 

McCarran to Excalibur/
Uber = $16.19
Lyft = $14.49
Taxi = $19.00

 

Agree, I learned the hard way last week about the Luxor change to Uber/Lyft pickup from last year. Used to be at the main entrance and go right when leaving the casino. Now it’s in the rear entrance right before the walkway between Luxor and Excalibur. Great if you are staying in a Tower Room but not as good if you are anywhere else at Luxor

Chris

 

One question re Uber/Lyft vs cabs. Cost comparisons aside, which would be the quickest way to get to the mid strip area specifically regarding access and wait times for rideshares and cab? Thanks for any information.

 

you can look in the app for time estimates on rideshare. In general, they aren't really that different unless they are backed up.