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Cabs vs. Rental Cars

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by Nittany1, Apr 21, 2013.

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  1. Nittany1

    Nittany1 VIP Whale

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    On my normal Las Vegas trip I get a Limo to and from the airport to my hotel.I'm staying at Aria again on my upcoming trip.
    I always take cabs around town for the limited travel I do which is typically for shows and restaurants.
    The only expensive cab ride is if my wife goes to a salon out in the Summerlin area which is probably $45 ea. way with tip.

    Anyway I'm curious why people rent cars on every trip.When I look at the cost of renting on my upcoming 5 night trip it's $400 from Hertz or Avis and $300 from most of the others.
    In terms of strictly cost comparison these figures don't include valet tips which will likely be a minimum of $10-$15 daily.
    Maybe I'm wrong but it seems to me cheaper and more convenient to use cabs.
    If you're planning a major day trip, that changes things but for staying around town I don't see it.
    I'm interested in hearing from others.am I missing something?
     
  2. jjc312

    jjc312 Tourist

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    We'll rent a car every now and then we we go. I like to visit the M, Red Rock and maybe check out a new restaurant off the strip. The only downside is not being able to drink.
     
  3. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    Not to mention the incredible lines that I see when going thru the rental facility at most of the so called bargain car-rental joints. Last Sunday the line at Dollar resembled something at Disneyland. Sure not the way I'd want to start my vacation...

    I rent monthly for business reasons, but during the off-hours use cabs or the hotel limo.
     
  4. mjames1229

    mjames1229 # of visits includes only trips w/ hotel stays

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    The question of rent vs. not-to-rent comes to one variable (do you plan on drinking too much, and if so, stay off the road) and how much time you want to devote to it.

    On my upcoming trip, I got a two day rental at Advantage for $41 TOTAL for a mid-size (I also found a convertible at Dollar for $57 TOTAL, which I will take if the weather is nice). I am then going to Reno for a couple of days, and when I get back, I have a one-day rental at Advantage for $19 TOTAL.

    I can barely get to mid-strip for $19, and certainly not a round trip. Add a trip to downtown (which I enjoy) and I am way, way further ahead than not renting. I am not a drinker, though I do when I get back to my "home" hotel.

    I usually rent from Alamo, and use one of their many kiosks to complete the transaction... In, out, done in 5 minutes. This is my first shot at Advantage/Dollar, so I am not sure how smooth it will be. But for a total of $20 a day? I have 10-15 minutes to spare.

    YMMV, and I am not saying that renting a car is the only (or even the best) way to go. But for my balance of time versus cost, renting a car fits my needs far better than busses/shuttles (IMO too much time waiting on each trip) and cabs (IMO too much cost for the length of trip).
     
    USBC Nationals are back in Vegas
  5. Vegas Insight

    Vegas Insight MIA

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    As somebody who doesn't have $90 to spend on cab rides to and from Summerlin, I cannot offer a fair basis for comparison. I rented a full size car recently for four nights. Including the cost of gas to fill the tank, it as $105. I had to walk to and from the car, but in order to go to the places I wanted to go, when I wanted to go, I would have spent far more than $100 on cabs. Given you take a limo and stay at Aria, you're probably looking to rent a luxury car, and therefore can expect to pay $300 plus. On my budget I save time and get to places I wouldn't get to if I had to take cabs and buses everywhere. If it would cost me $400 to rent that car, that would significantly change my vacation.
     
  6. charliepeete

    charliepeete Low-Roller

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    i have about 100 trips to vegas and i have always had a car. i use to go to different sportsbooks back in the 70's

    now i go to all the station casinos and for morning drive to the starbucks on flamingo and paridise....if i drink i just park

    the car and walk............i usually put 250 miles on during a four day trip....
     
  7. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    I don't think you're missing anything. Your approach as to whether to use rental or cabs is based solely on how you structure your trip.

    In your case it makes good sense to utilize cabs. Most of your trips are within the Strip, going to shows or restaurants. This way you can drink, and not stress over Strip traffic.

    If your trip is involving visiting local casinos, or shopping at various off-strip malls, or seeking out of the way dining places, then a rental would make sense and be more economical.

    I think that is why both cabs and car rentals can exist profitably in Vegas.

    Sometimes renting a car for a day or two on a week or more trip is another good way to go.


    All the options are there. Just do what is best for you and makes you happy and comfortable. Some people don't like to drive in Vegas ( like me) and are willing to pay cabfare to get to where they want to go.
     
  8. joart75

    joart75 Tourist

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    We usually get a mid-size or full-size car for less than $200 total for a full week. We do not need to stand in any lines to get the car; just present an ID and sign as we leave the lot. We usually go to a couple different places each day, so I think the rental car costs us less than cabs would. We use the free self-parking that is available everywhere, so that also helps keep the total cost down. It seems to be what works best for us.
     
  9. Rush

    Rush MIA

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    Nittany, it doesn't sound like you would ever need a car, but others have outlined reasons why they would.


    I've done both, based on what my plans are going to be. If I only plan on a few short trips, I will not bother with a car. BUT, if I plan on making several trips, and going well outside the city, a cab isn't very practical. A couple weeks ago, we rented, and we went all over the place. Cabs would have hit over $500, so the $250 for car/gas was a bargain.

    I don't drink, so that's not a concern.
     
  10. Nittany1

    Nittany1 VIP Whale

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    Thanks for the responses.
    I should add in the past I have done two day rentals from whatever car rental company is at the hotel I am staying.
    Unfortunately they kill you and the rates are at least twice the airport rates.
     
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