rental roulette: the Pros and Cons of Renting a Car for your Vegas Family vacation
Should you rent a car during your next Vegas vacation? The answer might depend on what you’ve got on your itinerary! Check out our pros and cons to help you make the right decision.
Pro – Easy Airport Transportation
Most major rental car agencies have a booth at the massive Las Vegas airport rental car center. After collecting your luggage, all you need to do is proceed to the shuttle bus pick-up area, which will take you to the rental car location to pick up your vehicle.
Don’t forget to check with your credit card company to see if they offer rental car insurance before incurring additional costs when picking up your vehicle.
Con – Hotel Parking Fees
Check with your hotel before renting a car to understand their current parking fees. Most hotels in Las Vegas charge for parking, and these fees can run between $25 to $50 per day, or more during special events.
If you belong to your hotel’s or casino’s loyalty program, you may not have to pay for parking. Be sure to check your benefits!
Pro – Easy Transportation for Sightseeing
Vegas is so much more than just the Las Vegas Strip or Downtown Fremont Street. There are so many locations you can reach with less than a tank of gas, including the Grand Canyon, Red Rock, or Valley of Fire.
Consider leaving the Strip for meals too! On average you will save $5-$10 per entrée at off-strip locations.
Con – Strip Traffic
The Strip is very congested, and driving on it can be stressful. If you’re planning to stay on the strip, you might consider other transportation alternatives like the Deuce or the Monorail, as opposed to driving.
Purchase 24 hours passes for either the Deuce or Monorail if you’re planning to use them – this gives you the most bang for your buck!
Pro – Freedom
When you have access to a car, you don’t have to rely on anyone else to get where you want to go! Whether you’re planning to stay close to the strip or venturing out further, it’s nice to be able to do all of that on your own terms and on your own schedule.
Drive off the Strip to a local grocery store to purchase water, drinks and snacks. This can help offset the cost of your rental car.
When you’re traveling with family in Las Vegas, having your own car can be incredibly convenient. We think the pros outweigh the cons, so if you can fit it in your budget we definitely recommend getting a rental car for your next Vegas family vacation!