While in Las Vegas for a trade show, I was also staying at the Resorts World Conrad. Because of this, I used The Boring Company’s Las Vegas Loop transport system to get to and from the hotel. Lots has been said about the Las Vegas Loop system. Both positive and negative. Like most things, it seems like people are very opinionated on the topic. Yes, it’s Tesla cars in somewhat small tunnels, but it does work.
Bottom Line: Anyway, I used the Las Vegas Loop and though it was perfectly adequate for getting between Resorts World and the Las Vegas Convention Center. I’m not sure that it’s scale-able or the future of transportation, but as a fun little gimmick, it’s a fast and easy way to get between two very specific places. We’ll see what happens as the system grows.
In This Review
How Does The Las Vegas Loop Work
The Las Vegas Loop works kinda like a subway and kinda like a cab stand. Currently there are only a few stations on the Las Vegas Loop with the Resorts World being the only station off Convention Center property. It’s important to note, only convention attendees are allowed to ride. I’m not sure if this is enforced.
In each Loop station there are usually more than a few attendants. (If you’re starting your trip at the Resorts World you’ll be directed to buy a ticket.) The attendant will ask you how many people and where you’re going. Much like a cab stand you’ll be directed to a car or a numbered loading station. Then again like a taxi, you’ll get into the car, the driver will ask where you’re going, and you’ll be off.
The driver will then take you to your destination. Like a subway, you’ll pass through any stations that are between your origin and destination. Unlike a subway, you won’t stop to pick up more people. The tunnels themselves feel a little small and one of my ride mates did feel uncomfortable at first, he also said it was very cool once we arrived.
Las Vegas Loop Station Locations
The Loop has 4 Stations. Resorts World, LVCC West, LVCC Central, and LVCC South. The LVCC West And South Stations are located above ground in parking lots.
The Resorts World Station is located in the shopping area of the resort.
The LVCC Central Station is below ground in front of the Central Hall.
Las Vegas Loop Routes
The current Las Vegas Loop has 4 Stations. 3 Stations in the Las Vegas Convention Center and then one at the Resorts World. These 4 Stations are all connected in a straight line, just like a subway. If you are going from end to end on The Loop, you’ll see all 4 stations, you won’t stop in the middle, but you’ll see them all.
The Four Stations from West to East are Resorts World, LVCC West, LVCC Central, LVCC South.
Las Vegas Loop Cost to Ride
Within the the Las Vegas Convention Center, and routes that originate there, there is no cost for The Loop. If your journey is starting off Convention Center property (basically just Resorts World), then there is a $4.50 charge. You buy tickets on The Loop website using your phone. There are manned scanners at the station where your QR code will be checked.
Only convention center event attendees are allowed to use The Loop, I don’t know if that rule is enforced.
Las Vegas Loop Hours of Operation
The Las Vegas Loop only runs when there is an event at the Las Vegas Convention Center. These hours are posted on the Loop’s Website. For the most part, the Loop is closed, don’t expect it to be open outside of large conventions. If you’re not attending a convention, I’m not sure why you’d ride the Loop anyway, it doesn’t really go anywhere else.
I will note, at the trade show I was attending, The Loop did not operate during all of the setup days, just the show days.
Las Vegas Loop Speed
From station to station the trip takes just a minute or two. So if you’re going the full 4 stations, you can expect a trip time of about 5 minutes. When I rode, there was rarely a wait in the station, maybe 3-5 minutes if they were waiting on a car or if there was a line of people.
Is The Loop Safe
I honestly don’t know if The Loop is safe. I wouldn’t worry about surviving a car crash, Tesla cars are very save. I would worry a little bit about being trapped inside a car, in a tunnel after a crash. I would also worry about smoke or fire in the tunnel. Teslas are electric so there’s no fumes in the tunnels.
On the other hand, the tunnels are short so even if you’re exactly halfway, it’s not too far of a walk between stations. I don’t know if there is some sort of central control that would alert drivers of traffic jams or crashes.
I never felt unsafe when riding, but a fellow passenger was a little uncomfortable and needed to look out the front window to avoid feeling sick.
Las Vegas Loop vs Monorail
In my opinion, the Loop and Monorail serve different goals in Las Vegas. At least currently(Fall 2023). You Can’t take the Monorail between the Convention Center and Resorts World nor can you take The Loop between The Convention Center and Paris Hotel. Different things for different routes, for now.
The Monorail is great for getting around the East side of the strip and to the Convention Center. From the Convention Center to the MGM(last stop), the Monorail takes about 15 minutes, including waiting on the train. In a car this would take about 20 minutes in good traffic.
The Loop is good at getting you to/from the Convention Center and Resorts World. From end to end this will take about 5-7 minutes. In good traffic this would take about 10 minutes in a car.
The Monorail covers a lot more ground than the Loop, but doesn’t run as frequently. During large shows you can expect a train every 5-9 minutes. The Loop will almost always have cars coming and going, but there’s sometimes a line of people or the cars aren’t stopping.
Las Vegas Loop Luggage
The Loop is just Teslas in a tunnel, yes, you can bring your luggage, but don’t expect help getting it into and out of the trunk. The drivers will pop the trunk and you can load your bag. Don’t bring so much that you cannot handle it yourself.
Las Vegas Loop Traffic and Stoppages
They have worked to minimize stoppages and traffic in The Loop, however there are some issues with stoppages. This appears to primarily be caused by the lack of dual tunnels leading to the Resorts World. There is a traffic light on both ends of the tunnel, it shifts from west bound to east bound every minute or two.
When the traffic light stops your direction of travel you’ll have to wait to enter the tunnel. Traffic does build up when this happens. You’ll end up in a line of Teslas. Once The Boring Company finishes the second tunnel, this problem should be alleviated, but we’ll see as the system expands.
Las Vegas Loop First Ride Review
I made several trips between the Convention Center and Resorts world, here’s my first complete trip.
I walked to the Central Station and found the escalator and elevator closed. I had to walk around the bus drop of area and take the stairs down into the station. Not a big deal.
Not particularity glamorous start, but I won’t judge it for an out of service escalator.
A few flights of stairs later I as down at the platform level. This is where the Loop feels like an underground taxi cab stand.
On the platform I was directed to stand at the number 3 stop by one of the station attendants.
About 15 seconds later a Tesla arrived to pick me up. I think this is a model Y, but really apart from the Model S, all Teslas look the same to me. I loaded up my bag into the back and jumped into the back seat.
We were soon into the tunnels heading towards LVCC West, then onto Resorts World.
We passed through the LVCC West Station and then back under ground into the tunnel to Resorts World. The driver talked about the stations and how they’re building more tunnels to get rid of the waiting light at the entrance to the tunnel to the Resorts World.
From start to finish we arrived at the Resorts World in about 4 minutes. It’s certainly convenient.
Las Vegas Loop Final Thoughts
If you’re traveling between Resorts World and the Las Vegas Convention Center there is no better choice than The Loop. It’s fast and easy, in one direction it’s even free. Beyond that, there’s not much reason to ride The Loop. But if you’re needing that route, yes! Take it. While it’s a little bit of a gimmick, the Loop is useful.
The Loop’s hours are aligned to accommodate trade shows at the convention center, outside of those hours, the Loop doesn’t run. Don’t expect to just ride The Loop unless you’re visiting a show at the Convention Center.
I’m interested to see how the expansion plans for The Loop play out.