Does Las Vegas Monorail Go to Airport? | What To Do Instead

No, the Las Vegas Monorail does not go to Harry Reid International Airport; use taxi, rideshare, bus, or shuttle instead.

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Landing at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) puts you close to the Las Vegas Strip, but the Monorail is not the airport train people hope it is. The rail line runs behind the east side of the Strip, with its south end at MGM Grand and its north end at SAHARA Las Vegas.

The practical answer is simple: take a taxi, rideshare, airport shuttle, public bus, or private transfer from LAS to your hotel. After that, the Las Vegas Monorail can be useful for Strip trips between MGM Grand, Horseshoe/Paris, Flamingo/Caesars Palace, Harrah’s/The LINQ, the Las Vegas Convention Center, Westgate, and SAHARA.

No Airport Station Exists On The Monorail

The Las Vegas Monorail has no station at Harry Reid International Airport, so you cannot ride one train from baggage claim to a Strip resort. The official line runs 3.9 miles between MGM Grand and SAHARA Las Vegas.

The station list matters because MGM Grand is close to the airport by road, but close is not the same as connected. A traveler arriving with bags would still need a car, bus, or shuttle to reach MGM Grand before boarding the train, which usually defeats the purpose of using rail from the airport.

Use the Monorail after you are already on the Strip. It is especially handy for convention trips, casino-to-casino movement on the east side of Las Vegas Boulevard, and nights when Strip traffic is crawling.

If you want a direct airport-to-hotel transfer rather than stitching the trip together yourself, compare the airport transfer choices here:

How Close Is The Monorail To Harry Reid Airport?

Harry Reid International Airport sits near the south end of the Strip, but the closest Monorail stop is MGM Grand, not an airport terminal. A taxi or rideshare from LAS to MGM Grand can be a short ride in light traffic, then the Monorail can carry you north.

The transfer only makes sense in narrow cases. A solo traveler staying near a Monorail station north of MGM Grand may save time during a major event or heavy traffic period. A family with suitcases will usually be better off going straight to the hotel by taxi, rideshare, or shuttle.

The Monorail’s biggest airport-adjacent use is for departure day. If your hotel is near a station, you can ride to MGM Grand, then take a taxi or rideshare from there to LAS. Build in extra time for walking through the resort and finding the pickup point.

Las Vegas Monorail Airport Options: Every Route Compared

The easiest airport route for most visitors is a direct car ride to the hotel, while the cheapest route is usually RTC public bus service if the route fits your stop. The Monorail is a Strip transit tool, not an airport transfer.

The official Las Vegas Monorail map lists the stations from MGM Grand to SAHARA Las Vegas, with no Harry Reid International Airport stop.

Airport Option Typical Time Rough Cost
Direct Las Vegas Monorail from LAS Not available No airport fare exists because there is no airport station
Taxi to a Strip resort About 10-25 minutes in normal traffic $21, $25, or $29 base airport zone fare to listed Strip resorts
Rideshare to a Strip resort About 10-30 minutes after pickup wait Variable app fare; surge pricing can change the total
RTC public bus About 30-60+ minutes, route dependent $2 residential fare or $4 Strip and All Access fare, depending on route
Shared airport shuttle About 20-60+ minutes Per-person fare; slower when there are multiple hotel drops
Private transfer or limo About 10-30 minutes Fixed quote; usually better for groups or lots of bags
Rental car About 10-30 minutes to a Strip hotel Rental rate plus hotel parking and any resort parking charges
Taxi or rideshare to MGM Grand, then Monorail About 15-35 minutes before train time Car fare plus $5.50 online or $6 station Monorail one-ride fare

When The Monorail Still Makes Sense

The Las Vegas Monorail makes sense after check-in if your hotel, show, restaurant, or convention stop sits near one of its seven stations. The train avoids Strip traffic and runs frequently during operating hours.

Use the Monorail for these Las Vegas movements:

  • From MGM Grand to Horseshoe/Paris, Flamingo/Caesars Palace, Harrah’s/The LINQ, or the Las Vegas Convention Center.
  • From a convention hotel near Westgate or SAHARA to center-Strip stops.
  • For a night out when parking, taxi lines, and traffic make short car trips annoying.

Bag check: The Monorail stations are inside or behind resorts, so a short map distance can still mean a long indoor walk with luggage.

Where To Stay If You Want Easy Monorail Access

Las Vegas hotels near MGM Grand, Horseshoe, Paris, Flamingo, The LINQ, Harrah’s, Westgate, SAHARA, and the Convention Center give you the easiest Monorail access. Staying on the west side of the Strip can mean a longer walk across Las Vegas Boulevard before you reach a station.

For airport convenience plus Monorail access, the south and center Strip are the most practical zones. MGM Grand is the southern Monorail anchor, while Horseshoe/Paris and Flamingo/Caesars Palace place you near center-Strip stations.

Compare Las Vegas hotel locations on a map before you choose a room, because two resorts that look close on a map can feel far apart once casino floors, pedestrian bridges, and summer heat get involved:

Should You Use The Monorail After Landing?

The Las Vegas Monorail is usually not the right first ride after landing unless your plan already includes a car or bus transfer to MGM Grand. Direct airport transport is cleaner for most visitors, especially with checked bags.

Choose by what matters most on arrival:

Your Situation Use This Avoid This
First Las Vegas trip with luggage Taxi or rideshare straight to the hotel Monorail transfer through MGM Grand
Lowest cash cost RTC bus if the stop works for your hotel Private transfer
Convention near the Las Vegas Convention Center Direct ride to hotel, then Monorail during the stay Dragging bags through multiple stations
Group of three or four Taxi, rideshare, or private transfer Per-person shuttle if prices add up
Late-night arrival Taxi or rideshare from the terminal Bus plans without checking the live schedule
Day trips outside Las Vegas Rental car after comparing parking costs Keeping a car only for Strip casino hopping

The Right Airport-To-Strip Choice

The right airport-to-Strip choice is a direct taxi or rideshare for most travelers, an RTC bus for budget travelers, and a shuttle or private transfer for people who want a prearranged pickup. The Las Vegas Monorail belongs later in the trip, once you are already near a station.

Use this simple verdict:

  • Fastest simple arrival: taxi or rideshare from Harry Reid International Airport to your hotel.
  • Cheapest arrival: RTC bus, if your hotel is near a useful stop and you are not carrying too much luggage.
  • Best Monorail use: Strip travel after check-in, especially between MGM Grand, center Strip, the Convention Center, Westgate, and SAHARA.
  • Skip the Monorail from LAS: when you have bags, kids, mobility needs, or a hotel far from a station.

Harry Reid International Airport is close to the Strip, but Las Vegas still does not have a direct Monorail airport stop. Treat the Monorail as a smart Strip tool, not your airport transfer.

References & Sources