renting a car in LV

[brasilero]

how do you get around town. i heard they have a bus system, or the monorail i hear taxi's are very expensive. is it worth it to rent a car for a few days. what about parking , can you find a place to park and is it expensive etc... also is it safe , will people break in your car

any tips would be appreciated as well as recommending rental company's?

Edited June 13, 2007 at 07:34 AM by brasilero

[Love,]

I prefer going to Vegas during the winter months, because it's nice and cool. And during this time, I love to walk around, and feel the desert breeze.

 

When I was there twice during summer months... my gosh, I could feel sweat from my head to my toes just by walking a few steps outside. It's just crazy HOT!

 

In terms of transportation, I did take their monorail system. However, the monorails kinda swerves itself on the east around the outer ring of the east side of the strip. It's pretty convenient and affordable though.

 

The last time, I went to Vegas, this January, my roommate and I took the taxi SO many times. It was very fast and convenient. But it does get pretty pricey, collectively.

 

Bear in mind that during weekends, holidays, and convention days, the Strip is twice to three times busier than normal. Well, "NORMAL" because it is always busy and congested. Imagine, twice the congestion. You might even crawl and beat the traffic.

 

But if you plan to go out of Vegas and explore the desert, then it's good to rent a car or bring your own.

 

The cool thing about Vegas is that it's a "City on the Move," so, no matter what, there will always be a way for you to get from one spot to the next.

 

If you want to splurge, you can even rent a Ferrari...

Edited June 13, 2007 at 08:44 AM by Love,

[WendyB]

how do you get around town. i heard they have a bus system, or the monorail i hear taxi's are very expensive. is it worth it to rent a car for a few days. what about parking , can you find a place to park and is it expensive etc... also is it safe , will people break in your car

any tips would be appreciated as well as recommending rental company's?

All the major hotels have parking garages behind them. It's free to park and there's loads of space. We've never had any trouble with the car being broken into and stuff like that but, stating the obvious, don't leave valuables on display. Either take them with you or lock them away out of sight.

 

As well as the monorail there is the Deuce bus. It costs $2 per trip and runs the entire length of the Strip. You can get on or off wherever you like but the charge is always $2. They're very popular and always crowded. Make sure you have the right money too, they don't give change.

 

As for recommending a rental company, maybe someone else can give advice. Our rental car is included in the price of our holiday and we've always been completely satisfied. I think the company is Dollar, but there are loads of others to choose from.

 

Hope this is of some help

[DianaLuts]

Ace car rental is alright. i think we paid $100 for 4 days. that was last year thou.

[Erin]

maybe it's just me... but I wouldn't recommend renting a car just for getting around the strip. Parking is free everywhere, but the parking garages are huge (and some are a pain to get to and confusing and/or extremely crowded at night). In the time it takes you to walk from your car to the casino, you could have just walked there in the first place...lol. And if you valet it, that involves some waiting around and then you have to tip them. And traffic on las vegas boulevard is terrible, especially at night, especially on weekends. I have a car, and I don't even use it to go from casino to casino. I drive to the strip, park at caesars or bellagio and just walk around from there (i've even taken the deuce bus ($2) rather than take the car out..hah). If you're already staying on the strip, I don't think a car saves you much time and just kind of wastes $30 a day or whatever... If you're going to Hoover Dam or Red Rock or something, I would just rent a car for the day. Pretty much all the major hotels have a car rental place there that can hook you up if you find you need one.

[SarahJB5]

I was thinking about renting a car when I go in August. It wasn't going to be a bad deal $150 for 6 days...but be advised....if you're under 25 years old they will charge you a "young driver fee" which is a MINIMUM of $25/day which totally doubled the price of the rental...total rip off in my opinion!!!!

[CSCfan]

Yeah, it's definately recommended....but only if you're also planning to go outside The Strip/Vegas (Grand Canyon, Red Rocks, Outlet Stores, etc.). If you'll only stay on The Strip, your feet, a taxi or the busses (or monorail) will definately suffice.

[stevethefan]

If you just want to stay in the strip area you are probably better off not renting a car, because as mentioned there is a monorail and a trolly bus that can take you almost anywhere on the main strip. The strip is usually pretty congested with traffic, so not having a car can be an advantage. If you are planning on going on any outside excursions like the Grand Canyon, Red Rocks park, Lake Mead or anywhere else then having the car is more convenient, although they have many bus trips you can take to things like the Grand Canyon. Renting a car depends on where you think you will be going. Edited June 14, 2007 at 03:21 AM by stevethefan

[brasilero]

wow, thanks 4 all the reply's guys

sooo informative.

well since i won't be going anywhere other than LV hopping from show to show and the occasional night club, i guess i won't need a car and $2 per trip on the monorail ain't expensive at all. woohoo

Edited June 14, 2007 at 04:31 AM by brasilero

[KimboCosmo]

We are renting a car while in Vegas, but because we will be leaving Vegas and heading over to Cali for a few days as well, and then just turning in our rental car there. I'm thinking it is cheaper...but I would like to know if Caesars has complimentary parking for their guests? Also, does IP? We will be staying at one of those. It would be really dumb if they made their guests pay to park!

[Erin]

^ yeah, parking is free everywhere whether you're staying there or not. Vegas is pretty awesome that way... because everyone wants you in their casino to gamble..haha

[KimboCosmo]

Are you sure? Someone told me that it isnt free to park even if your a guest there. Well, I'm trusting that you know what you are talking about, and I won't worry about it anymore...!

[Erin]

^ lol. seriously?? at caesars?? don't worry, I park there at least once a week - it is definitely free.... there's not even anywhere they COULD collect money like toll booth things

 

I don't know the situation with valet because i always do self park, but i'm pretty sure it's free and you just tip them when you pick up the car.

[WendyB]

We've been to Vegas 4 times and stayed at the Excalibur (twice), Caesars Palace and the Mirage. Parking has never been a problem (we always self-park too). There's usually a security guard as you drive in, but we've never been stopped. All the parking garages are behind the hotels and there's loads of space if you don't try to park on the first level next to the door into the hotel

[KimboCosmo]

Ok...awesome! I'm set then...one more thing i dont have to save money for lol

[Scully Dion]

If I have the cash, I lerve to rent a car, nothing better than cruising up and down the strip in a fancy convertible with Celine blasting out the radio!

[brasilero]

We've been to Vegas 4 times and stayed at the Excalibur (twice), Caesars Palace and the Mirage. Parking has never been a problem (we always self-park too). There's usually a security guard as you drive in, but we've never been stopped. All the parking garages are behind the hotels and there's loads of space if you don't try to park on the first level next to the door into the hotel

hehe yea i hate parking in those jammed packed indoor garages cuz i cant parallel park .

so i go where it's empty

 

Ok...awesome! I'm set then...one more thing i dont have to save money for lol

haha yea me too, its such a relief to know i can just walk freely about without having to worry about the car, about parking it, and worrying about it being towed or hit or stolen

 

 

If I have the cash, I lerve to rent a car, nothing better than cruising up and down the strip in a fancy convertible with Celine blasting out the radio!

omg i would never have the nerve to do that. i'm afriad people may tease me for liking Celine and not being "cool" enough

Edited June 23, 2007 at 06:30 PM by brasilero

[Scully Dion]

omg i would never have the nerve to do that. i'm afriad people may tease me for liking Celine and not being "cool" enough

 

ahhh you're missing out, the cheesier the music the better hehehe