Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) — formerly McCarran International — sits approximately 1.5 miles south of the Las Vegas Strip’s southern tip near Mandalay Bay. It is one of the busiest airports in the United States, handling over 50 million passengers a year, yet it has one significant quirk: no direct rail connection to the Strip or downtown Las Vegas. Every arrival depends on road transport, which means understanding your options before you land saves real money and time.
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
The airport has two main terminals: Terminal 1 (domestic, gates A–D) and Terminal 3 (domestic and international, gates E). Terminal 3 also handles international arrivals, where passengers clear US Customs and Border Protection before exiting to the ground transportation level. Both terminals have separate Ground Transportation Centers — follow the signs from baggage claim to reach taxis, rideshare, and shuttle pickups.
The airport code LAS is sometimes confused with the old name McCarran (MCI was the IATA code in an earlier era — LAS has been the code throughout). All major US carriers serve LAS including Southwest, Delta, United, American, Alaska, and Spirit.
Rideshare (Uber / Lyft)
Rideshare is the most popular choice for solo travellers and couples arriving at LAS. Both Uber and Lyft operate from dedicated pickup zones in the Ground Transportation Center on Level 1 of each terminal.
Typical fares from LAS to the Strip (as of 2026):
- South Strip (Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Park MGM): approximately $12–$20
- Mid-Strip (Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Mirage): approximately $15–$25
- North Strip (Encore, Wynn, Palazzo area): approximately $18–$28
- Downtown Las Vegas (Fremont Street Experience area): approximately $20–$30
Surge pricing note: Las Vegas has more surge pricing events than almost any US city. Major boxing matches, EDC, New Year’s Eve, and major convention weeks (CES, NAB, SEMA) can triple or quadruple standard fares. If you are arriving during a major event, have a taxi or shuttle as a backup or book a private transfer in advance at a fixed rate.
The app will give you a pickup zone number — match it to the signage at the Ground Transportation Center and wait there. Do not wait curbside at baggage claim, as rideshare pickups are not permitted at the terminal exits.
Taxi
Licensed Las Vegas taxis queue at the designated taxi stands in the Ground Transportation Center at both terminals. Taxis in Las Vegas are metered, and fares are regulated by the Nevada Taxicab Authority.
Typical metered fares from LAS to the Strip (as of 2026):
- South Strip (Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand): approximately $20–$28
- Mid-Strip (Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Cosmopolitan): approximately $25–$35
- North Strip (Encore, Wynn): approximately $30–$40
- Downtown Las Vegas (Fremont Street): approximately $35–$45
Taxis charge by the meter plus any applicable airport fees and tolls. Tip is customary at 15–20%. One known issue: some Las Vegas taxi drivers take the tunnel route through the airport (Airport Connector Tunnel), which adds distance and cost. Ask your driver to take the direct route unless you are in a hurry and traffic on Swenson Street is backed up. The taxi queue is generally fast-moving, as LAS processes a high volume of arrivals continuously.
Shared Shuttle
Shared shuttle services pick up multiple passengers from LAS and make a circuit of Strip hotels before completing the route. The main operator is Bell Transportation, with vehicles departing from the shuttle area of the Ground Transportation Center.
Typical shuttle fares (as of 2026):
- Strip hotels: approximately $10–$16 per person (one way)
- Off-Strip hotels and downtown: approximately $12–$20 per person
The trade-off for the lower price is time — shared shuttles make multiple stops, and you may be the last drop-off. Budget 45–90 minutes for the full journey, depending on how many hotels are ahead of yours. Shuttles are best suited for solo travellers or couples with non-urgent check-in times and a single large bag each. Families or travellers with extensive luggage are better served by private or rideshare options.
Pre-booking a shuttle is advisable during peak periods (holiday weekends, major events) to guarantee a space.
Private Transfer
Pre-booked private transfers provide a fixed price regardless of traffic conditions, flight monitoring in case of delays, and meet-and-greet service at baggage claim. For a city like Las Vegas where surge pricing on rideshare can be extreme during major events, a pre-booked private transfer at a confirmed rate is often the most cost-predictable option.
Typical private transfer fares from LAS (as of 2026):
- Standard sedan to Strip hotels: approximately $50–$75
- SUV or minivan (4–6 passengers): approximately $70–$100
- Luxury vehicle or stretch SUV: approximately $100–$150+
Book through [/go/transfers-usa/] (Kiwitaxi) for pre-vetted licensed operators. Private transfers are especially valuable for groups of three or more, where splitting the fare results in a per-person cost comparable to or lower than shared shuttles — without the multi-stop wait.
RTC Bus (Route 109 — Airport Connector)
The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada operates Route 109 from Harry Reid Airport along South Las Vegas Boulevard (the Strip). Buses depart from the Ground Transportation Center.
Cost (as of 2026): Approximately $8 for a 24-hour pass on the Deuce service (Strip route). Individual rides cost approximately $6.
Journey time: Expect 30–45 minutes to mid-Strip stops. The Deuce stops at every major resort entry and is very slow in Strip traffic. It is not practical with large luggage and runs infrequently at night.
The bus option is primarily for travellers on a very tight budget who are travelling light and have no time pressure. For most arrivals, rideshare or taxi is a better trade-off of time versus cost.
Comparing Your Options
| Method | Cost (approx.) | Journey time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | $15–$28 | 10–25 min | Surge risk during events |
| Taxi (metered) | $20–$40 + tip | 10–25 min | Regulated, no surge pricing |
| Shared shuttle | $10–$20/person | 45–90 min | Multi-stop, slower |
| Private transfer | $50–$100 | 10–25 min | Fixed rate, flight monitoring |
| RTC Bus | $6–$8 | 30–45 min | Budget only; poor with luggage |
Costs and times as of 2026. Major Las Vegas events significantly affect rideshare pricing.
Tips for Smooth Las Vegas Airport Transfers
Check the event calendar before you land. Las Vegas hosts some of the world’s largest events — CES (January), NAB (April), EDC (May), Formula 1 (November), and boxing cards throughout the year. Rideshare fares during these periods can reach 3–5x standard rates. If you are arriving within 48 hours of a major event, pre-book a private transfer at a fixed rate or plan for extended taxi queue times.
Use the Ground Transportation Center, not the kerb. Unlike many airports, Harry Reid’s rideshare and taxi pickup is not at the terminal exit. After collecting your bags, follow signs to the Ground Transportation Center — it is a short walk across from baggage claim. Waiting at the wrong location adds confusion and wastes time.
Pre-book if you are arriving late at night. Las Vegas never sleeps, but rideshare availability around 2–4am can be inconsistent, particularly on non-event weekdays. If your flight lands after midnight, a pre-booked private transfer guarantees a driver is waiting regardless of time.
The monorail does not connect to the airport. The Las Vegas Monorail serves the east side of the Strip from MGM Grand to SLS (now Sahara). It does not extend to the airport. Do not confuse it with an airport connection — it is a between-resort transit tool, not an arrival/departure option.
For south Strip properties, rideshare is usually the best all-around choice. Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Excalibur, and Park MGM are all within 5 minutes of the airport by car. A $15–$20 Uber to one of these properties is hard to beat on speed, convenience, and cost. Only book a shared shuttle if you are very price-sensitive and not on a tight check-in schedule.
Groups of three or more should calculate per-person costs. Three people in an Uber XL to mid-Strip at approximately $25–$35 total works out to approximately $8–$12 per person — comparable to a shared shuttle but 40–60 minutes faster. Run the maths before defaulting to the cheapest-looking option.
Explore Las Vegas
Once you have reached the Strip, our Las Vegas things to do guide covers the casinos, shows, and day trips beyond the resort corridor. For where to sleep, see our Las Vegas hotels guide. Heading out of the city? Our Las Vegas day trips guide covers the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Zion, and the Valley of Fire.
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