McCarran International Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration ranked McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the seventh busiest airport in the US in 2018, with 539,866 flights. In 2018, more than 49.7 million passengers used 31 domestic and foreign airlines to travel in and out of the airport every day.

In 1948, the airport began accepting passengers, covering 2,800 acres southeast of the Strip today. One of the simpler airports to reach is McCarran because of its closeness to the Strip. According to J.D. Power, McCarran International Airport tied with Orlando International Airport for first place among major airports in terms of passenger satisfaction.

The Democratic Party member and former U.S. senator Pat McCarran, who helped Las Vegas' aviation industry grow, is credited with giving McCarran its name. The airport has two terminals, each with five concourses and 92 gates. In addition to Allegiant Air, Frontier, Southwest, and Spirit Airlines also have crew and maintenance bases in LAS.

Know Before You Go

Four concourses of Terminal 1 are linked to a common pre-security space. On Level 1, passengers will find ticketing and baggage claim. At the same time, on Level 2, there are three security checkpoints, an esplanade with some restaurants and shopping options, and a USO lounge for service members. Pre-security for A Gates and B Gates is located on the west side of Terminal 1, and a Y concourse separates them with rounded ends.

Southwest Airlines flights are housed at C Gates, which is to the south. A security checkpoint may be found by going up an escalator from the ticket counter, or passengers can walk through security at the A and B Gates and then ride the Green Line tram to the C Gates. D Gates are located on Terminal 1's eastern side and are accessible via the Blue Line.

All international and some domestic flights are handled by Terminal 3. Customs, baggage reclaim, and a second USO lounge is all located on Level 0 of the terminal. Check-in, security, a second Club at LAS, and all gates are located on level two. Seven domestic gates (E8-E12, E14-E15) and the remaining seven international gates make up the terminal's fourteen gates (E1-E7). The tram system's Red Line connects terminal 3 and the D Gates.

McCarran is constantly busy due to the airlines' nonstop flights. For domestic flights, it's recommended to get to the airport two hours early; for international flights, aim for two to three hours. Numerous domestic and foreign airlines serve the airport.

All major U.S. carriers serve LAS and international carriers such as AeroMexico, British Airways, KLM, Korean Air, and Virgin Atlantic.

January is usually the cheapest month to fly to Las Vegas, but travelers can also find inexpensive flights in August and October.

McCarran International Airport Parking

More than 17,000 public parking spaces are available at McCarran International Airport, from valet to cheap options. Parking lots are accessible 365 days a year, 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

T1 and T3 short-term parking rates are free for up to 15 minutes, $2 for an hour, $4 for one to two hours, and $36 per day.

T1 and T3 long-term parking rates are free for up to 15 minutes, $2 for up to 30 minutes, $3 for an hour, and $16 per day.

T1 and T3 valet parking rates are a minimum of $6 and a maximum daily rate of $23.

T1 and T3 economy parking rates start at $2 for 30 minutes, $3 for an hour, and $10 per day.

Driving Directions

At 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd., McCarran International Airport is situated 2 miles from the Las Vegas Strip and 15 miles from the city center. Tropicana Avenue, Russell Road, and I-215 are all options for getting to the airport.

Rental Cars

Three miles from the airport and with access to Interstates 15 and 215 and the Las Vegas Strip, you'll find the McCarran Rent-A-Car Center at 7135 Gilespie St. Passengers can get to and from the Rent-A-Car Center using a free shuttle service.

Follow the directional signs to Ground Transportation on Level 1 in Terminal 1 from Baggage Claim. The Rental Car Shuttle is outside doors 10 and 11. Continue there. From Level Zero's Baggage Claim, follow the signs to Ground Transportation in Terminal 3. The Rental Car Shuttle is outside the west doors 51–54 and the east doors 55–58.

Taxis and Ride Share

Ten taxi firms provide transportation to and from the airport and other areas in Las Vegas. The Nevada Taxicab Authority, a Nevada State organization in charge of awarding medallions and establishing rates, controls the provision of taxi cab services.

Please let the attendant know if you intend to use a credit card. Some cab providers accept only cash. For each trip, $2 is added to all cab prices starting at the airport. Up to five passengers, including children, can ride in a taxi.

Taxis in Terminal 1 can be found outside door exits 1-4 on the east side of the baggage claim. Passengers wait in line to board the upcoming cab. Taxis from Terminal 3 pick up customers on Level 0. The building's east side has ten loading slots for international passengers and 20 loading positions for domestic passengers on the west end.

At McCarran International Airport, both terminals offer passenger pickup for Uber and Lyft. On level 2M of the parking structure, Ride Share passengers can be picked up at Terminal 1. Take the elevator next to entrance 2 to level 2 from baggage claim. To access the Terminal 1 Parking Garage, go across the pedestrian bridge on level 2.

The Terminal 3 Ride Share pickup is located on the valet level of the parking garage. From Baggage Claim, take the elevator near door #52, #54, or #56 up to level 1, then cross the pedestrian bridge on level 1 to the Terminal 3 Parking Garage.

Where to Eat and Drink

If you're traveling out of an A gate in Terminal 1, with limited dining options, your best chance at McCarran International Airport is to eat before you arrive. Terminal 3 offers a wide range of possibilities as the most recent addition to the airport.

Grab and Go

Pret A Manger offers delicious bites such as sandwiches, toasties, wraps, salads, breakfast fare, and soups. It's located at the E gates at Terminal 1.

Wolfgang Puck Express has specially made salads, sandwiches, and thin-crust pizzas. It's located at D gates at Terminal 1.

Sit Down Restaurants

Jose Cuervo Tequileria offers unique Mexican dishes and good tequila at C Gates, Terminal 1.

Las Vegas Chophouse & Brewery serves crab cakes, filet mignon, and another meaty fare at E Gates in Terminal 3.

Ruby’s Dinette offers delectable breakfast dishes and a roster of hamburgers, fries, and shakes at D Gates in Terminal 1.

Sammy's Beach Bar & Grill serves American fare with an island flavor.

Where to Shop

Although there are many shopping options at the airport in Las Vegas, they can't compare to those found in the many opulent shops around the Strip.

Liquor Library sells beer, wine, spirits, and other beverages; Ethel M, a confectionery manufacturer with headquarters in Henderson, Nevada; Brooks Brothers; Coach; and MAC are places to buy clothing, purses, and cosmetics.

In keeping with Vegas, players can purchase challenge coins, unique gaming items, and bespoke poker chips from Poker Face.

How to Spend Your Layover

A 1958 Cessna 172 that flew for 64 days, 22 hours, 19 minutes, and 5 seconds without touching down broke the World Endurance Aloft flying record in 1959 is on display at the Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum, which is located on Level 2 of Terminal 1 above baggage claim. Further exhibitions exist at the A, B, C, and D Gates.

Airport Lounges

American Express cardholders have access to the Centurion lounge at the D and E gates. The Club at LAS is open to all travelers for a fee. The D gates are home to United's club.

Wi-Fi and Charging Stations

Free Wi-Fi is available across McCarran, and the airport has electrical outlets and areas for laptop charging. For a price, the ChargeCarte Rapid Charger can recharge smartphones, iPods, and cell phones up to twice as quickly as a regular outlet.

McCarran Tips and Tidbits

There are more than 1,000 slot machines in both airports' terminals.

Go to a small parking area on the south side of the airport, on East Sunset Road between Las Vegas and Henderson, to observe jets as they take off and land.

FAQs about McCarran International Airport