Getting around Nevada
One monorail, one 24-hour bus, and 300 miles of open highway between the two main cities. Here is how it actually works.
Empty two-lane highway heading into the Nevada Great Basin
In Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Monorail runs behind the east-side casinos from MGM Grand to Sahara, $6 single or $15 for 24 hours. The Deuce bus covers the Strip and downtown 24 hours for $8 a day. Uber and Lyft are everywhere but airport pickup requires you to walk to a specific rideshare zone at Terminal 1 (level 2M) — allow 15 minutes. Taxis have a $3 airport surcharge. The Vegas Loop (Tesla tunnel under the Convention Center) is $5 per person for a novelty ride.
Between cities
There is no passenger train inside Nevada. Vegas to Reno is a 7-hour drive up US-95, or a 90-minute flight from $80. Vegas to Los Angeles is 4 hours on I-15 — dodge Friday afternoon and Sunday evening. Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim is 4.5 hours; Vegas to Zion is 2.5 hours. FlixBus runs Vegas-Reno for $50 to $80 but takes 10 to 12 hours.
Renting a car
Rent at Harry Reid Airport or Reno-Tahoe International rather than downtown locations — the Strip surcharges add $20 to $30 a day. Base rates run $45 to $80 a day for a mid-size, plus a $5 daily concession fee and rental tax. Fill up before returning; airport fuel is $6 a gallon. For desert driving, take a full-size sedan or SUV, not the cheapest compact — highway crosswinds are serious on I-15 and US-95.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask before they set off on this one.
No, if you stay on the Strip or downtown. Yes, if you want to visit Red Rock, Valley of Fire or Hoover Dam on your own schedule.
Only if your hotel connects to a station. Otherwise the Deuce bus or a $10 rideshare is faster.
Short rides on the Strip are $10 to $18 with surge; airport to mid-Strip is $22 to $35.
Yes. LA to Vegas is 270 miles on I-15, San Francisco to Reno is 220 miles on I-80. Both are well maintained interstates.
Hotels in Nevada
More guides to Nevada
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Neon, red rock and free entertainment for under $400 total, including 2 nights in a downtown hotel and every meal.
Same rooms, same rates as booking direct — and every stay funds one verified tonne of carbon removal.