Ride The Deuce to Explore the Strip & Downtown (Cost & Route)

Operated by the RTC (Regional Transportation Commission), the Las Vegas city bus, commonly referred to as the Deuce, is the most efficient, popular, and cost-effective public transportation option in Vegas.

It has been operating since October 2005 and is used extensively by both locals and tourists. Deuce buses are typically double-decker and can carry large numbers of tourists and residents.

You can ride the Deuce to explore the Strip and downtown Las Vegas 24 hours a day. The main tourist route connects the South Strip Transit Terminal and the Fremont Street Experience, stopping at many places on the Strip. For visitors a ticket costs between $6 (2-hour pass) to $20 for a 3-day pass.

This article will take an in-depth look at using the Deuce to explore The Strip and Downtown Las Vegas areas, the specific bus route and stops, plus find out how much it costs. Let’s get started.

The Deuce: Las Vegas Strip and Downtown Bus Route & Stops

The Las Vegas Deuce transports passengers in a northerly and southerly direction along The Strip and connects downtown Las Vegas, The Strip, the South Strip Transfer Terminal, and Harry Reid International Airport (formerly McCarran Airport).

Although both routes move up and down The Strip, their stops differ slightly, and each bus route has its own schedule.

Southbound Downtown and Strip Deuce Route & Stops

The Deuce’s southbound route begins in the old-school downtown area of Las Vegas at Fremont Street.

The Deuce then travels approximately 10 miles (16.09 km) down The Strip, with stops to the west of Las Vegas Boulevard. The last stop is at South Strip Transfer Terminal, and the entire journey takes about 61 minutes under normal traffic conditions.

Southbound Deuce stops include:

• Fremont Street Experience: Located in Las Vegas’s old downtown, this was the city’s first paved street and features the well-known Vegas Vic sign and the Heart Attack Grill. Find out more about visiting downtown Las Vegas.
• Carson and 3rd Street: This will be your stop for the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center and Four Queens Hotel & Casino.
• E. Bonneville Transit Center (BTC): This is the closest stop for visiting the store and filming location of Pawn Stars as it’s just a little over a 5-minute walk east.
• Arts District: The Las Vegas Arts district boasts the Burlesque Hall of Fame and a great craft beer scene.
• Charleston Boulevard: Great Wall Chinese Restaurant, Vintner Grill, and the Polish Deli are walking distance from this stop.
• South 4th Street: Get off the Deuce here to see the Little White Chapel, the home of many celebrity weddings.
• Oakey: This stop is close to the Chapel of Flowers, one of the oldest wedding venues in Las Vegas.
• Stratosphere: Jump off the Deuce here to visit The Strat Hotel’s observation tower and get a panoramic view of the city.
• Sahara Avenue: This stop allows you to visit the SAHARA Las Vegas resort.
• Hilton Grand Vacations: Hop off the bus service here if you’re staying at Hilton Grand Vacations.
• Slots-A-Fun: Experience an adult gaming arcade at Circus Circus with $1 beers & hot dogs.
• Resorts World Las Vegas: Step off the bus to explore one of Las Vegas’s newest casinos.
• Encore: You’ll find the Wynn and Encore resorts just across the street along with the Las Vegas Convention Center not too far away.
• Fashion Show Mall: The Deuce stops at the Fashion Show Mall a not to be missed shopping center on the Strip.
• Treasure Island: Jump off and hit up Treasure Island – TI Hotel & Casino.
• Mirage: Visit the classic Mirage resort or play the slots at nearby Casino Royale and Harrah’s on the other side of the Strip.
• Caesars Palace: Arguably the most famous hotel in the city, it is close to The LINQ and the Flamingo, with excellent options for a premium dining experience.
• Bellagio: This is where you’ll find one of the nicest hotels on the Strip, as well as the famous Bellagio Fountains.
• Park MGM: Here you can find the Park MGM Hotel in addition to nearby access to T-Mobile Arena.
• Excalibur: Jump off the Deuce here for the Excalibur and New York-New York, a buzzing hotel with a Big Apple theme.
• Luxor: Experience ancient Egypt at The Luxor Hotel.
• Mandalay Bay: This hotel boasts a beach, a wave pool and a lazy river, plus 43 stories of luxury rooms and an abundance of casino games.
• Welcome to Las Vegas sign: Don’t miss out on this great photo opportunity!
• Sunset Rd: This stop is a short walk to the Gene Woods Racing Experience.
• Town Square Mall: Get off the Deuce here to enjoy some shopping, a meal, and entertainment. This mall even has a Whole Foods, the only grocery store along The Strip!
• Las Vegas Premium Outlets South: Featuring 140 shops, this indoor mall is a great way to escape the heat.
• Harry Reid Rent-A-Car Center: This is your stop if you need to rent a car.
• South Strip Transfer Terminal: The Deuce turns direction here and heads northwards up The Strip. Transfer here if you want to get to the Las Vegas Airport.

Northbound Strip and Downtown Deuce Route & Stops

The Deuce begins its journey northwards at the South Strip Transit Center and proceeds about 8 miles (12.87 km) up The Strip. The last stop is at Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard. The entire journey, from south to north, takes 62 minutes, depending on traffic.

Stops on the northbound Deuce route are:

• South Strip Transit Terminal: Get on the Deuce at the bus station here for Las Vegas Strip hotels, shopping, and attractions.
• Las Vegas Golf: This stop takes you to the Las Vegas Golf Center featuring a golf course, driving range, and lighted night golfing.
• Welcome to Las Vegas Sign: One of the most iconic sights on the Strip.
• Four Seasons: Check out the Four Seasons’ premier spas and restaurants here.
• Mandalay Bay: The Deuce stops near the McDonalds and close to Mandalay Bay and the Luxor.
• Tropicana: One of the most historic and popular hotels on Las Vegas Boulevard.
• MGM Grand: Use this stop for the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino and the Showcase Mall.
• Polo Towers: This is your stop for Aria and the Shops at Crystals in CityCenter.
• Planet Hollywood: You’ll get off the bus here for Planet Hollywood, Miracle Mile Shops, and The Cosmopolitan.
• Paris: Nearby attractions here include the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Bally’s, and of course Paris Las Vegas.
• Harrah’s: This is your stop if you want to explore Harrah’s, LINQ, or Caesars Palace Forum Shops.
• Venetian: Need to get to The Venetian or The Palazzo? This is your stop!
• Wynn: Enjoy an evening on the slots and a great meal at Wynn.
• Convention Center Drive: This will be your stop if you need to get to the Las Vegas Convention Center.
• Circus Circus: Access to Circus Circus Hotel & Casino.
• Sky Las Vegas: An area of high-rise condos for sale or rent.
• Hilton Grand Vacations: This is your stop for Las Vegas Festival Grounds and the Hilton’s luxurious spa.
• Sahara Avenue: Your stop for the World’s Largest Gift Shop.
• The Strat: Get off the Deuce here for The Strat Hotel and Casino.
• St. Louis Ave: This stop is close to a Denny’s and an IHOP on the Strip.
• Oakey Boulevard: Looking for a bargain? Browse the nearby pawn shops from this stop.
• 4th Street & Las Vegas Blvd: This stop approaches downtown and is home to a couple famous Vegas wedding chapels.
• Arts District: The Deuce stops a few hundred feet away from the Charleston Bonneville Transit Center.
• Carson & Fremont Street Experience: The stop is for the Fremont Street Experience, including the Golden Nugget and Golden Gate Casino (oldest casino in Las Vegas).
• Stewart and 4th Street: Remember to get off here for the Mob Museum.
• Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard: Get off the Deuce here if you want to explore the paved pedestrian shopping and casino district on Fremont Street. This is the main stop for the Fremont Street Experience.

You can download a PDF of The Strip and Downtown Las Vegas bus routes here.

When Does the Deuce Operate and How Often?

The Deuce operates 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. It has very frequent buses, but this depends on the time of day, and other factors, such as traffic and holidays. On rare occasions when the bus is full, it won’t be able to stop and take on new passengers.

Below is the Deuce’s frequency:

• 7 am to 2 am: A bus arrives every 15 minutes
• 2 am to 7 am: Less frequent buses every 20 minutes

How Much is the Bus in Las Vegas: Cost Of Riding the Deuce

The Deuce is a cost-effective public transport option for Las Vegas, with tickets ranging from $2 for a single trip for Las Vegas residents to $65 for a 30-day resident’s travel pass.

For tourists and visitors to Las Vegas, a bus ticket to ride the Deuce will cost between $6 for a 2-hour pass to $20 for an unlimited 3-day ride pass.

Deuce Travel Passes & Bus Fare

The Deuce offers a range of cost-effective tickets and passes as follows:

• Single ride resident: $2
• 2-hour resident pass: $3
• 24-hour resident pass: $5
• 7-day resident pass: $20
• 15-day resident pass: $34
• 30-day resident pass: $65
• 2-hour visitor pass: $6
• 24-Hour visitor pass: $8
• 3-Day visitor pass: $20

College students can save 50% on Deuce tickets, but this needs to be arranged beforehand with the college administration office.

Senior citizens over the age of 60, veterans, children aged 6 to 17, disabled people, and those eligible for Medicare can also obtain Deuce travel passes at 50% off. In addition, kids under 5 may ride the Deuce for free, as long as a responsible person accompanies them.

Infants in strollers must be taken out and held by an adult.

Where to Buy Your Deuce Tickets

Buying your Deuce travel pass or ticket is incredibly easy. To make things easy for riders, the Regional Transport Commission allows riders to purchase tickets in one of three ways:

• From a Deuce vending machine: Deuce vending machines are located at many of the bus stops along the Strip and in Terminal 1 of Harry Reid Airport. They function in a similar way to ATMs. You can purchase individual Deuce tickets, travel passes, or reduced rate tickets from these vending machines.
• On the Deuce: Conveniently, you can buy your Deuce ticket on the bus upon entering. However, you need to have the exact amount with you or pay by card (Note: the bus driver cannot make change.)
• Via the RTC app: Available in the Android and Apple app stores, the RTC app allows you to buy Deuce tickets and passes on your phone.

Why Is the Deuce Las Vegas’s Best Public Transport Option?

The Deuce is considered to be the best way of getting around Las Vegas for many reasons. The Strip is around 10 miles (16.09 km) in length, and it can take a long time to get from point A to B. In addition, the Las Vegas climate can be incredibly hot, making walking long distances uncomfortable.

It is cheaper than a cab and more convenient than renting a car and battling in the Las Vegas traffic or trying to find free parking. In fact, taxi cabs and rideshare vehicles are not permitted to pick up passengers at the side of the road in Las Vegas.

Pick-up spots for these types of transportation are usually available near hotel entrances.

Conclusion

The Deuce bus line runs up and down the Strip and into downtown Las Vegas continuously. It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you can expect a bus to arrive at each stop every 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the time of day.

Its most notable stops include the Welcome to Las Vegas sign, the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Mandalay Bay, and Harry Reid Rent-A-Car Center for the airport.

Riding the Deuce to explore the Strip and downtown is convenient and is without a doubt, the least expensive way to get around the main tourist areas during your Las Vegas trip.