nd2010

I met a couple who got seriously ripped off by a taxi. They got charged $60 to go from the airport to the Rio. It was their first time in Vegas, and the taxi driver even asked them that question. Of course the trip started with the tunnel, but it got worse. After the tunnel, it seemed like they were taken EAST on 215, since they said they "saw signs for Henderson". Then nearly a half hour after getting in the cab, they said they saw signs for the airport again. I presume the cab took 215 east to 515, going almost in a circle, then took Tropicana or Flamingo from 515 west to the Strip, then finally to the Rio. They tipped the driver $10 for the "service".

That is literally highway robbery. Sadly, it probably happens every hour. How on earth are they allowed to go so far out of the way just to cheat tourists?

ijgordon

I think it's hard to have sympathy these days with all the information that is available to people. I would think some basic research should reveal the pitfalls of a taxi ride from LAS. In fact, if you Google "Las Vegas airport taxi", 3 of the first 5 links make references to tunneling.

DenverBrian

Koval has two essentially equally stressed syllables.

Ko (rhymes with low)

Val (rhymes with wall, although I have heard some people pronounce it more like the Val in Val Kilmer)

aamilesslave

I couldn't disagree more.

cblaisd

Dear all,

Snarky, off-topic, personal attack posts have been removed. If you have something civil, thoughtful, and friendly to say please feel free. Otherwise....

Thank you.

cblaisd
Co-Moderator, Las Vegas forum

nrr

I have a general aversion to taxis*, especially after reading some of the scams perpetrated on travelers to (or leaving) LAS AND elsewhere. It should not be up to the traveler to prepare themselves so they won't be scammed--actually the reverse should be the case, the TAXI "Commission" should take extra efforts to prevent it from happening. Since the tunnel route is such a "popular" scam, couldn't they (say) post signs in each taxi or near the taxi queue at LAS, alerting travelers?
*In another (older) thread here, I noted that I gave a taxi driver (hotel to airport) a 15% tip, but it was less than $2.00--he started cursing at me.

kettle1

How far was the cab ride to tip less than $2.00? Come to LAS and I'll apply to become a cab driver to drive you through the tunnel. KIDDING.

It should be a flat rate depending where you are headed, like in MSY. LAS needs to crack down on this crap. I live in this great city, full of cab driver scams. I'm sorry. Enjoy LAS.

DON'T TAKE THE TUNNEL! If you do - you got scammed - (unless going to Henderson or Summerlin via the 215).

nrr

I think the fare came to $12.20 x 0.15 = $1.83, total = $14.03 and I gave him $14 [I could search for my OP in that thread...but these numbers are from my recollection(s).] This was over 2 years ago (the rates probably have gone up NOW). I think it was from Monte Carlo (or MGM) to McCarren.
[The way the streets are arranged (from past experience) the fare from Mandalay Bay to airport is more expensive than Monte Carlo--even though it is closer by distance.]

PS: I normally use the CAT bus system going to and from Airport--these usually take less net time than the shuttles. But now that I'm 7* in the Total Rewards system, limos are much nicer.

kettle1

Do you also tip the limo driver $2.00?

High roller!

mikeef

I am pleased to say that on my trip to Vegas last week, the driver did not long-haul me. Sad that I've come to expect it.

I also noticed a board on the inside of the airport, right near where the taxis are located, giving estimated fares to various Strip properties, but there were enough ifs/ands/buts that a cab driver could still long-haul a passenger easily.

Mike

DenverBrian

Here's a pic of the new sign boards as you exit baggage claim at McCarran:

lindaiah

Staying at the Rio in a few weeks. I've been to Vegas many, many times, but haven't stayed at the Rio...
Should a cab go through the tunnel from LAS to the Rio or no...?

Thanks!

Loren Pechtel

No. The Rio is north. The tunnel isn't as bad for the Rio than for most Strip casinos but it's still the long way.

QuietLion

If I were driving I would definitely take the tunnel to the Rio. It adds 2.5 miles to the trip but it's about three minutes faster than the shortest route, Swenson to Flamingo. The tunnel gets you there faster but will add $6.50 or so to the fare if there is no traffic and you make every green light. Otherwise you pay $30/hr for waiting in traffic, which increases the cost of the trip via surface streets. Of course there can also be traffic on the freeway.

It will generally save you a few bucks to take surface streets, but "getting tunneled" isn't really a complete scam unless it's to one of the hotels very close to the airport such as MGM.

QL

Loren Pechtel

I live way over on the west side of town. One day the taxi home from the airport (we were gone long enough that taxis were cheaper than parking) tunneled us. I would say it added at least $5 to the fare. He wasn't one bit happy when I paid him what I would have paid had he not tunneled us and then he said I should have said something. I didn't think I needed to, since I was directing him out into the suburbs and said I would direct him in he should have realized we were locals. Once he took the wrong branch there's nothing to be done about it anyway.