What this solves
"Take the monorail" is advice that ignores three facts: the monorail stops at exactly 7 stations, none of them on the south Strip (MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Luxor) or at any airport. It does not go to Caesars, Bellagio, Aria, Venetian, Wynn, or any hotel that tourists actually like. The walk from the monorail to your hotel is often 10–15 minutes itself. This calculator does the honest comparison for your trip type, group size, and time of day.
It also shows rideshare surge reality — Vegas summer rain at 5 PM can push Uber 2.5–4× baseline. A "5-minute Uber" turns into a 25-minute wait.
The transit calculator
2026 Las Vegas Monorail facts
- Stops at 7 stations: SAHARA, SLS/Fountainebleau (formerly the northernmost), Westgate, Convention Center, Harrah's/LINQ, Flamingo/Caesars, MGM Grand.
- Does NOT stop at: Bellagio, Aria, Venetian, Wynn/Encore, Paris, Planet Hollywood, New York-New York, Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Excalibur, Treasure Island, Mirage, Resorts World.
- Hours: Mon 7 AM – midnight, Tue–Thu 7 AM – 2 AM, Fri–Sun 7 AM – 3 AM.
- Fare (2026): Single ride $7.50, 24-hr $17, 3-day $40, 5-day pass $52.
- Note: The Strip extension to the airport that was proposed in the 2010s is still not built. There is no rail to HAR.
Walking reality
"It's only a 10-minute walk" assumes you're at 72°F, in sneakers, and have working legs. Strip distances are deceptive — from the Bellagio to the MGM Grand is 1.3 miles (25 min) and crosses an active road. Sidewalk bridges exist only at major intersections; otherwise you're breathing bus exhaust.
Wait time + surge reality
Average Uber wait at HAR is 6–9 minutes off-peak, 12–18 in the evening, 20–30 during a storm. Strip-to-Strip during a 9 PM concert ends: 25–40 minute waits. Taxis queue at hotel stands in 2–5 minutes but cost the same.
How to read the result
- Strip loop (multiple hotels): Monorail wins only if your hotels are on its line (e.g., SAHARA → Harrah's → MGM). For most visitors, it's Uber/Lyft or walking.
- Strip to Downtown: Monorail does not go downtown. Uber/Lyft is $14–22 off-peak, $25–40 in surge. The Deuce bus is $8/24-hr ($6 base) and slower but predictable.
- Strip to airport: Monorail does not go to the airport. Uber/Lyft is $18–28 off-peak, $35–55 in surge. The 108/109 CAT bus is $2 and runs 24/7 — the value winner for solo travelers with light luggage.
- Off-Strip: No monorail, no bus, Uber/Lyft is the only reasonable option. Expect $14–22 each way for Red Rock, $20–30 for The District.
- Walking: Free but slow. Strip blocks are ~600 ft (190 m), not 200 ft as in Manhattan. Plan accordingly.
Limitations
- The monorail's long-term status is uncertain. The Las Vegas Convention Center Loop (Tesla tunnels under LVCC) is a separate system that does not serve tourists. The Boring Co.'s proposed Strip-wide expansion is still under review as of 2026.
- Uber/Lyft pricing is volatile — actual fares can be 50% higher than published estimates on convention weeks (CES, SEMA, NAB, Super Bowl).
- The calculator does not include tipping. Rideshare tipping convention is 15–20%, taxi is 10–15%, CAT bus drivers do not expect tips.
- For groups of 5–6 people, two separate rides may be cheaper than one XL — but coordination matters. Splitting into two XLs is usually faster.
- Late-night waits at HAR spike when multiple flights land at once. The calculator uses averages, not worst cases.
FAQ
Does the monorail go to the airport?
No. It has never gone to Harry Reid International (formerly McCarran). The closest stop to the airport is the MGM Grand station, which is still 2.5 miles from the terminals.
Is the monorail worth buying a multi-day pass?
Almost never for tourists. The 5-day pass is $52, but you have to be staying at one of the 7 monorail-adjacent hotels to use it more than twice a day. Most Strip visitors get value from a 24-hour pass ($17) once or twice in a trip.
What's the cheapest way to get from HAR to the Strip?
The 108/109 CAT bus for $2 cash or 1 ride on the way. Runs 24/7, drops at the Strip with a 30–50 min ride depending on traffic. For solo travelers with carry-on only, this is the value pick.
Is there a free shuttle?
The Strip's free trams (Aria Express to Bellagio, Mandalay Bay tram to Luxor/Excalibur) are real and useful within their limited routes. The Treasure Island tram to Mirage was discontinued; the Mirage is closed and being rebuilt.
Sources
- Las Vegas Monorail — official 2026 fare schedule and operating hours
- Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) — CAT bus routes 108/109, Deuce on Strip
- Uber Las Vegas — published fare estimator sampled Jan 2026
- Nevada Taxicab Authority — standard taxi meter rates 2026