Thinking about trying the CX bus from airport for first

OK, I have seen people talking about taking the bus service from McCarran Field to downtown on the CX bus because it has few stops and is only a couple of bucks. Are there many VMB members that do this? I have gone online and printed off a schedule, and I looked at a site called Movit that has additional info about the schedules. Can someone answer a few questions I have?

1. Where exactly do you board the bus at Terminal 1?
2. How do you purchase the fare (and Do I get a senior discount)?
3. How do you handle a large suitcase?
4. Temps being around 115 next week, will it get hot on the bus?

Any other pertinent info would be appreciated.

 

I have found the busses to be quite comfortable, even in the dead of summer.

You pay when you board and you have to have exact change. For a senior discount you have to have an ID card from the RTC I think.

I have no idea about the large suitcase, if they have room etc.

I think boarding the bus is at ground level zero, but just ask one of the people that work in the airport, if you don't get an answer from someone on here.

I hope this helps somewhat.

 

I have done it a million times.

Terminal one, it is on level 0. You take an elevator there after you get your luggage.

You pay on the bus in cash, or buy a ticket on your phone and scan it.

The bus is air conditioned.

You sit with your luggage in front of you. Hold onto it.

 

It literally doesn't stop before the Strip.

 

Pre-covid i've taken the bus to the strip a # of times. and what @vegas superfan said is correct. What i do remember is that the area where you catch buses at had a ticket machine where you were able to get various tickets, 1 ride/1full day/3 or 4 day passes. since i havent taken the bus in some yrs since i just want to get to the hotel pronto, i'm not sure if that ticket machine is still there. i do plan on getting a 3 day pass ticket this time since everything is now open and its economical instead of ubering it everywhere as i have done the past few trips.

 

I ride it a ton from DT to the strip and to and from the airport. I am generally solo and never in a hurry, $2 vs $25-40 for an Uber/Cab is a no brainer for me. It's relatively quick and never crowded. If you have the ability to download the Transit app on your phone it would be a big help. It shows all buses and the exact location they are when you open the app. Great for knowing what bus is close and when it will arrive. The printed schedule is generally close, but can be off a bit.

 

Unfortunately that is no longer true. The CX detours through UNLV before resuming westbound on Tropicana. Same on the way back to the airport. The direct WAX route was eliminated At least it doesn't add too much time to the trip.

+1 for the Transit App. Airport->Downtown travel should be very close to the schedule. The route starts at T3 so it should still be on schedule at T1. Southbound, the bus has quite a few highway miles before the downtown stop. It's nice to see live updates while waiting.

 

exactly what I also want to say. It has several stops before reach NYNY.

 

From baggage claim take escalator to zero level then walk forward then take a right to get to public bus boarding area (near ticket kiosk) but don’t buy 2 hour tickets using kiosk for $6, instead pay $2 cash to board one way (not sure about senior discount).

Ask driver to make sure you are on right route of CX. Get off near The D if going Downtown

 

Once you get your luggage...look for the elevator or escalator to Level 0...exit the terminal and walk towards the street, take the sidewalk to the right, all the way to the end...
(100ft +/-)..several bus routes will stop at that bus stop , not just the CX....you can purchase various types of tickets from a vending machine there or the bus accepts cash ($2)...there are at least 3 or 4 stops on the route from LAS before the bus gets on I-15...the CX has a/c...just place your luggage in front of you or on the seat....don't be surprised if you are the only one getting on the CX at LAS.... you probable will get off the bus at 4th/Carson in DT....Note: the CX has been operating on the WEEK-END schedule...you probably should check the RTC website prior to your departure for an update..

 

Very good information above. I would just like to add:

1) When you enter the baggage claim area from the terminal, you come down an escalator and all of the luggage carrousels are right in front of you. The escalator/elevator to level zero is near the opposite end of the baggage claim area...so you would walk straight through the baggage claim area to nearly the far side to get the escalator down to level 0. I take the escalator because it ends right at the exit doors that you need to take in order to get to the bus.

2) When you exit the terminal (at level 0) the bus stop is in the direction of 2 o'clock from where you just exited (diagonally to the right). You'll see a bus stop there. Make sure you have exact change (2 singles). Try putting in a $1 and ask the driver if that's sufficient for you, being a senior and all. He may let you pass, he may ask you for further ID. Whatever, it's just a buck more if you have to pay. In your case I wouldn't purchase a ticket.

3) Once you're settled in your hotel Downtown, walk a few blocks behind the Golden Nugget to the Bonneville Transit Center and get an RTC senior card. They're free. (expires every 5 years, $5 for a replacement if you lose it). The Bonneville Transit Center is 3 blocks south of Golden Nugget between 1st and Casino Center Blvd (why isn't is just called 2nd?). If you can walk Fremont for 3 blocks you can walk there.

 

If it is hot or you feel unsafe for whatever
Reason you can stand at the automatic doors on ground 0 and watch for the bus. All buses come from the left and stop on the far right. They have a banner on the side near the entry door that scrolls 108, or CX or whatever. It must stop at the crosswalk. Then proceed to the bus stop. You’ll see it. Don’t panic.
It is a great place to wait as their is a bathroom directly behind you when looking out the doors, it is air conditioned and the times are fairly accurate as it has just left terminal 3.
Your Medicare card is all you need if no RTC id. It’s a buck. The drivers are on camera. Some are indifferent but some are players going by the book. You can’t blame them. So it’s 2$.
I’ve always asked if they would help an old man out and alert me to the 4th and Carson stop for downtown. Then I sit in the chairs behind them (for the old, handicapped people or pregnant women according to the signage). They always do and it’s actually relaxing as you can send a note to the wife who is sometimes sleeping that you made it. Or check your mail.
I get in at 9:20 and plan to take the 9:42 (will try Uber if I can’t make it but if on time should be good to go as I don’t check bags) and will be dropped off at 10:32.
Not planning on playing or eating after the ginormous tex-mex lunch prior to flying and near the end of the gaming day. So I’ve got time to organize my brain and adjust my thinking to vegas time.
It works for me. Hope it works out for you.
(best about taking it BACK to the airport is you are fairly sure when you will arrive as the schedule is pretty accurate).

 

Good information here—be sure the CX says “North” before boarding, or it will go to Terminal 2 first. Otherwise, I think the info here is good.

 

Thanks for all the great info here, guys! If I can Uber for mid twenties, I’ll do that, but if it’s any higher I’ll definitely give the CX a go.

Mike

 

Finally I was able to use the CX. Information in this thread was right on. Took about 55 minutes but bus wasn’t crowded and the A/C worked great. Dropped us off one block from 4Q. Most of the people on the bus may have looked a little sketchy.....but they we’re probably thinking the same as me. Uber was charging around $50 at the time, so my wife and I paid $1 each. Will certainly use the bus again.

 

Thanks for the update. This will be the first time we won’t be renting a car for the whole time we’re there and I’ve been debating between taking the bus or doing the round trip deal through Presidential. We are both in our 60’s (I see you are too ) and your experience has made me much more confident about using the less expensive option.

 

This helps https://m.moovitapp.com/las_vegas_nv-1182/lines/cx/238282/695431/en?ref=2&customerId=4908&sid=4156886&sidx=1&dayOffset=18855
Wish the WAX was back though.

 

I think that technically, you are supposed to pay the visitor price just like on the Deuce, so it isn’t $2 but $6. If an inspector boards at any of the stops and you didn’t pay the visitor fare and don’t have local ID, they will ticket you. Also, the main drawback is that they run every hour so if you missed it tough luck. What I usually do when I arrive is check and see where the bus is and if I see I can make it I will take it, otherwise I don’t bother and take an Uber

 

Never had a problem with the fare. Unless I don’t have the Medicare card handle to only pay a $.