MGM Grand to Aria: Walking Route, Free Tram, and Tips

MGM Grand and Aria are not directly connected, but you can walk between them in 8-12 minutes using an indoor route through Park MGM. Park MGM sits between the two properties and connects to Aria by an enclosed walkway and a free tram. The full route goes: MGM Grand → Park MGM → Aria. Most of it is indoors.

One thing to get straight up front: MGM Grand and Park MGM are two different casinos. They're adjacent but separate properties. Park MGM used to be the Monte Carlo. If someone tells you to “take the tram from MGM Grand,” they're skipping the part where you walk to Park MGM first.

Best Route: Through Park MGM (Recommended)

This is the fastest way to get from MGM Grand to Aria. The route keeps you indoors with air conditioning for most of the walk.

1. Start inside MGM Grand. Head toward the west side of the casino, away from the Convention Center and the Las Vegas Boulevard entrance.
2. Exit toward Park MGM. Look for signs pointing to Park MGM or the west exit. The two properties are adjacent, so the walk between them is short — about 3-5 minutes on foot.
3. Walk through Park MGM. Once inside Park MGM, head toward the north end of the casino (the Aria side, away from the Strip entrance).
4. Take the indoor walkway to Aria. Follow signs for the Aria walkway. It's fully enclosed and air-conditioned. The walkway brings you out near the poker room area inside Aria.
5. Navigate to your destination within Aria.

Total time: 8-12 minutes depending on your pace and how busy the casino floors are. The walkway segment from Park MGM to Aria takes just 3-5 minutes on its own.

Alternative: Aria Express Tram

Instead of walking the whole way, you can ride the free Aria Express tram for the Park MGM → Aria leg. You still need to walk from MGM Grand to Park MGM first — the tram station is inside Park MGM, not MGM Grand.

1. Walk from MGM Grand to Park MGM (same as steps 1-2 above).
2. Find the Aria Express tram station. It's on the north side of Park MGM, toward the back of the building. Follow signs for the tram.
3. Ride one stop to Crystals. The Crystals station lets you out right next to Aria's entrance.

The tram saves a few minutes of walking and is worth it if you're tired or it's hot outside. It's also useful if you're continuing past Aria to Bellagio — just stay on for one more stop. For details on all free trams on the Strip, see our dedicated guide.

Alternative: Walk the Strip

If you want to window-shop or people-watch along the way, you can walk up Las Vegas Boulevard instead. This route is mostly outdoors.

1. Exit MGM Grand onto Las Vegas Boulevard (the Strip side).
2. Walk north along the west side of the Strip. You'll pass Park MGM and the entrance to The Park (the outdoor dining area between Park MGM and New York-New York).
3. Continue past CityCenter until you reach the Aria entrance on Las Vegas Boulevard.

Total time: 15-20 minutes. Note that sidewalk construction along this stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard can slow you down and may require detours in 2026. The indoor route through Park MGM avoids this entirely.

When to Skip Walking

• Extreme heat. In summer, even the 3-5 minute outdoor stretch between MGM Grand and Park MGM can be rough. If it's over 105°F, a rideshare from MGM Grand's valet area to Aria's main entrance takes about 5 minutes and costs under $10.
• After 2am. The Aria Express tram stops running at 2am. The indoor walkway between Park MGM and Aria stays open 24/7, but navigating three casino floors at 3am is slower than a $8-10 rideshare.
• Mobility concerns. The full route covers about half a mile across three casino floors with no seating in between. A rideshare door-to-door is the better call.

Common Mistakes

• Confusing MGM Grand with Park MGM. They are two separate casinos. MGM Grand is the larger, green-tinted property on the corner of Tropicana and Las Vegas Boulevard. Park MGM (formerly the Monte Carlo) is the smaller property directly north. If a guide says “take the tram from Park MGM,” it does not mean MGM Grand.
• Looking for a tram at MGM Grand. The Aria Express tram station is inside Park MGM, not MGM Grand. MGM Grand does have a transit station, but that's the Las Vegas Monorail on the east side of the building — a paid system that runs up the back side of the Strip and does not go to Aria.
• Confusing the Aria Express with the Las Vegas Monorail. The Monorail is a paid system ($5/ride) running along the east side of the Strip. The Aria Express is a free tram running on the west side between Park MGM, Crystals, and Bellagio. They are completely separate systems. The Monorail has a stop at MGM Grand; the Aria Express does not.

Navigating Inside Each Property

Once you arrive, finding your way around inside each casino is its own challenge. For detailed layouts and wayfinding tips:

• How to Navigate MGM Grand: Casino layout, tower locations, finding restaurants and exits
• How to Navigate Aria: Casino layout, convention center, restaurants, and the sky suites
• The Hidden Connections Between Vegas Casinos: The MGM Grand ↔ New York-New York pedestrian bridge plus every other tram, walkway, and bridge on the Strip

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MGM Grand connected to Aria?

Not directly. MGM Grand and Aria are separate properties about half a mile apart. The fastest indoor route goes through Park MGM, which sits between the two. From Park MGM you can walk through an enclosed walkway to Aria or ride the free Aria Express tram. Total time from MGM Grand to Aria is 8-12 minutes.

Can I take a tram from MGM Grand to Aria?

There is no tram at MGM Grand itself. The free Aria Express tram departs from Park MGM, which is the property next door to MGM Grand. Walk from MGM Grand to Park MGM (about 3-5 minutes), then board the tram to Crystals, which lets you out right next to Aria. The tram runs daily from 8am to 2am.

How long does it take to walk from MGM Grand to Aria?

The fastest route takes 8-12 minutes. Walk from MGM Grand through Park MGM, then use the indoor walkway from Park MGM to Aria. This keeps you indoors with air conditioning for most of the walk. Walking the Las Vegas Strip instead takes 15-20 minutes and is mostly outdoors.

What is the difference between MGM Grand and Park MGM?

MGM Grand and Park MGM are two separate casino-hotels owned by MGM Resorts. MGM Grand is the larger property on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue. Park MGM (formerly the Monte Carlo) is the smaller property directly north of MGM Grand, closer to Aria. They are adjacent but do not share a casino floor.

Skip the Guesswork

Casino Compass gives you turn-by-turn directions between MGM Grand and Aria, including inside each casino. Download Casino Compass before your trip and stop wandering around looking for the tram station, the walkway entrance, or which property you're even in.