Cheap Car Rental in Las Vegas

Car Rental in Las Vegas: driving to one of the most popular travel destinations in the US

A relatively young city, Las Vegas and its famous Strip began as amusement for the itinerant workers that built the Hoover Dam in the 1930s. While you can certainly be amused for weeks by the offerings along the Strip alone, don’t make this easy mistake. Instead, book your rental car to explore the region thoroughly as well!

To avoid the craziness of Las Vegas crowds, visit the city during the week rather than the weekend, basically any time of the year. While many recommend visiting the city during the spring and fall, winter weather in the city rarely reaches freezing temperatures. Summers can be brutally hot, however.

The de facto national language of the United States is English, which is also the major language of Las Vegas, though about 20% of the population are native Spanish speakers. The major indigenous languages of Nevada are Washo, Northern Paiute, Shoshone, and Colorado River Numic.

Las Vegas is in the Pacific Time Zone, UTC-8.

The currency throughout the United States is the dollar. Credit cards are accepted at most businesses and ATMs are also quite frequent. Note, however, that ATMs located in most casinos will charge very high fees for withdrawals. CVS, 7-Eleven, and the airport offer the cheaper ATM options.

Car rental is available in over 30 locations throughout Las Vegas, including the Las Vegas Airport, at the Aria City Center, on the Strip at, for instance, Caesar’s Palace, and East of the Strip.

Take a break from the glamor of Las Vegas to visit some nearby sights, such as the Hoover Dam near the Lake Mead National Recreational Area (30 minute drive) or the Mojave Desert (3 hour drive).

Visa Regulations

38 nationalities can enter the United States as tourists without applying for a visa, though if you are among these nationalities, you are still required to fill out the ESTA in advance. Visit esta.us for more information. Visitors to the United States will be fingerprinted and biometrically photographed upon entry. If your nationality is not included in the visa-waiver program, you will be required to apply for a B-1 or B-2 visa in advance of your arrival.

Driving in Las Vegas

Though many major attractions line one road, the Strip, don’t underestimate the length of the walk between casinos. More importantly, don’t underestimate the heat! Particularly in the summer, rent a car to make your local and distant travel more comfortable. If you’re planning on driving along the Strip on the weekend, consider taking the parallel roads, I-15 or Frank Sinatra Drive to avoid persistent traffic jams. Be vigilant while driving, as the party scene and traffic jams typically result in erratic behavior.

Right-Hand Driving

• Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road throughout the USA.

Speed Limits

• In the city: 25 to 45 mph (40 to 70 km/h)
• Interstates near the city: 65 to 70 mph (100 to 110 km/h)
• On some rural interstate highways: 80 mph (130 km/h)
• Traffic in and out of Las Vegas along Interstate 15 will be bad on the weekend; avoid these peak travel areas to enjoy this otherwise scenic route to California.

Other Regulations

1. Surprisingly you’ll find that there are still a number of free parking lots in Las Vegas, even on the Strip, though they fill up quickly on the weekend. To avoid any stress, take advantage of valet parking, which costs as little as $7 for the first four hours.
2. Your valid domestic driver’s license is sufficient to drive in Nevada.
3. While the minimum fully licensed driving age in Nevada is 18, you will have to be at least 21 to rent a car and will face surcharges until the age of 25.

Cheap Car Rental in Las Vegas

Car rental in Las Vegas typically starts at around $27 a day. Here are some of the best car rental deals in Las Vegas:

• Hyundai Accent or similar (economy class) – $27/day
• Nissan Versa or similar (compact class) - $28/day
• Jeep Cherokee or similar (intermediate class) - $33/day
• Chevrolet Cruze or similar (standard class) - $35/day
• Chrysler 200 or similar (intermediate class) - $36/day

Note that prices vary depending on the availability of each specific car and the season in which you rent. For the most accurate offers, use the search bar above.

Tips for Renting a Car Inexpensively in Las Vegas

While you are likely to save a couple euros by renting your car in the fall, ultimately the best way for you to save money in the area is by renting from one of the many agencies located at the Las Vegas Airport (LAS). Featuring budget agencies such as Thrifty and Dollar, the airport offers rentals at $5 to $50 cheaper than agencies throughout the city.

Often, if you wait to book your car until the week before you arrive, you may save over $10 a day on your rental, though you run the chance of having no available cars in your chosen class. You can also save over $10 a day by extending your rental period to over a week.