"The Deuce" Bus Route and savings vs. 2021 car rental

For the first time in about 15 years I won't be renting a car for my next trip to Las Vegas.  I think a lot of visitors will be in the same position.

Staying downtown but will take the Deuce to go down the strip to hit Ellis Island for 3/2 BJ and to take advantage of the many LVA Food and drink coupons.  Also will stop at the Stage Door - $1 Michelob is hard to beat and also to go THE Steakhouse at Circus Circus...(Binions Steakhouse is apparently still closed)

Did some research and finally found a great map of "The Deuce" bus route if anyone is interested. 

                      https://www.vegasunzipped.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/deuce-map.png

While it will be more inconvenient, the savings are more than worth it,  just won't hit any locals casinos like South Point, etc.

       Cost of Car rental - weekly rate - $578

       What the car rental savings can pay for:

                    $190 - GREAT Ribeye drinks, dessert,  tip, for 2 at THE Steakhouse at Circus Circus.

                    $300 - FIVE NIGHT deluxe room rate at 4Q, (includes Club 55 discount and some comps -                             - booked in December)

                    $32 - 24 hour bus pass, X 2 days = $16 X 2 people

                    $50 Shuttle for two round trip to/from airport.       

                       Total = $572  

 May never rent a car in Las Vegas again

We are going in July (had to cancel last year's trip).  We stay at Golden Nugget downtown and always rent a car not only to get to and from airport and visit the strip but to go other places too.  Trying to figure out what we're going to do this year cuz it is way to expensive to rent a car.  Will look at the bus info - thanks for the link.  At the moment it doesn't look like the airport shuttles are in operation so how are you getting to downtown?

I may be doing the same thing.   I actually like to spend most of my time off the beaten path at locals casinos and bars but if its going to cost me $500  for a car then screw it - I'll just hang around downtown and the strip.   

I'm hoping by December they get their inventory straightened out

If you want to go to South Point, the Route 117 bus--technically the same route as the Deuce--goes there. Don't know the schedule these days or how long it runs. The stop is at the corner of Silverado (the street that forms the north border of SP) and LV Blvd.

To Jana Sloan.

I don't think that the shuttle will be a problem, particularly since you are going in July.  The shuttles should restart once the airport gets increased traffic.  This will should begin in Mid May to early June when the restrictions are completely lifted.    Below is a quote from LVA:

Update 4/14 — 100% Capacity on the Way

In a news conference yesterday, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak confirmed the transition of authority to the state’s individual counties, and said that he expects the rescinding of all capacity limits by June 1. On May 1, the state-mandated six-foot distancing rule will be lifted, opening the way for casinos, bars, and restaurants to return to 100% capacity even before June 1 if their local jurisdictions don’t impose a similar rule.

My guess is that local Las Vegas authorities will open everything up as soon as they can... Midnight on May 1 and increased air traffic should follow very shortly after.  There is already signs of increased visitor activity in anticipation of this happening.  I booked my room in November for a Late May trip.  I checked yesterday and the prices for the same dates/room are now 30% higher.  They don't do that without having some new demand, or anticipation of demand.

If shuttles aren't running when i get there, I will just take a cab or Uber/Lyft.  The cab from McCarran to downtown is about $35-40 plus tip.  Not cheap but sure beats the rental fees.

To lock in a good price, I also made my December "Golden Week" hotel reservations a month ago .  While this has always been a great time to go because of no crowds and low room rates, all bets are off this year.  I believe that there is a LOT of short-term pent up demand and this year the week after the Rodeo,  December 12  onward,  may have more traffic than normal. 

Long term, I think that the Strip casino's greed may finally be succeeding in killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.  Per LVA, Downtown win is only off 7%, strip win is off 41%.   Doesn't talk a rocket scientist to figure out the strip has "issues", like resort fees, horrible odds,paid parking, etc.

Kevin:

Thanks for the info on the 117 bus route.  It seems like it could be a time- consuming trip but may be worth it with the buffet, good VP schedules and LVA coupons.  I'll get on the web and find out where I would need to change to a different bus.

Just returned from a 4 day trip.  Used bus to get around for a pass costing $20. 

From the airport to downtown.  Go to the lowest level under bagage claim, walk by all the strech limos to the bus stop.  Catch the CX bus, fewer stops express route.  Cost is $2 or $1 if you show a medicare care.  Drops you off very close to the FSE.  Reverse back to airport, picks up on Casino Center outside Binions.

Visited off strip by jumping off the duce and catching crosstown busses.  Oysters at the Palace Station was real easy.  Getting to Area 15 and Omega Mart not quite so easy as bus driver was unsure where to recommend exit.

Cant say enough about Ellis Island.  Steak was delicious and short walk behind Ballys from the Strip.

Found a decent (by todays standards) price with Budget and using the prepay option.  $175 base with total taxes and fees being $263 for 5 days in July. 

Thanks for the updated bud information and car rental info.  Based on the Budget info Jana sent,  I went through Costco and did see some lower prices for a car rental today, but still not good enough to make it worthwhile - $298 for 5 days.  I am going in May. 

Thought of another bit of "silver lining" in the car rental cloud.  For the first time I will be able to take advantage of the Ellis Island LVA coupon for 3 free drinks per person.  I never drink and drive so I NEVER had a drink there, even when I am gambling (Downtown, where I stay is a completely different story.)

I may, for the first time in my life, take an Uber or Lyft car.  Might be worthwhile taking one from McCarran to Downtown..  Does anyone have any experience with either of them from McCarran??

For some reason, all my experiences with ridesharing (in Vegas and elsewhere) have been with Lyft. I've been told that Uber is about the same, though.

There's an area at McCarran dedicated to rideshare pickups and dropoffs (after the airport and the cab companies bitterly fought against its establishment). During busy times, it's a frickin' madhouse. The rides I've gotten have all been fine, the car was clean, the driver courteous and professional, etc. I have two major beefs:

1. It ain't cheap, and because of that bullshit asshole ripoff "surge pricing," you might get gouged, especially if you arrive during a busy time, like Friday evening. And by "gouged," I mean that prices can triple from one time of day to the next. People have found out, to their horror, that to ride to the Golden Commode Casino cost $20 one way and later that day, returning to the point of origin cost $60.

2. My driver either didn't show up or couldn't find me, and I got dinged $5 for supposedly failing to meet the driver. The charge was levied without my approval or consent, and I resented the assumption that the failure was mine. Yeah, it was only $5, but I really hated that they could just charge my debit card without even asking me. Suppose they wanted to ding me for $40 next time? Screw that.

I applaud your stance on drinking and driving. You should never drink and drive; you might hit a bump and spill your drink.

I have been checking everywhere Surprized Texas found $295.

least I could find end of May $400 Like to go from place to place

senior so jumping on off bus not my favorite thing to do these days 

Anyway for all the places I won't to see it will cost at least $300

in taxi May be hot end of May and don't won't to walk more then half a mile

at a time Oh well Las Vegas this year is putting it to us 

what few shows are available are 3 times as much

so less shows more money on nicer restaurants 

I go with my adult son who has business trip point that allows comped 

room So can't complain to much

they used to have companies that rented older car cheap wish I could find

we do like to drive around see what's new and maybe take a day trip