Harry Reid International Airport

Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), formerly known as McCarran International Airport, is the primary airport serving Las Vegas, Nevada and the surrounding Clark County area. Located just 5 miles south of downtown Las Vegas and approximately 2 miles from the famous Las Vegas Strip, LAS is one of the most conveniently located major airports in the United States. The airport handles over 50 million passengers annually, making it one of the busiest airports in the country.

The airport has two terminals with a total of five concourses:

• Terminal 1: Contains concourses A, B, and C. Serves Southwest Airlines (largest presence at LAS), Delta, Alaska, and many domestic carriers
• Terminal 3: Contains concourses D and E. Serves American Airlines, United Airlines, Spirit, Frontier, JetBlue, and all international flights

Each terminal has its own ticketing, security, and baggage claim areas. Automated trams connect the concourses within each terminal airside. The terminals are connected landside by a free shuttle bus but are not connected airside.

One distinctive feature of LAS: slot machines are located throughout the terminals, giving travelers an immediate taste of Las Vegas even before leaving the airport.

LAS enjoys an exceptionally convenient location, just 2 miles from the Las Vegas Strip and 5 miles from downtown Las Vegas. This proximity makes airport transfers quick and affordable.

Travel times:

• Las Vegas Strip (mid-Strip): 10-20 minutes by car (traffic dependent)
• Downtown Las Vegas (Fremont Street): 15-25 minutes by car
• Convention Center: 15-20 minutes by car
• Henderson: 20-30 minutes by car

Traffic on the Strip can be unpredictable, especially during major conventions, holidays, and weekend evenings. Allow extra time when heading to the airport.

Note: As of 2025, there is no rail connection to the airport. The planned Las Vegas Monorail extension and Brightline West high-speed rail station at LAS are under development but not yet operational.

Uber and Lyft are widely available at LAS. Pickup locations are on Level 2 (arrivals level) of both terminals.

How to get picked up:

1. Exit baggage claim and proceed to Level 2
2. Follow purple signs for "Ride Share"
3. Request your ride in the app
4. Meet your driver at the designated pickup area (numbered zones)

Terminal 1: Rideshare pickup is outside doors 1-4 on the east side of the terminal. Terminal 3: Rideshare pickup is outside doors 51-58.

Typical rideshare fares:

• Mid-Strip (Bellagio, Caesars area): $15-25
• South Strip (Mandalay Bay, Luxor): $12-20
• North Strip (Wynn, Venetian): $18-28
• Downtown Las Vegas (Fremont Street): $18-28
• Convention Center: $18-25

Taxis: Available outside each terminal's baggage claim area. Taxis are metered with a $3.50 flag drop and approximately $2.76 per mile.

• Las Vegas Strip: $15-30 depending on destination
• Downtown Las Vegas: $22-30

Tip: Rideshare is typically cheaper than taxis for Strip destinations. However, taxi lines are often shorter than rideshare pickup wait times during peak hours.

Public transit options from LAS are limited compared to other major airports.

RTC Bus (Route 109 - Westcliff Airport Express)

The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) operates the Westcliff Airport Express (WAX) Route 109, which connects the airport to the Strip and downtown.

Route 109 (WAX) stops:

• Terminal 1 (Level 0, outside door 11)
• Terminal 3 (Level 0)
• Strip hotels (multiple stops along Las Vegas Boulevard)
• Downtown (Bonneville Transit Center)

Fares and Schedule:

• Fare: $6 for a 2-hour pass, $8 for a 24-hour pass (as of 2025)
• Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes
• Hours: Approximately 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM daily
• Travel time to Strip: 20-35 minutes
• Travel time to Downtown: 35-50 minutes

Purchase tickets at vending machines at the bus stop, on the bus (exact change), or via the rideRTC app.

Hotel Shuttles

Many Strip hotels offer free or low-cost shuttle service from LAS. Check with your hotel in advance. Shuttles typically pick up at the Ground Transportation area on Level 0.

LAS offers multiple parking options (as of 2025):

Terminal Parking

Location	Daily Rate	Notes
Terminal 1 Long-Term Garage	$18/day	Covered parking, short walk to terminal
Terminal 3 Long-Term Garage	$18/day	Covered parking, short walk to terminal

Short-Term Parking

Location	Rate	Notes
Terminal 1 Short-Term Garage	$3/30 min, $36/day max	Closest to terminal, covered
Terminal 3 Short-Term Garage	$3/30 min, $36/day max	Closest to terminal, covered

Economy Parking

Lot	Daily Rate	Transport to Terminal
Economy Lot (Terminal 1)	$12/day	Covered walkway to terminal
Economy Lot (Terminal 3)	$12/day	Covered walkway to terminal

Tips:

• Economy lots fill quickly during busy periods (holidays, conventions, major events)
• Pre-book online at harryreidairport.com for potential discounts
• Remote off-site lots along Paradise Road and near Sunset Road offer rates from $5-10/day with shuttle service
• Covered parking is valuable in the intense Las Vegas summer heat

LAS has improved its dining options significantly, with a mix of national chains and local Las Vegas establishments.

Terminal 1:

• Concourse A: Einstein Bros. Bagels, PF Chang's To Go, Starbucks
• Concourse B: McDonald's, Panda Express, Popeyes, Johnny Rockets
• Concourse C: Las Vegas Chophouse & Brewery, Carl's Jr., Dunkin'

Terminal 3:

• Concourse D: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Burger King, Pizza Hut Express, Sbarro
• Concourse D (pre-security): Village Pub, Sammy's Beach Bar & Grill
• Concourse E: California Pizza Kitchen, Shake Shack, Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery, Starbucks

Best food options: Terminal 3's Concourse E has the most upscale dining, including Bouchon Bakery (Thomas Keller's acclaimed French bakery) and Shake Shack.

Late-night dining: Options become limited after 10 PM. News stands and some quick-service restaurants remain open for late flights.

Vegas specialty: Don't be surprised to see slot machines at some restaurant bars.

Free WiFi is available throughout all LAS terminals.

Network name: _Free LAS Wi-Fi

To connect:

1. Select _Free LAS Wi-Fi from your device
2. Open browser and accept terms
3. Watch a brief advertisement or sign up for email (optional fast pass)
4. No payment required

Quality: Generally adequate for browsing, email, and social media. Streaming may be inconsistent during peak travel times. For faster connections, use airline lounges.

SIM cards and mobile services are available at:

• InMotion Entertainment (Terminals 1 and 3)
• Best Buy Express kiosks (near baggage claim)
• Hudson News stores

Major US carriers (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon) offer prepaid plans starting around $30-50 for basic data packages.

Tip: For better prices, order an eSIM before arrival or visit a carrier store on the Strip or elsewhere in Las Vegas after landing.

ATMs are located throughout both terminals, typically near food courts, newsstands, and restrooms.

Banks represented:

• Bank of America
• Wells Fargo
• Various third-party ATM providers

Out-of-network withdrawal fees typically run $3-5 per transaction. Many third-party ATMs in the airport (and casinos) charge higher fees of $5-8.

Currency exchange: Travelex operates locations in both terminals (post-security). As with most airports, exchange rates include significant markups. Using your bank's ATM or a service like Wise typically offers better value.

Casino tip: Nearly every casino on the Strip has ATMs, though fees can be high ($5-10). Most casinos also offer currency exchange at the cashier's cage.

LAS offers a variety of shopping options, including Las Vegas-themed souvenirs and duty-free for international travelers.

Duty-Free: DFS Duty Free operates locations in Terminal 3 for international departures.

Notable stores:

• Las Vegas-themed shops: Multiple locations selling Vegas souvenirs, shot glasses, playing cards, and casino memorabilia
• Hudson News: Books, magazines, snacks, travel essentials (all concourses)
• InMotion: Electronics, headphones, chargers, travel tech
• M&M's World Store (Terminal 1): Branded candy and merchandise
• Swarovski (Terminal 3): Crystal jewelry and gifts
• The LINQ Shop (Terminal 1): Vegas souvenirs and gifts

Local tip: Save your shopping for the Strip, where you'll find better selection and often better prices than at the airport.

Priority Pass Lounges

The Club LAS (Terminal 1, near gate D)

• Location: Between Terminal 1 gates, near Concourse D
• Hours: 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM
• Access: Priority Pass, LoungeKey, Diners Club, or approximately $50 day pass
• Amenities: Light snacks, drinks (including alcoholic), WiFi, seating
• Note: Can be crowded, especially during peak Southwest departure times

The Club LAS (Terminal 3, Concourse D)

• Location: Near gate D1
• Hours: 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM
• Access: Priority Pass, LoungeKey, Diners Club, or approximately $50 day pass
• Amenities: Hot food, drinks, WiFi, workstations

Airline Lounges

Centurion Lounge (Terminal 3, Concourse D)

• Location: Near gate D1
• Access: American Express Platinum, Centurion cardholders
• Amenities: Premium food, cocktails, spa services, showers
• Note: One of the larger Centurion Lounges, featuring Vegas-inspired decor

United Club (Terminal 3, Concourse D)

• Location: Near gate D23
• Access: United Club membership, United status (1K, Global Services), Star Alliance Gold, or day pass ($59)
• Amenities: Snacks, drinks, WiFi

American Airlines Admirals Club (Terminal 3, Concourse D)

• Location: Near gate D31
• Access: Admirals Club membership, AAdvantage Executive Platinum, oneworld Emerald/Sapphire, or day pass ($79)
• Amenities: Food, drinks, WiFi, workstations

Delta Sky Club (Terminal 1, Concourse A)

• Location: Near gate A36
• Access: Delta Sky Club membership, Delta status (Diamond, Platinum), SkyTeam Elite Plus, or day pass
• Amenities: Food, drinks, WiFi, showers

Credit Card Access

• Amex Platinum, Amex Centurion: Centurion Lounge (Terminal 3) plus Priority Pass lounges
• Capital One Venture X: Priority Pass lounges
• Chase Sapphire Reserve: Priority Pass lounges

At the Airport:

LAS does not have an on-site hotel connected to the terminals.

Near the Airport (with shuttles):

• Hampton Inn Tropicana (1 mile): Budget-friendly with free shuttle
• Embassy Suites Convention Center (2 miles): All-suite with free shuttle
• Renaissance Las Vegas (1.5 miles): Upscale option near the Strip

On the Strip (closest to airport):

Given LAS's proximity to the Strip, staying at a Strip hotel is convenient:

• Mandalay Bay (2 miles): South Strip, closest major resort to airport
• Luxor (2 miles): South Strip, pyramid-shaped hotel
• Excalibur (2.5 miles): South Strip, budget-friendly

Airport hotels are rarely necessary in Las Vegas due to the short distance to major hotels. A rideshare to the Strip takes 10-20 minutes and costs $15-25.

Las Vegas offers an enormous range of entertainment, dining, and attractions:

From the Airport

• Las Vegas Strip: 10-20 min by car ($15-25 rideshare)
• Downtown Las Vegas (Fremont Street): 15-25 min by car ($18-28 rideshare)
• Las Vegas Convention Center: 15-20 min by car
• Red Rock Canyon: 30-40 min by car
• Hoover Dam: 45 min by car
• Grand Canyon (South Rim): 4.5-5 hours by car

Las Vegas Highlights

• The Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard): World-famous collection of themed mega-resorts, casinos, restaurants, and shows
• Fremont Street Experience: Downtown's covered pedestrian mall with LED canopy, vintage casinos, and live entertainment
• High Roller: World's tallest observation wheel (550 feet) at The LINQ
• Bellagio Fountains: Free iconic water show every 15-30 minutes
• The Sphere: Massive spherical entertainment venue with immersive experiences (opened 2023)
• Shows: Cirque du Soleil productions, residencies, concerts, magic shows

Day Trips

• Red Rock Canyon (30 min): Stunning red rock formations, hiking, scenic drive
• Valley of Fire State Park (1 hour): Ancient red sandstone formations, petroglyphs
• Hoover Dam (45 min): Engineering marvel and Lake Mead
• Grand Canyon West (Skywalk) (2.5 hours): Glass-bottomed walkway over the canyon
• Grand Canyon South Rim (5 hours): The classic Grand Canyon experience
• Death Valley (2 hours): Lowest point in North America, dramatic desert landscapes

Getting Around Las Vegas

• Walking the Strip: The Strip is 4.2 miles long. Walking between adjacent resorts takes 15-30 minutes due to the massive scale
• Las Vegas Monorail: Runs along the east side of the Strip from MGM Grand to Sahara. $5 single ride, $15 day pass
• Rideshare: Uber and Lyft are ubiquitous and affordable within the Las Vegas valley
• Rental cars: Rental Car Center accessible via free airport shuttle. Useful for day trips but parking on the Strip is expensive ($15-25/day self-park, $30-45 valet)
• Deuce Bus: Route running the length of the Strip and to downtown. $8 for a 24-hour pass

Vegas Tips

• Tipping: Cocktail servers (even for free casino drinks), dealers, valets, bellhops, and housekeeping all expect tips
• Free attractions: Bellagio fountains, Volcano at The Mirage, Fall of Atlantis at Caesars, downtown Fremont Street Experience
• Resort fees: Most Strip hotels charge mandatory resort fees ($30-50/night) on top of room rates
• Weather: Summers are extremely hot (100-115°F). Spring and fall offer ideal weather. Winters are mild but can be chilly at night
• Casinos: 24 hours, no cover charges, free drinks while gambling (tip your server)