Las Vegas airport transportation comes down to three real choices: a taxi, a rideshare or the bus. Here’s which one to take, where to find it, and the mistakes that cost visitors time and money, from a 24-year local.
Taxi for a flat price, rideshare for convenience, bus only if you’re traveling light.
Taxis to the Strip use flat zone rates with no surge. Rideshare picks up in the parking garage, not at baggage claim. The bus needs a transfer to reach the Strip.
Taxi, Flat Rate
$21.25 south Strip, $25.25 center Strip, $29.25 north Strip. No surge pricing.
Uber or Lyft
Pick up in the parking garage. Walk there first, then request your ride.
RTC Bus + Transfer
RED LINE to the South Strip Transit Terminal, then the Deuce up the Strip.
Book Your Hotel
Where you stay sets your fare. Center Strip keeps the ride short.
Search Strip hotelsHarry Reid International Airport is close to the Strip, close enough that people sometimes try to walk it. Don’t. The ride is short, but how you take it changes what you pay and how long you wait, especially when a big show or game lets out.
Roadwork heads-up: The airport tunnel is being repaved, and other road projects are underway near the airport. Leave extra time, especially for a flight home.
The Two Terminals: Know Yours Before You Land
Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 are separate buildings, and they aren’t connected inside. If you end up at the wrong one, a free inter-terminal shuttle runs between them from Level 0. Check which terminal your airline uses before you land, and tell anyone picking you up.
There’s no Terminal 2. If someone is picking you up, tell them Terminal 1 or Terminal 3, so they don’t loop around to the wrong building.
Taxis: Flat Rates, No Surge
Taxis from the airport to the Strip use flat rates by zone, so you know the price before you get in.
| Zone | Area | Flat Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | South Strip, like Mandalay Bay, Luxor and MGM Grand | $21.25 |
| Zone 2 | Center Strip, like Bellagio, Caesars Palace and Paris | $25.25 |
| Zone 3 | North Strip, like Wynn, Resorts World and SAHARA | $29.25 |
- Tip and card fees are extra. Ask the driver to confirm your zone when you get in.
- Downtown is metered. The flat rates don’t cover downtown or Fremont Street, so those trips use the meter.
- No surge, ever. On a big event night, a taxi often beats a surging rideshare.
Rideshare: Pick Up in the Garage
Uber and Lyft don’t pick up at baggage claim. Follow the rideshare signs to the parking garage:
- Terminal 1: Level 2 of the parking garage.
- Terminal 3: In the parking garage. Follow the rideshare signs from baggage claim.
Local tip: Walk to the pickup area first, then request your ride. Request from baggage claim and your driver may arrive before you do, and you’ll be racing the cancellation clock.
Rideshare is usually the easy choice on a normal day. After a sold-out game, concert or convention, prices can jump. Check the fare in the app, and if it’s surging, the taxi line’s flat rate will usually win.
The Bus: Cheapest, With a Transfer
The bus is the budget option, but there’s no direct bus from the airport to the Strip. Here’s how it works:
| Route | What It Does |
|---|---|
| RED LINE | Replaced Route 109 in August 2026. Runs from the airport to the South Strip Transit Terminal, UNLV and downtown. Take it to the South Strip Transit Terminal, then transfer to the Deuce for the Strip. |
| Route 108 | Serves Terminal 1 and the Paradise Road corridor. |
- Where to catch it: Route 108 and the RED LINE stop at Terminal 1, Level 0. From Terminal 3, take the free shuttle to Terminal 1 first.
- Expect delays for now. RTC says ongoing construction on Maryland Parkway is causing heavy traffic and RED LINE delays, so allow extra time.
- Fares: Local routes cost less than the Strip fare, and the Deuce uses the Strip fare once you transfer. Buy passes in the rideRTC app.
- Who it’s for: Solo travelers with light bags and time to spare. With several suitcases or a late arrival, take a taxi.
For more on riding the bus, see our Deuce bus guide. The Monorail doesn’t go to the airport. See our Monorail guide for where it does go.
Which One Should You Take?
| Situation | Best Option |
|---|---|
| A normal arrival | Rideshare or taxi, whichever is cheaper in the moment |
| After a big event or during a convention | Taxi, since flat rates don’t surge |
| Lots of luggage | Taxi or rideshare |
| Solo, light bags, tight budget | The bus, with a transfer to the Deuce |
| Going downtown | Rideshare, or a metered taxi |
| Someone’s picking you up | Have them wait at the free cell phone lot until you text from the curb |
Don’t Walk to the Strip
It looks close on the map, and people try it to save a few dollars. There’s no safe walking route, and with a suitcase in the desert heat, it’s dangerous. Take a taxi, a rideshare or the bus. Our walking in Las Vegas guide explains why.
Where You Stay Sets Your Fare
Your hotel’s location decides your taxi zone and how long the ride takes. A center Strip hotel keeps things simple. If you’d rather skip the Strip, Henderson and Summerlin are quieter, though the ride is longer.
Book Your Las Vegas Hotel
Pick the area first, then compare rates.
Las Vegas Airport Transportation FAQ
How much is a taxi from the Las Vegas airport to the Strip?
Taxis use flat rates by zone: $21.25 to the south Strip, $25.25 to the center Strip and $29.25 to the north Strip. A tip is extra, and paying by card may add a fee.
Where is rideshare pickup at Harry Reid Airport?
At Terminal 1, it’s on Level 2 of the parking garage. At Terminal 3, it’s in the parking garage. Follow the rideshare signs from baggage claim, and wait until you’re at the pickup area to request your ride.
Is there a bus from the Las Vegas airport to the Strip?
Not directly. Take the RED LINE from Terminal 1 to the South Strip Transit Terminal, then transfer to the Deuce, which runs the Strip.
Are Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 connected?
No. They’re separate buildings. A free inter-terminal shuttle runs between them from Level 0.
Is there a taxi flat rate to downtown Las Vegas?
No. The flat rates only cover the Strip zones. Taxi trips from the airport to downtown and Fremont Street use the meter.
Can you walk from the Las Vegas airport to the Strip?
Don’t. There’s no safe walking route, and with luggage in the heat it’s dangerous. A taxi, rideshare or bus is the way to go.