Vegas Trip # 3 - Monorail, monorail, monorail and other modes of transportation.

This tip is all about saving your tootsies from pain and the less fit from falling out because they didn't realize just HOW long a block on the strip actually is. Take the Las Vegas Monorail. The cost is very much worth it if you are staying at the opposite end or have several places along the strip. Also, you can use MLIFE points from the My Vegas to redeem free tickets. I've already bought one with my points for later this week. We bought a 3 day pass for the days that we have shows up and down the strip. We may have to hoof it TO a few places, but the ride back to the closest hotel is definitely worth the cost. So is the security and cleanliness. We saw a canine unit travelling through on Easter and often see police patrolling the monorail platforms. Of course, we've seen quite a bit of security since we've been here and what looked like a scene from CSI yesterday with all kinds of police and federal cars parked in the alley beside one hotel. The most amusing part of that was the slap card guy trying to play it cool and not lose his corner right beside all those officials. (Slap cards to be mentioned in the next tip)

Now, there are some trams that go between some of the MGM hotels, and those are free. But you do have to get off and hoof it a few blocks to the next one for the next set of hotels.

Taxis... Taxies are great, especially when first arriving from the plane ride. There are buses that will sucker you for a ride down the ENTIRE strip for way more than a simple taxi service. But beware, don't let them take you to the freeway. The main strip hotels are just a few minutes away so the fare really shouldn't be more than a 20 or so. Since taxis charge by the mile, if you find some other travelers going to the same destination, you can split the fare.

Buses are another good mode of transportation if you can get and understand the map and routes. I believe they only cost a couple of dollars a person to ride. We haven't done that because neither of us has stupendous direction sense-- and I haven't hunted down a route map yet.

Ah, yes. There are also many other upper scale modes of transpo. Limos, tour buses, and the like, and of course there are shuttles between some of the hotels. Be sure to check what your particular needs are well ahead of time and call your hotel to see what kinds of transportation may be offered as a courtesy.