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McCarran International Airport
Rating Details »
238 reviews for McCarran International Airport
An airport that greets you with slot machines to get your immediate fix and then says farewell with the same slots by trying to squeeze your last few dollars out of you as you go, isn't all too bad. There are plenty of places to get your final souvenirs on your way out.
Passing through security there are plenty of TSA security checkpoints to get you through fairly quickly. I never had an egregious wait and it's well organized. The tram is interesting, but there really isn't much to see from it.
Leaving the airport is a breeze. The tram filters into the baggage claim and right into the pick-up area. Here you can rent a limo or taxi to where ever your destination.
Quick in and out, lots of shopping, and slots!
Kinda like The Strip, which has grown all the way down to the edges of this airport. My opinion is kind of biased, because we have taken Southwest in and out of here, so the total experience has been sweet every time.
One crazy place. The are 2 separate buildings. Terminals A, B, C are in one... and D (United only) is wayyyy out there where a tram/trolley picks you up at the B/C section. If you had to go from the end of C to B or A, you'll realize how long Terminal C is. Shopping? Not a lot of amazing souvenir stores. I thought there would be more. Clang clang clang of lots of slot machines greet you everywhere. I have to say, since there isn't much "shopping" to do, it's the only other entertainment available. The food courts and restaurants are so-so.
If they could increase the lighting some, maybe it wouldn't seem so dreary.
I going to give this airport 4 stars not because I love it, but because of how much I appreciate the work that goes into the efficiency of this place. It is a very very busy airport and it is full of the "Clueless" flier ilk, which can slow down the process of getting through the airport. Fortunately I am armed with a priority screening pass.
Anyway, everytime I see the line at security my heart sinks. Yet they seem to never take more than 15-20 minutes. Contrasted with the efficiency of, say, John Wayne in Orange County where you can expect 45 minutes on a normal day, I would say this is pretty painless.
On the other end, I did a head count of the heads in the cab line on a recent trip. I stopped at 1000. Yes ONE THOUSAND. Got my cab in 30 minutes. It's a long time to wait, I know, but 1,000 people served in 30 minutes. Let's see McDonald's match that.
The Southwest terminal, where I hang, is crowded and has few amenities (one restaurant) unless you count the prezels and fast food places as amenities. Sbarro, echh. If you have money left over, spend it here on oxygen, penny slots, tacky jewelry and other trinkets and trash.
There is also a bit of confusion on the gates, where to line up and such particularly around the gates at the end of the terminal
Still I admire the people who work there who have to deal with Las Vegas tourists (perhaps the worst in the US), and give them 4 stars for effort! Especially the Southwest Airlines crew.
It's the Vegas airport, so it's always busy and packed with people. You truly have to plan and get here early. I say get there 1 1/2 hr before your flight and you're good. Don't make the same mistake I did. First of all, book a later flight for departure. It sounds good to stay up all night then catch your flight or you think you can rush and time it just right to get to the airport. Terrible idea. Book an afternoon flight, you can have a quick lunch then audi. Besides you have the next day off anyway, right??? I learn from my mistake. Spending an extra $200 and 2hours in Denver does that to me.
All in all, good layout and I like riding the tram. Nice selection of shops. I concur with another yelper, after a long flight as you exit your gate the sights & sounds of the slots are right there. There's no mistaken where you're at now, Vegas!!!
This place can definitely turn into a zoo but not as bad as LAX.
I like how the taxi line here is like waiting for the Auto-Utopia ride at Disneyland. This airport must have stolen the same concept from them. Somewhat efficient I must add.
Flying home on Sundays from here is like a box of chocolate. On my last trip, I was awaiting to board my plane home near my gate. Here comes the cutie I saw the night before at club XS walking to her terminal. I was about to ask her if she wanted a drink but then soon realized that I was at the airport and not still in that night life mode.
Awesome note: you can play the Wheel of Fortune slot machines and lose your house mortgage here.
This place is huge and it really is trying to accommodate all the people that fly in and out of here all the time, but it just doesn't work out for them.
First of all, the drop off is a giant CLUSTER. By the time you actually get inside, there is another giant CLUSTER of people waiting for you. With really lovely and nice people STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WALKWAY which is hard to get around with a stroller and four bags. (Read: IMPOSSIBLE.) Then the agents at the ticket counter are trying to get people through really fast so they are frazzled and trying not to be. The security line is so long, I felt like I was at JFK, it took me so long.
And then there is the kicker. THERE IS NO PLACE TO HOOK UP YOUR COMPUTER OR ANY OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICE. Seriously, I know you want me to gamble, but I am from Reno. I don't have to fly to your lousy ass airport too get my one last gambling fix in, thank you very much.
Just get some decent food and some more outlets so there aren't a bunch of people sitting in the aisles checking their emails. It's dangerous.
A smaller airport as international airports go, but beats the "international airport of Holton ME". McCarran does the trick with frequent flights and slot machines in the waiting areas. Years ago my Ex won the cost of our entire trip based on one quarter he put in the slot at the airport. My warnings are 1) landing in the desert from the West side (Cali) is almost always a rough landing. So don't freak out, just imagine you are on a roller-coaster and you'll be fine. And 2) Give yourself EXTRA time for getting a cab when you arrive on a Friday afternoon of any weekend. It is a winding maze reminiscent of Disneyland lines. It can leave you Dizzy!
The Vegas airport is pretty damn busy but it's not as crazy as say, LAX. I've flown in and out a bunch of times now and this last time was actually the quickest trip.
We arrived and hustled to get on a tram to take us to baggage claim (from Southwest) and only waited about 10-15 minutes before the bags came in. There was no security checking if you got the right bag on the way out.
We had to pay an airport fee to get out of there via shuttle. It was over $20 to get to the strip but then about $12 to get to the airport.
Coming back to the airport, there were crazy lines everywhere. I think there should be some handbook on how to decipher what the airport workers are saying but alas, it's all in secret code.
Security was pretty lax. I forgot to take off my belt but I went through just fine.
Airport food options were plentiful though probably questionably healthy. I saw Popeye's Chicken on my way to my terminal. There were also a gazillion newspaper stands. I did appreciate the charging zone where they had a strip of power outlets for you to charge up your phone or plug in your laptop.
In general, I rather fly here than drive from LA.
Where else can you find a casino in an airport? Where else can you gamble while waiting for your flight? This airport is definitely one of a kind. However, it does get busy and crowded but you don't get the headache-inducing, mood-killing feel that you would get with LAX or LaGuardia Airport in NY. Even on a busy day, the security line looks deceiving because the line wraps around, but it actually goes pretty fast. Aside from slot machines everywhere, there's several restaurants to choose from and free wi-fi. This airport doesn't make you feel like you're waiting for your flight. It makes air travel a bit easier and as one Yelper says, "completes the Vegas experience."
I like this airport, and it's almost in the same ranks as SEA-TAC and SFO.
This is my first major airport I've ever been to (just only flew for the first time ever a week ago) and I have to say that I enjoyed lingering in this place to wait for boarding. They have a lot of distractions aside from the slots and I felt like I never was too far from a Starbucks, I think I counted about 4? Anyhow, I felt like it was a good airport to get me ready for traveling by air a lot more frequently.
This airport is a raging mess.
The terminals are actually random platforms which got connected to each other accidentally.
There's mess everywhere, weird round gate areas, nasty carpets, looks like gypsyland.
Smokers, slot machines, people laying on the floors like white trash kids in walmart!
The way to the gates is weired as well. It's like a theme maze which is tacky and not recommended if you suffer from epilepsy.
Security lines are loooong! TSA personal are rude.
Bottom line, Vegas airport is a big raging mess.
If you miss spring brake you gonna love this airport!
Yalla Bye!
As an LA resident, I would say that LV airport is a much better airport and seems well structured.
I flew in LV Airport on 04 Nov mid-morning and from the step off the plane, I had absolutely no problem getting my bag from the carousel and hop in a cab. The arrival area seemed to be pretty busy but I was out of there within 10 minutes to catch a cab.
Now, the cab line was pretty long, but this is Las Vegas and as expected, the waiting time was normal -- about 5 to 7 minutes. The ride to the hotel (Luxor) was quick though, and the driver took me the "direct" way.
Didn't play any of the slots -- as with many of those, they're all rigged! :p Love this airport much more than LAX, and they have decent food eateries too :D
What's not to love about the airport that's 20 minutes away from the Las Vegas Strip? You can gamble as soon as you get off your flight OR take a taxi straight to the casinos.
While the Strip may have all the glamor in LV, the airport, among other airports, can hold it's own. Kind of big but not too big you're fearing you're going to get lost.
Gift shops are top notch and another reason for you to leave whatever money you have left in Vegas.
SBC VEGAS SERIES: 14 of many reviews
Oh yeah....
Man, I forgot how I got here... now that I think about it I flew to Vegas.. for a sec I thought I actually drove. Well, that just goes to show that there's nothing particularly special about this airport other than that there's not a single major airport that doesn't have a direct flight to this mecca of sin. Man, I got to stop drinking... but with all the nice pretty lights and so many choices to drink from, it's hard not to drink when you land here.
I always find it funny that you get the first taste of 'money talks' when everyone that tries to milk you for money for something as simple as getting to the hotel. Word of advise, when given a choice between a limo and a cab... take the limo if you want serviced there and then or take a cab when you want to save some cash. You're in VEGAS.. live a lil and learn to breathe! And given that almost everyone else that landed is flaunting that same intoxicating feeling to the atmosphere that draws a person to their dark side...
my side.
;D
McCarran kind of completes the Vegas experience... crazy people coming and going, plus you can gamble (slots that is).
Last couple times I was here it was nice, got in and got out with no problems. This time I had to wait forever in line at security, just to be searched (dam those short with metal buttons) and then the flight was delayed 3 hours. Security is normally fast and it's easy to find a shuttle or a cab.
Great Steak Potato -located in the airport
Great prices, great service, and the food to eatable. I liked it!
Las Vegas is a popular weekend recreation destination. Billions of people show up every Friday and leave on Sunday. Everyone on Planet Earth knows this, with the notable exception of the folks in charge over at McCarran.
The Friday night taxi line is cruel and unusual punishment for all of the newly arrived merrymakers, zig-zagging to and fro like the line for Space Mountain on a Saturday afternoon. Each passing taxi makes you desperately yearn for your chance to escape in one, but once you're finally granted your chariot of freedom, your will is too broken to experience any joy. Word has it that they're extending the monorail to McCarran, and it can't happen fast enough.
Speaking of trains, the best argument by far for building the bullet train from Anaheim is undoubtedly McCarran International Airport.
The security checkpoint on Sunday afternoon is not an improvement over the taxi line. You're crammed in with several thousand other hungover visitors, winding around nearly every corner of the airport. When I finally arrived to the front of the line to have my chat with the elite defenders of national security, the TSA guy confiscated a small bottle of lotion from my carry-on while leaving a couple clearly visible books of matches that I had carelessly packed. Kinda missing the point, professor.
In short, this place is terrible.
The Only Things Good About this Airport is FREE WIFI everywhere.
Long security lines, lots of people, slot machines in every terminal, Food is standard chain restaurants, It's always busy on Friday and Sunday. And there's always obnoxious people coming through, which can be good or bad. OLD Shirtless GUYS is normal here, don't be afraid ... you might be sitting next to them.
TAXI, there's plenty of taxis to get. $20 to the strip usually.
The weather around Las Vegas make it so it's always a turbulent ride flying out and in of Vegas. Can't really change the weather.
Airport ... kind of need it to land an airplane to get to Las Vegas.
FREE WIFI though ...
Easy Peesy! Since they expanded a bit, getting through Security was fast and painless. We found time to hit the nickel slots, shop at the Brighton store and munch on "bad" (but GOOD) food. All in all, one of the better airports I've been to.
I was very impressed with the cleanliness and the huge airport, the decor is nice and overall a very pleasant experience.
If I could change one thing is the SHUTTLES. First you catch a monorail to baggage then another shuttle the rental cars. SUCKS in this hot weather!
Yes, the taxi line is a nightmare. Yes the TSA folks are a bit too chatty and are on a power trip. But there is coffee at a cheap rice (horrendously cheap, after staying in Vegas for days) and food, and the typical newspaper stands. However, I can over look it b/c of 2 words.
Free WI-FI.
That alone should make it worth the hassle. Considering that everywhere else in Sin City makes you pay....?
Exactly. Enough said.
LAS has free wifi, which every airport should have. Other than that, it pretty much sucks.
The pre- and post- security food options are super weak. Driving to / from the airport is very confusing. The only public transit to the airport is a bus line that runs up and down Paradise. The cabs charge an annoying surplus to your rate, and they almost always try to rip you off by going on the highway. The baggage claim can be very slow.
Need I say more? McCarran is not a good airport, but it's not like you have a choice. Free wifi and the presence of slot machines are the only thing that make it tolerable.
In a nutshell, you're getting a new United terminal with free wifi (yay!) and handfuls and handfuls of slot machines, but at the cost of slim pickings for places to eat (nay!).
In an extremely hungry state, I walked up and down the terminal today to avoid eating lunch at Burke in a Box (way too greasy) and decided a Chicago style hot dog at Jody Maroni's would do. $11.26 bought me that hot dog plus a Mrs. Fields' cookie and Gatorade. Overpriced, but should I be surprised?
Gambling is what most airports are missing. SFO could learn a few lessons here (eg. free wifi).
As soon as Yelp gives us a NO STAR option I plan to edit this review to ZERO STARS!
Like everything else in Vegas, McCarran Airport just assumes that "Bigger is Better," without actually making anything better at all, and seemingly with no plan at all, other than to be big, bigger, biggest!
In fact, the size of this behemoth airport, which I hope is getting 1/20th the traffic it predicted thanks to the economic downturn, is absolutely re-fricking-dick-u-less!
I arrived here from Palm Desert with 90 minutes to make a plane change. But getting from the D-Concourse to the C-Concourse, in 90 minutes, was like trying to run a marathon with two broken legs. A Nightmare I tell you!
You're forced to take something like a tram. I was alone in my two trams and I was scared. It was dark and I saw no security whatsoever anywhere. It smelled bad in there. They should have passed out stun guns or something before putting women alone on these things.
Next, because I had the misfortune to change concourses, airport policy meant I had to go through the security line where you take off your shoes and empty out your laptop. Grrrr! For some reason I made the random extra search draw too. JOY! After 35 minutes in a line of about 300 people, I got wanded and questioned, and then was finally allowed to go on my way.
Now I had to take another tram. Again I was alone in a dark stinky tram.
The airport is configured in straight lines that lead to circular hubs. All those damn hubs look alike! I was confused about which of two arms on this hub I should take and so, naturally, I took the wrong one. Since my gate was not all the way at the end, I had to turn around and walk back. I didn't mind the walk, but I was getting short on time. I know that on some level this was my fault, but I'm usually good with directions which means this airport is way too confusing.
I finally arrived at my plane which was just about to close its doors. NO!! YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME IN THIS HORRID PLACE!!!
I never slacked off, sat down, got a coffee (now you know I'm suffering without my DAMN COFFEE!) or rested for 85 minutes of my 90 minute plane change, and I still came perilously close to missing my flight. That's not right.
I guess because travelers are miserable here, the employees are conditioned to be unfriendly. I get grumpy when concessions stands are closed for no reason leaving no choices, and those that are open charge the most outrageous prices for inedible junk.
It all adds up to a really bad last impression, or awful first impression, of Vegas.
Now I fly through Salt Lake City and it's a million, no, make that a billion times better.
McCarran is an interesting experience. The free WIFI is great, but it is weird to sit in an airport surrounded by slot machines. How do these people collect their winnings?
It is conveniently located nearby the Vegas strip so getting to and from hotels is easy. Be aware though that on the big travel days the lines back up something fierce so you may want to allow a little extra time. It's also worth pointing out that getting to and from the rental car facility is awful. Shuttles in that heat are no fun ... no fun at all.
This airport made me laugh. It was my first time in Vegas... I knew they're all about gambling but though it was funny that as soon as you land all you hear is the "tin-tins" of slot machines. That's how you're greeting, even before you go get your bags, you're tempted to gamble.
Even with all those distractions it is very easy to find your way around, plus if you, for any reason are stuck there (delays, cancellations, etc) you know you won't get bored - either play or people watch.
Some really great things that the McCarren airport has that most others don't:
- slot machines & video poker!... so that you can win (or lose) while you wait
- Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
- silly airport security videos
- a fun monorail
But...
- you'll probably be hung-over
- you'll either want to leave Vegas faster or not at all
- your flight will likely be delayed
I have flown in and out of McCarran numerous times for various Vegas trips. It's a decent airport - security lines are fast and the Skycap outside makes checking in your bags much easier. This is one of the busiest airports especially on Sunday mornings when everyone is trying to get back from a weekend in Vegas.
I was a little peeved today since our flight was slightly delayed, but I got home safe so that's awesome. One plus of the airport, it has The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf coffee shop. For a NorCal girl, this is the best thing ever.
So, expect long lines, maybe delays, fast security lines at McCarran.
Cheers!
For a city like Vegas - whose livelihood is based entirely on tourism, consumption, and glam - to have such a lackluster airport is pretty ridiculous. McCarran is old, ugly, and hassle-ridden, and fails miserably as the gateway to its city.
The terminal is dark and dated, looking much like that old ghetto mall in your town that everyone used to go to in the 1980s, but is now just a collection of empty storefronts and payday-loan stores. The old and inefficient design of the terminal means it's constantly crowded, from the gate seating to the trams to the restaurants and bars.
And speaking of McCarran's restaurants and bars, they mostly suck too. All airports are known for expensive retail, but most modern airports at least give you a good product for your dollar - lots of restaurant options, sports bars, maybe even a brew pub or wine bar, or a food court with some local flavor - places geared toward helping people relax and kill time while they empty their wallets. By contrast, McCarran gives you a few uninviting bars, some crappy fast food, and a couple very overcrowded restaurants - but don't worry, they've still managed to preserve the high prices you're accustomed to.
McCarran should have an inherent advantage because of its closeness to central Vegas, but this benefit is pretty much canceled out by poor logistics that make it a hassle to get in and out easily. When arriving, baggage claim is notoriously long. If you're picking up a rental car, get ready for a nice long bus trip to the rental-car mall, which is strategically located in the middle of nowhere (granted, having a centralized rental facility is a good idea, but not when it's this far offsite).
Then when you're bringing your car back, please enjoy the lack of signs directing you to the rental-car facility, which means you have to drive through the entire airport loop (past your terminal where you're eventually going) in order to see the first sign, which then directs you back out on the highway to the rental-car place several miles away. Now experience deja vu as you take the bus back into the airport loop, where there's only one dropoff spot per terminal... so if you're flying Southwest (like most Vegas patrons) you'll get deposited with your bags on the exact opposite end of the terminal from the check-in counter.
Also, most of the staff seem to have a permanent case of the Mondays.
Vegas is in desperate need of a new airport - one that's shiny and nice and much more efficient, an appropriate facility for the city it represents. It's too bad that the city couldn't get its shit together during its last 20 years as a boomtown and make this necessary capital investment. Now that the economy is tanking, and the housing crisis is hitting Vegas especially hard, it might be a long time before they have the cash for a significant upgrade.
Free WiFi: Excellent
Restaurant Choices: Poor
Employees: Troubled
Security: Very Smooth although it looks scary as you enter the line
Very easy to get in and out of this airport, I like the funny person on the loud speaker, made me laugh!
I wish they had a Red Carpet Club!
flew into and out of McCarran last week. no hassles or problems whatsoever.
shuttle service to our hotel was handled quickly (TI doesn't have its own, but there are small buses that will do it for a small fee).
well, aside a slight security issue when a corkscrew/bottle-opener/knife inexplicably turned up in my friend's luggage, but that's a story for another time. we're still trying to piece together the previous night...
God damn! I never seen so many TSA people strapped with latex gloves and bitchie looking Homeland Security people checking everyone's boarding passes and ID's. I guess they just keep getting stricter and stricter at the airports.
Damn them for getting me to lose $30 on the slot machines over here while waiting for our flight back to San Jose too.
I bet if they had tables here, a shitload of people would be missing their flights and it'd be impossible to get a stand-by flight if you're late to your terminal check-in.
Las Vegas airport has one great thing--free Wi-Fi. It is quite the plus since so few airports offer free Wi-Fi. I've had layovers in Vegas. I've also flown into Vegas from Los Angeles (which is always a weird trip, you go up and you go down, you half expect to leave the plane and realize you are still at LAX). Ground transportation is pretty easy to get to, and the Strip is very close (which is a plus).
Las Vegas has a few negatives though. Not enough places to eat if you have a wait (there's always Ruby's though if you want a burger and a shake). Plus, with so many conventions going on in Las Vegas, the security gate can be unpredictable, and you can have very long lines, which may require you to leave for the airport earlier than you would like.
But the biggest negative--the slot machines. If you have time to kill before a flight, it is hard not to try your luck on these things. But no one ever wins at the airport. They know you only have 10 minutes or so before your flight boards, so they don't even bother teasing you with even a little payout.
So eat before you get there, avoid the slot machines, pull out your laptop to enjoy the free Wi-Fi, and you will be fine.
Celebrity sighting: Kevin Sorbo.
I've flown in and out of McCarran a few times since my Aunt moved here a few years ago. The positives are that they have free wi-fi and its right next by to the strip.
Here are the problems. The employees who work here are rough around the edges. They act like that with you when you try to ask them things. There are masses of people at this airport. They need to do an expansion. The people who fly out probably just had a good fun weekend, but a lot of them seem like they're still at the club and are essentially behaving like (or are) douche bags.
There are slot machines here so you can get your last fix in before you leave, but why play when you already lost enough in the past 48 hours. I don't know what baggage claim is like because I only take carry-on for Vegas weekends. The best part for me is that it's a short flight to and from John Wayne.
Dear LAS,
I've been debating for some time whether or not I should select you as a layover for my next trip to Western New York. You see, last time we hung out, you behaved rather poorly. Although you said it wasn't your fault, and then offered some half-assed apologies, I have yet to fully forgive you.
I think you're an OK airport. I appreciate the free wifi, the kitchy slot machines (excessive but fun) and ample power outlets should I want to take out my laptop or blow dry my hair. You are quite large (which in many cases is a good thing) and still you manage to be fairly well organized. Yet, you offer few dining decent dining options ($15 for a slice of pizza and a soda -- really?!) and a lot of the people working onsite should perhaps consider mood elevators.
However, our last time together, you left me stranded for 4 hours (four hours!!!) to hang out with ...the former president. You picked GW over me?! I know that you said his visit was unexpected/unplanned and that it was *all* business, but still -- the pain is just too fresh. Maybe we can eventually be friends. Maybe.
For now, I'm going to stick with PHX. I hope you understand.
Kisses,
Kari S.
This airport is huge in comparison to Logan Airport in Boston. It has alot of shops and alot of employees.
So why two stars? The shit TSA employees. We arrived 70 minutes early and still almost missed boarding our plane because of this obnoxious TSA employee. The bitch complained about me taking two tubs instead of one. WELL EXCUSE ME BITCH! IT'S A MISTAKE! HEAVEN FORBID!
Prepare for "Hurry up and wait."
Never before has an airport so accurately reflected its city. As soon as you get off the plane, you're hit by slot machines letting you know that they don't care how discounted your airfare was. They're ready to take whatever money you got right now.
This place also gets an extra star for having the best security check in videos I've ever seen, as you watch Carrot Top, Trekkies, Impersonators and magicians try to clear airport security. They may not be particularly informative, but they're a lot better than the dry boring crap you have to take in everywhere else.
McCarran has a sense of fun and irreverence that mirrors Las Vegas' vibe. I never thought that I'd be saying anything like this about an airport, but here we are...
Slot machines at the terminals....*wheel.of.fortune!*
Lack of good food options....
but hella roomy bathroom stalls (roomier than the Minneapolis airport's), so I can bring in my luggage... and still have about 3 feet of room between my legs and the toilet bowl.
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