Lyft Operating at McCarran International Airport
Yesterday afternoon Lyft finally got the clearance to operate at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. They have been operating within Las Vegas for just over a month, but it took time for the airport to build the infrastructure and for the county to create regulations. That is done and Lyft is now open for business. I am sure Uber will follow shortly.
Uber & Lyft will both operate under strict rules while at the airport. There will be a surcharge added to your bill and they can only pickup passengers in specific areas. I was able to obtain some helpful information regarding these rules & thought I would create a little guide to help on your next arrival.
Where Uber & Lyft Can Pick You Up
If you call a Lyft (or Uber when they begin) then you will need to meet the driver at one of these two specific areas depending on the terminal you arrive in. I am sure this can be quite simple or very complicated depending on how busy the airport is and how many passengers are trying to find their driver. “Ride share” signs are apparently being installed to direct passengers to these pickup areas. I didn’t see any installed yet, but this should get easier as time goes on.
Quick local tip: If you don’t have baggage and arrive in the Terminal 1 “D” gates, you can take the red line to Terminal 3 which is a lot less crowded.
Terminal 1 Pickup Area: Level 2M of the Public Parking Garage
Terminal 3 Pickup Area: Valet level of the parking garage. (2nd story.)
Rules for Pickups & Drop Offs
The airport has put in place a number of strict rules for pickups and drop offs. Among them are:
- Passengers cannot be picked up at Arrivals.
- Drivers cannot wait in an area outside of the staging lot for you if you are delayed.
- Passengers can be dropped off at the departures area for their airline.
- Drivers must be in the staging lot to get a request for a ride. This means that they should always be able to meet you within 4-5 minutes, making this a very convenient option.
- Drivers cannot solicit passengers or pickup people outside of the ridesharing app.
- Drivers cannot accept cash from passengers.
My Pickup Experience
I arrived at McCarran at about 8pm last night on American Airlines. Like I mentioned above, I took the red line from the “D” gates to Terminal 3, which was almost abandoned at this time of night. Once I cleared baggage claim I popped open the Lyft app and requested a ride. The driver quickly called me and explained that I needed to go to the valet level.
Neither he nor I knew exactly where that was (this was his very first airport pickup), but I found the area at the same time he pulled up! We talked a bit as he drove me to the Hyatt Place to pickup my car. My key takeaways from the conversation were that about 75% of drivers are working for both Uber & Lyft and that there are a TON of drivers on the streets in Vegas now.
Costs
When you compare the cost of Uber & Lyft with what taxis charge, you quickly see they aren’t much cheaper at all. In the example of my ride, the Lyft cost $13.34. Using the information below, I believe a taxi would have been about $13.50. Let’s compare the various charges between Vegas taxis and Uber/Lyft.
Base charge
- Uber/Lyft: $2.40
- Taxi $3.30
Cost Per Mile
- Uber/Lyft: $1.85
- Taxi: $2.60
Cost Per Minute
- Uber/Lyft: $.30 (cost even when vehicle is moving.)
- Taxi: $.50 (only when below 8-12 MPH)
Airport Pickup Fee
- Uber/Lyft: $2.45
- Taxi: $1.80
Other Fees
- Taxi: Debit/Credit $3
- Lyft: Trust & Safety $1.55
- Uber: Safe Rides Fee $1.00
Conclusion
Lyft is now operating at McCarran International Airport with Uber soon to follow. While ridesharing will be a more convenient way to get around, it isn’t cheap in Vegas. Prices are very similar to what you will get with a taxi, which means with surges you could be paying a whole lot more! Even so, more competition is a good thing and hopefully this will drive prices down in the end.
If you have never used Uber or Lyft, you can get $20 off your first ride by using someone’s referral. Every user has one and you can find mine here if you are interested.
Do you plan to use Uber/Lyft from the airport on your next Vegas trip? Let me know in the comments!
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Thank you for all the helpful info. My family and I will be using Lyft to get from the airport to our hotel (Westgate) in February. I’ve never used Lyft before so I’m a bit nervous. When should we call? We will not have to get any bags
I order it after riding the tram to give them some time to get to the meet up spot.
need your promo code for uber good info thanks alot
UBERMILESTOMEMORIES is the code. Thanks!
I will be using uber for the first time ever, I’m hoping someone would know the cost to the extendedstay america hotel on S Maryland st near the children’s hospital. From the airport. From the airport.
All very helpful info!
How much is it from LAS airport to planet hollywood casino for 2 people? Rates, fares total price. I have never used UBER, LYFT or TAXI’S in Las Vegas. I have only used the Shuttle service from airport to casino/resorts? Thank you in advance.
Hi Terry. It should be about $10-$15. You can download the ride sharing apps and get a quote in app for the airport to your hotel before you arrive. Just make sure you don’t actually request a ride.
I am looking for a ride from LAS to Kingman, AZ. Is that something an uber driver can do?
I forgot to mention that I am referring to Lyft.
Are you still able to help get free ride? I had already installed the app and launched before seeing this article. I would like to get my first ride free from the airport to my hotel, though…Is it too late?
I’m not sure. Try to use the code to see if it gives you credit.
Such good information, going to Vegas for first time, will need this service. Thank you.
This is a great article but being an Uber/Lyft driver in Las Vegas I will tell you that most drivers are honest and do not try to long haul you. The prices are very reasonable for what you get here in Vegas. I am sorry but the taxi’s here are dirty and lack maintenance. I see several a day that the lights don’t work and they sound like they are ready to fall apart. Customers need to realize that we as drivers maintain and keep our vehicles a lot cleaner and better maintained. I personally think you will have a safer better ride and better experience with Uber/Lyft. Just please remember these are for the most part our personal vehicles and we do pay for fuel , maintenance , license plates and insurance and we also have to have a business license for the state and county. We are our own company so to speak. I would hope that most customers do understand that and know that we are not getting the full fair either. So please make sure to take that into consideration when tipping your drivers. You will find out that Uber/Lyft drivers are far cheaper than a taxi will cost you in Las Vegas.
I plan on using Uber for the first time on Wednesday. Can I get the free ride for me & my wife?
Does anyone know how much an uber ride from the airport to downtown (Freemont st.) is?
Without a surge it should be $15-$20 depending on whether or not you hit traffic.
If there are 3 people in the party is the cost still $15-$20 total
Yes. Uber X is up to 4 people. If you need up to 6, you can get an XL.
Is it easy to get Lyft/Uber on the Strip?
Yeah it is getting easier all of the time but be prepared for surge pricing during peak times. Almost all of the hotels have designated pickup areas now which makes it nice and easy.
Beware, I had a Lyft driver longhaul me from the MGM Grand to the airport today. Used the freeway and added almost six miles to my trip. I spoke up and he gave me the usual traffic excuse. Google maps showed there was no traffic on Tropicana and Paradise at the time. So, looks like some ride share drivers are pulling the same scams as the taxis in Vegas. I reported it to Lyft and they refunded enough of the fare to make the price what it would have been if he went the correct route.
That is the great thing about Lyft/Uber. At least there is accountability and a map. It is easy to prove they “took you for a ride” and to get a refund. With taxis you don’t really have the same opportunity, but I agree it is still frustrating.
Looking to take either lyft or uber which is cheaper from mccarran airport to luxor?
Their prices are basically the same in Vegas right now. Uber will give you a price up front and guarantee it which makes things nicer to understand when surge pricing is in effect, but their per miles and other charges are basically copies of each other.
This is really helpful…thank u for putting this up.. I used Uber pickup from terminal 3 of airport. Just as an update, Uber Lyft drivers do pickups from level V which is vallet parking/ride sharing area. One can take elevator from any level of parking to level V..so please ask/look for that..
One of the greatest things about the rideshare apps is the Ride Review feature. I was actually longhauled from LAS to the Luxor on a Lyft ride a few trips back, and with one press on the button, Lyft reviewed the ride and refunded my fare in under an hour. You cannot get that kind of response with a cab company.
Agreed. In Vegas that makes a huge difference, because the cabs love going the long way. Having GPS keeps them honest or at least gives you recourse.
This is really wonderful going back and reading this article.
Since it was written, Uber has begun picking up at the airport (started December 8).
The biggest change, however, is the price drop.
Going from old price on the left, to the new price on the right:
Base Fare: 2.40 – 1.50
Per Mile: 1.85 – .90
Per Minute: .30 – .15
Booking Fee: 1.50 – 1.70
Airport Pickup fee is still 2.45
So, your airport ride would now cost about $7.57 !!
Wow! That’s fantastic!
Yeah I have covered the price drops in separate articles, but you are right that things have dropped substantially. Good for consumers, but I know the drivers like to complain about it!
we’ll be heading to the vegas next week! If I am already an uber user is the promo code still available?? It wants me to sign up for an account when I click on your link
thanks!!
Unfortunately that promo is only for new customers. I am not aware of any codes that work for existing users.
Good morning Shawn my name is Betty I am going to Vegas on the 5th myself and 4 friends are going for my birthday is it better if we do the shuttle or what first time doing this hope you can help me with this thank you
My problem is finding passenger pickup, at the airport
Sorry for the delayed reply. Hopefully you were able to find it!
I used your referral code, thanks!
Thanks!
You can catch a WAX or CX bus from the airport for $2. Check the routes they go in the vicinity of the some of the hotels. Safe and cheap travel. Minimal stops, not a regular city bus.
will arrive in Las Vegas on July 5 at 1030AM Spirit and way to the hotel Tuscany Suite Hotel (2 blocks from the Paris Hotel)). How much cost for 2 passengers to ride from airport to Tuscany Hotel?
The easy way to see if uber/lyft iis worth the ride compared to a taxi fare is use taxifarefinder in las vegas. The from & to option will break down the fares for the taxi fare. The same applies when you want to calculate the uber/lyft fares. I live 9.3 miles from mccarran airport. Taxi- approximately $41.00, lyft $22.00 (not including the tip).
Took a taxi from the airport to monte carlo. Came to $30 with the tip. I dont see how this is as same as uber. Uber all the way, I think
[…] Related: Ridesharing Is Now Legal at Las Vegas Airport: My Experience, Where to Meet the Drivers & Costs … […]
I’m going to try them tomorrow morning from Ceasars to the airport. It cost us $36 (2 people) from the airport.
Were you able to get them to pick you up on the Strip? I know there are still some issues with that.
Yes you can use the Uber/Lyft app from anywhere in Las Vegas including the strip. However, there are specifically designated areas for ride sharing for pick-up and drop-off at the hotel/casinos which should be clearly indicated on the app. However, these locations may not be where you think they should be (i.e. not at the main entrance). Wait times should be minimal.
Yes I noticed they have updated the apps with dropdowns for pickup areas. I also noticed this weekend where the pickup areas were at places like Aria and Palazzo. Good to see ridesharing fully implemented across the city now.
I am going to Vegas next week. I have a Lyft credit so it will be cheaper than the shuttle service. Especially for more than one person.
FARE DESCRIPTION:
Initial Activation of taximeter: $3.50
Each additional 1/12 mile: $0.24
($2.88 per mile, includes $0.12/mile fuel surcharge)
Waiting time per hour: $32.40
McCarran Airport fee per pick up: $2.00
A 3% tax will be added to the meter total
http://taxi.nv.gov/Rider_Info/Approximate_Minimum_Rates_-_McCarran_Airport_to_Las_Vegas_Strip_Hotels/
I did do my research and took the information directly from taxi company websites. Thanks for sharing this state resource and providing the up to date information.
Does this really say 12 cents per mile fuel surcharge? At what point do the police get called to arrest these thieves? Fuel hasn’t been this low in a decade!! And these these thieving rats wonder why nobody likes them.
I wish I had seen this earlier today. Just this very afternoon I got scammed by a taxi after arriving at LAS. I should have spoken up for myself as I knew it was happening. Argh!
Man, I hope Uber is good by next Thursday… I am coming to Vegas then for Travelcon!
Uber and Lyft charge for every minute of the ride. Taxis only charge for idled minutes.
Thanks. I have corrected the post.
If Uber and Lyft do nothing else but stop LAS taxis from trying to longhaul it’ll be worth it even at price parity.
Absolutely. I agree 100%!
new driver signups get $500 bonus within vegas: http://slickdeals.net/f/7893891-new-lyft-driver-bonus-100-250-300-500-or-750
this should really give the super expensive cab drivers in vegas a run for their money