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Convince me to rent a car!

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by pink_paradise, Aug 23, 2014.

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  1. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

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    If you think the drivers in Vegas are nuts than you would think the drivers in any northeast city absolutely insane. Seriously, one of the strangest things for me to get used to when I rented a car out there was how nice people were. For example, out there when I was trying to get into a different lane I was confused why people behind me in that lane were slowing down to make it easier for me. Over here as soon as you try to get into another lane people will gun it to prevent you from getting in front of them. Its like every man for himself.
     
  2. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Never driven in the NE. I was comparing it to our polite, good natured, Midwest drivers.
    But, once they imposed the mandatory auto insurance in NV, there were probably 5 reports every morning about hit and run accidents. I didn't listen to the radio in the afternoon, but my guess is there were probably as many during afternoon rush hour.
     
  3. LindaP

    LindaP Low-Roller

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    We always rent a car simply because we like to go to many places that are not serviced easily by other transportation. From the list of places you listed, they all seem to be located on or near the strip and are easy to get to on the bus. I would do a little more research and look to see how much you would actually use the car. Maybe since you're planning on doing the Grand Canyon you could rent a car for a few extra days and really plan your away trips around that time. Save all the strip stuff for when you don't have the car available.

    Some trips you might consider if you get the car: M Resort, Mt Charleston, Red Rock, Valley of Fire (absolutely gorgeous), Pahrump winery, and a Lake Meade sightseeing cruise. Have a wonderful vacation!

    - Linda in TX
     
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2014
  4. pink_paradise

    pink_paradise Low-Roller

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    Thanks for all the replies! We are still a little on the fence but leaning towards renting. We are not big drinkers so that isn't an issue and if we really can get the cost down to $250 like one post said then it would be the same (or less) than what we paid for cabs on our last trip. We HATE buses, and are big shoppers (can go 12 hours at a time) and so all those bags would be really difficult to lug around on a bus or doing a combo of monorail & walking.

    One more thing- I have been playing around with Google Maps and the directions don't really seem to make sense whenever I type something in (ie: why can't I take Tropicana from valet, turn left at the lights and go south on the strip instead of going on Audrie?) It's these little things that make us nervous. We do not own cell phones so no GPS (and do not want to pay the daily fee for 2 weeks) so we want to be confident that we will find our way around.

    Are there clear signs on which smaller streets to take to get into and out of valet/parking? I don't want to end up in the wrong spot, like in the cab area if I'm supposed to be in valet etc.

    We were in cabs most of the time last time so we really didn't notice any of these things.

    Thanks for your patience VMBers! : )
     
  5. Cinwhim

    Cinwhim Low-Roller

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    Everything is really well marked on the strip - but there is such a sensory overload that they can be easily missed. However, you're on Vacation......and not alone in that. If you are in the taxi lane, then chances are that others have done the same (or worse) Laugh it off and try again. :) Getting around outside the strip is really easy and plenty of options for getting around north and south of the strip without having to use the strip. You just can not get lost there really - just spot the strip and head that way.

    If we are casion hoping in the car, we have gotten so it's easier for us to self park than to valet and try to navigate that whole mess. If the hotel/casino is busy then waiting on your can can sometimes take a while. So, if you miss the Valet sign, then self park. They usually are not as far away as you would think they are from the casino.

    I agree with shopping around and have found that Costco has some really good discounts. If you have one close, a membership might be worth it for you. I also definately agree with pricing it with the 2, 1 week rentals or 2 full week options. Good luck!
     
  6. Jordan

    Jordan Caveman

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  7. NurseLisa

    NurseLisa High-Roller

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    I had been to Vegas at least 12 times before I decided to try renting a car because we were going hiking at Red Rock. It was so liberating that we now can't go without the car. costco travel is the cheapest way i've found to rent. It always costs me $25 each way to Airport and back with tip so that's $50 then one round trip anywhere else and I've paid for my 3 nights car rental. Myabe you could group all your activities that you'd need a car for and have the car a week rather than 14 days. Last trip we drove the car to and from airport and once down to Aria. Still was worth the $92 to me. Maybe we want to go downtown, that's going to be a $70 round trip in a cab.
    there is a great resource for understanding how to enter the parking garages for most hotels located here: http://www.vegas.com/transportation/parking-garages/
    good luck and enjoy your trip.
     
  8. kayden

    kayden Tourist

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    Driving in Vegas is a snap, especially if you get used to the roads on either side of the strip that run parallel. Even the rental car facility at the airport is easy to rent from with its shuttle service and the car counters all next to each other, but some rental car counters at hotels seem like good options as well.

    We rented a car for our most recent 7 day stay and used to to drive everywhere - Grand Canyon, South Outlets, Neon Museum, Mob Museum, Costco in Henderson, etc etc. We also visited no less than 7 different hotels with the car, and even though we used the self park, the valet signs were very clear for most of them. Our rental was just over $200 for the week.
     
  9. V.C.

    V.C. Tourist

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    Make your car reservations and just keep checking if it gets cheaper. I once rented a car in advance, and the night before or was it that same day, (sorry don't really remember) I checked again and the car was much cheaper! Or you could rent a car from the airport for one day and since there will be two of you, you could drive to the more local areas and pick up a rental from there on the next day before you return the airport rental. I rented a car from a local area before when my friend was living there, it was way cheaper! Good luck!
     
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