Las Vegas Strip.
You won't find sights and sounds like those of the Las Vegas Strip anywhere else.
Food. Drinks. Entertainment. Gambling. So much more. Read below for tips and tricks to help you navigate your visit to the Entertainment Capital of the World.


On This Page.

At the Airport.
Navigating Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
LAS has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.
-
Terminal 1: A, B, and C Gates
-
Terminal 3: D and E Gates
-
*Note: The D Concourse is remote and can be accessed via tram from either Terminal 1 or 3. Checked bags for flights arriving at or departing from D gates should be picked up at the Terminal 3 baggage claim and dropped off at your airline's check-in counter. Full airline listing here.
-
Each terminal has its own baggage claim, rideshare pickup, and taxi stand areas. Follow posted signage to find these areas and don't be afraid to ask for directions 🧭
Each concourse, as well as the Terminal 1 baggage claim, has lots of slot machines. Rumor is they don't pay very well — so don't lose your gambling budget or trip winnings here! 🎰
-
📱 Rideshare: An average rideshare (Uber/Lyft) costs $15-$30 but can vary greatly depending on demand, distance, and other factors. Each terminal has its own rideshare pickup area; drop-offs happen at each terminal's departures area.
-
🚕 Taxi: Taxi rides between the airport and The Strip are charged at a flat rate based on zones, and can sometimes be cheaper than rideshares. Check this map for the latest pricing.
-
🚗 Rental Cars: Rental cars are picked up at a remote location a short ride from the airport. A free shuttle runs 24/7 between the airport and each terminal. Follow signs in each terminal to reach the shuttle pickup. Unless you're planning extensive exploring beyond the Strip, I don't recommend a rental car — it will likely spend most of the trip parked.
-
🚌 Public Transit: Public transportation from LAS to The Strip is ... rough ... but not impossible. The easiest way to The Strip is via the Centennial Express (CX) route. This route runs approx. once hourly (early to late) from each terminal to various properties on The Strip and into Downtown Las Vegas. Note: Departure times vary between weekdays and weekends/holidays.
-
✨ Getting Fancy: For an upscale experience, you might consider booking a luxury black car or limousine service. Some companies, like Bell Limousine Service, have round-trip airport transfer specials. Your hotel might also have a preferred ground transportation partner or offer the service themselves — call ahead for rates and to arrange pickup and drop-off.

Getting to The Strip.

Hotel Check-In.
Checking In and Avoiding a Sales Pitch.
Timeshare Pitches
Various properties have timeshare sales representatives that are ready and waiting for unsuspecting travelers before you even check in. They'll meet you on your way to the front desk, chat you up with offers and perks (like free event tickets), and try their hardest to sign you up for a timeshare presentation.
Unless you're ready for this commitment, you can absolutely decline their advances. Be ready to stand your ground: a firm, gentle (sometimes repeated) "No, thank you" can save you a lot of time and grief. Yes, they are allowed to be there, and no, you do not have to engage.
Checking In
The check-in process is pretty similar to any other hotel. You'll need your ID and form of payment for the room rate, resort fee, and incidental deposit. Front desk clerks will almost always offer optional upgrades for an additional nightly fee. Whether an upgrade is worth it is up to you — just be mindful of your budget!
Navigating The Strip.

👟 Walking is King 👑
Walking is by far the most popular way to get around the Strip. But keep in mind, the Strip is more than 4 miles long, bookended by Mandalay Bay (south) and The STRAT (north). While properties may look close, many are actually fairly far apart — an illusion created by clear desert air and massive properties that lack smaller buildings for perspective. For example, the iconic Bellagio Fountains are roughly 1,000 feet wide — that's almost three football fields!
🚝 The Las Vegas Monorail
One of Las Vegas most underrated (imho) ways of getting around is the Las Vegas Monorail, which runs daily, early-to-late service between seven stops from the Westgate (north) to the MGM Grand (south). The Monorail is often uncrowded and a quick way to get between properties on the east side of the Strip. (I used it to get back to my hotel in about 20 minutes after the 2025 Latin Grammys.) You can buy tickets ranging from single ride to multi-day passes at monorail stations and online. All the info at lvmonorail.com.
🚆 Free Trams and Walkways
There are free trams and climate-controlled walkways that connect various properties on the Strip, making it easy to move between hotels without going outside:
-
ARIA Express Tram connects Park MGM, Crystals, and Bellagio (with access to ARIA, Vdara, and The Cosmopolitan). Runs 8 AM - 9 PM daily (extended hours during special events).
-
Mandalay Bay Tram connects Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur. Runs 10 AM - Midnight daily. Note: Southbound service skips Luxor.
Several interior walkways also connect a number of properties without needing to go outside:
-
The Venetian and Palazzo (via shopping promenade)
-
Bellagio and Caesars Palace (via Jockey Club)
-
The Linq, Flamingo, and Harrah's (via Linq Promenade)
-
Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur (ground-level walkways in addition to tram)
-
New York-New York and Park MGM (interior walkway)
🚕 Rideshare and Taxi
There are, of course, countless Uber and Lyft drivers crawling the Strip who can get you to and from your destination with relative ease. Most properties have specific rideshare pickup areas — look for designated signage or ask a hotel employee about property specifics.
For short trips between properties, a taxi might be your best bet. Like Ubers, they charge based on time and distance. However, taxi fares do not surge. You can estimate trip costs and even hail pre-arranged taxi rides through apps like Curb. You can also easily jump into a waiting cab at your property's designated taxi stand.
Player's Cards & Reward Programs.

Repeat business keeps Sin City alive. That's why most major casinos and resorts offer player's cards and rewards programs that give you benefits and perks. Popular programs include Caesars Rewards, MGM Rewards, Wynn Rewards, and Venetian Rewards. Caesars and MGM have the most wide-reaching programs, with dozens of affiliated properties across the Strip (and locations nationwide).
Here's why you should sign up — even if you're not a big gambler 🎰
You earn points for almost everything you spend money on at affiliated properties: slot machines and table games, dining, shopping, spa services, show tickets, and more. Points can be redeemed for free slot play, hotel rooms, dining credits, and other perks. Many programs also have tiered levels (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond) with escalating benefits like:
-
Complimentary or discounted hotel rooms
-
Waived or reduced resort fees
-
Priority check-in and room upgrades
-
Discounts at restaurants, shops, and spas
-
Free show tickets and event access
-
Exclusive offers and promotions
An important tip: Stick with one or two rewards programs to reach higher tiers faster. I've done this with Caesars Rewards where I'm currently a Platinum member, which gets me 15% off at casino gift shops, free monthly sports betting credits, and regular comp room offers (especially for midweek stays). I've easily saved hundreds on resort fees alone.
A few other tips:
-
Sign up before your trip - Most programs let you register online and get your card number immediately, then pick up a physical card in-person
-
Add your rewards ID to your hotel reservation to earn points for your room charges
-
Use your card everywhere (not just gaming) at affiliated properties — restaurants, gift shops, spas, etc.
-
Check your member portal regularly for special offers like discounted stays, tier credit multipliers, and free event tickets
Bottom line: Player's cards are free to join and can save you significant money, even if you never touch a slot machine 💰

