Airport Guide to McCarran International (LAS)

Airport Overview

Terminal Transfer | Getting into Town | Car Parking | Information Desks | Airport Facilities

McCarran International Airport is the largest airport serving the notorious Sin City, handling a whopping 40 million passengers each year.

Flights to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport come from all over the world. However, the most popular routes are short domestic flights from US cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago and Salt Lake City.

The facilities at McCarran are good, and staff members are friendly and efficient. The newer – and smaller – Terminal 2 has less to occupy your time and fewer places to sit, which can get annoying at peak times. Other than that there are few complaints to be made about the airport, so relax and try your luck at the slots while you wait for your flight.

Back to top

Terminal Transfer

There is a shuttle that operates between the terminals and the parking lots, which leaves every 15 minutes or so from immediately outside the terminal exits.

Back to top

Getting into Town

Train: There is no train to McCarran Airport.

Bus: The Regional Transport Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) buses No. 108 and 109 leave every hour or so and both run to downtown Las Vegas for about $1.75. The Westcliff Airport Express stops at the airport two to three times per hour on weekdays, and once per hour on weekends between 6am and 11pm. Fares start at $2 for a single ride. The bus goes directly to The Strip.

Taxi: There are taxis available at the airport, located outside the baggage-claim area. Airport personnel are available near the taxi stand to assist passengers. Note that taxis only accept cash (US dollars). There is an extra $1.80 fee for all taxis from the airport.

Back to top

Car Parking

Short-term parking is charged at $2 for the first hour, $4 for two hours, $6 for three hours, and $3 per hour up to a daily maximum of $36. You can park free for 15 minutes. Long-term parking is $3 for the first hour and $1 per hour after that up to $14 per day. There is also valet parking. There is a kerbside drop-off zone, however unattended cars may be towed from this area.

Here’s a tip: if you park for less than 15 minutes in the short-term lot, don’t go to the self-service pay machine. Once you insert your ticket you will be charged a minimum $2 fee that you can avoid if you proceed directly to the exit.

Back to top

Information Desks

There is an information desk in the centre of each terminal.

Back to top

Airport Facilities

Money and communications: The airport has ATMs, a Wells Fargo bank, currency exchange offices, pay phones and mail drop boxes.

Luggage: There are Smarte Cartes available for luggage, but they are not allowed past security checkpoints. There’s also a lost-and-found office.

Conference and business: There are pay email kiosks scattered throughout the airport if you don’t have a laptop. If you do, there are charging stations in Terminal 1.

Other facilities: Kids’ play areas, a police station, shoe shine, smoking areas, translation services, a pet-relief area, USO office, paging services, an art gallery and aviation museum, and many slot machines.

Wi-Fi: There is free Wi-Fi throughout the airport.

Back to top