Las Vegas - Renting a car, is it worth?

Mrs. Lovecraft and me are travelling to Las Vegas from 29/8 to 2/9, we'll be staying at the MGM Signature.
Is it worth to rent a car? Or would be public transport + occasional taxi enough? Is it easy to find parking wherever you go?
We don't gamble, so we'll be mostly visiting attractions and shopping, and on one day we'll do a full day excursion to the Grand Canyon (plane or helicopter).

Totally worth to rent. Cabs are very expensive. Valet parking is free. Cars are about $20 to $30 a day. One way from LAS to MGM would cost you around $ 25-30. Im also a non gambler so having a car comes handy. Have fun

Cars are about $20 to $30 a day.

I normally use Priceline for rentals in Vegas. I just picked up a Premium Car for $20 a day for a 5 day trip next month. I think I paid $18 a day for a Convertible on my last trip, Compact and Mid-size often for $12-14.

Totally worth to rent. Cabs are very expensive. Valet parking is free. Cars are about $20 to $30 a day. One way from LAS to MGM would cost you around $ 25-30. Im also a non gambler so having a car comes handy. Have fun

Agree and disagree.

Agree for your agenda -- for outlet shopping and scenic areas, it will be helpful to have a car -- should consider Hoover Dam and Red Rocks national recreation area.

Disagree to the extent you're thinkig of driving everywhere. I would avoid driving on the Strip in the evenings and weekend days -- that's one way to derail your schedule and happiness. And, of course, if you are drinking, you'll be able to have more fun without the driving duties.

Thanks for the comments.
Well, we'll be there from Monday to Friday, so no weekends. And we don't drink, so no problem in that department.
So I think I'll go ahead and rent a car.

Definitely rent a car, alamo is usually where i get it at. However, the rates have been weird lately. It seems cheaper to book 3 days + 1 day, than to book 4 days. Anyways, use alamo with coupon codes. Cheers!

I would avoid driving on the Strip in the evenings and weekend days -- that's one way to derail your schedule and happiness. And, of course, if you are drinking, you'll be able to have more fun without the driving duties.

I would drive the strip in the evening once just to see the lights, but expect it to take some time. I find it fun to cruise it once a trip (on arrival if at night or else first night if not).

For the rest of the time, study a map and learn the streets Koval, Paradise (east of strip) and Sinatra/Martin (west of strip on either side of I-15) and avoid the strip at all costs.

I go to vegas a few times a year and almost always get a car. It is very inexpensive and valet is free everywhere. If you dont drink and want to leave the strip during your trip, you must get a car or you will spend a fortune on cabs. have fun.

Do you guys rent your cars at the big rent-a-car warehouse or do you go to a local place? Last trip to Vegas I reserved a car at the "airport" which meant having to take a shuttle to the huge building were all the rental car companies are located. It was a mess.

Last year I rented at the "warehouse".
The shuttle seemed easy,
and the rental and return was easy.

No drinking or gambling?

Skip Vegas.

NYC has better entertainment and food.

No rental car necessary.

From the upper deck of the Deuce Bus (city bus which covers Las Vegas Blvd.) one can get a really nice view of the strip--better than with a car--since you are riding atop), This saves the hassle of dealing with a car at a fraction of the cost.
If you don't have much luggage, getting to and from the airport using city buses can save time over the shuttle; a few times I've gotten from the airport to Paris casino using 108 NB connecting to 202 WB in 20 minutes (I lucked out with super connections). The shuttles take 30 minutes to fill up and then with drop-offs another 30+ minutes.

No drinking or gambling?

Skip Vegas.

NYC has better entertainment and food.

No rental car necessary.

Been a few times to NY already. And I still think there's enough to do and see in Vegas without drinking or gambling.

Last year I rented at the "warehouse".
The shuttle seemed easy,
and the rental and return was easy.

Maybe I was just unlucky the onetime I rented there. It was a mess. Long lines, slow shuttles, etc.

I made the mistake of waiting in the long lines at the "warehouse" once. Then I realized that with Hertz, I could "skip the counter". Now, I just jump off the shuttle and go right to my car. It really is easy. The only thing is you have to leave a little more time to return the car when you are headed to the airport.

I've never been to LV without a car. Especially if you don't drink, I think the positives seriously outweigh the negatives. It's cheaper than many/most US cities, and the taxis are expensive. Only real drawback is that the rental car center is off-airport and requires a shuttle. That's a bigger deal on return where you need to budget more time. When picking up, if taxi lines are long it might be faster to go to the RAC center.

I never rent a car because I usually have too many adult beverages everyday during my trip. A cab ride to MGM Sig should only be $15. I get to the flamingo for under $20 including tip. But if you want to move around and don't drink go for the cab!

if you're going to be around the strip, just pick a place to stay that's relatively central (i.e. bellagio) and don't rent a car...the tram will get you to city center, and cabs are pretty quick to on-strip properties.

Given your itinerary you should definitely get a car. Valets are free, but sometimes can be very slow so we typically self park which is convenient but is a relatively long walk at MGM.

As for the Strip, take the time to drive down at night it is fun and traffic really isn't that bad, at least compared to what it used to be before they put in all of the pedestrian walkways.

Going to just miss you, Mrs. musing and I will be there, but are leaving on the morning of the 29th, staying at Bellagio.

Getting around Las Vegas mmm... You can do it in so many ways but here are the 3 most common

Walking: Depends when are you going, if it's let's say from May to August (very hot) or from December to February (cold) it's not the best thing. I went on April and I still hated it. Hotels in Vegas are gigantic, just getting from the entrance of your hotel to the Strip might be a 5 minute walk. But it's free after all.

Taxi: Not very cheap, but it is convenient. The only downside is that you have to walk to a hotel to pick up a taxi.

Driving: Yes, maybe the traffic on the Strip is not the best but with the fact that hotels are huge and the offer free valet parking and that prices aren't high I just say this is the best way to get around the city, still is the best if you are only visiting the Strip.

In the end we rented a car. We didn't used it a lot (but at least once a day), hotel hopping was better done walking (even in spite of the heat). Very convenient for driving to Fremont street at night and to the Outlets.
Pick up and return was a breeze, the shuttles run very frequently and take you from/to the airport in less than 10 minutes.
Thanks everyone for the advice.

did you ever make it to the grand canyon? We've planned twice and never did it. Now we don't even bother :p

I know this is late, but my 2 cents anyways.

only time I think you DONT NEED a car is if you plan to stay in one general area (strip/downtown). Hell even then it can suck. Hotel to Hotel is definitely easier by foot. Don't have to wait for a taxi, not to mention pay for it. Lets say you only had to go 3-4 casinos down..do you wait for a taxi or walk? casinos aren't that small so it's still 10-15 mins?!? taxi you have to wait, plus you feel silly for paying for such a short ride. Should mention that awesome desert (hot/cold) weather that I avoid.

I always try to rent a car. When people tell me not to/it's a waste - their only reason is you'll be drunk. OK fine. I'm not a heavy drinker, and even if I do it'll be at night before the club. There are a lot of stops that I like to visit off strip (shopping/food). If you're into strip clubs, I think you pay more if you take a taxi there.

Totally worth it.
Rented a car for one day and drove to Lake Mead, Valley of Fire State Park and Boulder City. Most hotels have free parking on the strip. Plus it was nice to have the freedom to drive to 'non strip' hotels such as the RIO or the Golden Nugget with ease.

The answer is: it depends. I can't get more technical than that :D

For you, don't bother. MGM is so centrally located, that you really don't need to worry about it.

I usually only get one when I'm planning on venturing outside of the strip for business, adventure, etc.

You should be fine.

For you, don't bother. MGM is so centrally located, that you really don't need to worry about it.

I usually only get one when I'm planning on venturing outside of the strip for business, adventure, etc.

You should be fine.

Is that what it's called these days ? :D

Is that what it's called these days ? :D

Yep!

They say the best deals are closed in a club...

BUT, I still like to visit brick and morter when I can.