Friday, September 28, 2007

Leaving Las Vegas, Arriving Las Vegas McCarran Airport

Las Vegas is one of the world's top travel destinations and top travel cities. This is especially remarkable given that almost all of the Las Vegas Hotel and Casino action happens in two areas - the Las Vegas Strip and the smaller but still active Downtown Las Vegas area around Fremont Street.

A quick orientation to your transportation options from McCarran to your hotel are as follows:

* Las Vegas Limosines. Classy but the most expensive option. Expect to pay $50+ for your trip to the strip.

* Some hotels offer free shuttle service. This is a great option if available so ask your hotel about it.

* For two or more people Taxis generally will offer the best balance of price and convenience because they are much faster than the shuttle service. Expect to pay $10-15 for a ride to the strip.

* The Las Vegas Strip Shuttle service leaves regularly from just outside the baggage pickup area (Limos are here as well). This is your most cost effective option at about $5 for a ride to the strip. Unfortunately if your hotel is not close to "first" on the driver's list of hotels, which is not necessarily consistent with their place on the strip, you may be waiting up to an hour to get there. Shuttles do tend to be very clean and comfortable.

The Las Vegas Strip is the four mile stretch along Las Vegas Boulevard that is home to many of the world's largest hotels such as the MGM Grand near the south end of the strip and the Stratosphere at the north end. In between are dozens of enormous Hotel Casino resort properties such as the Wynn, The Venetian, The Bellagio, Caesar's Palace, The Mirage, TI (formerly "Treasure Island"), Bally's, Harrah's, Luxor, and several more. The Las Vegas Strip will soon be home to one of the world's most upscale residential developments now under construction.