Find the top spots for hassle-free parking, Uber and Lyft
Las Vegas parking—free or paid has been a hot-button issue for both locals and tourists over the past few years. Parking ease and cost, undoubtedly gives locals mixed feelings about visiting the touristy areas of Las Vegas. For years, resorts and casinos kept residents engaged with low prices, perks and free parking. Yet those advantages dwindled away over time with more and more services offered at a premium.
Now, with COVID-19 affecting the tourism industry, most resorts have dropped parking fees while offering discounts on hotel rooms, restaurants and attractions. Some have even (sporadically) dropped resort fees.
Here are five resorts where the parking, rideshare and transportation access are the true definition of easy in, easy out.
Circa Las Vegas
The recently opened Circa resort carries a few distinctions. It’s the first all-new Downtown hotel built from the ground up in 40 years, not to mention the tallest. It also has the world’s largest casino sportsbook and helped kick off the 21-and-over trend in Vegas. But what about parking? Circa has the massive “Garage Mahal” with nearly a thousand parking spaces on eight levels. Prices are $4/hour. The structure is decorated with LED light fixtures and art installations. It’s the first major resort garage with ride-sharing lanes integrated into the design plans from the beginning. The result—an easy, convenient pickup/dropoff point that’s just steps from not only Circa, but the Fremont Street Experience and other Downtown destinations.
The Cosmopolitan
Unlike most Strip resorts, the Cosmopolitan is vertically integrated in design, making the most of a relatively small footprint. The parking garage is underground, directly beneath the resort, eliminating long walks and sprawl. Elevators take guests directly to not only the casino and hotel floor, but also shops and restaurants on the first three levels with easy access to room-and-suite towers and swimming pools (including the Boulevard Pool Ice Rink during winter). The Cosmopolitan has its own dedicated rideshare lane at the same entrance off Harmon Avenue for self-parking, valet and taxi services. Despite the occasional congestion, the rideshare lane is off to the side with pickups and dropoffs at the same location, which happens to be right in front of the main check-in desks. If traffic is unusually heavy, especially on weekends, walk next door to Vdara, which is far less chaotic and has a rideshare pickup/dropoff point that’s actually in front of the taxi cue.
The Linq
Don’t scratch your head. We all know The LINQ has one of the worst parking garages on the Las Vegas Strip. It’s tight, cramped and prone to flooding during monsoon season with a long, sprawling (sometimes confusing) walk to the hotel floor. However, it’s a dream come true for rideshare users. Informed locals know to use the circular valet at the east end of The LINQ outdoor promenade, which also serves as a pickup/dropoff point for Uber and Lyft. The spot is next to the High Roller observation wheel and convenient to Brooklyn Bowl, shops, restaurants and other destinations. Hotel guests can use the ridesharing zone by the valet area on the north side of The LINQ Hotel, which is tucked out of the way and close to the check-in area. Either way, you’ll avoid that dreaded parking garage.
Caesars Palace
Caesars Palace is one of the largest and busiest resorts on the Strip, growing over the years to include six towers if you count the Nobu Hotel. It’s often a sprawling mess. However, it scores points for having three dropoff points for rideshare services: the main entrance, Colosseum theater and Augustus Tower (the quiet south wing that includes Restaurant Guy Savoy and several luxury villas). There’s only one pickup point near the main entrance, which can get crowded and congested, but the rideshare lane is on the east side of the valet fountain to provide a little extra breathing room. For even more flexibility, the adjacent Forum Shops has three rideshare zones: two near the southeast entrances by the Strip and another near the secluded, rarely used back entrance on Stan Mallin Drive along the luxury shopping center’s north side. If you prefer to self-park at Caesars Palace, try to find a space on the east side of the parking garage’s top level. It’s right by the elevators and the views of the Strip are incredible, especially at night. Even better—parking is currently free for locals. Just scan your driver’s license at the entry gate.
Wynn/Encore
The Wynn is all about luxury and convenience with self-parking garages for each of its hotel towers. However, the Encore garage is the most convenient and centrally located for visiting any restaurants or attractions on property. The entrance off Las Vegas Boulevard immediately tilts up into a ramp alongside the structure, allowing you to choose your preferred level without twisting and turning between floors. There are green and red lights to spot available spaces and despite the Wynn’s upscale image, parking is free for all guests. The main Wynn tower has a pickup/dropoff rideshare zone at the South entrance off Sands Avenue with a separate dedicated zone for Tower Suites guests. An extra dropoff-only line is near the main entrance valet. The newer Encore tower also has a pickup/dropoff point at its own main valet (with a dedicated lane) and another for the Encore Tower Suites. But that’s not all. Those partying by the pool at Encore Beach Club can take advantage of their own exclusive ridesharing spot. All they have to do is cross the pedestrian bridge to the Encore parking garage and take the stairs one floor down to the first level.
