Everything You Need to Know About Harry Reid Airport

Airport name changes have gotten complicated with all the rebranding and historical revisions flying around. As someone who’s flown through Vegas more times than I probably should admit, I learned everything there is to know about Harry Reid International (formerly McCarran). Today, I will share it all with you.

If you’re looking for McCarran, don’t worry – it’s the same airport. They renamed it in 2021 after Nevada’s longtime senator, and let me tell you, the signage updates seemed to take forever. Still catches people off guard.

A Little History (the Quick Version)

Probably should have led with this section, honestly. This place started out as Alamo Airport back in 1942. Can you imagine? Vegas was basically nothing then. Now it’s one of the busiest airports in the country, sitting just five miles south of downtown. The Strip is right there – you can practically see the hotels from your plane window as you land. Wild transformation.

How It’s Set Up

There are two main terminals to know about. Terminal 1 is where most domestic flights happen. Terminal 3 handles the international stuff. Four runways keep everything moving, which is good because this place gets absolutely slammed, especially on weekend mornings when everyone’s either arriving for a bachelorette party or nursing a hangover on their way home. Vegas traffic patterns are predictable.

Getting To and From the Strip

You’ve got options here. The RTC has public transit if you’re budget-conscious. Ride-shares and taxis are everywhere – just follow the signs and prepare for a short line during busy times. Rental cars are downstairs if you’re doing anything outside the city. And yeah, parking’s available for both short and long term, though I’d honestly recommend a ride-share unless you’re staying for a week.

The best part? That taxi line moves faster than you’d expect, even when it looks intimidating. Vegas knows tourists need to get to their hotels. That’s what makes Vegas airports endearing to us travelers — they understand urgency.

Airlines and Where They’ll Take You

Southwest basically owns this airport – they’ve got a huge presence here. Delta and American are solid too. And for international trips, there are carriers connecting Vegas to major cities around the world. Honestly, you can get pretty much anywhere from Harry Reid with maybe one connection. Hub status has its benefits.

Survival Tips From Someone Who’s Made Mistakes

• Peak seasons? Give yourself 2-3 hours before your flight. Sunday afternoons especially can be brutal with everyone heading home at once.
• Download your airline’s app. Seriously. Real-time updates beat squinting at departure boards any day.
• Security is usually reasonable, but TSA PreCheck makes a noticeable difference here. Worth it.
• Long layover? The lounges are worth it if you can swing access. Quiet space is valuable when you’re recovering from whatever happened on the Strip.

Harry Reid’s come a long way from being a tiny desert airfield. Now it’s the gateway to one of the wildest cities in America. Safe travels – and maybe don’t bet everything at the slot machines on your way out. Learned that one the hard way.