Click here to read Car Hire Reviews for Las Vegas  
 

Car hire in Las Vegas - Touring the State of Nevada

In less than a hundred years, Las Vegas has grown from being a small desert town of just 8,000 inhabitants to one of the world's glitziest and most appealing tourist destinations. An oasis of glittering neon lights in the heart of the desert, the city today is a frenzy of futuristic attractions and first-rate facilities with more things to see and do than most other places in the USA. Blessed with a fast-growing portfolio of modern amenities and monumental landmarks, Las Vegas is a magnet for fun-seekers from all over the world on account of its amazing architecture (including replicas of the Eiffel Tower, an Egyptian pyramid, Venice's Grand Canal, etc.), fine-dining options, lavish casinos, championship golf courses and some of the grandest hotels you're ever likely to see.

Las Vegas is also a dazzling oasis of theme parks, top night-clubs, world-renowned stage shows and a wide choice of road-trip options within easy reach of the city. Considered the most entertaining thoroughfare on the planet, the Strip glitters and glows with massive resorts, huge hotels, Broadway-style theatres, gourmet restaurants and lush, fountain-filled parks and gardens. One of the brightest spots on earth when seen from space, the stretch running from the Mandalay Bay Hotel to the Treasure Island Hotel is a visual feast of themed establishments and the part of Las Vegas that most visitors have come to experience.

There's much more to see and do in this fantastic city besides the Strip, such as the area around Fremont Street in the old part of town where several traditional tourist attractions can be found. Chief among these is the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement (aka the Mob Museum) which tells the story of organised crime in Las Vegas and elsewhere in the USA with a fascinating assortment of exhibits, interactive displays and rare video clips. The city's surroundings offer a mouth-watering selection of excellent road-trips with some of the world's most exciting motoring experiences accessible with a cheap car hire in Las Vegas, most notably Red Rock Canyon, Death Valley, the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park. Another popular option is the four-hour drive along Route 15 to Los Angeles, home to Hollywood and the heart of America's film-making industry.

Founded in 1954, Auto Europe is a prominent leader of the international car rental industry with more than 24,000 pick-up points in over 180 destinations all over the world. We work with all the top global and local suppliers to offer you the best selection of vehicles at the lowest prices. If you want to rent a car in Las Vegas, please don't hesitate to call our rental specialists on +44 123 3225 114 and they will be very happy to assist you. For additional peace of mind, take a look at the Las Vegas car hire reviews and USA car hire reviews to see what other customers thought of the quality of Auto Europe's wide-ranging car hire services in Las Vegas and elsewhere.

How is the traffic in Las Vegas?

Las Vegas receives a lot of traffic and drivers need to take care whilst navigating the city's roads. The busiest periods are on weekends and during holidays, so be sure to plan your travel with this in mind and leave yourself plenty of time to get to your chosen destinations. If travelling to locations outside of the city, you'll find that the roads are very wide and long. It is advised to carry snacks and water for long journeys and make sure your tank is full as petrol stations may be scarce on longer desert drives. One of the most popular options for a car rental in Las Vegas is a convertible, such as a Ford Mustang. This category is offered through most of our suppliers and a perfect way to get your kicks on Route 66!

Where can I park my car hire in Las Vegas?

Some of the top hotels located on the Strip including parking in their daily rates so make sure you confirm this prior to arrival. Las Vegas is home to a large number of car parks at hotels, attractions, shopping centres and elsewhere around the city. Nevertheless, it's increasingly common to pay for parking on the Strip and in downtown but the rates are often subsidised by the establishment to which they are connected. Be aware that sometimes you will be asked to show your ID and open your car boot or wind down your window when entering the car park for security reasons.

Las Vegas Airport

Ranked amongst the USA's ten busiest airports, Las Vegas Airport (more commonly known as McCarran International Airport) was first established in 1942 and currently has two terminals and 92 gates. Located just 5 miles from the city centre, it handles more than 50 million annual passenger movements from all over the world, including London and Manchester. The airport boasts an extensive range of on-site facilities, including several large dining areas, a gaming section, children's play areas, numerous shops and fashion boutiques, an art gallery and aviation museum. LAS attracts many of the world's top airlines, including British Airways, American Airlines, Condor, Delta, Virgin Atlantic and United.

Las Vegas Airport (LAS)
Telephone: +1 702-261-5211
Address: 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119, United States
Website: mccarran.com/

What to do in Las Vegas

Popular for its non-stop entertainment programme, Las Vegas is a great place to visit at any time of the year. The city's top tourist centres are the 2.5-mile-long Strip which crosses the inner city from one side to the other and Fremont Street, a pedestrian-only precinct in the heart of downtown Las Vegas.

• The Strip: This famous resort-lined thoroughfare epitomizes the glitz and glamour of this exciting desert city. Very much the main artery of Las Vegas, it is considered by many to be the epicentre of the global entertainment industry, playing host to many of the world's largest hotels and casinos, not to mention some of the most popular tourist attractions in the USA.


• Fountains of Bellagio: The grace of these futuristic fountains is one of the must-see features in a city overflowing with firt-rate attractions. Set in a large lake, they burst into life every thirty minutes during the afternoon and every fifteen minutes after dark to the delight of the large crowds normally gathered on the adjacent sidewalks.


• Grand Canal: Not quite the real thing, but certainly a half-decent imitation! A gondola ride down the Venetian Hotel's Grand Canal beside the famous Strip is an excellent way of getting a feel of what Las Vegas is all about - a place where you can overdose on world-class entertainment!


• Mob Museum: Housed in a former courthouse, the Mob Museum (aka the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement) is a standout attraction in the state of Nevada. Offering a fascinating portrayal of the city’s history of organised crime, it reveals many of the ugly truths about mob rule in Vegas and other key areas of the USA with interactive displays, exhibits and videos.


• High Roller Ferris Wheel: Located at the bottom end of Linq Lane, the High Roller Ferris wheel is the largest observation wheel in the world and a must for anyone looking to get a good panoramic view of the city, especially at night. Standing more than 500 feet tall, the wheel takes around thirty minutes to complete a single rotation and each cabin holds up to forty people.


• Stratosphere Tower: Rising to over 1,000 feet, the iconic Stratosphere Tower is the tallest free-standing observation tower in the USA. There's much to do on-site besides admiring the city views, including the SkyJump, Big Shot, X Scream and Insanity rides and the chance to dine at the Top of the World Restaurant, one of the best eateries in Las Vegas.

Best day trips with my car rental in Las Vegas

With a car hire in Las Vegas you'll find that there's so much to see and do beyond the city's limits, with imposing mountain ranges and a vast swathe of desert scenery to be enjoyed just a short drive away.

Grand Canyon

One of the world's great road-trips is a drive out from Las Vegas to the see the amazing Grand Canyon, especially for those who have never seen this breathtaking natural wonder. The famous Grand Canyon Skywalk at Eagle Point is reachable from Las Vegas in a couple of hours, with the remarkable South Rim also easily accessible for those who have a bit more time on their hands, which is where you'll find the main national park visitor centre, multiple lookouts and several key attractions.

Hoover Dam

When the mighty Hoover Dam was constructed during the Great Depression of the 1930s it created Lake Mead, the biggest reservoir in the USA. This great feat of modern engineering consists of a 726-foot-high dam which continues to provide hydroelectric power to large parts of the states of Nevada, California and Arizona. Visitors can walk onto the dam and look over the edge for a head-spinning view, just a 45-minute drive away in your low-cost car rental in Las Vegas.

Red Rock Canyon

One of the closest natural attractions to the centre of Las Vegas is the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area where visitors can enjoy an exhilarating drive through the park's massive red rock formations, high mountain ranges and deep canyons. Other attractions include Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, Bonnie Springs Ranch and the former mining town of Blue Diamond in the heart of the desert.

Valley of Fire

One of Nevada's most spectacular sights is the dramatic rock formations of Valley of Fire State Park just an hour's drive from Las Vegas. Besides a wide variety of wildlife, a fun-filled day-trip to this spectacular landscape gives visitors the chance to marvel at the many slot canyons, rock walls covered in petroglyphs and famous filming locations from days gone by.

Los Angeles

Home to Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles is a city that needs no introduction having been at the heart of the international film-making industry for over a hundred years. Barely a four-hour drive away, LA today is a very popular destination and a major attraction for many people who choose to rent a car in Las Vegas. The city's highlights include the Walk of Fame, the Getty Center, Santa Monica Beach and a fascinating tour of Universal Studios.

How to get around Las Vegas

Besides getting around town with your car hire in Las Vegas (tip: avoid the Strip at weekends), there are plenty of options for seeing the sights and moving between the main hotels and attractions. Travelling between the city and Las Vegas Airport couldn't be easier because the airport is very close to the centre and regular bus services connect it with the Strip and downtown. Note that Terminal 1 is served by Route 108 - Paradise, Route 109 - Maryland Parkway and the Westcliff Airport Express (WAX) route and Terminal 3 is served by the Westcliff Airport Express (WAX) and Centennial Express (CX) routes.

Bus

Buses are a very inexpensive and convenient way of getting around Las Vegas. Regular RTC Transit services operate throughout the city with some running 24/7. Both the Deuce and Strip & Downtown Express (SDX) services run at 15-minute intervals along the Strip and connect with the city centre. For getting to other places in Nevada and beyond, a number of intercity bus companies have their own separate bus stations and stops in downtown Las Vegas and other parts of the city.

Monorail

The Las Vegas Monorail runs along the east side of the Strip stopping at several hotels and attractions, as well as the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Taxi

Unlike many other cities, taxis are an excellent way of getting around the tourist hotspots of downtown Las Vegas. Every hotel and most attractions have a taxi stand and it is relatively cheap to hop from place to place, especially if you're in a group of three or four people.

Campervan hire in Las Vegas

Besides car hire, one of the best ways to visit Las Vegas and explore the surrounding state of Nevada is with a modern motorhome, or RV as they are known in the US. There's no better way to tour the region than with a motorhome hire in Las Vegas, and Auto Europe can provide you with the right vehicle for your trip, whether it's a small, economical campervan for two or three people or a more spacious motorhome for a large group of friends.

Useful links

Las Vegas Tourist Info