Vegas Loop: Fontainebleau station opens in Las Vegas

January 2026 marks a new milestone for the Vegas Loop. The Boring Company, Elon Musk’s tunneling startup, has just opened its Fontainebleau station on the famous Las Vegas Strip. This expansion confirms the methodical progress of the underground urban transport network.

Important clarification to avoid any confusion: the Vegas Loop has nothing to do with the Hyperloop. It’s a system of Tesla vehicles traveling in underground tunnels at reduced speed, not a very high-speed train.

I’ll provide a technical breakdown of this new station and a precise overview of the network at the start of 2026.

A new station in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip

The Fontainebleau station is located on level V-1 of the hotel complex, in the south valet area. The Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a new prestigious complex recently inaugurated, thus benefits from direct access to the underground transport network.

The commercial argument is strong: some free rides are offered to complex visitors. You can reach the Las Vegas Convention Center, Encore, or Westgate free of charge. This partial gratuity is a major asset for Fontainebleau guests and convention attendees.

Accessibility is designed to facilitate the user experience. From the main casino lobby, signage guides you to the elevators leading to level V-1. The journey remains intuitive, even for a first interaction with the system.

How to access the Fontainebleau station

From the casino lobby, follow the signs indicating “Vegas Loop” or “Transportation.” Take the elevators to level V-1, where the station is located. Once there, the mobile app allows you to book your ride and check the estimated waiting time.

The system operates on the principle of automatic vehicle assignment. There are no common platforms like in a traditional subway, but individual boarding areas where your Tesla awaits you.

The Riviera Station hub, brain of the Vegas Loop network

The Riviera Station acts as a central hub in the Vegas Loop’s architecture. Located in the northwest parking lot of the West Hall, this station redistributes flows to the network’s various destinations.

Specifically, if you depart from Fontainebleau to a destination other than the three free rides mentioned, you will likely transit through Riviera Station. This is where the system optimizes routes and assigns vehicles based on demand.

Operation remains simple: booking via the app, vehicle assignment, direct ride or with a connection depending on the destination. Travel times vary but remain competitive compared to surface travel on the Strip, which is often congested.

Vehicles used: Tesla Model 3 and Model Y

The current Vegas Loop fleet consists exclusively of electric Tesla vehicles, mainly Model 3 and Model Y. Each vehicle can carry up to three passengers plus the driver, which limits throughput compared to a traditional public transport system.

The Boring Company is also testing the integration of Cybertrucks into the network. I closely followed the first tests of the Cybertruck in The Boring Company’s tunnels, which could modify transport capacity in the medium term.

The airport extension: a major regulatory step

In December 2025, The Boring Company reached a significant administrative milestone with the launch of service to Harry Reid Airport. This extension required approval from the Nevada Transportation Authority, which imposes a precise technical constraint: a maximum of 6.4 km of surface travel per segment.

This regulatory limitation partly explains the current network configuration. To comply with this rule, The Boring Company built a new tunnel under Paradise Road, connecting the convention center to the airport mostly underground.

From a traveler’s perspective, this connection offers an interesting alternative to taxis and ride-sharing services from the airport. The fare remains competitive, and the experience differs radically from a surface journey in Las Vegas traffic. The airport extension also includes the integration of the Cybertruck into the airport extension, thus testing new transport capacities.

Tropicana Avenue Station: the missing link

The Tropicana Avenue station, located just north of the avenue of the same name, plays a strategic role in this airport-Strip connection. It constitutes a key transfer point for travelers wishing to reach different hotels on the south Strip.

This station completes the territorial network and improves the overall fluidity of the system. Its progressive commissioning testifies to The Boring Company’s cautious approach, which prefers to consolidate each segment before opening the next.

University Center Loop: the next expansion (Q1 2026)

The expansion schedule anticipates the opening of the University Center Loop during Q1 2026. This extension marks a strategic turning point: the network is beginning to move beyond the strictly tourist area of the Strip to serve academic and residential areas.

The planned route of the University Center Loop will target university campuses and peripheral neighborhoods of Las Vegas. This evolution could gradually transform the Vegas Loop from a tourist attraction into a genuine daily transport system for residents.

The development logic remains consistent: first consolidate the Strip and high-traffic tourist areas, then expand to residential areas once the economic model is validated. This methodical approach contrasts with the more ambitious initial announcements.

The real figures of the Vegas Loop in 2026

Let’s put the numbers in perspective. The Boring Company has built over 16 km of tunnels in total under Las Vegas. However, only about 6.4 km are operational to date. This discrepancy between construction and effective commissioning reflects a methodical expansion, far from the explosive deployment initially envisioned.

The network currently has about a dozen active stations, far from the 50+ stations announced in the original plans. The pace of expansion remains cautious, prioritizing operational reliability over deployment speed.

The economic advantage remains: The Boring Company’s construction costs are significantly lower than traditional subways. Small-diameter tunnels and the absence of heavy infrastructure (rails, catenaries, monumental stations) drastically reduce the initial investment.

The growth perspective exists, but it will take several years to materialize the complete network initially envisioned. The evolution of the Vegas Loop with the arrival of Cybertrucks could change the game in terms of capacity and operational efficiency.

The opening of the Fontainebleau station confirms concrete progress for the Vegas Loop. The year 2026 will see several major extensions: a fully operational airport connection, the University Center Loop, and probably other stations on the Strip. As with any innovative urban transport system, the competent authorities continue to evaluate performance and adjust authorizations as deployments unfold.

The main challenge remains the transition from a technological concept to a genuine daily transport network, usable by both residents and visitors. I will continue to follow the evolution of this network to keep you informed of upcoming extensions and technical adaptations that could redefine urban mobility in Las Vegas.