Getting to Las Vegas

Visitors who fly into Las Vegas will arrive at McCarran International Airport, which is served by numerous local, national and international airlines. Considering that the city was built after the advent of the automobile and that it sits in the middle of a huge and barely populated desert, it is not surprising that a vast network of interstate highways covers the state of Nevada, from Mexico and Canada.

By car

Traffic from California crowds I-15 every weekend, with travellers going to Las Vegas. Getting to Las Vegas from Mexico, take I-15 southwest from Los Angles (via I-10). Driving to Las Vegas from Los Angeles takes just over 4 hours; when traversing I-15, remember that you’re crossing a desert, so carry and drink ample amounts of water, especially on hot summer days, when temperatures can exceed 38°C (100°F).

By rail

Amtrak no longer provides a direct rail service to Las Vegas due to service cuts back in 1997. Thus, you must take the train to the end of the line and complete the trip on a Thruway bus. The closest train stations are at Needles in California and Kingman in Arizona, with Amtrak bus services available from both these stations. The Amtrak bus terminates at McCarran International Airport. Unless unruly journey times thrill you or you are a fan of multiple transfers on multiple modes of transportation, trying to reach Vegas by train is not advisable.

By bus

Greyhound (tel: +1 702 384 9561; website: www.greyhound.com) operates a regular Intercity service, linking Las Vegas with Mexico via El Paso and Los Angeles. Greyhound also operates buses from Kingman, Arizona. These buses terminate at the Las Vegas South Main Street Terminal (tel: +1 800 231 2222). Amtrak has a daily bus route from Needles, California to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, with a stop in Laughlin, Nevada; this service is operated in concert with Amtrak’s Southwest Chief. Amtrak’s San Joaquin route operates two buses daily to Las Vegas from Bakersfield, California as part of its service.

By air

McCarran International Airport is served by many domestic and international air carriers, so getting to the city by air is easy enough. Las Vegas is connected to most other American airports by a number of other domestic carriers including America West, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, Northwest, Spirit and United. International carriers include Air Canada, BMI, Japan Airlines and Virgin Atlantic, serving destinations such as Mexico City, Toronto, Tokyo, Shanghai and London. Flights take approximately 12 hours from London; 6 hours from New York; 1 hour, 15 minutes from Los Angeles; 5 hours, 15 minutes from Toronto; and 14 hours, 40 minutes from Sydney.

McCarran International Airport

The airstrip in the desert known as McCarran International Airport (tel: +1 702 261 5211; website: www.mccarran.com) has two terminals and four sets of gates, which over 87,000 passengers come through every day. McCarran International Airport is located two kilometres from the city, and a free shuttle bus service runs between the terminals. A large selection of stores and restaurants are located inside the terminal, which features four concourses, A through D. Assistance for handicapped passengers is available, and moving walkways are placed throughout the building.

Las Vegas airport transportation

Getting from McCarran International Airport to your hotel is accomplished by airport shuttle, rental car, taxi or limousine. Citizens Area Transit (CAT) and CAT Paratransit Services provide regular bus services to and from the airport, downtown Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Strip, stopping at most hotels; routes 108 and 109 connect to the Downtown Transportation Center and the South Strip Transfer Terminal.