Las Vegas Monorail Map: Complete Guide to Stations, Routes and Fares

Figuring out Strip transportation trips up a lot of first-time Vegas visitors, and the monorail is usually where the confusion starts. People search for a "Las Vegas tram map" expecting one system, then find out there are actually two separate ones with different prices. In my experience planning Vegas trips, sorting this out before you land saves a surprising amount of walking in the heat.

The Las Vegas Monorail runs along seven stations on the east side of the Strip, connecting MGM Grand to SAHARA Las Vegas. It's a paid system, separate from the free resort trams that connect hotels like Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur on the south end of the Strip. Knowing which system serves your route matters more than most guides admit.

How the Las Vegas Monorail Works

The monorail is an elevated, automated train that skips road traffic entirely, which makes it genuinely useful during peak Strip congestion. According to the monorail's published schedule, trains arrive every 4 to 8 minutes, and a full end-to-end ride takes roughly 13 to 15 minutes.

Route Overview

The route covers 3.9 miles along the east side of the Strip, running from MGM Grand at the south end up to SAHARA Las Vegas at the north end. It doesn't touch the west side of the Strip at all, so hotels like Bellagio, Caesars Palace, or The Venetian sit across the street from the nearest station rather than right next to it.

Why It Doesn't Run Along the Main Strip Sidewalk

The monorail was built behind the resorts, not along Las Vegas Boulevard itself, mostly due to how the original casino properties were laid out when construction happened. One mistake I keep seeing: visitors expect a station right at the front entrance of their hotel. Instead, plan on a five- to ten-minute walk from the casino floor back to the platform.

Las Vegas Monorail Map and Stations

The monorail map is simpler than it looks once you see all seven stops laid out in order from south to north.

Full Station List

·         MGM Grand

·         Horseshoe/Paris (formerly the Bally's station, renamed after the property rebrand)

·         Flamingo/Caesars Palace

·         Harrah's/The LINQ

·         Las Vegas Convention Center (Boingo Station)

·         Westgate

·         SAHARA Las Vegas

Which Hotels Each Station Connects To

Harrah's/The LINQ station drops you right by the LINQ Promenade and the High Roller observation wheel, with The Venetian a short walk away. Nearby convention-area hotels like the Marriott and Renaissance sit close to Westgate station, which also serves the Westgate resort and its long-running Elvis Presley memorabilia exhibit. Anyone attending CES or a similar trade show wants the Convention Center station specifically, since it sits directly inside the Las Vegas Convention Center itself.

Las Vegas Monorail Tickets and Fares

Fares are structured around either single rides or unlimited-time passes, and the gap between the two matters if you're staying more than a day or two.

The Las Vegas Monorail's official ticket pricing lists a one-ride ticket at about $6 at the station, or roughly $5.50 for an eTicket bought online in advance. Nevada residents with valid ID can ride for $1, capped at two rides per day. Kids five and under ride free with an accompanying adult.

Unlimited passes work differently than most visitors expect: they're based on hours from first use, not calendar days. A 1-day pass costs around $15 at the station or $13.45 online, and multi-day passes go up from there, topping out around $62 for a 7-day pass ($57.50 online). I've found that if you're planning three or more rides in a single day, the day pass usually beats paying per ride, since three single-ride eTickets alone add up to more than the 1-day pass price.

Where to Buy Tickets

Tickets are available at vending machines and customer service counters at most stations, online in advance through the monorail's official ticketing site, or through Google Pay directly at the fare gates. Buying online ahead of time is consistently the cheaper option and skips the kiosk line entirely.

Monorail vs Free Trams in Las Vegas

This is where most of the "Las Vegas tram map" confusion actually comes from, since the free trams and the paid monorail operate on completely different sides of the Strip.

Free Tram Routes

The Mandalay Bay tram connects Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur on the south end of the Strip, generally running from around mid-morning until close to midnight, though exact hours shift a bit depending on the day. The Aria Express tram connects Park MGM, the Crystals shopping area, and Bellagio, and it's a quick two-to-three-minute hop between stops. Both are completely free and open to anyone, not just hotel guests.

Paid Monorail vs Free Trams: Key Differences

The monorail covers a much longer stretch of the Strip and reaches areas the trams don't touch at all, like the Convention Center and Westgate. The trams only connect a handful of neighboring resorts each, but they cost nothing and tend to run more frequently over their shorter routes. A family staying at Excalibur who just wants to reach Mandalay Bay for dinner doesn't need the monorail at all; the free tram covers that exact trip.

Example Monorail Trips Around Vegas

A convention attendee staying at a hotel near the Strip's south end and heading to CES at the Convention Center would ride the monorail from MGM Grand straight up to the Convention Center station, skipping the shuttle bus line entirely during peak show hours.

A couple staying at Harrah's who want to see the Bellagio Fountains would get off at the Horseshoe/Paris stop, then cross the Strip on foot, since the monorail's east-side route doesn't reach Bellagio directly.

Someone flying into town who lands at Harry Reid International and heads straight to a Strip hotel wouldn't use the monorail at all for that leg. It doesn't reach the airport, and the MGM Grand station, its closest point, still sits a few miles north. A taxi, rideshare, or airport shuttle covers that first stretch instead.

A group of friends splitting time between Westgate and SAHARA for a weekend, hopping back and forth for shows and dinner, would likely save money buying a 1-day pass rather than paying for four or five separate single rides.

Monorail vs Walking vs Rideshare on the Strip

 Is the Las Vegas Monorail Worth It?

Honestly, it depends heavily on where you're staying. If your hotel sits right on the monorail line and you're heading to the Convention Center or another east-side stop, it's a genuinely fast, air-conditioned way to skip Strip traffic. If your trip mostly revolves around west-side resorts like Bellagio, Aria, or The Venetian, you'll likely rely on walking or the free trams more than the monorail itself.

For convention travelers specifically, I'd call it close to essential. Trying to cross the Strip on foot during a major trade show, with thousands of people also heading to the same venue, eats up far more time than the ride itself costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does The Monorail Go To The Airport?

No, the Las Vegas Monorail does not reach Harry Reid International Airport. Its southern terminus is MGM Grand station, still a few miles from the airport, so travelers need a taxi, rideshare, or airport shuttle for that connection.

Is The Monorail Free?

No, the monorail is a paid system, unlike the separate free resort trams. Single rides run around $6, with unlimited day passes starting at around $15.

How Often Do Trains Run?

Trains arrive every 4 to 8 minutes throughout the day, with a full one-way trip taking about 13 to 15 minutes.

Can I Use The Monorail With A Rideshare Or Walking Combo?

Yes, and it's actually the most practical approach for most trips. Many visitors ride the monorail for the east-side stretch, then walk or grab a rideshare to reach west-side resorts the monorail doesn't cover.

Does The Monorail Stop At Every Hotel On The Strip?

No, it only serves seven stations on the east side of the Strip. Hotels like Bellagio, Caesars Palace, and The Venetian require a walk across the Strip from the nearest station, since the monorail doesn't run along the west side at all.