Ruth Haines
Harry Reid International Airport, formerly known as McCarran International Airport, is the primary airport serving Las Vegas, Nevada. It is located 3.2 to 8 miles from the Las Vegas Strip and is the only major commercial airport in the area. The airport first opened in 1943 as Alamo Field, catering to general aviation, and has since undergone multiple expansion projects to accommodate increasing passenger counts. Today, Harry Reid International Airport is a bustling hub filled with tourists and business travellers alike, offering various transportation options to the Las Vegas Strip, including taxis, ride-shares, and buses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Harry Reid International Airport |
| Former Name | McCarran International Airport |
| IATA | LAS |
| ICAO | KLAS |
| FAA LID | LAS |
| Location | 5 miles (8 km) south of downtown Las Vegas, in the unincorporated area of Paradise |
| Distance from Las Vegas Strip | 3.2 miles (5.15 km) |
| Area | 2,800 acres (4.4 sq mi; 11.3 km2) |
| Terminals | 2 |
| Runways | 4 |
| Gate Areas | 5 |
| Transport Options | Taxi, Ride-share, Bus, Walk |
| Bus Ticket Cost | $4 |
| Taxi Cost | $22-$30 |
| Ride-share Cost | $23 |
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What You'll Learn
- Harry Reid International Airport is the closest airport to the Las Vegas Strip
- It is 3.2 to 5 miles away and accessible by taxi, ride-share, or bus
- Walking is an option, but it takes 1 hour and 15 minutes, and summer temperatures can reach 120 degrees
- The airport was formerly known as McCarran International Airport and opened in 1943
- The airport is one of two in the US with slot machines inside the terminals
Harry Reid International Airport is the closest airport to the Las Vegas Strip
Harry Reid International Airport, formerly known as McCarran International Airport, is the closest airport to the Las Vegas Strip. Located just 5 miles (8 km) south of downtown Las Vegas, it is the primary international airport serving the Las Vegas Valley in Nevada. The airport is named after the late US congressman and senator from Nevada, Harry Reid. With four runways and two terminals, it is a busy hub for tourists visiting the Strip and business travellers alike.
The airport offers various transportation options to reach the Las Vegas Strip, which is just a 10-minute drive away. While walking is technically an option, the distance and extreme summer temperatures in Las Vegas make it a less appealing choice. Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are available, with designated pickup areas in the Terminal 1 parking garage. Ride-sharing is a convenient and economical choice, with fares to Strip hotels averaging $22-$23 for a short ride. However, passengers should be aware of potential scams by individuals soliciting ride-sharing customers.
For those seeking a more economical option, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) operates Bus 109 from the airport to the Southern Strip Transit Terminal. Tickets are affordable at $4, but the bus makes frequent stops and requires a transfer to reach your final destination on the Strip, making it a less convenient choice, especially with luggage.
The airport has a rich history, dating back to 1942 when flight instructor George Crockett built Alamo Field, which later became Harry Reid Airport. In 1947, voters approved a bond to purchase the airfield, and on December 19, 1948, it was renamed McCarran Field, receiving its first passenger flights. The growth of the Las Vegas casino industry in the 1950s fuelled a surge in air traffic, leading to expansion projects in the 1960s and beyond to accommodate the increasing passenger counts.
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It is 3.2 to 5 miles away and accessible by taxi, ride-share, or bus
Harry Reid International Airport, formerly McCarran International Airport, is the only airport serving Las Vegas, Nevada. It is located 3.2 to 5 miles away from the Las Vegas Strip and is accessible by taxi, ride-share, or bus.
Taxis are readily available at the airport, and the fare to the Strip will range from $22 to $30, depending on your destination. The Strip is divided into fare zones, so your price will depend on how far up the Strip your hotel is. If you prefer ride-sharing, Uber and Lyft are located in the Terminal 1 parking garage on the second level. This is a massive ride-share pickup area, so you'll likely find many people waiting for their rides. Ride-sharing is a convenient and economical option, as it will drop you off right at your hotel's entrance, and the cost is approximately $23. However, beware of scammers at the airport who may try to solicit ride-share customers.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, consider taking the bus. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) operates Bus 109 from the airport to the Southern Strip Transit Terminal. You can catch the bus at the ground level of Terminals 1 and 3, and it arrives approximately every 30 minutes, even overnight. Tickets are only $4, but you'll need to transfer to another bus once you reach the Southern Terminal to get to your final destination on the Strip. This option is economical but may be inconvenient if you have a lot of luggage.
Finally, walking from the airport to the Strip is technically an option, but it's a long trek that will take at least 1 hour and 15 minutes. It's not recommended, especially during the hot summer months in Las Vegas, as the temperature can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Walking is an option, but it takes 1 hour and 15 minutes, and summer temperatures can reach 120 degrees
Harry Reid International Airport, formerly McCarran International Airport, is the closest airport to the Las Vegas Strip, located 3.2 miles away. While walking is an option, it is not recommended, especially in the summer when temperatures can reach 120 degrees. The walk can take up to 1 hour and 15 minutes, and it is a boring route with no shade.
If you do choose to walk, there are several routes you can take. One option is to walk down Harmon Avenue away from the Strip until you reach Paradise Road. Turn right onto Paradise Road and continue until you reach the airport. Another route is to walk down the Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard) to Tropicana Avenue, turn left, and then turn right onto Paradise Road, which will lead you to the airport. The closest Strip hotel to the airport is the MGM Grand, which is about 2.5 miles away.
Walking in the heat can be dangerous, and it is recommended to walk in the morning or evening when it is cooler. Additionally, taxi scams are common in Las Vegas, so if you decide to take a taxi, be sure to speak up and make clear your expectations for the route. Shuttle services and ride-sharing options, such as Uber, are also available and can be more affordable alternatives.
Overall, while walking from the airport to the Las Vegas Strip is possible, it is not the most convenient or comfortable option, especially in the summer heat. It is important to consider the weather conditions, the length of the walk, and the availability of alternative transportation options before deciding to walk.
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The airport was formerly known as McCarran International Airport and opened in 1943
The closest airport to the Las Vegas Strip is Harry Reid International Airport, formerly known as McCarran International Airport. The airport is located just five miles (8 km) south of downtown Las Vegas and covers 2,800 acres of land. It is the only major commercial airport serving Las Vegas and is named after the late US congressman and senator from Nevada, Harry Reid.
The airport first opened in January 1943 as Alamo Field, built by flight instructor George Crockett. Crockett constructed the airfield on his own land, naming it in honour of his forefather, Davy Crockett, who had fought in the Battle of the Alamo. Alamo Field initially catered to general aviation and included three gravel runways, a flight school, and a terminal building.
In 1946, with the onset of the Cold War, the nearby Las Vegas Army Airfield (which had been operating as a military base since the attack on Pearl Harbor) closed. The military was willing to reopen the base if commercial airlines moved elsewhere. Crockett offered the use of his airfield, and so negotiations began. A bond election was held to fund construction work that would enable Alamo Field to handle commercial operations, and the bond was approved by voters in 1947.
In December 1948, the airport was renamed McCarran Field and began receiving passenger flights. The growth of the Las Vegas casino industry during the 1950s fuelled a rise in air traffic, and by 1959, the city was receiving nearly one million passengers. The airport continued to expand over the following decades to accommodate increasing passenger counts and the advent of commercial jetliners.
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$19.9
The airport is one of two in the US with slot machines inside the terminals
Harry Reid International Airport (IATA: LAS, ICAO: KLAS, FAA LID: LAS), formerly known as McCarran International Airport, is the airport that serves Las Vegas Strip. It is located five miles (8 km; 4 nmi) south of downtown Las Vegas, in the unincorporated area of Paradise, and covers 2,800 acres (4.4 sq mi; 11.3 km2) of land. The airport is one of two in the US with slot machines inside the terminals.
The airport, named after the late US congressman and senator from Nevada, Harry Reid, first opened in January 1943 as Alamo Field. It was built by flight instructor George Crockett, who named it in honour of his forefather, Davy Crockett. Crockett sold the airfield to the county in 1948, and it was renamed McCarran Field.
The growth of the Las Vegas casino industry during the 1950s fuelled a rise in air traffic; the city went from receiving 36,000 passengers in 1948 to nearly one million in 1959. In the following years, the county built a new terminal, and expansion projects were undertaken to accommodate the growing number of passengers. The airport was officially renamed in 2025.
Today, the airport features four runways and two terminals with five gate areas (concourses) all connected with a people mover system. The slot machines inside the terminals have proven to be a lucrative source of revenue, generating nearly $60 million for Clark County each year. Airport officials attribute the success of the slot machines to the unique sense of landing in Las Vegas, attracting travellers looking to try their luck.
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Frequently asked questions
Harry Reid International Airport (IATA: LAS, ICAO: KLAS, FAA LID: LAS), formerly known as McCarran International Airport, is the closest airport to the Las Vegas Strip. It is located 5 miles (8km) south of downtown Las Vegas.
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada operates bus 109 from the airport to the Southern Strip Transit Terminal. Tickets are $4 and buses arrive every 30 minutes. From the Southern Terminal, you can transfer to another bus to get to the Strip. You can also take a taxi or rideshare, which will cost around $22-30 depending on where you're headed.
The airport is a 10-minute drive from the Strip. Without traffic, it should take 37 minutes to get from the airport to the Strip by bus.
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