What is the cheapest way from Las Vegas airport to the Strip?

The RTC public bus — Route 108 (Paradise) or the CX Centennial Express — for a flat $2 one-way, reaching the Strip or downtown Bonneville Transit Center in about 35–40 minutes. The CX stops dead-center on the Strip at Flamingo & Las Vegas Blvd.

Where do I catch the RTC bus at Harry Reid Airport?

On Zero Level, Terminal 1 (Ground Transportation) for Routes 108 and 109; the CX Centennial Express also stops at Terminal 3. Buy at the ticket vending machine, the rideRTC app, or with exact cash on board.

How do I avoid the Las Vegas taxi scam?

Don't let the driver take the airport tunnel onto I-215 — that 'long-haul' doubles the distance and can push a ~$20 Strip fare past $40. Insist on Swenson or Paradise surface streets, or just take the $2 bus.

Does the airport bus run all night?

Route 108 (Paradise) runs 24 hours a day, every 20–30 minutes, so there's a bus even on a red-eye arrival. The CX Centennial Express runs only about once an hour during the day.

Can I pay cash on the RTC bus?

Yes, with exact change (no change given), or use the rideRTC app or a ticket vending machine. A single ride is $2, a 2-hour pass $3, and a 24-hour pass $5.

What is the best way from LAS to downtown Las Vegas?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the flat $2 RTC bus — Route 108 (Paradise) or the CX Centennial Express — reaching the city center in about 35–40 minutes, whether you're headed to the Strip or the downtown Bonneville Transit Center.

How much is a taxi from Harry Reid International Airport to the city?

A metered taxi to the Strip is around $20 — but the airport-tunnel 'long-haul' scam can push it past $40, and Uber/Lyft surge at peak arrival times. The RTC bus is a flat $2.

How to get from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) to downtown Las Vegas — the cheapest way

The cheapest way from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) to central Las Vegas is the RTC public bus — Route 108 (Paradise) or the Centennial Express (CX) — a flat $2 one-way, reaching the Strip or the downtown Bonneville Transit Center in about 35–40 minutes. Buy the $2 fare on the rideRTC app or the ticket vending machine at the Zero Level bus stop outside Terminal 1, or pay exact cash on board. Skip the taxi rank: drivers routinely 'long-haul' newcomers through the airport tunnel onto I-215, turning a ~$20 Strip fare into $40+, and rideshare prices surge at peak arrivals.

How to find it

AIRPORTHarry Reid International Airport (Las Vegas)
01After baggage claim in Terminal 1, take the escalator or elevator down to Zero Level (Ground Transportation) and follow the 'Public Bus / RTC' signs to the bus stop outside. Routes 108 and 109 board only at Terminal 1 — if you land at Terminal 3, take the free inter-terminal shuttle to Terminal 1 first (or use the CX, which stops at both).
02Buy a $2 single ride on the rideRTC app or the ticket vending machine at the stop, or have exact cash ready for the driver. A $3 2-hour pass or $5 24-hour pass is worth it if you plan to transfer.
03Board Route 108 (Paradise) heading north toward the Bonneville Transit Center. It runs 24 hours a day, roughly every 20–30 minutes, so there is a bus even on a late-night arrival.
04Ride about 35–40 minutes up Paradise Road, one block east of the Strip past the Flamingo and Tropicana area, to the Bonneville Transit Center (BTC) in downtown Las Vegas. For Strip resorts, get off along Paradise and walk west a few blocks, or transfer to the Deuce; for Fremont Street, stay to the BTC.
CITY CENTRELas Vegas

Ticket

RTC single-ride fare, residential route (Route 108 Paradise)

Where to buy: On the rideRTC app, at the RTC ticket vending machine (TVM) at the Zero Level bus stop outside Terminal 1, or with exact cash from the driver on board.

How to pay: The rideRTC app and the vending machines take cards; the driver takes exact cash only (no change given). Activate the app ticket before boarding and show the screen or tap the QR.

Local's trick: Buy the $2 fare on the rideRTC app before you reach the stop so you skip the machine queue. Route 108 runs 24/7 and every 20–30 minutes, unlike the CX which comes only about once an hour — and the CX drops you dead-center on the Strip at Flamingo & Las Vegas Blvd for the same $2 if that's where you're headed.

Trap to avoid: Avoid the taxi 'long-haul' scam: drivers take newcomers through the airport tunnel onto I-215, doubling a 3-mile trip to 7–8 miles and pushing a ~$20 Strip fare over $40 — insist on Swenson or Paradise surface streets. Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) picks up only from the garage and surges at peak arrival times, and unauthorized 'fake' drivers work the curb; a bus is $2 flat.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
BusCheapest route	$2.00	40 min	RTC single-ride fare, residential route (Route 108 Paradise)
Bus	$2.00	35 min	RTC single-ride fare, residential route (CX Centennial Express)

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Las Vegas airport to the Strip?: The RTC public bus — Route 108 (Paradise) or the CX Centennial Express — for a flat $2 one-way, reaching the Strip or downtown Bonneville Transit Center in about 35–40 minutes. The CX stops dead-center on the Strip at Flamingo & Las Vegas Blvd.
Where do I catch the RTC bus at Harry Reid Airport?: On Zero Level, Terminal 1 (Ground Transportation) for Routes 108 and 109; the CX Centennial Express also stops at Terminal 3. Buy at the ticket vending machine, the rideRTC app, or with exact cash on board.
How do I avoid the Las Vegas taxi scam?: Don't let the driver take the airport tunnel onto I-215 — that 'long-haul' doubles the distance and can push a ~$20 Strip fare past $40. Insist on Swenson or Paradise surface streets, or just take the $2 bus.
Does the airport bus run all night?: Route 108 (Paradise) runs 24 hours a day, every 20–30 minutes, so there's a bus even on a red-eye arrival. The CX Centennial Express runs only about once an hour during the day.
Can I pay cash on the RTC bus?: Yes, with exact change (no change given), or use the rideRTC app or a ticket vending machine. A single ride is $2, a 2-hour pass $3, and a 24-hour pass $5.
What is the best way from LAS to downtown Las Vegas?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the flat $2 RTC bus — Route 108 (Paradise) or the CX Centennial Express — reaching the city center in about 35–40 minutes, whether you're headed to the Strip or the downtown Bonneville Transit Center.
How much is a taxi from Harry Reid International Airport to the city?: A metered taxi to the Strip is around $20 — but the airport-tunnel 'long-haul' scam can push it past $40, and Uber/Lyft surge at peak arrival times. The RTC bus is a flat $2.

Last verified: Jul 1, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.