Las Vegas car hires from $41

Drivers from the US, US territories and Canada need a valid driver’s license and a credit card to rent in Las Vegas. The license needs to be valid for the whole period of your rental and can’t be a digital license. International visitors coming from non-English-speaking countries whose languages are written in the Latin alphabet (like Spanish, German, and Italian) should carry an International Driver’s Permit along with their license. Travelers whose licenses are printed in a non-Latin-based alphabet must carry an IDP for translation along with their license. But it’s important to note that car companies won’t rent to you with only an IDP, since it’s not a substitute.

Rental prices have historically been relatively low in Vegas since the market for rentals is huge and competitive. All the major rental companies are here, as well as smaller regional players. Typically, SUVs are popular, so expect to pay a premium, if you can find them. If you want to get behind the wheel of your dream car, Las Vegas is your city. Multiple car rental agencies rent exotic cars like McLarens, Ferraris, and Lamborghinis in town, and you can even rent a Rolls Royce Cullinan (the SUV version of the Phantom). Many will drop off your ride at your hotel; some national agencies rent exotics right from the airport; and some will rent to you for as few as four hours—just long enough to impress a date.

If you’re budget-minded, choosing where to rent a car in Las Vegas may require a little math. On the one hand, there’s a huge, dedicated car rental building just a couple of miles from the airport served by free shuttles and it’s open 24/7. Its rates are often lower than anything you can rent from your hotel. Here’s the catch: You’ll pay airport-specific fees like a concession recovery fee and customer facility charge, and that’s on top of the 10% state government surcharge, sales tax for car rentals of over 8%, an additional 2% Clark County rental tax and a flat $4 per day consumer facility charge. You can get out of the state government charge and facility charge by going off-property – but your daily rates might be higher. The fees and surcharges in casinos can be even higher, without the competitive airport rates.

Most rental car companies don’t restrict driving across state lines, and some will impose a one-way fee if you’re dropping off in another state. Still, check car companies’ policies on rentals. For instance, some companies have territorial restrictions and allow you to take the car only to Arizona, California, and Utah.

You should always carry ample insurance, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to buy it from car rental agencies. Rental car companies do provide minimum required liability coverage of $25,000 in bodily injury and $20,000 in property damage coverage. But if you already carry a car insurance policy with collision or comprehensive coverage (which pays to replace or repair your rental car) or higher liability than Nevada’s minimum, that will cover you in a rental car. You might also already have coverage through the credit card you used to book the car, health insurance, travel insurance, a personal injury policy, home insurance or an umbrella policy.

It pays to look at your own coverage before you get to the rental counter. Rental agencies sell collision or loss damage waivers, which can be a good idea if you don’t have a credit card with rental car coverage, or even if you have it through your car insurance but don’t want your premium to rise if you’ve caused an accident. Like the majority of states, Nevada is a fault state, which means the at-fault driver picks up the tab.

Hotel casinos have toyed with charging for parking over the years, adding it and then taking away charges when guests complained. Unlike the good old days when even valet parking was free, most hotels now charge for it – some up to $40. Some hotels provide free parking for loyal guests with a player card. In other words, it’s a mixed bag and charges seem to change on a dime. It’s best to check with your hotel directly before you arrive. Off the Strip, parking is plentiful and generally free.

Nevada and all the states near and touching the West Coast have some of the highest fuel prices in the country, and there’s no remedy for that except renting a fuel-efficient, smaller car. However, as in most tourist-heavy cities, you’re likely to find the lowest prices away from the resort corridor and in residential neighborhoods. You can save on gas if you’re a member of big box stores like Costco and Sam’s Club, which discount their fuel for cardholders.

The rental car industry, like the hotel industry, uses dynamic rental pricing; in other words, on holidays, during a huge convention or trade show, or other event, prices will almost inevitably skyrocket. So, just like for hotels, you might want to look at the city’s convention calendar while you’re planning your trip, especially if your dates are flexible.