Layover in Vegas

[NitroJMS]

Ok, so I booked a long layover in Vegas in about 2 weeks, since it was either sit around the house and wait for a late evening flight, or spend a few hours having fun there. What would you or can be done in a 9.5 hour layover during the middle of the day on a Thursday? I'm not planning on any shows or anything crazy but maybe a quick lunch and shopping before getting on my next flight.

Whatever I'm doing, I'd assume I'll have to head back to the airport 2-3 hours before my flight is to leave due to traffic/security.

[Deftones]

You could make it to the strip in about 30 minutes from getting off the plane. I wouldn't even worry about getting there 3 hours before the flight. I'd say 1.5 would be plenty. The Vegas airport isn't terribly busy during the week.

[pedagogue]

You could make it to the strip in about 30 minutes from getting off the plane. I wouldn't even worry about getting there 3 hours before the flight. I'd say 1.5 would be plenty. The Vegas airport isn't terribly busy during the week.

Exactly. If you are a foodie, I'd suggest picking your favorite type and finding a place to enjoy. You can gamble wherever, so unless you are looking for a very specific type of game/slot.....it doesn't much matter.

-p

[El Scorcho]

Also remember that whatever hotel you go to, you can check your bags at the bell desk for free while you gamble.

That said, since McCarran Int'l Airport is Southeast of the strip, you'll be better off targeting South-Strip casinos (MGM, Mandalay, Luxor, NYNY, Hooters, Excalibur, etc). This will minimize cab fare (About $15?) and transit time. As Deftones said, you can get from tarmac to hotel lobby in about a half hour.

[DeltaSigChi4]

Cab fare will NOT be 15$. I went from Caesar's Palace to the rental car terminal [which is closer than McCarran to MGM] and it cost me 40$. It was around 0900, weekday, light traffic [relatively].

E

[El Scorcho]

You got fucked in the ass then. I've been to Vegas at least 10 times in the last 5 years and the most expensive cab fare I had was from DOWNTOWN (Fremont St.) to the airport and that was only $25 before tip.

If you ever pay more than $25 for a Vegas cab to any part of the strip you should note the driver and call the cab company.

Here's a direct link of approximate fares to/from the airport to all the major spots in Vegas, as stated by the Nevada Taxi Cab Authority:

http://taxi.state.nv.us/FaresFees.htm

Caesar's is quoted as $16.48. If you paid $40, you severely got scammed.

[NitroJMS]

Thanks for the all the tips.

I'm actually thinking of taking in one of the buffets since I wasn't able to do that last time. What's decent in the $20 range?

[Lunatikk]

Cab fare will NOT be 15$. I went from Caesar's Palace to the rental car terminal [which is closer than McCarran to MGM] and it cost me 40$. It was around 0900, weekday, light traffic [relatively].

E

$40? How many times did you go through the I-15 tunnel?

[El Scorcho]

$40? How many times did you go through the I-15 tunnel?

Well, now that I think about it, I could see it. 46 cents per minute waiting time x 45 minutes of anal rape helps make up the difference. :lol:

[Lunatikk]

and on the buffets, I always enjoy Bally's, pretty good and in the range you want to spend.

[Deftones]

$40? How many times did you go through the I-15 tunnel?

LOL

Somebody got the long haul!!!!!!!

Seriously, you can do a cab to MGM/Mandalay/Luxor for right aroudn $20 with tip.

[pedagogue]

Here's a direct link of approximate fares to/from the airport to all the major spots in Vegas, as stated by the Nevada Taxi Cab Authority:

http://taxi.state.nv.us/FaresFees.htm

$72.36 to the Hoover Dam.

:lol:

-p

[Thrush]

Cab fare will NOT be 15$. I went from Caesar's Palace to the rental car terminal [which is closer than McCarran to MGM] and it cost me 40$. It was around 0900, weekday, light traffic [relatively].

E

You got rolled dude. I got a cab from The Wynn to the airport for $12 buck before tip.

[Flashback]

For $40 bucks he could have had a limo driver sitting around out the baggage area to take him.

[DeltaSigChi4]

I really don't believe any of you guys, no offence.

I DO live here, after all. I'll ask around.

I'll take my firsthand MULTIPLE experiences rather than some guys claiming that they got a stretch hummer limo ride from Las Vegas to Denver [roundtrip] for 30$ or whatever you're claiming.

E

[Lunatikk]

you don't believe the chart that Scorcho posted from the Nevada Taxicab Authority?

[Flashback]

I'll take my firsthand MULTIPLE experiences rather than some guys claiming that they got a stretch hummer limo ride from Las Vegas to Denver [roundtrip] for 30$ or whatever you're claiming.

E

Never said I took a stretch Hummer (and I never would either) but if you do not believe a limo driver will take an easy $ you are crazy. I have taken rides right outside Grand Central in NYC for $10 to just go up town. It was on their way. My brother who was limo driver for years used to do it all the time ... quick money under the table to go pick up a ride that they were going to get paid for. Do the math.

[El Scorcho]

Google Maps states that the distance from Rent a Car road (by the McCarran Airport terminal) to Caesar's Palace Drive is 3.7 miles.

Let's start with $40.

We just lost $3.30 for the flag drop. Oops, we now have $36.70.

Damn, stupid $1.20 airport fee. $35.50 now.

We'll probably hit about 5 minutes of wait time on the way at $28/hr. That's $2.35 gone, or so. Down to $31.15 now.

So now we're purely left with $31.15 of fare spread across 3.7 miles. You're seriously suggesting that you paid $8.42 per mile?

$8.42 per mile is a far cry from the $2.20 per mile quoted on the website.

Even if you were longhauled (taken south of the airport to I-215 and then I-15), which is 8.4 miles, you would STILL be paying $3.70 per mile.

Either your story is horribly misrepresented or you got completely and utterly scammed and won't admit it. But hey, you live there so your stories have much more validity than the tens of anecdotes from users here that say you're way off.

[Deftones]

I really don't believe any of you guys, no offence.

I DO live here, after all. I'll ask around.

I'll take my firsthand MULTIPLE experiences rather than some guys claiming that they got a stretch hummer limo ride from Las Vegas to Denver [roundtrip] for 30$ or whatever you're claiming.

E

Uhhh, dude. I've been to Vegas more than 30 times in the past ten years. I've had all sorts of transportation to and from the airport. You name it, I've ridden in it.

Cabs to the south strip should not cost you more than $20 with tip, any day of the week at any time. North strip shouldn't be more than $25. You got long hauled. Even more embarrassing since you live there.

[Flashback]

Uhhh, dude. I've been to Vegas more than 30 times in the past ten years.

Funny how he lives there and they still take him for "a ride". :lol:

[Deftones]

Yeah, you'd think being a local would get you away from being long hauled. :lol:

[DeltaSigChi4]

You don't simply pay per mile, or quarter mile, but for distance AND time.

AND time.

Carry on.

E

[Lunatikk]

Yes, you do pay for distance and time.

So the 3.7 miles you traveled x $2.20 per mile = $8.14
Drop fee + airport fee = $4.50

That leaves $27.36 from the $40 that your fare was. Waiting time is charged at $28 per hour or 46.6 cents per minute, so it is definitely possible if you were stuck in traffic for an hour.

[Deftones]

You don't simply pay per mile, or quarter mile, but for distance AND time.

AND time.

Carry on.

E


Unless he drove you down the strip, twice, the time part shouldn't matter. Please tell me you didn't fall for that. :lol:

[aktick]

Was just in Vegas for the first time in December, cab from the airport to The Mirage, middle of the day, pretty heavy traffic, was $25 including tip. Every other trip was just about $20 including tip (Mirage to Fremont St., Sahara to Mandalay, Mirage back to airport).

And on the topic of the OP on good buffets - I read Mandalay was supposed to be right up there, decent price ($25 or so)? I did 2 breakfast/brunch buffets when I was in town - Flamingo and Sahara - both were pretty good, nothing fancy, but a good variety of stuff that didn't make me sick (which buffets have a tendency to do ;) ). Both about $15 I think. Stay away from ESPN Zone, I hated that place (don't think they have a buffet anyways).

For shopping (and remember, I've only been there once, so I surely didn't see everything), Caesar's Forum Shops and the Venetian seem to be the best bet - both have a themed environment (why go shopping in Vegas if you don't want that, right?) and some good stores.

[Flashback]

Waiting time is charged at $28 per hour or 46.6 cents per minute, so it is definitely possible if you were stuck in traffic for an hour.

Sitting in traffic for an hour to go 3-4 miles? I guess it's possible if there was a major accident but I have never even come close to that. Most spend more time in the cab line than the actual ride ;)

[Lunatikk]

Sitting in traffic for an hour to go 3-4 miles? I guess it's possible if there was a major accident but I have never even come close to that. Most spend more time in the cab line than the actual ride ;)

I know, I know. Trying to give the benefit of the doubt here.

[Deftones]

There's not much benefit of the doubt that can be given. Of course, if he wants to admit he was long hauled, which in of itself is hilarous since he's a local, maybe we'll back off the guy.

[greg9x]

What's worse is that this has apparently happened multiple times !!!

Been couple years but Airport to NY,NY was ~$20 with the tip.

[El Scorcho]

It was around 0900, weekday, light traffic [relatively].

AND time.

:hscratch:

Apparently the car didn't have gas in it so you had to get out and push the cab for an hour.

[Red Dog]

I don't think I've ever paid more than $20 for a cab ride to/from mid-strip (Flamingo, Barbary, etc) to/from the airport.

[Deftones]

I'm driving to Vegas on Saturday. I'm willing to have my brother drop me off at Caesar's and I'll take a cab to the car rental terminal in the airport. Then I'll get a receipt and scan it, just to prove how completely wrong Delta is.

[fumanstan]

I really don't believe any of you guys, no offence.

I DO live here, after all. I'll ask around.

I'll take my firsthand MULTIPLE experiences rather than some guys claiming that they got a stretch hummer limo ride from Las Vegas to Denver [roundtrip] for 30$ or whatever you're claiming.

E

Considering it isn't just one guy but about 5 different guys, I'd actually believe them. Of course i've always driven out to Vegas rather then fly, so I've never taken a cab out there.

As for Buffets, I liked the one in the Planet Hollywood hotel. At least I did back in Feb when it was still the Aladdin. A good amount of stores there too, although not as fancy and high class stuff like Caeser's.

[Red Dog]

I agree - the Aladdin buffet is pretty good. Haven't been there since the change either.

[namja]

I don't think I've ever paid more than $20 for a cab ride to/from mid-strip (Flamingo, Barbary, etc) to/from the airport.
I took the cab between the airport and Bellagio about 10-15 times in the past 5 years. Each time, it came out to a little over $20, or $25 including tip.

I don't understand how it can take an hour to get to the airport (if the fare was indeed $40) when there was relatively light traffic. It usually takes 15 minutes from the Bellagio to the airport.

[namja]

More on topic ... if you like poker, then take a cab to the MGM and play some poker ... rarely any traffic between the MGM and the airport (MGM is about as close to the airport as you can get) and they have a big poker area.

[Red Dog]

I took the cab between the airport and Bellagio about 10-15 times in the past 5 years. Each time, it came out to a little over $20, or $25 including tip.


I could see that (I also wasn't including tip). To get to Flamingo from the airport, you don't have to touch/cross LV Blvd, which makes at least a several minute difference.

[pedagogue]

I agree - the Aladdin buffet is pretty good. Haven't been there since the change either.
Ditto. Spice Buffet was definitely one of the top 3-4 in vegas. The planet hollywood decore is fugly (even for vegas), but as long as you can stomach that. ;)

-p

[Bill Geiger]

I didn't take a taxi, I took the hotel limo buses....cheap and easy.

[NitroJMS]

Another question, what about the shuttles I've seen advertised? I see they run in the $5-7 dollar range.

[El Scorcho]

Another question, what about the shuttles I've seen advertised? I see they run in the $5-7 dollar range.

Yep, but these shuttles stop at every hotel that a passenger is staying in. So if you're staying in the North Part of the strip (ti, Wynn, etc.), you get to sit on the shuttle and watch it drop people off at mgm, nyny, luxor, etc. first!

[Deftones]

Yep, but these shuttles stop at every hotel that a passenger is staying in. So if you're staying in the North Part of the strip (ti, Wynn, etc.), you get to sit on the shuttle and watch it drop people off at mgm, nyny, luxor, etc. first!

That's not true, anymore. At least from my experience. They now break them up into Zones. South Strip, Mid-Strip and North-Strip. But, you'll still get screwed if you end up being the last hotel dropped off. So, you might save $10, but you lose at least 30 minutes of your time, if not more.

[pedagogue]

$10 < 30 minutes of my time.

[NORML54601]

$10 < 30 minutes of my time.
Multiple pops?

[heimerSWT]

What about when cabs have ridiculous lines? When I was there last may, the cab line at the airport was almost an hour long. I think it snaked around 6 or 7 times.

Would a shuttle have been quicker or do lines get longer there? (I didn't look)

[Deftones]

Possibly. But remember, most people know about those shuttles just like they know about cabs. That line could've been just as long.