I recently returned from a weekend-long vacation in Las Vegas. Yesterday I discussed the airfare portion of my trip and gave tips to obtain inexpensive airfare and unannounced fees. Transportation
Maneuvering around Vegas can become very expensive using a taxi service. During my trip I had to get from the Bellagio to Planet Hollywood (which is directly across the street). A $9.00 taxi ride later I was at my destination.
If you are not afraid to drive in Vegas I strongly recommend renting a car. The two best websites to find cheap cars are www.kayak.com and www.carrentals.com. On both sites you enter in your travel dates and times and they go out and search the internet for the best rates. Yesterday I mentioned that third party sites tact on an extra amount to cover their fee. For car rentals I have found that the price shown on the third party website is less expensive than going directly to the car rental website.
After the car is booked and confirmed I scour the internet for car rental coupons. Most car rental companies offer coupons for free upgrades. The website www.retailmenot.com is excellent for coupon codes and links to these types of coupons. I can’t guarantee this next tip but it has happened a handful of times…depending on how late you arrive in the city the rental company is out of certain car types due to the demand, especially for compact to standard sized cars. When this occurs the company has always given us a larger sized car. That is why we prefer to fly in later in the evening but still pay the rate for a smaller car.
If you prefer to travel around Vegas on foot I recommend buying a $7.00 bus pass. This pass allows a 24-hour access on the strip route. You can enter and exit at free will. This option is great for sight-seeing and takes away the stress of driving. We all know how crazy people can drive on the strip. If you get on the bus at the beginning or ending of the line (Tahiti Village or Stratosphere) you have an excellent chance of riding on the top deck to really get in some great sites and pictures!
Come back on Monday as I discuss lodging options in Vegas and how I scored a great deal at a great hotel.