Transportation: Getting From Here to There

As the country's No. 1 tradeshow destination and one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., Las Vegas is a place that knows how to move large crowds ... most of the time. Here are some things you should know before your next visit.

• Las Vegas has the nation's seventh busiest airport but, before a large convention or holiday, McCarran Intl. Airport can seem to be the busiest. Long waits for luggage and taxis are not unheard of. "The best days to fly into and out of McCarran are Wednesdays and Saturdays," said Chris Jones, airport public information administrator. "The busiest? Fridays and Sundays."
• Coping with its capacity problems, McCarran is in the midst of reconstructing its baggage carousels. "Next year, we'll have 20 percent more capacity," Jones said.
• Additionally, a new wing on McCarran's D gates, to be completed this summer, will add nine more gates. Another terminal with 14 gates and parking for 6,000 cars is scheduled for completion in 2012.
• Among the amenities at McCarran is a check-in lounge for the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, located in the main terminal behind Carousel 1. Passengers can get room keys, if available, and arrange for luggage transfer and shuttle service to the MGM.
• For Californians, driving to Las Vegas is a popular option, particularly because, on a good day, the trip from Los Angeles can take about four hours. "But don't drive to Las Vegas on a Friday," said Bob Scott of Rock Furniture. Scott calls on customers in Las Vegas every six weeks and attends the Las Vegas Market twice a year. "On Fridays, the I-15 is packed," he said.
• The choices of ground transportation from the airport to a hotel include the usual: pre-arranged pick-up, public shuttles (approximately $6 a trip to the Strip, $7.50 downtown), taxis ($12 to $50, depending on destination) and walk-up limousines or sedans ($45 an hour and up). A recent change has relocated all airport rental car desks at one central McCarran Rent-a-Car Center. Shuttle buses run from the airport to the rental car center every five minutes.

• Flagging a cab on the street is illegal in Las Vegas, so finding one typically means asking a hotel bellman for help. Some 3,100 Las Vegas cabs operated by 7,800 drivers are available for hire. Last year, Las Vegas cabs logged 26.6 million trips with an average fare of $12. (The reported average fares so far in 2008 are a dollar higher.)
• The privately financed Monorail got off to a slow start, but promotional efforts and partnerships with large tradeshows have substantially increased its popularity. This year's first quarter saw a 19-percent ridership increase, with convention and tradeshow-related ridership up 27 percent. A new convention-related offering, introduced during CONEXPO/CONAGG, is a seven-day unlimited Monorail pass for $60, particularly popular with exhibitors who spent at least a week in Las Vegas, including setup and tear-down of their exhibits. The Monorail plans to extend its reach to McCarran by 2012.
• Getting around Las Vegas can involve walking, but distances are deceiving, so buses may be the next best answer. The Strip offers a $5 fare on the double-decker Deuce buses good for 24 hours. The Deuce currently serves about 32,000 passengers per day. During big shows, Deuce buses can extend their routes to include the Las Vegas Convention Center. Allison Huntley, Regional Transportation Commission public information supervisor, noted that in 2009 a new rapid transit bullet bus, called Ace (Get it? Ace, Deuce ...), will move passengers quickly from downtown Las Vegas to the Strip, providing faster low-cost transportation options than are currently available.

• A last day in Las Vegas can be full of fun ... and headaches ... if one is worried about storing luggage. Making the getaway as easy as possible for passengers flying Delta, Southwest, United or US Airways are four airport SpeedCheck locations allowing customers to check luggage in advance of departure and have the luggage delivered to the flight. SpeedCheck locations are at the Venetian Hotel (next to the package center), the Las Vegas Convention Center (central concourse across from Exhibit Hall 3), the Luxor Hotel and Casino (business center level next to the VIP check-in area) and the Las Vegas McCarran Rent-a-Car Center. The cost for SpeedCheck service is $20 for one or two bags. Check-in must be two to three hours prior to departure and the service is generally available 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.