NFR fans have a free alternative to driving to the Thomas & Mack Center in December. The 2026 NFR Express will operate 14 routes serving 24 hotel properties, plus a one-way connection from Cowboy Christmas at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Key times to know
Service runs throughout the NFR from Thursday, December 3, through Saturday, December 12. With each performance scheduled to begin at 5:45 p.m. Pacific, hotel pickups start at 4 p.m. Return service continues until 9:45 p.m.
There is no shuttle service during the actual rodeo window, from 6 p.m. through 8:15 p.m. Fans should plan to board early, allow about 20 minutes for traffic and confirm the pickup location before leaving the hotel.
All 14 NFR Express routes
- Route 1, one way: Cowboy Christmas at the Las Vegas Convention Center South Hall, east entrance, direct to the arena.
- Route 2: MGM Grand, main entrance.
- Route 3: Park MGM, north entrance at the rideshare lot.
- Route 4: The Orleans, valet entrance.
- Route 5: Fontainebleau Las Vegas, north valet; and Westgate, East Tower entrance.
- Route 6: Caesars Palace, Tour and Travel area; and Treasure Island, Mystère Dreams Avenue bus curb.
- Route 7: Harrah’s, bus depot; and Horseshoe, North Tour Lobby.
- Route 8: Gold Coast, valet; Palms, main entrance; and Rio, convention center entrance.
- Route 9: The D, Carson Avenue curb; and Downtown Grand, valet entrance.
- Route 10: Circa, Garage Mahal; Golden Nugget, Carson Tower entrance; and Plaza, Main Street curb at Carson Avenue.
- Route 11: Resorts World, rideshare lot; and The STRAT, west entrance.
- Route 12: Mandalay Bay, beach level entrance; and Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, main entrance beyond the porte-cochère.
- Route 13: Sam’s Town, rear entrance behind the food court.
- Route 14: Silverton and South Point, both at their main entrances.
How to use the Cowboy Christmas connection
The convention-center route is designed for fans who spend the day at Cowboy Christmas and then head directly to the rodeo. It is one way only, so it does not return passengers to the convention center after the performance. Choose a separate post-rodeo plan before boarding.
Three smart shuttle tips
- Leave a buffer. Holiday crowds and event traffic can slow even a short trip.
- Photograph your stop. A quick photo of the hotel entrance makes the return location easier to recognize.
- Check same-day information. Temporary traffic controls can affect loading areas, so use official updates on the day of your round.
Pair the route list with our 2026 NFR round schedule and Cowboy Christmas guide to build a realistic door-to-seat timeline.
Source: Official 2026 NFR Express announcement and route list. Transportation details are subject to operational changes; confirm the latest schedule before travel. Vegas NFR is an independent fan-information website.
