Not only is it not free, but it's not a tram either.
It's the Las Vegas Monorail, the $650 million public transportation system that was financed and built entirely with private bond money, the largest industrial-development bond ever issued by Nevada. Construction began in late 2000 and the monorail debuted in summer 2004.
It runs 4.4 miles along the east side of the Strip. The stations are named MGM Grand, Bally's-Paris, Flamingo-Caesars, Harrah's-Imperial Palace, Convention Center, Las Vegas Hilton, and Sahara. If you have a working knowledge of Strip geography, you can estimate the best station at which to disembark to get to a casino that's not part of a station (or use the fold-out map in the front of the free brochures available on every boarding ramp).
The full one-way trip takes 14 minutes, with no more than six minutes between trains (in a perfect world). Four cars make up a train -- they're small, seating 18-19 people with standing room for 30 or so. Six of the seven stations have convenient covered walkways directly into the back of the host casinos; from the Convention Center station, it's a bit of a hike into the Convention Center.
The monorail runs from 7 am-2 am, Mon.-Thurs., till 3 am Fri.-Sun. Tickets cost $5 (one ride), $9 (two rides and full-day pass), $35 (10 rides), and $40 (three-day pass). Children under 5 are free. Nevada residents qualify for a discount. Tickets are valid for one year from the date they’re printed (shown in the upper-right corner).
The Las Vegas Monorail has had, and continues to have, its troubles, but we believe that the system is spectacular -- efficiently planned and affordable. In addition, the ride is a made-to-order tour of casinos, pool areas, back lots, old-Vegas apartment enclaves, and the Wynn Las Vegas golf course. And when (note that we don’t say if) the monorail is extended to the airport, downtown, the west Strip, and into the Las Vegas residential areas (well, maybe that last one is an if), it will be one of the nation's great aboveground public-transportation systems.
For information about all the other ways to get around in Las Vegas, including free shuttles, the Strip Trolley, buses, taxis, and limos visit our Transportation section in the Visitor Info area (left-hand blue menu).
