Las Vegas Free Trams & Monorail Guide: South to North (2026)
One of the biggest misconceptions first-time visitors have about Las Vegas is assuming they need to rent a car to explore the Strip. In reality, renting a car can turn a fun vacation into a stressful chore. Between brutal Las Vegas Boulevard traffic congestion and daily resort parking rates that routinely cost $20 to $30 per day, driving quickly drains your budget.
Even worse than the money is the massive waste of time. Mega-resort parking garages are gigantic labyrinths located far behind the main buildings. Navigating up multiple concrete levels, finding a spot, walking through hot structures, and navigating long corridors just to reach the casino floor can easily suck up 30 to 40 minutes per stop. When you want to leave, you have to repeat the entire trek backwards.
There is a much smarter, easier, and climate-controlled way to conquer the city: connecting the free West-side casino trams with the Las Vegas Monorail. Here is your exact step-by-step game plan to travel the entire length of the Las Vegas Strip—from the southern tip at Mandalay Bay all the way north to Sahara—without ever touching a steering wheel.
The Master Plan: South to North Strip Seamless Transit
By stringing together one free express tram, two short elevated pedestrian bridges, and one fast monorail system, you can traverse nearly four miles of Las Vegas excitement smoothly and affordably.
Step 1: Start at Mandalay Bay & Ride the Free Tram to Excalibur
Your journey begins at the far southern anchor of the Strip: Mandalay Bay. Head to the front entrance station and board the complimentary Mandalay Bay – Luxor – Excalibur Express Tram.
- The Ride: Glide above the traffic in air-conditioned comfort directly to Excalibur in just a few minutes.
- Hours: Operates daily (typically 8:00 AM – midnight Mon–Fri, 10:00 AM – midnight Sat–Sun).
Step 2: Cross the Pedestrian Bridge to New York-New York
Once you step off the tram at Excalibur, walk out toward Las Vegas Boulevard and take the dedicated elevated pedestrian bridge over Tropicana Avenue. In less than three minutes of easy walking, you will arrive directly at the doorstep of New York-New York Hotel & Casino.
Step 3: Cross Over to MGM Grand
From New York-New York, take the next connecting elevated pedestrian bridge directly across Las Vegas Boulevard. You will land right inside the massive MGM Grand, the southern terminus and anchor station for the Las Vegas Monorail.
Step 4: Board the Las Vegas Monorail All the Way to Sahara
Head through the MGM Grand casino floor following the overhead signs to the MGM Grand Monorail Station. Board the sleek, elevated train running along the east side of the Strip all the way up to SAHARA Las Vegas Station at the northern end.
Along this 3.9-mile express route, the train bypasses every single traffic light and jam on Las Vegas Boulevard, connecting South Strip to North Strip in roughly 15 minutes!
The 7 Monorail Stations (Your Gateway to Center & North Strip)
As you ride north from MGM Grand, the Monorail stops at seven strategically placed stations where you can jump off and explore:
- MGM Grand Station (South Terminus)
- Horseshoe / Paris Las Vegas Station (Heart of South-Central Strip)
- Flamingo & Caesars Palace Station (Center Strip & LINQ Promenade area)
- Harrah’s & The LINQ Station (Access to Venetian & High Roller)
- Boingo Station at Las Vegas Convention Center
- Westgate Las Vegas Station
- SAHARA Las Vegas Station (North Terminus)
Monorail Train Operating Hours
Trains arrive every 4 to 8 minutes at all stations:
- Monday: 7:00 am – 12:00 midnight
- Tuesday: 7:00 am – 2:00 am
- Wednesday: 7:00 am – 2:00 am
- Thursday: 7:00 am – 2:00 am
- Friday: 7:00 am – 3:00 am
- Saturday: 7:00 am – 3:00 am
- Sunday: 7:00 am – 3:00 am
Las Vegas Monorail Ticket Prices (Online eTicket vs. Station Full Fare)
Always purchase your tickets online on your phone before arriving at the station. Paper tickets purchased at physical Monorail station vending machines charge full fare, whereas online eTickets unlock instant discounts:
| Ticket Type | Station Full Fare (Paper) | Online eTicket Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-Ride | $6.00 | $5.50 | Quick point-to-point trip |
| 1-Day Pass (Unlimited) | $15.00 | $13.45 | Best Value! Full day of exploring |
| 2-Day Pass (Unlimited) | $26.00 | $23.75 | Weekend Strip hopping |
| 3-Day Pass (Unlimited) | $32.00 | $29.95 | (Most Popular) Standard Vegas stay |
| 4-Day Pass (Unlimited) | $39.00 | $37.00 | Convention center attendees |
| 5-Day Pass (Unlimited) | $47.00 | $44.50 | Extended vacation itineraries |
| 7-Day Pass (Unlimited) | $62.00 | $57.50 | Full week resort stay |
TIP
The Ultimate Hop-On / Hop-Off Strategy: Instead of buying one-ride tickets, grab a 1-Day or Multi-Day Pass on your smartphone. With an unlimited eTicket in your mobile wallet, you can get off at stations like Flamingo or Paris, walk inside to grab a drink, gamble, or dine, and then simply scan your phone at the fare gates to hop right back on the next train (arriving every 4 to 8 minutes) to continue heading north!
Other Free Strip Trams You Should Know About
While our South-to-North itinerary utilizes the Mandalay Bay express route and the Monorail, there are two other notable tram routes on the west side of the Strip to keep in mind:
TIP
Center Strip Free Tram (Park MGM ↔ Aria ↔ Bellagio): Exploring the central West side? Hop on this free elevated tram connecting Park MGM, The Shops at Crystals / Aria, and the south tower of Bellagio. It runs daily from 8:00 AM to 2:00 AM and saves you massive steps around CityCenter.
NOTE
Treasure Island ↔ Mirage Tram Status: The classic free tram connecting Treasure Island (TI) and the former Mirage is currently closed and out of service while the property undergoes construction to transform into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (projected completion in 2027).
Summary: Save Time, Save Money, Save Your Feet
By combining the free southern tram with a day pass on the Las Vegas Monorail, you eliminate parking garage headaches, avoid rideshare surge pricing, and spend your vacation energy actually enjoying Las Vegas. Grab your walking shoes, load your digital transit pass, and conquer the Strip like a seasoned pro!
Want to master the layout of every resort along the way? Check out our master guide: The Ultimate Guide to Navigating the Las Vegas Strip: South, Center & North Explained.