After a huge battle which has lasted for almost a year, Uber has finally, officially, legitimately launched in Las Vegas.
Last October, Uber unofficially launched in Las Vegas. When I say “unofficially,” I mean just that — they showed up, turned on the app, and basically decided they’d start giving people rides until they were told otherwise. Within hours of launching, Uber was shut down.
Then after months and months of politicking, the Nevada Legislature finally approved a bill making Uber & Lyft legal in Nevada. Of course nothing happens overnight when the government is involved. But the time has finally come — yesterday Uber officially launched in Las Vegas! For the time being there’s just UberX in Las Vegas, and not UberBLACK yet.
Las Vegas has one of the most corrupt taxi mafias out there, so the market couldn’t be disrupted fast enough.
Here are the fare estimates they’ve provided:
- UNLV to Downtown Las Vegas: $13-17
- UNLV to Summerlin: $34-45
- Downtown Las Vegas to Summerlin: $36-48
- Downtown Las Vegas to Henderson: $39-52
- Henderson to Summerlin: $63-84
Now, I’ll do everything I can to support Uber when in Las Vegas, though there are two major challenges they face:
- Uber can’t operate at Las Vegas McCarran Airport, which is a bit of a bummer, because it’s where the most “hauling” happens from Vegas cabbies (whereby they take you the long way)
- There are logistical issues with picking up on The Strip, given how crazy traffic can be and how long the waits can be to pull up to a hotel; taxis are always available, so it’s certainly tempting to hop into one
Bottom line
It’s awesome that Uber has finally launched in Las Vegas, and I look forward to the concept growing. As of now there don’t seem to be many drivers yet, though I suspect that will change. I look forward to trying Uber next time I’m in Vegas. I just wish they could do airport pick-ups, and am also hoping the logistics of picking up on The Strip aren’t too much of a hurdle to overcome.
If you haven’t yet signed up for Uber, they have a pretty lucrative referral program, whereby you can get a free ride of up to $20 by being referred (and the person referring gets the same).
Do you plan on using Uber in Las Vegas?
I live in DC and use Uber 4-5 times a week. Most of the city issues that Kens alludes to is easy to overcome. First, get off of wifi when requesting Uber. Second, note where Uber thinks you are. If they think you are two buildings over, then that is where the driver is going. Third, think about your pickup location. If there is a food truck in front of your building with 10 people...
I live in DC and use Uber 4-5 times a week. Most of the city issues that Kens alludes to is easy to overcome. First, get off of wifi when requesting Uber. Second, note where Uber thinks you are. If they think you are two buildings over, then that is where the driver is going. Third, think about your pickup location. If there is a food truck in front of your building with 10 people waiting to get something to eat, how is the driver going to have a smooth pickup? Go a few buildings down
Using Uber int he city isn't hard, but it does help to look at it from the drivers perspective.
I support the Uber concept, but have found it impractical in cities. Have used Uber in Austin, TX and Washington DC. When requesting pickups @ major hotels Marriott & Hyatt and returns from major tourist destinations, drivers had major difficulty finding pickup locations. Gave up in both cities and simply hailed cabs, which was much more effective. In Las Vegas cabs can not pickup on the street, so hailing a cab is usually not an option,
What Tom said, if you go partying and and then drive it will not stay in Vegas.
Taxis at LAS are the worst. Long lines and then the drivers try to screw you such as suggesting to take the highway to MGM or Mandalay Bay. Can you pin uber slightly off airport and then text the driver to ask them to pick you up at departures?
Even as someone who has become a Uber surpporter. I can see the logistics of being picked up by an Uber on the strip completely insane.
This seems one instance when in is easier to use a cab. I've never had a cab try to long haul me between hotels and restaurants on the strip or downtown.
As far as airport, i can still see the logistics being nuts since LAS is a cluster...
Even as someone who has become a Uber surpporter. I can see the logistics of being picked up by an Uber on the strip completely insane.
This seems one instance when in is easier to use a cab. I've never had a cab try to long haul me between hotels and restaurants on the strip or downtown.
As far as airport, i can still see the logistics being nuts since LAS is a cluster f'ck, but I still may use it if it ever becomes available because the taxis lines at the airport are crazy. Until then I hire a real car service for not much more then a taxi, and don't have to worry about anything.
@Sice and Michael,
Renting a car works fine until your start drinking...
@Deborah,
If they can't drop you at the airport, just have them drop you at the Rental car center and take the free shuttle back to LAS.
I nearly always rent a car in LAS, I find that it usually is the cheaper option than taxis. When I don't rent a car I find I spend the same or more on taxis as the car rental. Plus as pointed out above self-park is free and Valet Parking only costs what you want to tip the Valet.
So glad to see Uber seeing more success with being allowed in certain cities, airports, etc. Instead of fighting Uber in the streets, I wish taxi companies would be willing to fight Uber in the product and customer service they offer. I have yet to take a taxi since Uber first came to Raleigh.
Just rent a car...self parking is EASY in Vegas, and FREE. And good luck with Uber at the usual high traffic times; we stayed at Green Valley Ranch one year and on a Friday night the wait for a taxi was 2 hours... Just hop in your car and you're anywhere in the valley in 30 min.
don't forget about lyft, also launched same time. difference is that new lyft drivers in vegas receive a $500 signup bonus after giving 50 rides in 30 days: https://www.lyft.com/drivers/EXTRA750
Code EXTRA750 is needed to qualify for the promo
I'm really not an uber fan but an enemy of my enemy is my friend!
Can they drop off at the airport?
Interesting you say about the corrupt taxi mafia in Vegas. Where exactly taxi is not a mafia? Uber and Lyft is the way to get rid of these mafias everywhere. Unfortunately, there are still corrupt Governments out there that work together with the taxi mafia and don't let Uber work. See what happened in France and what is happening in Brazil. I was in Milan couple months ago and had to walk to a taxi...
Interesting you say about the corrupt taxi mafia in Vegas. Where exactly taxi is not a mafia? Uber and Lyft is the way to get rid of these mafias everywhere. Unfortunately, there are still corrupt Governments out there that work together with the taxi mafia and don't let Uber work. See what happened in France and what is happening in Brazil. I was in Milan couple months ago and had to walk to a taxi area in the city where several taxis where just parked and their drivers inside. It was 7:45AM. We got to the first in line and the guy said he was not available. Same with the second, third, etc.. WTF!!!! Well, we waited for 15 minutes and exactly at 8AM the first taxi in the line magically became available. We hopped in and he said: "I don't work before 8AM." Are you kidding me? That is where Uber shines. Where people want to work and do a great job.
Taking a shuttle to the Rental Car center and ordening a Uber from there can be an option for airport pick-up, although it takes away the Uber advantage a bit.
I actually used Uber in Vegas yesterday. I was the guy's first ride ever as they only went online 1 hour before he said. All the MGM resorts now also have Uber/Lyft waiting area's near the lobby/taxi stand, I saw several yesterday. My driver didn't know a lot about it either, but I assume you just wait there and the driver will come inside to pick you up. I will try again later today just to try strip pickup.