This page is primarily intended for attendees who will not have a personal or rental vehicle for transportation to and from Diva Las Vegas activities. It may also be helpful for those who have a vehicle but, for any of various reasons, do not wish to drive to and from some or all of our activities.
We will cover three methods of local transportation:
(You may click on any image for a larger view.)
Public transportation is readily available in most big cities, but generally requires some pre-planning. We also need to remember that men have privileges women don't. Safety should matter to women more than men and women need to take it into account at all times!
The easiest and probably safest form of public transportation is by taxi which is also the most expensive. Even with a cab, pre-planning can help or even be a necessity. The most important thing is knowing exactly where you want to go with an exact address or building name. Having a general sense of the location will be helpful if the driver does not know as much as he should. It is also often necessary to speak slowly and clearly to the driver who may be a recent immigrant and have poor English skills. I've tried printing the address on note paper and giving it to a driver only to have him respond in broken English "No read," but I still think that can be a good way especially if you are uncertain about your voice.
Along with having some idea of the routes, having information on what to expect in regard to costs and help you avoid "long-hauls" and other excessive charges. Websites such as TaxiFareFinder (www.taxifarefinder.com/) will estimate your fare including add-ons for extra passengers and luggage. Knowing that information, you can have sufficient funds readily available for the fare and tip. That will allow you to avoid opening and searching through your purse to find the funds, using a large bill, and the hassle of making change.
Catching a cab can also be a challenge. Occasionally, you will be in the vicinity of a cab stand and when there is one it's a no-brainer. Absent a cab stand, the easiest and most lady-like way is to have a doorman or another person such as a bartender, restaurant cashier, or receptionist hail or call a cab for you. As for doormen, most will give you that courtesy even if you are not a customer. I also always put the number of one or two local cab companies (that have been suitably vetted with a web search) in my mobile phone. That means I don't have to try to find one with an internet search in my moment of urgent need.
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Ginger writes: Being of Scottish ancestry I prefer mass transit, the train, subway, or bus which are usually ubiquitous in most large cities and far less costly. The downside may include a short wait, a walk to the bus stop or train station, and being close-in among the public. Generally speaking the traveling public will be so engaged in their own activities, listening to music, reading a newspaper or book, or the like, no one is going to give you a second thought. If you confirm the destination of the bus or your stop which can be good idea and encounter a surly driver pass it off. It's his or her discriminatory attitude and his or her problem not yours. Maybe he or she is just expressing that attitude after driving in traffic and putting up with tourists all day! |
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| Taxi rides in Las Vegas are not cheap, but are fast, convenient, an most definitely proven to be "safe" and non-threatening for those who may be a bit shy of public exposure. |
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| To get a taxi, simply go to one of the main entrances of any major hotel. If the taxi line is not obvious, look for signs such as "Taxi Line", "For taxi wait here", etc. |
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| A taxi will usually be available at most major hotels with only a moderate wait, but there may be a significant line and a wait at periods of high demand, such as just after a production show lets out. |
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| The proper etiquette is to join the taxi line and wait until it is your turn to be seated in a taxi. The doorkeeper will often whistle to a driver indicating that a passenger is waiting and hold the door for you. No tip is expected for things such as this, although they are occasionally given. If the door staff performs some function such as helping you with luggage, yes, a tip is customary. |
Taxi drivers depend on tips for much of their income, so they will be very unlikely to make rude remarks regarding your dress or presentation. If the driver is in any way rude to you, please feel free to pay only the amount on the meter. If the service was good, a tip of 15% - 25% of the meter total is customary and expected (higher on shorter trips).
Taxi drivers in Las Vegas are allowed to pick up a ride only at designated taxi stands or via a radio call. They are not supposed to stop and pick up a rider by way of a "hail" or "flag" on the street, although they occasionally will. They risk a citation for doing so.
Some (but not all) Las Vegas taxicabs accept credit/debit cards for payment, with a modest surcharge.
If the cost of a taxi ride is of concern to you, keep in mind that sharing the taxi ride with others cuts the cost considerably. Depending on the model of vehicle, a Las Vegas taxi can hold 4 or 5 passengers.
If you are shy about using your voice to tell a taxi driver (or a doorkeeper) where you want to go, simply write the destination clearly and in very large easy to read print and hand it to the driver (or to the doorkeeper) when you are asked where you want to go.
Initial reports of the use of Uber and Lyft by our attendees have been positive.
A web search of the local transportation system in Las Vegas, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) (www.rtcsouthernnevada.com/) will reveal the fares and routes. It's important to know the fares because almost always the exact fare is required. Some systems offer travel cards for unlimited travel or a number of trips for reduced cost and can be convenient as well as less expensive. If you are using a fare card and or receive a ticket when paying cash, be sure to retain that card or ticket until the end of your journey where you may be required to show it before leaving the system.
How do you find the bus stop or the right bus? The easy way is to ask a receptionist, cashier, bartender, doorman or other easily accessible local person who probably takes public transportation too!
A better way is to simply "Google" the trip.
Google maps have a public transportation option. Googling the trip and having that information in mind will also be useful if you attempt to confirm the location of the bus stop or train station with someone accessible and local. It will also tell you when you need to leave in order to be at your destination at the appropriate time.
Here's how to Google your trip.
In this example we will use a starting point of the Stratosphere Hotel and a destination of the Gold And Silver Pawn Shop, the setting of the Pawn Stars television series. The destination is located at 713 South Las Vegas Boulevard.
You may click on the screen shot images below for a larger view. Please note that these are example screen shot images and do not contain any clickable links or other items. They are simply examples of what you can expect when you use Google to obtain transit information. The main Google maps is on line here: maps.google.com
Open Google Maps, use the link immediately above if necessary, and click on "Get Directions."
Select Mass Transit (The Bus Icon) and enter 'A' the Starting Address, here Stratosphere Hotel and Casino at 2000 South Las Vegas Boulevard.
Enter 'B' the Destination Address, in this case the address of the world famous Gold & Sliver Pawn Shop at 713 South Las Vegas Boulevard.
Select the day and time you want to arrive or depart and click on "Get Directions."
Google then suggests transit routes (Note here there are four) and shows a map of the starting point and ending point.
Consider the route alternatives; here I select "The Deuce", a nice comfortable double-decker bus, departing at 9:36pm and Google shows this route on the map.
Scroll down for detailed travel instructions as shown here. Please note that Google will include the walking directions from the bus stop nearest to your destination.
| In the Las Vegas metro area, bus stops are usually sheltered and have convenient seating available. |
| Solar-powered ticket vending machines are at many (but not all) bus stops. |
| Ticket vending machines take bills, coins, credit cards, and Visa/Mastercard branded debit cards. |
The Las Vegas Monorail serves the eastern side of the Las Vegas Strip corridor serving seven stops (listed south to north):
One-way trip time from end to end is about 17 minutes. Trains run every 4-9 minutes depending on time of day. One-way single-trip full fare is $5.00. Daily passes are available. Discounts and promotions may be available.
| If the Monorail station is not obvious, follow signs. Signs with the Las Vegas Monorail logo will appear in most of the hotels adjoining the Monorail. Ask any employee for directions to the Monorail if signs are not obvious. |
| Tickets are purchased from ticket vending machines located at the entrance tp the Monorail stations and in some other locations. Cash and credit/debit cards are accepted. |
| Entry and boarding will be similar to most metropolitan subway and elevated stations. You will insert your ticket or pass in the entrance gate where indicated and the gate will then allow entry. |
Current Monorail trains have four cars. The stations have entrance doors for longer trains. Follow signs closely to be sure that you are waiting in the correct location when the Monorail arrives.
When you board, simply take any available seat. If no seats are available, you may stand to ride while holding on to one of the rails.
Even if you attend DLV without a personal vehicle, getting to our activities should be relatively easy and within budget.
If you have any particular transportation needs or concerns, please post a note on the Diva Las Vegas Discussion Forum and someone will certainly be able to assist you.