CES 2024 Guide. Second, CES, the world’s largest consumer electronics show, is a massive event that attracts tons of attendees every year.
The 2024 show will be no exception, taking place in Las Vegas, and according to organizer CTA, they’re expecting more than 130,000 attendees. This article is a transportation guide for those planning to attend CES 2024.
Getting to Las Vegas for CES 2024
Travel by airplane
Choosing an airport: Harry Reid International Airport (formerly McCarran International Airport, LAS) is the main airport in Las Vegas. Most international and domestic flights use this airport. A unique feature is its close proximity to downtown, where the hotels are located. You can see the famous hotels from the plane as it lands.
From the airport to your hotel: Options for getting from the airport to downtown or your hotel include taking a taxi, a ridesharing service (such as Uber or Lyft), or a shuttle bus. Ride-sharing services are recommended for foreigners. You can use Uber or Lyft, but I personally found Uber to be more convenient. It’s convenient to have the Uber app pre-installed when you arrive in the US.
Las Vegas Transportation: Finding an Uber at the Airport
If you’re new to Las Vegas, finding a place to pick up a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft can be frustrating. For those of you who are, here’s a little more detail on where to get a ride. When you hail an Uber from the airport, you’ll be brought to a designated pickup location. It’s usually about a 5-10 minute walk from the gate, so let’s take a look at the picture below to see when to call and where to wait.
(1) Finding the Bridge to Parking
Once you’re out of the airport, you’ll see signposts like the one in the following photo everywhere. Look for the Bridge to Parking sign, go to it, and cross the bridge.
(2) Take the elevator to Level V
After crossing the bridge into the parking garage, there will be a sign directing you to the Uber/Lyft pickup.
When you see that sign, the elevator will be on your right, and you’ll need to go to Level V. It’s not hard to find the elevator.
(3) Accessing your vehicle from the Uber/Lyft pickup area
When you arrive at Level V via elevator, there is a passageway to the right, and at the end of it is the Uber/Lift boarding area. The boarding area is very spacious, about 5 rows wide, so you can watch for your driver on the Uber app, check the license plate/color, etc. and move to the car when it arrives. You don’t have to be in a hurry to get around, so take your time.
Traveling by car
Prepare for public transportation: Las Vegas is a city where it’s easier to get around by car than by public transportation. Renting a car is a good option. If you can’t get a domestic flight from a place like Los Angeles or San Diego, you could rent a car and drive to Las Vegas. Driving on US roads isn’t that difficult, so consider this as an option.
Parking: Parking can get crowded during CES, so reserve a parking space in advance or check your hotel’s parking options. Most hotels offer parking assistance. However, if you’re bringing your car to the show floor, you’ll have to pay for your own parking, which we don’t recommend – you’ll have to use an off-site parking garage close to the show floor, which will cost you extra. Also, keep in mind that there will be significant traffic congestion during show hours.
Tips for getting around the CES show floor
Utilize a shuttle bus service
Courtesy of CES organizers: CES offers a free shuttle bus service between major hotels and the show floor. Timetables and routes can be found on the official CES website.
Riding the Las Vegas Monorail
Convenient public transportation: The Las Vegas Monorail is an efficient way to get between major hotels and show venues. It’s a great way to save time by avoiding busy road conditions. However, the monorail stations are located away from the hotels and main street and are relatively infrequent. Personally, I would recommend taking a shuttle bus or other mode of transportation unless you are in a hurry to get to LVCC and the monorail station is directly adjacent to the hotel, such as the Aria or VDARA.
Ridesharing and taxis
Avoid peak hours: Taxis and ridesharing services are in high demand at the start and end of the show. Avoid traveling during these times if possible. If you are traveling during peak hours, don’t set your destination to the show floor; instead, set your destination to a restaurant or hotel near the show floor entrance to save time and money. (If you’re at LVCC) If you’re at the Venetian Expo, it won’t hurt to set your destination directly to the ground floor entrance.
Getting around the show floor
Getting around on foot
Familiarize yourself with the size of the show floor: The CES show floor is very large, so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to do a lot of walking. Expect to take 10,000 to 20,000 steps per day. Stiff shoes like dress shoes can be quite taxing, so we recommend sneakers or walking shoes if possible. Another tip is to choose socks that are comfortable to walk in.
You should also plan your route well in advance to minimize your walking distance, but we’ll talk more about that in another post.
We hope this guide helps you as you plan to attend CES 2024. Planning for efficient transportation is the first step to a great show experience. If you need additional information or have any questions, please feel free to ask.