Visitors arriving by air fly into the busy McCarran International Airport, situated a convenient eight kilometres from the city centre. 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 two-terminal facility has an abundance of services and unique ways to spend your time waiting for a flight. Terminal 1 handles the majority of flights from its 85 gates, with moving walkways provided for cross-terminal travel. Terminal 2 is smaller, with only eight gates, with four 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.

The airport provides more than 1,300 slot 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.

Facilities at the airport include banks, currency exchange, ATMs, restaurants, bars and shopping outlets. There are also a variety of parking options available at lots situated close to the terminals. 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.

Transportation options from the airport to the city include courtesy hotel shuttles, offered by many of the more upmarket hotels; Ball Trans minibuses, 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. Car rental is also available from both terminals, which is a convenient option if you plan on touring some of the surrounding area.

While there are no trains servicing Las Vegas, largely due to its remoteness, Greyhound buses travel to the city and the compact nature of the attractions make it easy to whiz around the city on foot or by taxi.

If you don’t have a hired car at your disposal, using the city’s limited public transport is the next best option. The main bus terminal is at 200 Main street downtown and is the location where long-distance buses arrive. CAT buses serve local routes city-wide, with useful services including numbers 302 and 303, which link the Strip with downtown.

The Las Vegas Street Trolley runs oak-veneered street cars along the Strip. Passengers pay a flat rate per journey, payable onboard. Downtown Trolley, a different service, runs street cars on a different route that connects the Stratosphere with downtown.

You will find it easy enough to get to the attractions along the Strip on foot, as long as you don’t attempt any sightseeing trips in the heat of midday, with moving walkways and even some free monorail trains linking certain parts and buildings. Be warned that using the monorails usually requires you to walk through the entire casino first.