Update: July 2017 Uber and Lyft are now picking up all over Vegas. Operations started on September 15, 2015 and so far all is going smoothly. There are no restricted areas for use of the ride share services. Both Services are operating at the McCarran Airport. Now Uber has drastically cut prices many times. The base fare that was 2.40 is now 1.12, the price per mile was 1.85 is now .675, the per minute price was .30 is now .1125. A Service fee of 1.38 and booking fee of 1.90 will be added to every trip. There is also an Airport fee of 2.45. Lyft is mostly the same except You can tip on the Lyft App but cannot on Uber. Drivers are allowed to take cash tips on either service. The low rates have made it near impossible for drivers to make a profit and even though that is terrible for Them it is great for the riders. You will see that service is fantastic, cars are ready to pick You up all over Vegas. A short ride to the Airport from a nearby hotel will typically cost 12-13 dollars but only about 4.50 of that will go to the driver because of all the fees that are added. Uber is expected to add the tipping feature to their app by the end of July 2017.

 

The first day saw masked Taxi authorities do a take down on an Uber driver and it shut down the Uber operation completely in the Vegas area. But now the Uber operation is back up and working. The trips are taking place from areas east and west of the strip and most are ending on the strip.

If You want a ride from the strip the Uber app will tell You there is no service from this location but if You simply move the pin to a location nearby it will accept it. Request a car and immediately contact the driver and tell Him/Her where You actually are then find a good spot for pick up and make sure the pick up looks like a friend is picking You up. Do not tell the Valet that You are waiting for Uber, You could get the Uber driver in trouble with the cops. It is best to walk Somewhere other than a major casino for pick up. A great spot is the Westgate Hotel sports book or even the front lobby of that hotel. Definitely do not expect an Uber driver to pick You up at MGM or Paris, where it is super busy. Tropicana or Hooters would be easy for a pick up at the south end, Circus Circus on the north end the sports book at Ballys for the center strip. Be respectful of the driver, they are risking a lot to pick You up.