Should I Rent a Car in Vegas?
Las Vegas is well known as a great city for a fun weekend with friends, whether you’re a fan of gambling or are in town for the live shows. But no matter why you come to Vegas, you’ll need a way to get around, leading many folks to wonder “should I rent a car in Vegas?”
The answer: it depends. There are good reasons to rent a car in Las Vegas, but there are also some downsides to tethering yourself to a rental vehicle. Let’s break down this question in more detail.
Advantages of Renting a Car in Vegas
Las Vegas is often thought of as a walker’s city, especially since a lot of the best action is centered around The Strip. That said, there are some advantages to renting a car in Vegas, particularly if you want to range out a little further from the classic casinos and other attractions.
More Freedom
For example, renting a car undoubtedly gives you lots more freedom, whether you want to hang around The Strip or venture beyond. If you don’t have a rental car of any type, you are forced to walk around on foot, or you are forced to try to flag down a taxi or Uber ride.
If you’re only in Vegas for a day or two, this can significantly decrease how much time you have to enjoy the city and see everything you want to. A car, on the other hand, can get you from point A to point B much more rapidly, especially if you know where you can find accessible parking.
This increased freedom could help you see everything you want to in Las Vegas and really enjoy the city in just a couple of days. Plus, you won’t be nearly as tired from walking around in the famous Vegas heat if you have an air-conditioned car to enjoy.
Day Trip Accessibility
On top of that, a rental car gives you the ability to enjoy day trips around Las Vegas. Ever wanted to see the Hoover Dam? Now you can without having to take an expensive taxi or shuttle service. You can just wake up, decide that you want to see the Dam, then hop in your rental car and go do it.
Other day trips are also accessible around the Vegas area. This extra accessibility means that more of the Las Vegas metro area is open to you and you aren’t necessarily limited to tourist traps or The Strip.
No Need To Wait for Taxis/Uber
Perhaps most importantly of all, a rental car means you never need to wait for a taxi or Uber/Lyft. Instead, your vacation is completely under your control at all times. No need to think about calculating the time it takes to not only flag down and secure a taxi but also pay for the expensive ride.
Just hopping, go or you want to, and return to your hotel whatever it pleases you. This ultimate freedom truly fits the spirit of Las Vegas.
Downsides to Renting a Car in Vegas
Even though renting a car could be smart, you should also keep in mind that there are downsides to renting a vehicle in Sin City.
Lack of Parking Sometimes
While accessible parking is available in Las Vegas, it’s not always a guarantee. Furthermore, many of the best parking areas are paid, not free, so you’ll have to be ready to pony up if you want a great parking spot for your rental vehicle.
On the downside, some popular or crowded weekends could diminish the available parking significantly. In the worst-case scenario, you might drive up and down The Strip looking for parking, but wasting time because you decided to get a rental car instead of walking on foot or relying on taxis.
Schedule Is Restricted by Rental Requirements
Naturally, any rental you have will restrict your schedule to some extent. You only have the car for a certain out of time, and you have to pick it up and drop it off at specified areas. This means that you have to plan your Las Vegas trip’s beginning and ending around your rental car, which you may not want to do.
Some rental agencies, like Advantage, try to offer flexibility as much as possible. We also make it easy for you to drop off your vehicle at nearby airports. Still, there’s no getting around the fact that your schedule will be restricted if you rent.
Extra Fees and Expenses
On top of that, many rentals come with extra fees and expenses. For example, if you are under 25, rental companies will add on a young driver fee to your rental rate to reflect the increased likelihood of a car accident.
Some car rental companies will also push expensive add-ons or unnecessary expenses, like car fresheners, gas charges if you don’t fill up 100% upon returning your car, and more. Renting a car could very well be one of the most expensive parts of your Las Vegas strip if you aren’t careful.
Traffic Is Sometimes Bad
Las Vegas may not be as bad as New York City, but its traffic is still pretty bad on the weekends when many people visit the city for a vacation and some time at the slots. This traffic can further eat into your vacation time, meaning that you’ll spend more time looking for parking and driving up and down The Strip instead of enjoying what Vegas has to offer.
Other Transportation Options Are Cheaper
We’ve talked a lot about cost and renting recently, and for good reason: many other transportation options may be cheaper, especially if you do some research beforehand.
For instance, Las Vegas has a great shuttle service that can take you from different hotels to other main attractions or even day trip areas if you are willing to accommodate their pickup times. There are also some public transit services available, plus ubiquitous taxis and Uber drivers everywhere to see.
Depending on how far you need to travel, these services might end up being net cheaper than renting a vehicle, especially if you plan to rent a car for more than a day or two. Our advice? Plan out your budget carefully and decide which transportation option will be ultimately the cheapest for deciding whether to rent a car in Las Vegas.
Summary
As you can see, the choice to rent a car in Las Vegas is far from simple. You should plan out your trip in its entirety, decide what attractions you want to see, and decide whether any day trips are in your itinerary before deciding on a rental or not.
Should you decide to rent, choosing who to rent from is just as important. Advantage Rent-a-Car makes it easy for you to rent cars in convenient locations in Vegas, including at the nearby airport. We also provide a diverse fleet of various vehicle makes and models, so there’s sure to be something for everyone at Advantage. Contact us today for more information about our rental options and rates.
Sources:
Teen Drivers: Get the Facts | Motor Vehicle Safety | CDC Injury Center
RTC Southern Nevada
Best Day Trips From Las Vegas – Drive Times & Photos | Vegas.com
