To rent a car or not to rent a car.....

My dad, brothers and I have been going to Vegas for 20+ years every March during March Madness. Every year we rent a car and generally only end up using it to get from one mobbed parking lot to the next, which results in a lot of anxiety and frustration. We also enjoy going to Boulder Highway and sometimes on a separate excursion to maybe Red Rock or something similar. Every year we complain we did not see enough of the Strip. My question for you all: Is it worth spending $175+ for a car? Will we be aggravated by public transportation because of the crazy busy month (March Madness and Spring Break)? Do hotels have a problem with storing luggage before/after checkout? Thanks for your thoughts!!

I think it's worth it. For me it is because I like to drive all over the city while I'm there. I can't speak to March madness though. I normally valet park which to me takes at least some of the hassle away. Have fun!

I seldom rent a car in Las Vegas. Between the crazy drivers and the pain in the butt parking I would rather walk. I can usually walk from casino to casino on the strip faster than driving parking and valeting. If I want to go to neighborhood casinos like M and Red Rock I'll use their shuttles. I will rent a car though if my plans include hiking in Red Rock or going to the Grand Canyon. I take public transportation to go downtown.

Do you like to gamble?

If so, go to Vegas w/o a car reserved then if you decide you made a mistake..........rent one!
Might not get the best rate, however, may not rent one at all.

I've only ever been to Las Vegas once (the very first time) without renting a car. I think it's one of the best deals in Las Vegas if you shop around for a good price. A car allows you to travel to the off strip properties (where many of the LVA MRB coupons are for). If you only plan to stay right on the Strip, you probably don't need one though.

Even if you don't want to drive out to M casino, the LVH, Red Rock, Orleans, South Point, Sam's Town or the Silverton, a car allows you easy access to both the Premium and regular Outlet Malls, Downtown and the Airport (don't know what it costs for a cab to and from McCarron these days).

I'd rent one.

For me the money saved makes it simple. For a little solo trip I have planned it's costing me $48 (with all the taxes and fees) to rent a car for two days.
It's around $25 each way (not including tip) to take a cab.
(I'm way to impatient to wait for a shuttle.)
So even if I park it and leave it for the two days it's a break even prospect.

Now that's just the math for my little trip, I'm not going during a busy time so the rental is cheap, but what would it cost to round trip in a cab to/from Red Rock? I'm betting $175 is looking pretty good by now...

I always rent a car when in Vegas. I can come and go whenever I wish, day or night. I don't have to play the taxi gouge game and , as for parking, I always use the valet. The valet is the best deal in Vegas, in my opinion.

I have only been to Vegas once without a car and I felt stranded. Sometimes its not even about the money but the convenience of doing your own thing and being your own boss.

I agree with the other posters you can find great values and make up for the cost with coupons that would be hard to use without having a car. Sometimes it's nice to get away from the strip for a few and take in a different area.

I'm in the same boat as everyone else. We went to Vegas for our honeymoon nine years ago and didn't rent a car. Then the next year we went and rented a car and we said that we'll never go again without renting a car. So we've rented one for the last eight years. It's well worth it.

valet is the way to go. We love it. It's free everywhere (almost) and mostly pretty quick. We love off strip restaurants and always move back and forth from strip to downtown. Staying mid-strip and moving around between Ballys, Flamingo, Caesars and Bellagio is no big deal but staying at NYNY and wanting to go eat at Wynn is a pretty big schlep. As much as we move around, our taxi+bus fare would probably come close to the rental cost. And spending 2 hours on the deuce trying to get from Golden Nugget to MGM becomes a drag.

We recommend rental car unless you know you're staying in a general area without too much hotel switching and exploring.

Just my 2 cents...