Funworld October 2009

Tips for maneuvering the hustling, bustling Strip
by Marion Hixon

With so much going on in Las Vegas, getting around can be challenging. As crowded as the Vegas skyline looks, casinos are sometimes located deceptively far apart, and streets are often crowded with tourists who are all there for the same thing—food, entertainment, high-class resorts, shopping, and gaming. FUNWORLD tracked down some quick and helpful tips to help IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009 attendees budget their time and smoothly navigate this intricate city.

Hotels
Some resorts and casinos in Las Vegas cover hundreds of thousands of square feet in their gaming areas alone. Firsttime guests should ask the concierge for a map to help navigate the multiple elevator banks and wings of a hotel.

Monorail
Las Vegas’ monorail travels up to 50 miles per hour, making seven stops along the Strip. Riders can purchase tickets online or via touch screens at each monorail station. Single day passes cost $13 online, and three-day passes sell at $28. While it’s one of the most convenient ways to travel to Vegas’ main attractions, there are a few things travelers should note when riding:

• Hours:Monorail runs from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekdays; and until 3 a.m. Friday through Sunday
  
  
• Map: An interactive map is available at www.lvmonorail.com/ride/route_map.

• Stations: Not all hotels are on the monorail route, so guests staying elsewhere should account for walking time. The monorail web site (www.lvmonorail.com) lists nearby attractions and hotels for the following stations:
  —MGM Grand
  —Bally’s / Paris Las Vegas
  —Flamingo / Caesars Palace
  —Harrah’s Imperial Palace
  —Las Vegas Convention Center (location of IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009)
  —Las Vegas Hilton
  —Sahara
  

• Schedules:While monorail rides from one station to another are estimated at 15 minutes and under, guests may still have to wait for trains to arrive at the station. A new train arrives every five to seven minutes during peak travel season.

Taxis

Sixteen taxicab companies owned by nine groups operate in Las Vegas; they are governed by the Nevada Taxicab Authority, which can be reached at +1 702/668-4000 if passengers feel a driver has acted illegally or incorrectly charged them.

Wait Time: Newcomers to Vegas should be prepared for a long line at some hotels when waiting for a taxi.

Airport Transport: McCarran International Airport is often a 15-minute drive to hotels on the Strip. The Taxicab Authority advises against taking the I-215 tunnel route but says riders should always tell drivers to “take the most direct route.”

Passengers: There is a five-passenger maximum in all taxis. Drivers must pick up passengers at approved stations as opposed to stopping for riders on the street.

Rates: An initial charge of $3.30 will register for all riders; $1.80 is added when trips originate at the airport; after the initial rate, riders incur a charge of $2.40 per mile; if the cab is traveling less than 8-12 miles, possibly in traffic, 20 cents will be charged every 24 seconds.

Vegas cab companies and their identifying colors are listed in full at www.taxi.state.nv.us/TaxiCabInfo.htm.

Tipping

Multiple sources, including Jack Colton Las Vegas Entertainment Guides (www.jackcolton.com) and Anthony Curtis’ Las Vegas Advisor (www.lasvegasadvisor.com), agree that while tipping is optional, it is a courtesy that will likely ensure better service. Here are a few guidelines for tipping servers and attendants on the Strip:

• Cocktail waitresses: $1 per drink, regardless of the drink
  
• Bartenders: $1-$2 per drink, or between 15 and 20 percent of your total
  
• Taxi drivers: $3-$5, depending on the length of ride; or 15 to 20 percent depending on the total fare
  
• Bellmen: $1-$2 per bag
  
• Valet: between $3-$5 at the least
  
• Card dealers: $5 per hour

Plan Wisely

Attendees can prepare for IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009 by using the Personal Planner at www.IAAPA.org/expos/attractions/eventschedule.asp. The tool provides times, dates, and descriptions for each education session, ceremony, and social event throughout the week.

Guests to IAAPA Attractions Expo will also have access to other events in the Las Vegas Convention Center, including G2E Global Gaming Expo located in the Central and North Halls, and the AIMS International Safety seminar, which is collocated with the Expo.

Contact Departments Editor Marion Hixon at mhixon@IAAPA.org.