Nevada is the Silver State, a land of dramatic desert landscapes, glittering entertainment capitals, and surprising natural wonders. From the neon-lit Las Vegas Strip to the serene shores of Lake Tahoe and the ancient wilderness of Great Basin National Park, Nevada offers an extraordinary range of experiences. The state blends frontier heritage with modern luxury, making it a destination unlike any other in the American West.
- Public
- Las Vegas has reasonable public transit along the Strip via the Monorail and Deuce bus, plus a citywide RTC bus network. Reno has RTC RIDE buses. Outside these cities, public transit is virtually nonexistent.
- Taxi
- Taxis are available throughout Las Vegas but have been largely supplanted by Uber and Lyft. Meter rates start at $3.50 with $2.60/mile.
- Rental
- Car rental is the key to experiencing Nevada beyond the casino floors. Major agencies at both airports offer competitive rates mid-week.
- Walking
- The Las Vegas Strip is extremely walkable — though the scale of the resorts means walking between them takes longer than expected. Fremont Street Experience and downtown Reno are excellent walking destinations.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- $25-35 to Strip
- Taxi Info
- Taxi stand outside baggage claim at Harry Reid International; metered fares to Strip take 10-20 minutes
- Shuttle
- $8-12 per person
- Shuttle Info
- Shared shuttle vans depart from airport regularly to major Strip hotels; takes longer due to multiple drop-offs
- Bus
- $2 (RTC Route 109)
- Bus Info
- Public bus Route 109 connects airport to downtown Las Vegas; Route 108 to Strip area; inexpensive but slow
- Private
- $55-80
- Private Info
- Pre-booked private car service with meet-and-greet at baggage claim; fastest and most comfortable option
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
RTC Las Vegas covers the metro area; Deuce runs full Strip length 24/7; routes 109 and 119 serve major corridors; $2 per ride or $6 daily pass
Alternatives
Las Vegas Monorail ($5/ride), free casino trams, rideshare apps, hotel shuttles to major attractions (some casinos offer free shuttle to outlets)
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- $3.50 base + $2.60/mile
- Apps
- Uber, Lyft
- App Names
- Uber, Lyft
- Typical Fare
- $15-25 for average Strip to off-Strip ride
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Greyhound and FlixBus serve Las Vegas from Los Angeles ($20-50, 4-5 hours), Phoenix ($25-60, 5 hours), and other Southwest cities
Shared
Shared shuttle services connect Las Vegas to Los Angeles, Phoenix, and other nearby cities; also Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim
Flights
Southwest, Spirit, Allegiant offer cheap connecting flights from Las Vegas ($50-150 to West Coast cities)
Private
Car hire from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, and other day trip destinations from $150/day including driver
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Nevada's transportation is dominated by the car — the state is vast and sparsely populated outside Las Vegas and Reno. Las Vegas has surprisingly good public transit along the Strip, while Reno's downtown is very walkable. For exploring natural attractions like Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, or Great Basin National Park, a rental car is essential.
Airports
Harry Reid International Airport
Reno-Tahoe International Airport
Henderson Executive Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Uber
Most widely used rideshare app in Nevada; widely available throughout Las Vegas and Reno
Lyft
Popular rideshare alternative; comparable pricing to Uber throughout Nevada
RTC RIDE
Official app for Las Vegas and Reno public transit; real-time bus tracking and trip planning
Las Vegas Monorail App
Purchase monorail passes and view route map; available for iOS and Android
Google Maps
Reliable navigation for Nevada driving; includes transit directions for Las Vegas public transport
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Never drive on the Strip on New Year's Eve or during major events — it's closed to vehicles; use the Monorail or walk
Uber/Lyft pick-up zones at Strip hotels are often not at the front door — check the hotel's rideshare instructions
Resort fees at Las Vegas hotels now include self-parking fees at most properties — verify what's included before paying
For Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, and Hoover Dam, rent a car for the day rather than booking an expensive tour bus
Gas stations on the Strip charge 20-30% more than off-Strip stations — fill up before leaving the neighborhood
The drive from Las Vegas to Reno via US-95 takes about 7-8 hours and passes through beautiful desert landscape
Mountain roads to Lake Tahoe (US-50 and SR-431) require chains or snow tires December-March — check Caltrans/NDOT conditions
At Harry Reid International, rideshare pick-up is on Level 2M — not the arrivals level