[toc]It has not even been a year since MGM Resorts announced it was doing away with free parking. Yet, the idea of free parking on the Las Vegas Strip is soon to be just a memory.
For decades, free parking was one of the many perks for visitors of Las Vegas casinos. Now it can cost hundreds of dollars just to put your car somewhere for a week.
What started with MGM is now a trend up and down the Strip, as Caesars Entertainment and Cosmopolitan Casino both announced parking lot changes. Moreover, MGM is already hiking up prices for parking lots at its Vegas casinos.
Caesars rolling out pay parking casino by casino
Last year, Caesars Entertainment warned Vegas visitors paid parking was coming, but it was only just last month that it went into effect. The Linq was the first property to start charging. Next up is Caesars, then Paris.
Currently every Caesars casino on the Strip is expected to convert to paid self parking save for Planet Hollywood, whose parking future remains undetermined. The Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino will also keep free parking, as it is not located on the Strip, but slightly west of it on Flamingo Rd. In other words, World Series of Poker (WSOP) players need not worry about this summer.
Parking will remain free for locals with a Nevada driver’s license. Total Rewards players at the Platinum level and higher can park for free as well. The paid parking rates cap out at $10 each day. Valet charges range from $8-$18, except for the Rio, which will continue to have free valet.
The Cosmopolitan Casino also recently announced it would be charging for self parking. The rates are $7 for the first four hour and $10 for 5-24 hours. Additionally, both Caesars and Cosmopolitan allow those parking for an hour or less to park for free.
MGM raising parking prices at Vegas properties
Since MGM was the first company to implement paid parking, it is not surprising they are also the first company to hike up prices.
The company began charging to help raise funds for a parking area for T-Mobile Arena, which is situated behind MGM’s Monte Carlo Casino. Originally locals could still park for free, but now everyone is subject to self-park fees.
The biggest change on self-park fees is differing price points for two hours and four hours of parking. The first hour of parking remains free, but instead of one rate for two-four hours of parking, there are now two. Customers parking for up to two hours will soon pay $7. Customers parking for two to four hours will now pay anywhere from $8-$12, depending on the property.
The Las Vegas parking wars are just beginning, and this latest move by MGM could be the first in a series of price hikes across the casino companies.
Where can I park for free on the Strip?
Amazingly, there are still a few properties on the strip which still offer free self parking. Those casinos include:
- Wynn
- Encore
- Venetian
- Palazzo
- Treasure Island
- Circus Circus
- SLS
- Tropicana
Of those, Treasure Island, Venetian, and Palazzo are the most centrally located. Neither Wynn nor Sands International have commented on the changing parking landscape. With that in mind, it is certainly possible the casinos choose to follow suit in the future.
