Navigating Las Vegas McCarran airport

Navigating your way from the passenger gates to baggage claim and ground transportation at Las Vegas’s McCarran (LAS) airport is quire an experience. In 2005 over 44 million passengers deplaned at here factor in travelers arriving in Las Vegas by car, bus and train and you have a very bustling destination.

These statistics rank LAS as the US’s 5th busiest airport and 10th in the world.

It’s well marked but quite a hike from the gates to your bags but there has to be miles of moving sidewalks here so you can ride to the baggage area . Also depending on your carrier there’s a tram from the remote gates to the main terminal. As you make your way to reclaim your luggage you’ll be lured by the siren’s song of the present slot machines or enticed to drop a pretty penny in many of the luxury shops in the concourse’s public areas.

With bags retrieved it’s a short walk to the public transportation area. You’re surrounded with plenty of options ranging from taxi cabs, stretch limousines and shared ride vans. I opted for the last option a shared ride to my hotel and it cost $6.00 each way ($12.00 round trip plus a gratuity) as compared to $15-20.00 for a cab.

Many of the tour packages today offered a prepaid airport to hotel transfer option so you may want to build these costs into your travel plans. Unless you're a "whale" Vegas's term for a big time gambler free hotel/motel shuttles are non-existent. So plan on paying for your ride.

Downside of the shared ride is that your hotel may be the last stop on the journey but hey you’re getting a tour of Las included in your transportation fee.

For cost savings I selected an almost on the Strip hotel but I’ll talk about lodging options later.