Las Vegas Airport

Las Vegas is a vibrant, pulsating city of entertainment and is one of the world’s must-see tourist destinations. People thronged the place to plunge themselves into the world of fun and fantasy. Tourists of different ages and from different sections of societies travel to Las Vegas every year.

Las Vegas is served by McCarran International Airport, situated a convenient eight kilometers from the city centre and 2km (1 mile) from the Las Vegas Strip (South). This big, modern airport -- with a relatively new $500-million expansion -- is rather unique in that it includes several casino areas with more than 1,000 slot machines.

The airport is a principle hub for Allegiant Air and US Airways, offering frequent flights to domestic destinations country-wide as well as dozens of international flights. As one of the world’s top 10 busiest airports, the facility serves nearly 45,000,000 passengers a year. 

The airport has two terminals; terminal 1 handles the majority of flights from its 85 gates, with moving walkways provided for cross-terminal travel. Terminal 2 is smaller, with eight gates, out of which four are reserved for international flights.

The airport also operates scenic flights, many of which tour the nearby Grand Canyon National Park for stunning views of this natural wonder. Scenic flights depart from Terminal 2.

Transportation options
Transportation options from the airport to the city include courtesy hotel shuttles, offered by many of the hotels; Ball Trans minibuses as well as , which run to the Strip and downtown and taxis, which are reasonably priced so long as you don’t encounter traffic delays on the way. Several other companies also run shuttles daily between the airport and all major Las Vegas hotels and motels. Buses from the airport leave about every 10 minutes. When you want to check out of your hotel and head back to the airport, call at least 2 hours in advance to be safe (though often you can just flag down one of the buses outside any major hotel). Car rental is also available from both terminals, which is a convenient option if you plan on touring some of the surrounding area. A number of limousine companies also serve the airport. All transport options leave from outside baggage reclaim. A free shuttle bus service runs between the terminals.

Car Parking
There are several parking options at the airport, including short- and long-term parking and uncovered car parks available at Terminals 1 and 2. Valet parking is also available.

Activities at the Airport
The airport provides more than 1,300 slot machines plus other game machines for pre-flight entertainment, or alternatively, they can be used by new arrivals as a warm-up to the big casinos. Meanwhile, the Howard W Cannon Aviation Museum on the Esplanade, Level 2, is a 24-hour facility detailing the city’s history of aviation, with additional exhibits and displays dotted throughout both terminals. There is an Art Gallery to visit and many in the airport. The Fitness Centre has a steam room and dry sauna, a workout area with exercise equipment, showers and lockers. Massage is available 24/7.

Airport Facilities

• Banks, a bureau de change, ATMs and a post office are all available.
• Numerous restaurants, coffee shops, bars, cocktail lounges, fast-food outlets and snack bars are located throughout the airport. Budweiser Brew House, Cinnabon, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Harlon's BBQ & Country Breakfast, Home Turf Sports Bar, Illy Espresso, Mrs Fields, Prickly Pear Cafe, Foxy Sports Sky Box, Quizno's Subs, Taco Bell, Vienna Beef and Ruby's Dinette are some of the many places.
• For shop-a-holics, 24 Hour Flowers, Books Co, Brookstone, Caesars Exclusively, Erwin Pearl, Ethel M Chocolates, Fossil, Golf Tee Times, Kid's wear & Toys, Landing Gear, Marshall Rousso, Perfumania, Swarovski, The Candy Shoppe and WH Smith are some of the seemingly endless list of shops in the airport. There are also duty-free shops in Terminal 2.
• A US Airways Club lounge is available for those who meet the criteria, and is situated before security, above the ticket counters in Terminal 1.
• The Lost & Found office is located on level 2 in Terminal 1. For security reasons luggage lockers are not available.
• Information booths providing general information and assistance are located throughout the airport.
• Passengers can check-in at self service kiosks with user friendly touch screen computers systems.
• Visual paging is available, dial "0" on any white courtesy phone for this service.
• Nurses at the First Aid station provide immunizations, vaccines, blood pressure checks, minor first aid, and other related services.
• Moreover, there are also conference and business facilities for those who are on a business trip. Translation services are available from the information booth staff. There is a VIP lounge in Terminal 2 for business-class passengers of various airlines.

Facilities for Disabled Travelers
TDD phones for hearing-impaired travelers are provided in both terminals. A TDD information line is available. Wheelchair service is provided free of charge. The airport is fully accessible, with disabled toilets in both terminals.

Hotels
There are no hotels on-site at the airport. Hotels on or off the Strip include Caesar's Palace, Flamingo Hilton, Bellagio, Aladdin, New York-New York, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand and Marriott Suites. Check-in services for MGM Grand and New York-New York hotel and casino guests are available in Terminal 1 level 1 baggage reclaim. These hotels also offer hotel-airport luggage transfer and shuttle service for an additional charge.

Currently extravagant casinos, shopping malls and other entertainment areas continue to pop up as the city finds novel ways to keep attracting visitors, and the abundance of flamboyant hotels suggests that the visitors will keep on coming to Las Vegas.