Fool Me Once #ILTA13

Stepping off an early morning flight, I was not at my best when I landed in Las Vegas in August 2010. That’s my excuse for the stupid thing I did that morning. What happened? I put my weary body into a taxi and didn’t pay close attention when the friendly cab driver welcomed me to Las Vegas. He then asked if it was my first time in town. I said “Yes.”

That was my mistake.

You won’t be surprised to learn that I ended up getting the “scenic tour” of several parts of Las Vegas before finally arriving at the hotel. The tab for that trip was nearly $25.00. I’ve since learned that the trip should have taken less than 10 minutes and cost approximately $12.00 (in 2010).

There’s an old saying: “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” To avoid repeating my transportation mistake this weekend when I travel to ILTA’s 2013 annual conference, I called the conference hotel (Caesar’s Palace) to find out if there was an economical and reliable shuttle service from the airport to the hotel. The concierge recommended Bell Trans airport shuttle. It operates 24/7 and you can pick it up at Terminal 1, Baggage Claim Door 9. As for the cost, it’s $7.00 one way and $13.00 round trip. By way of comparison, one guide to Las Vegas says that the approximate cab fare from the airport to the hotel is $17.06 one way (not including tip).  Unless you know your way around Las Vegas, you should compare the shuttle fare to what my last cab driver might charge you. (I don’t know what the 2013 version of the Las Vegas scenic tour costs, and I don’t intend to find out.)

I’ve heard it said that “Las Vegas on a dime is a very sad time.”  Whether or not that’s true, the shuttle will be appealing if you’re on a budget. And if (like me) you’re determined not to be a cab driver’s patsy, the shuttle may be the best option.

No matter which mode of transportation you choose, safe travels!