Las Vegas - Anyone taken the Monorail?

I've read a bit on these boards about the issues with the Monorail. For one, the fact that it didn't work for so long! Also, that the locations weren't conveneint to their stops (that they let you off in the back of hotels, etc.) But instead of walking from the South of the Strip to the North side, it looks (on paper) to be a nice, convenient option. Has anyone taken it-any reviews? If it's no good, how best to get from a Luxor to a Stratosphere, etc? I've walked from Center strip to the north and even that was not much fun.

I tried it on its third (or so) day of public operation. I liked it. Especially since it was really hot and humid outside, but air-conditioned inside.

At $3/ride, is the $30 weekly pass a good deal? It seems like for a 3 or 4 day trip it could be, if you used it more than once a day. Think that's very likely or not? I think those were the rates I had read about. Does it come pretty often? Thanks.

I hear those things are awfully loud.

I thought they were really pretty. I love the yellow Nextel ones.

I took it just before it broke again for a few days in January. The ride itself is just fine. The trams come every six minutes or so. We bought and shared a 10 ride ticket for $20.00. At 2.00 a ride it was fine. We only went from the large parking lot at the Sahara station to the convention center but it saved some traffic.

The stations are a long walk from most places. To get from the Luxor to the Stratosphere as your planning I would take a cab.

The monorail at the Luxor goes as far as the Excalibur. Then you walk across to the MGM and to the far back lot of their property to get to the monorail that goes to the Sahara. Then you walk from the far back of the Sahara to the Stratosphere. I would guess it would take you about an hour to do this. The cab ride from the Luxor up the expressway would probably cost about $12.00 door to door and take 15 minutes.

I hear those things are awfully loud.

It glides as softly as a cloud! :D

Stop that rhyming now! I mean it!

QL

Stop that rhyming now! I mean it!

QL

Anybody want a peanut?

Is there a chance the track may bend?

Not on your life, my Hindu friend.

I rode the monorail a few weekends ago and it was fine.

I stayed at the new (non-gaming) Renaissance, which is adjacent to the South Hall of the LVCC and therefore just a couple minute's walk to the CC monorail station. It was VERY nice to be able to go to and from the Strip hotels on a whim (I bought the all-day pass).

Conversely, when staying on the Strip in the future, it will be great to be able to go to and from the LVCC during trade shows - no more horrendous cab lines or rental car hassles :)

BTW the ticketing machines take debit as well as credit cards - my Florida card was accepted with no problems whatsoever.

mono... D'OH!

Hey there.

Just got back from Vegas on Monday. Went with four guys - took the monorail once when exploring on my own - from Harrah's to Las Vegas Hilton then walked to Circus Circus - about a 20 - 30 minute walk so expect a walk if you're not going to the station hotel.

For $3 definitely worth it if you want to get somewhere relatively fast. If you've got a larger group of 3 or 4, cab is probably more economical and about the same amount of time - most of the cabbies I had seem to know the short cuts.

Enjoy.

Toronto Traveler

How often do they run?

How often do they run?IIRC their little map booklet said "every 7 minutes". Based on my rides, I never waited more than 5 mins.

At $3/ride, is the $30 weekly pass a good deal? It seems like for a 3 or 4 day trip it could be, if you used it more than once a day. Think that's very likely or not? I think those were the rates I had read about. Does it come pretty often? Thanks.
The Web site doesn't list a weekly pass. Only a 10-ride for $20 (sounds like a good value) or 1 or 3 day unlimited for $10 or $25 respectively.

Neither unlimited pass sounds like a good deal to me, especially versus the 10-pack at $2/ride. You'd have to ride 6 times in 24 hours to do better on the 1 day and 13 times over 72 hours to do better on the 3 day.

Doppy, in my case the 1-day was better:

I was at the new Renaissance Hotel next to the convention center (a non-gaming property). In the late morning, I took the monorail in for a late breakfast and to visit the Strip stores and casinos. I rode back to my hotel to relax and change, then went back to the Strip for dinner and more fun, returning back to the hotel in the late evening.

Had I purchased my tickets separately, I would have paid $12.00.

Although I guess that, if unused rides in the 10-pack don't expire, I could have saved them for the next trip (this assumes that I would not have lost them in the meanwhile) :D

Although I guess that, if unused rides in the 10-pack don't expire, I could have saved them for the next trip (this assumes that I would not have lost them in the meanwhile) :D
Like this:

"I see your $6 and raise you two monorail rides."

?

How often do they run?

Every six minutes, my how fun.

What about when there is no sun?

Jump on the track and start to run...

Gee I hope this thread is done.

QL

Hi all,

I'm unable to think of the word "monorail" without also thinking of The Simpsons' Monorail Song. I thought it was great to see the insider posts.

Anyway, I have a real question... :)

In a few weeks, I'll be in town for a conference at the Las Vegas Convention Center. I'm considering staying with a friend (for free) in Henderson.

It seems that I have three options...

Stay at my $50-60 dive hotel within walking distance of the LVCC.

Stay at friend's place in Henderson. Drive to LVCC and pay the $5-7 to park each day.

Stay at friend's place in Henderson. Drive to MGM Grand and get on the monorail. I'd buy the $20/10 rides pass and use the rest of it on a future trip to Vegas.

Seems the main questions I have are about the MGM Grand station. Can I park there for free? How long will it take me to walk from the parking to the station? Will it save me any time, given that I'll be arriving around 9:00am and leaving around 5:00pm each day? Will there be massive lines at the LVCC at the end of the day (it's a very large convention)?

Thanks for your help!
Tim in Hollywood

You could park at the MGM Grand for free in the casino's valet or self-park area. Or you could just drive to the Hilton, park for free, and walk to the convention center. That way you can cut out the monorail.

Hi TransWorldOne,

Unfortunately, they monitor the Hilton parking garage during this convention in an effort to avoid this exact scenario. Without a room key or reservation, parking is typically $10-15 at the Hilton during this convention.

Anyone with specific info on the comparison of Paradise Rd. traffic vs the parking time at MGM Grand+monorail would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Tim in Hollywood



You could park at the MGM Grand for free in the casino's valet or self-park area. Or you could just drive to the Hilton, park for free, and walk to the convention center. That way you can cut out the monorail.

Hi TransWorldOne,

Unfortunately, they monitor the Hilton parking garage during this convention in an effort to avoid this exact scenario. Without a room key or reservation, parking is typically $10-15 at the Hilton during this convention.

Anyone with specific info on the comparison of Paradise Rd. traffic vs the parking time at MGM Grand+monorail would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Tim in Hollywood

You might want to try parking at the Flamingo. The garage is pretty close to the monorail station (I think - parked there many times on last trip, but did not pay much attention to monorail station - but it is in the back). I've found it easier to get in/out of the Flamingo through the back entrance.

You might want to try parking at the Flamingo. The garage is pretty close to the monorail station (I think - parked there many times on last trip, but did not pay much attention to monorail station - but it is in the back). I've found it easier to get in/out of the Flamingo through the back entrance.

Harrah's Parking structure is also close to the Monorail station that they share with the Imperial Palace, but sometimes they limit parking to guests only. The walk from any of these ( MGM, Flamingo, IP, or Harrah's) is not bad, but if you make a wrong turn in MGM you can almost triple your walk. From the Self parking entrance, as you enter the "star walk" Make a right and follow the signs.
Smitty