LAS VEGAS -- Thousands of travelers will pass through McCarran International Airport over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
It's expected more than a half-million passengers will make their way through McCarran over the holiday weekend. Locally, the biggest headache could be parking at the airport.
Much of the traffic at McCarran will be locals heading out of town. McCarran International Airport is expected to be one of the busiest airports in the country. If you are checking bags, you are advised to arrive two hours before your flight.
Airport officials recommend you give yourself extra time to find parking. For 24-hour parking information, you can call the parking hotline at 261-5122.
Airport parking capacity is up this year, and so are the prices. Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 parking garages offer Long-Term parking at a rate of up to $14 per day, as well as Valet parking for up to $21 per day.
Additionally, McCarran offers economy parking at a rate of $10 per day. That's a $2 per day jump from just weeks ago.
The Economy Lot serving Terminal 1 is located on Kitty Hawk Way, just south of Tropicana Avenue and west of Paradise Road. Shuttles run continuously between this Economy Lot and Terminal 1, and drivers using this lot should set aside at least 30 additional minutes to move to or from the airport. This shuttle will not deliver passengers to Terminal 3.
Economy rate parking for Terminal 3 is available in the surface lot located just east of the Terminal 3 parking garage and within walking distance of the Level 1 pedestrian bridge leading into the terminal. When approaching the Terminal 3 parking garage, drivers should follow the posted directional signs to surface parking in order to get the economy rate.
There are some things travelers can do to make the process easier.
- Understand what the TSA allows and doesn't allow in carry-on baggage.
- Pack light - if you just bring a carry-on, you can easily change flights.
- SpeedCheck your bags from participating locations.
- Find out in advance how your airline will handle if you are stuck somewhere due to weather issues.
- Always check the status of your flight before heading to the airport. You can call 261-4636.
- Review airlines and particular flights to know their on-time history.
- Try to book flights through hubs where weather won't be a problem.
- Keep an inventory of what is in you baggage in case it gets lost.
- Keep valuables in your carry-on.
- Book flights will as few connections as possible.
- You can always file an airline complaint.
Shuttle service will be provided to the terminal from the overflow parking lots. Passengers should allow an extra 30 minutes for the shuttle service.
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days at McCarran International Airport.
