Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 12:34 am Post subject: GETTING THERE/AROUND IN LAS VEGAS / LAS VEGAS TRANSPORTATION
GETTING THERE/AROUND IN LAS VEGAS
GETTING THERE
By Air
The airstrip in the desert known as McCarran International Airport ( +1 702 261 5211/ http://www.mccarran.com/ ) captures the Viva Las Vegas spirit with slots scattered throughout the two terminals so you can start gaming as soon as the plane doors open. Few airports have bells and whistles ( literally ) blaring non-stop and the sound coins popping from a triple seven, but to balance out the leisure time between delays or when the money runs out, the airport offers a 24 hours fitness centre, an art gallery, an aviation museum, and a play area for the wee folks. Considering it is the middle of the desert the airport layout is expansive, which can be a problem if you are connecting flights between gates in different halls. Even the hike to baggage claim can be daunting to some. The only mode of travel in between ( unless you carry a senior card ) is by foot. Airlines include:
Getting into town is as easy as finding and heading north the aptly named Paradise Road. Connecting to Las Vegas Boulevard or I-15 ( the quick way into downtown ) simply requires making a left turn at any of the major streets named after casinos ( i.e. Tropicana, Flamingo etc. ). Access I-215 from the airport if you are heading east to Lake Mead.
Taxis from multiple companies line up outside east end of baggage claim ( doors 1-5 ). A jaunt to the Strip takes around 10 minutes and a trip downtown takes about 15 minutes. This method is pricey at anywhere from USD15-USD25 for a trip. If for some reason you need to call a taxi or have a preferred car preference some of the larger businesses are: Checker/Yellow/Star ( +1 702 873 2000 ), ANLV/ACE/Union/Vegas-Western ( +1 702 736 8383 ), Whittlesea/Henderson ( +1 702 384 6111 ), Desert Cab Company, ( +1 702 386 9102 ), Lucky Cab Company ( +1 702 477 7555 ). Door to Door services are easy to find as the airport has a plethora of companies vying for business. A trip to the Strip is inexpensive starting at USD4. Limo service is extremely popular as high rollers like to arrive in style. Shuttle and limo companies onsite include: Bell Trans ( +1 702 739 7990 ), Airport Shuttle ( +1 800 259 0515/ http://www.vegasride.com ), Grayline/Coach USA/Express Shuttle ( +1 702 739 5700 ), Showtime ( +1 702 261 6101 ), and Las Vegas Limousine ( +1 702 736 1419 ). Public CAT ( http://www.rtc.co.clark.nv.us ) buses 108 and 109 head downtown but really do not put you on the Strip without a transfer. Bus 108 is good for the convention crowd as it makes stops right outside the main hall and at the Hilton next door.
By Bus
Greyhound buses come and go from the station on Main Street to all points across the nation.
By Car
I-15 links Vegas with Salt Lake City ( northeast ) and Los Angles ( via I-10 ) and San Diego ( southwest ). Highway 95 approaches from the bombed out desert northwest of town and from due south at I-40.
By Train
Unless unruly journey times thrill you or you are a fan of multiple transfers on multiple modes of transportation, you will not bother even trying to plan a train trip to Vegas. Direct service via Amtrak doesn't exist, thus you must take the train to the end of the line and complete the trip on a Thruway bus.
GETTING AROUND LAS VEGAS
Most people coming to Vegas bring their cars so they can drive up and down the famous neon filled adult fairyland affectionately called the Strip. Plus, the town is easy to get navigate by car considering most of the tourist places can be accessed by I-15 or Las Vegas Boulevard. Other than that the town is set up grid style, so getting lost is rare ( especially with a map ). Taxis are everywhere and can be hailed from the street or lassoed outside of a hotel. Travel by cab is not the cheapest in town ( metered fares begin at USD2.20 ), but the drivers are some of the most interesting people in a town brimming with interesting people and worth the extra cash usually. Limos, from base get-you-there-and-back models to beyond luxury mobile penthouses ) are also a popular choice for cruising at a night and plenty of companies are around to make sure that you too can stick your head through a stretch sunroof on the Strip.
CAT ( +1 702 2287433/ http://www.rtc.co.clark.nv.us ) has a decent network of public buses coving the entire city, and bus 301 darts back and forth along the Strip every 10 to 15 minutes 24 hours daily. Fares are USD2.
A series of trams connect certain casinos with each other, but half of the time they seem to be shut down. Routes include the Mandalay Bay to Excalibur tram, the Mirage to Treasure Island tram and the Bellagio to Monte Carlo tram, which is currently closed. A monorail system connects the casinos from Tropicana Blvd. to Sahara Blvd., with many stops along the way.
Surprisingly, bicycle travel is a popular and easy way to see the city and get from point to point. But considering the immense desert heat in the middle of summer it may not be your thing. For those who brave the elements, be sure to carry lots of water and check with a bike shop on the best routes around town. The local hills have some most excellent mountain biking trails.
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