How to Navigate Harry Reid International Airport Inside & Out
Las Vegas Airport Guide
If this is your first time flying into Las Vegas, Avis is here to make your trip a little easier. This helpful guide will teach you how to navigate the Las Vegas Airport, what to expect in and outside the terminals, and things to do and see while you’re here.
Harry Reid International Airport Quick Facts
Official name: Harry Reid International Airport was officially renamed in 2021 to honor former Nevada senator Harry Reid. Before the change, it was widely known as McCarran International Airport, a name many travelers still recognize.
Official website: https://www.harryreidairport.com/
Airport code: LAS, short for Las Vegas
Airport history: Harry Reid International Airport opened in 1943 as Alamo Field and grew in size alongside Las Vegas’s tourism boom. Major modern updates include the opening of Terminal 3 in 2012 and ongoing renovations to modernize older terminal spaces.
Number of terminals: Harry Reid International Airport operates two terminals—Terminal 1 and Terminal 3—which are separate buildings with different road access, parking areas, and security checkpoints.
Outside the Terminals
Harry Reid International Airport sits just a few miles from the Strip with convenient access from I-215 and Tropicana Avenue. As you approach the airport, make sure you follow the signs for your terminal. While pickups and drop-offs happen on the same roadway in front of ticketing, Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 are separate buildings, so paying attention up front can keep you from having to loop around the airport more than once.
The airport’s Rent-A-Car Center is located three miles south of the airport. If you’re dropping off a rental car before your flight, follow the signs for rental cars and then use the airport’s courtesy shuttle to transfer from the Rent-A-Car Center to the airport.
Inside the Terminals
The Las Vegas Airport layout isn’t complicated once you know what to expect. A, B, and C gates are attached to Terminal 1. Terminal 3 has the E gates, and the D gates are in their own building between the two terminals.
Each terminal has its own TSA security checkpoints, ticketing counters, and baggage claim areas. The airport tram provides easy transitions between Terminal 1, Terminal 3, C Gates, and D Gates. Additionally, there are inter-terminal shuttle services on Level 0 within each terminal. Checking the airport’s official map can help you reach your terminal and gate with ease.
How to Change Terminals at LAS
No—Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 aren’t connected by walkways. They are in separate areas of the airport complex, so getting from one to the other means leaving the terminal and taking a shuttle or airport tram.
Yes. Harry Reid International uses two systems. Automated trams operate inside terminals to reach certain terminals and gates, while free shuttle buses run outside security to move you between Terminal 1, Terminal 3, and the Rent-A-Car Center.
Hidden Gems at Harry Reid International Airport
Looking for things to do at the Las Vegas Airport while you wait? A few spots add classic Vegas character to your time at LAS:
- Gaming lounges: The casino vibe starts at the gate. Gaming lounges and slot machines are scattered throughout the terminals, offering a quick taste of the Strip without ever leaving the airport.
- Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum: Located above baggage claim in Terminal 1, this free museum shares the story of Las Vegas aviation and the city’s rapid growth.
- Public art installations: From neon-inspired pieces to large-scale sculptures, rotating art displays bring flashes of Vegas style into concourses and walkways.
Beyond the Harry Reid International Airport
A long layover in Las Vegas doesn’t require a full night on the Strip to feel worthwhile. With a few extra hours, you can head straight to the Bellagio Conservatory for a quick walk-through, grab views of the Strip from the High Roller ferris wheel, or explore Fremont Street’s vintage casinos and street performers. If you prefer quieter scenery, Red Rock Canyon offers dramatic desert views just outside the city.
To help shape your plans, check out our guides to Leisure Travel in Las Vegas and Business Travel in Las Vegas. With lots of Las Vegas Avis locations, we make it easy to experience the Entertainment Capital of the World your way.
Rent a Car at LAS from Avis
Renting from Avis at LAS makes getting around Las Vegas simple. Skip expensive rideshare services or public transportation wait times and move on your own schedule, whether you’re heading to the Strip, a meeting, or beyond the city lights. Start your reservation now.
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