Whether in Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII or planning a future trip, alternative transportation, including public buses, is worth your consideration. That’s because car rental prices aren’t always affordable, and most hotels charge for parking unless you’re a rewards member. However, during high-profile events like the Super Bowl and the Grand Prix, prices for everything are higher, including hotel rates, car rentals, and taxi services. If you want to save money on your next Vegas trip, consider using public transportation or other alternative means to get around.
Types of Alternative Forms of Transportation in Las Vegas
RTC Public Buses
The most affordable public transportation option is the RTC, with 39 bus routes serving the Greater Las Vegas Area. While bus ride rates differ between the Las Vegas Strip and residential routes, it’s still a bargain compared to a car rental and parking. Of course, bus fares are even better at the reduced rate for older riders, students, and disabled people. If you’re a Nevada resident and a veteran, you can also get bus fare at a reduced rate. On the other hand, riding a bus can be tricky unless you’re public transit savvy and know how to get around. However, the one bus route you might want to consider is the Deuce, which operates between downtown Las Vegas and beyond the Welcome to Las Vegas sign.
The Deuce
Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Deuce makes several stops on the Las Vegas Strip. For instance, starting from the Fremont Street Experience, the Deuce has bus stops at the Strat, Resorts World, Caesars Palace, Cosmopolitan, and Mandalay Bay. From 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., the Deuce runs approximately every 10 to 15 minutes and every 20 minutes from 1 a.m. to 7 a.m. However, arrival times at bus stops can vary due to traffic conditions and disruptions, including construction areas. With this in mind, it’s unclear how reliable the arrival times of this alternative transportation option will be during Super Bowl weekend.
Downtown Loop
The City of Las Vegas operates a free shuttle service daily, with several stops in downtown Las Vegas. This includes stops at the Fremont Street Experience, the Mob Museum, Fremont East Entertainment District, and Bonneville Transit Station. While the Downtown Loop shuttle may connect to the Deuce and other bus routes, it doesn’t operate too late. In detail, the shuttle runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays. As for Fridays and Saturdays, it runs from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 25-minute intervals. Moreover, it’s unclear whether additional shuttle service will be added for Super Bowl LVIII. Either way, the Downtown Loop can be a practical way to get from one downtown attraction to another as an alternative form of transportation.
Las Vegas Monorail
Extending nearly four miles, the LV Monorail is less affordable than a bus but still a viable public transportation option for some Vegas resort hotels. For example, a single ride is $6, and day passes are $15, although no discounts exist. In addition, rates are slightly lower when purchasing any pass online. Furthermore, it operates on a monorail and doesn’t run into traffic congestion between the MGM Grand and the Sahara. Between those two endpoints are other stops east of the Strip, including the Horseshoe/Paris station and the Flamingo/Caesars Palace station. As for getting to Super Bowl LVIII, the Las Vegas Monorail will be busy, but it’s still about 1.5 miles from Allegiant Stadium.
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Free Tram Services
Three sets of free tram services are operating on the west side of the Strip from the Vegas Monorail. First, a tram is operating between Treasure Island Vegas and the Mirage. Then, the Bellagio-City Center-Park MGM tram connects Bellagio to the Monte Carlo Resort Hotel. Lastly is the Mandalay Bay-Excalibur tram, which will likely be very busy on Super Bowl Sunday, with its proximity to Allegiant Stadium. For example, it’s about a mile from the north Excalibur or Luxor station to the stadium. Each free tram service operates frequently, although you can expect huge crowds for significant events. These alternative public transportation services are among the best ways to get around Las Vegas and the Strip.
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Rideshare/Taxi Service
Like any other major city, Las Vegas offers rideshare services like Uber, Lyft, and several taxi companies as alternative transportation. While rideshare and taxi operate frequently, there are some differences. For example, with a rideshare, you will know in advance what your trip will cost. In contrast, you won’t know the exact charge of your taxi ride until you reach your destination. Moreover, your Harry Reid International Airport pickup point will differ between rideshares and taxis. Additionally, taxi companies will impose a $10 surcharge for trips from the airport, the Las Vegas Strip, and Allegiant Stadium. As for rideshares, it’s unclear if a surge charge will be imposed during peak demand.
Rideshare to the Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium
As you would expect, Allegiant Stadium has a designated spot for drop-offs and pick-ups. You will get off on West Mesa Vista for arrivals, then walk to Fan Entry 2. After the game, you can meet your rideshare on Las Vegas Boulevard after exiting Fan Entry 1. Again, please be aware that there will be surge pricing in times of high ride demand. To help you find your way, please use the NFL OnePass app for maps and directions.
Airport/Hotel Shuttles
Several Las Vegas hotels offer a free shuttle service from Harry Reid International Airport. These include Silverton Casino, El Cortez, Palace Station, and MGM Signature. In addition, paid shuttle services operate from the airport to many major Vegas hotels. Among the best-known are Airport Limousine Service, Bell Trans, and SuperShuttle.
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Tour Buses
To keep up with demand for Super Bowl LVIII, some resort hotels offer bus service to Allegiant Stadium. Although these services are convenient for football fans, they are costly. Nevertheless, these shuttles provide a valuable service and can make it easy for you to get to the Big Game. Among the hotels offering shuttles are Circa Resort and Casino and The Palms Casino, with possibly more to follow. You can make reservations for tours on reputable sites like Eventbrite. While BigBus Las Vegas won’t be advisable for Super Bowl transportation, it’s always available for other occasions or visits.
(credit: City of Las Vegas)
Las Vegas Loop
Not to be confused with the free public transportation, Downtown Loop is the dazzling Las Vegas Loop. In some detail, it’s an underground public transportation tunnel that uses Tesla sedans. What’s more, the cost of riding the Las Vegas Loop is quite affordable, at just a few dollars for a ride or day pass. While this is the most efficient of alternative transportation in Las Vegas, it’s not altogether practical in getting to the Super Bowl. That’s because only a portion of the Loop is complete and only serves the Convention Center and Resorts World. On the other hand, it connects to the Las Vegas Monorail at Boingo Station. As this state-of-the-art system expands, the Loop may eventually extend to Harry Reid International Airport and possibly Allegiant Stadium.
Bike/eBike Rentals/Scooters
Possibly the least likely form of alternative transportation to be used during the Super Bowl is bike rentals. For one thing, riding a bike on Las Vegas Boulevard or the sidewalks is illegal. Besides, biking on the Strip would be challenging and possibly dangerous if it were legal. Furthermore, traffic always seems to be heavy on the Strip during peak times, and the intersections are hard for a bike to negotiate. Nevertheless, there are bike racks at Allegiant Stadium in designated areas, although there will not be a bike attendant. In case you’re thinking about a bike rental, most shops can be south of the Venetian Resort and into downtown Las Vegas.
Walking
Of all the basic forms of transportation in Las Vegas, the one you’ll most likely use most is walking. In case you weren’t aware, walking is the oldest form of transportation and yes, it’s certainly affordable. In fact, if you plan to stay in a hotel on the Strip, you will find yourself walking a lot just to get to a restaurant, nightclub, or even a bus stop. Of course, walking has health benefits as you’re certain to get plenty of exercise and fresh air. In the event that you’re lucky enough to attend Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium, you can expect to do plenty of walking.
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About the Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University and has nearly 25 years of experience in the transportation industry.
