How to Navigate Aria: Layout, Directions, and Tips

Aria is the centerpiece of CityCenter, a complex that also includes Vdara, Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, Veer Towers, and the Crystals shopping center -- all connected but not in ways that make immediate sense. The resort itself is sleek and modern, but its curved architecture and multiple levels create navigation problems that catch visitors off guard.

The most common issue: people can't find the tram. Aria connects to Bellagio and Park MGM via the free Aria Express tram, but the station is tucked away and poorly signed. This guide covers Aria's layout and how to get around the property and the larger CityCenter complex without the frustration.

How Aria Is Laid Out

Aria's building consists of two curvilinear glass towers that share a common base and split above the 24th floor. The casino floor is at the base, with hotel rooms in both towers above. The curved design looks elegant but makes straight-line navigation impossible -- you're always walking an arc.

The Casino Floor. One continuous gaming space that follows the building's curve. The main landmarks are the poker room, the high-limit areas, and the restaurants along the perimeter. Because of the curve, you can't see from one end to the other -- you'll need to walk the floor to find what you're looking for. The center of the casino has the main gaming tables; the perimeter has restaurants, bars, and access to other areas.

The Hotel Towers. Aria has two towers that share a base but diverge above the 24th floor, so elevator banks are distributed along the arc of the base. Check your room number to find the right elevator bank -- they're labeled by floor ranges. The towers connect to the casino floor via escalators and elevators near the main lobby.

The Convention Level. Aria has significant meeting and convention space on a separate level, below the casino floor. If you have a conference, you'll take escalators down from the casino level. The convention area has its own entrance from the parking garage.

Crystals. The high-end shopping center is attached to Aria but feels like a separate building. Access is via a walkway from the casino floor -- look for signs toward "Crystals" or "Shops." Crystals also connects to the Aria Express tram, so if you're trying to get to Bellagio, you may pass through Crystals on the way.

Vdara. The all-suite, non-gaming hotel is connected to Aria via an indoor walkway. Vdara has its own lobby and entrance, but you can walk between the two properties without going outside. The walkway is on the north side of the Aria casino floor.

Finding What You Need at Aria

Hotel Elevators

Aria's elevators are distributed along the curved tower, with multiple banks serving different floor ranges. Your room key indicates which bank to use. From the casino floor, head toward the main lobby area and look for signage to your specific floor range. The elevators aren't all in one place -- if you see an elevator bank, check that it serves your floor before waiting.

Restaurants

Aria's restaurants line the perimeter of the casino floor, with fine dining options concentrated near the main entrance and more casual spots scattered throughout. The cafe and quick-service options are near the poker room. Jean Georges Steakhouse, Carbone, and other upscale restaurants are on the north side of the property. When booking, note which side of the casino the restaurant is on -- the curve means it could be a 5-minute walk from one end to the other.

Restrooms

Casino floor restrooms are located near the elevator banks and at intervals along the curved perimeter. Additional restrooms are in Crystals and on the convention level. The restrooms near the poker room tend to be less trafficked than those near the main entrance.

The Poker Room

Aria's poker room is one of the better-known rooms in Vegas, located on the casino floor on the south side of the property. It's a dedicated space, easy to spot once you're on the right side of the casino. From the main entrance, walk through the casino toward the south end.

The Sportsbook

The sportsbook is on the casino floor, positioned toward the center-south area. It's a lounge setup with plenty of screens. From the main entrance, head into the casino and angle toward the poker room -- the sportsbook is in that general area.

Exits and Strip Access

Aria's main entrance faces the interior of CityCenter, not directly onto the Strip. To reach Las Vegas Boulevard on foot, you'll walk through the CityCenter plaza or through Crystals. The main porte cochère (valet entrance) is on the east side of the building, facing Park MGM.

For rideshare, the pickup area is at the porte cochère. Exit through the main lobby toward valet and follow signs for Uber/Lyft. The pickup area is shared with taxi service.

The Pool

Aria's pool complex is on the roof level, accessible via dedicated pool elevators from the hotel tower. You'll need your room key for access. The pool elevators are separate from the main guest elevators -- look for signage near the hotel lobby area. The pool deck has multiple pools and a day club (Liquid) that operates separately.

The Aria Express Tram

This is the most useful connection at Aria and the hardest to find. The free Aria Express tram connects Aria to Bellagio (with stops at Crystals and Vdara/Bellagio). The tram station is accessible through Crystals -- from the Aria casino floor, follow signs toward Crystals, then look for tram signage inside the shopping center. The tram runs every few minutes and beats walking, especially in summer.

Getting to Nearby Casinos

To Bellagio: Take the Aria Express tram. The tram station is through Crystals. Ride takes about 5 minutes, drops you inside Bellagio near the Spa Tower. This is the best option in any weather.

To Vdara: Walk. Vdara is connected to Aria via an indoor walkway on the north side of the casino floor. About 3-4 minutes.

To Park MGM: The Aria Express tram also connects to Park MGM. Take the tram toward the Park MGM station -- it's one stop from Aria. You can also walk via the CityCenter plaza, but the tram is faster and air-conditioned.

To Cosmopolitan: The preferred route goes through Crystals -- from the Aria casino floor, follow signs to Crystals and walk through the shopping center to the north exit, which connects to the Cosmopolitan via a skybridge. About 7-10 minutes on foot, mostly indoors.

To MGM Grand: Take the tram to Park MGM, then walk from Park MGM to MGM Grand. The two properties share a walkway. Or walk the Strip -- about 10-15 minutes from Aria's Strip-side exits. See our full MGM Grand to Aria walking route for step-by-step directions.

To Caesars Palace: Take the tram to Bellagio, then walk from Bellagio across the Flamingo Road pedestrian bridge to Caesars. Total time: about 15-20 minutes including tram and walking.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get around Aria?

Aria has a curved layout centered on its casino floor, with two hotel towers sharing a common base. Use the Aria Express tram to reach Bellagio and Park MGM, and navigate through Crystals shopping center to reach the Cosmopolitan. The tram station is inside Crystals, accessible from the Aria casino floor.

Where are the elevators at Aria?

Aria's elevators are distributed along the curved tower base, with multiple banks serving different floor ranges. Check your room number to find the correct bank -- they are labeled by floor range. The elevators are not all in one place, so verify the bank serves your floor before waiting.

Can you walk from Aria to Crystals?

Yes. Crystals shopping center is attached to Aria and accessible via an indoor walkway from the casino floor. Look for signs toward Crystals or Shops. The walk takes about 3-5 minutes. Crystals also connects to the Aria Express tram station.

How big is the Aria casino floor?

Aria's casino floor is one continuous curved gaming space at the base of the two hotel towers. The curve means you cannot see from one end to the other, and walking from end to end takes about 5 minutes. Restaurants and bars line the perimeter, with gaming tables in the center.

Skip the Guesswork

Aria's curved layout and the CityCenter connections confuse people more than the sleek design suggests. Casino Compass gives you turn-by-turn directions inside -- find your elevator bank, locate the tram station, or navigate to Crystals without circling the casino floor twice. Download Casino Compass before your trip.