On the Las Vegas Strip
Walking is faster than it looks; a Strip taxi trip from Mandalay Bay to the Wynn takes 25 minutes in evening traffic and costs $30, while the walk is 45 minutes on Strip-side pedestrian bridges. The Deuce double-decker bus runs 24 hours between the airport, Strip, and Fremont for $6 one-way or $8 for 24 hours. The Strip Monorail ($5/ride, $15/day) runs on the east side from MGM to Sahara but does not reach Fremont or the airport.
Uber and Lyft pickups are at designated zones (usually the parking garage), which adds a 10-minute walk versus taxis.
From Harry Reid Airport
Harry Reid International (LAS) is 5 miles from the central Strip. Taxi flat rate to the Strip is $19 to $27 plus $3 airport fee; rideshare is $18 to $30 depending on surge. Do not accept 'private car' offers inside baggage claim, they cost $60 for the same ride. The RTC 108 and 109 buses reach the Strip and Fremont for $2, but only if you have one carry-on and patience.
Statewide: renting a car
For Red Rock, Valley of Fire, Great Basin, and anywhere north of Vegas, you need a car. Rentals at LAS start around $55 a day for an economy, sometimes higher due to the airport concession fee (11.25 percent). Off-airport locations on Paradise Road can be 30 percent cheaper. Turo runs $45 a day plus $20 airport delivery. Interstate 15 (north-south) and US-95 (Vegas-Reno) are the two arteries; distances are long, gas stations sparse.
Good to know
Do I need a car in Las Vegas?+
Not for the Strip and downtown; walk, Deuce, or Uber. Yes for any day trip. Renting for just the day you leave the city works fine.
Is Uber cheaper than taxi in Vegas?+
Usually yes, except during major conventions when surge pricing hits 2.5x. Taxis have fixed airport rates and can hail from anywhere on the Strip.
How far apart are Strip hotels?+
Longer than they look. Bellagio to Mandalay Bay is 1.5 miles, about 35 minutes at Vegas walking pace with the tram from Bellagio to Monte Carlo cutting it in half.
Is there a train between Las Vegas and Reno?+
No. Amtrak stops in Reno on the California Zephyr route (Chicago-Emeryville) but does not reach Vegas. Fly on Southwest, $89 one-way, 75 minutes.