Getting Around Las Vegas: Airport, Monorail & the Strip

Getting from Harry Reid Airport to your hotel is the first puzzle; getting around after that is the second. We cover the Monorail, the Vegas Loop, the free hotel trams, walking, rideshare and parking in one place.

Reviewed by the Vegas Guide editorial team · Updated September 3, 2026 · 2 min read

The Strip looks compact on a map, but it's about 4 miles long and the desert heat is real. Here's how to move around efficiently and cheaply.

From the airport

Harry Reid International (LAS) sits just south of the Strip - roughly 2 miles from the south end and 5–6 miles from the north end. Most hotels are under 15 minutes by car.

Rideshare & taxi - fastest door-to-door; Uber/Lyft use a dedicated pickup area.
Rental car - worth it only for day trips; otherwise parking and traffic outweigh the benefit.

The Strip walk reality

What looks like "next door" can be a 20–30 minute walk in 40°C heat - casinos are huge and pedestrian bridges add detours. Plan longer hops with transit and carry water.

Las Vegas Monorail

Runs 3.9 miles along the east side of the Strip, 7 stations from MGM Grand to SAHARA, every 4–8 minutes. It crosses the full Strip in under 15 minutes - ideal on show nights.

The Vegas Loop

The Vegas Loop (the LVCC Loop, built by The Boring Company) runs Tesla vehicles through tunnels under the Las Vegas Convention Center - a roughly 2-minute hop across a campus that takes 20+ minutes to walk, and it's free for convention attendees. Paid stations now reach Resorts World, Westgate and Encore, and a Sahara station opened in August 2026, but it isn't a Strip-wide transit system yet, so it mainly matters if you're in town for a convention.

Free hotel trams

Mandalay Bay ↔ Luxor ↔ Excalibur
Bellagio ↔ CityCenter ↔ Park MGM

Quick, air-conditioned and free - perfect for south- and center-Strip clusters. The Mirage ↔ Treasure Island tram is parked until the Hard Rock rebuild opens, planned for late 2027.

Rideshare, taxi & parking

Rideshare is convenient but surges after big events and on weekends. Most Strip resorts charge for self- and valet parking; Downtown is often cheaper or free. Avoid driving Las Vegas Blvd in the evenings.

Bottom line: stay on or near the Strip and you rarely need a car - combine walking, free trams and the Monorail, with rideshare for late nights.

Frequently asked questions

What's the cheapest way to get around the Strip?

Walking and the free hotel trams cost nothing. For longer hops, the Las Vegas Monorail beats rideshare at peak times and skips traffic.

How far is the airport from the Strip?

Harry Reid International is about 2 miles from the south Strip and 5–6 miles from the north Strip - most hotels are under 15 minutes by car.

Do I need a rental car in Las Vegas?

Usually not if you're staying on the Strip. A car only pays off for day trips like the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam or Red Rock.