Newcomers to Las Vegas often make the mistake of thinking the casinos on the strip are all an easy walk away. The incredible size of the casinos, however, paired with the distance from the street to the actual entrance, can make up several blocks of extra footwork. Enter the eco-friendly Las Vegas monorail, an elevated electric train system that runs along the east side of the strip, from the Sahara to the MGM Grand. The air-conditioned monorail is easy to use and races along at speeds up to 50mph, saving you time, multiple cab fares, and the extra wear on your feet.
Las Vegas Monorail Tip 1: Find the closest station.
The Las Vegas monorail station stops are the Sahara, the Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas Convention Center, Harrah’s/Imperial Palace, Flamingo/Caesar’s Palace, Bally’s/Paris Las Vegas, and the MGM Grand. For two-name stations, the first name is the casino where the station can be found. Keep a map of the Las Vegas strip handy to help with choosing the right direction and station stops.
Las Vegas Monorail Tip 2: Consider multi-day passes.
Tickets for the Las Vegas monorail can be purchased online or at the monorail stations, or from ticket vending machines in the station casinos (station and online offer different ticket options). Monorail station ticket booths are manned during the day, and ticket vending machines are available 24 hours a day. Both booths and machines accept cash or credit. Plan ahead and explore the best ticket options for your stay. Single ride tickets, multi-ride and multi-day passes are available. Multi-day passes offer the most bang for the buck, and allow users to hop on and off the Las Vegas monorail at any time during their stay without having to stop at the ticket booths or vending machines again.
Las Vegas Monorail Tip 3: Move quickly.
Ticket gates at the Las Vegas monorail are operated by machine. Slide the ticket into the appropriate slot and let go. The ticket gets sucked inside, read by the machine, and then pops out above the slot where you inserted it. (One ride tickets will not come out.) Quickly remove the card and pass through the gates. Linger too long and the gates may close and force you to reuse your ticket, or buy a new one.
The Las Vegas monorail moves fast and the doors open and close abruptly. When entering the monorail, find the nearest seat and sit down. Sit on an end rather than the middle so other passengers can quickly fill in the empty seats. Know what your next stop is, and be prepared to exit as soon as the monorail stops. There’s not much time to exit, so a lack of attention can cause you to have to ride on to the next stop and then take another train back.
Las Vegas Monorail Tip 4: Hang on!
If there are no seats available, stand near a handrail and grip it firmly. It also helps to space your feet out slightly for balance. The Las Vegas monorail curves and gets bumpy, and at 50mph it’s easy to lose footing. The announcements in the car will remind you to hang onto a handrail, so be sure to listen!
Las Vegas Monorail Tip 5: Read the signs.
It’s easy to get disoriented in all the glitz and glamour of Vegas, and the sprawling nature of the casinos can distort a person’s sense of direction. Monorail stations are at the back of the casinos, so you may have to wind through an entire property before reaching it. Watch the overhead signs and ask casino staff for help if needed. A wrong turn can lead to blocks of extra walking!
Every Las Vegas monorail station has handy monorail maps in print form and posted on the walls to help travelers remember which direction to head in. The northbound and southbound trains stop on opposite sides of the platform, so make sure you’re standing in the right place.
After exiting the monorail, follow the signs to get into the casino or out onto the strip. Use your own skills, as the mob of other tourists doesn’t necessarily have a clue where they’re going either.
Las Vegas Monorail Tip 6: Be a good citizen.
Las Vegas monorail trains arrive every few minutes, so there’s no reason to push and shove to get onto a car. If the train is full, just wait for the next one. Respect people’s personal space. Give up your seat to pregnant, elderly or disabled passengers. Walk with purpose and get out of people’s way. If you’re confused about where to go in the station, move off to the side so as not to impede other passengers.
Keep your personal conversations personal. There’s no need to shout into a cell phone or to friends across the car about details no one else wants to hear. Save that communication for when you exit the Las Vegas monorail.
Las Vegas Monorail Tip 7: Stay safe.
The Las Vegas monorail has highly rated security with ever-present guards and video surveillance. The trains run until 2am during the week and 3am on weekends, so darkness and thinning crowds still make it wise to be wary. Try not to travel alone, but if you do, avoid any groups or situations that might be unpleasant or dangerous. See a crowd of drunks at one end of the platform? Wait at the other end and be sure to get into a different monorail car. Push-button emergency intercom phones are available on both the trains and platforms if you need to call for assistance or to report anything suspicious. If the platform is deserted, consider waiting in the casino until another group of travelers arrives or until a security guard appears.
In my experience, security was more present in the later hours and even escorted the group of passengers from the platform to the casino entrance. Use common sense and enjoy the speed and safety of the Las Vegas Monorail!
Buy tickets online at the Las Vegas monorail website. Print off a map of the Vegas strip from Vegas.com.
