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How early should I get to LAS?

Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, NV · Checked Oct 14, 2026

The short answer

Arrive at least 2 hours before your scheduled departure; allow extra time on weekends, holidays and during major conventions

Arrive at least 3 hours before your scheduled departure

Those are blanket rules. Your real number depends on your terminal, the time of day, traffic from your door, and whether you have PreCheck or a bag. Leave By works out your exact leave time.

Source: harryreidairport.com

Security lines at LAS

LAS shows estimated current and hourly expected checkpoint waits on its Security Wait Times page (added April 2026). It warns these change minute to minute and should not be used to plan a later arrival.

Nationally, TSA checkpoints are busiest from 5 to 7 AM local time. See TSA's hourly numbers and the busiest days to fly.

TSA PreCheck: LAS's site does not list PreCheck lanes by checkpoint. The Terminal 3 Innovation Checkpoint (Level Zero, about 5 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) is PreCheck-only, with self-service screening. Since Sept 2026, PreCheck members can reserve Gateside passes 1-3 days ahead on TSA.gov to go airside without a ticket.

CLEAR: Available at this airport (see terminals below for which checkpoints).

Touchless ID: LAS is on an April 2026 list of 65 airports with TSA PreCheck Touchless ID; participating airlines there were not specified. Opt in with your airline.

Terminals and checkpoints

Terminal 1 (A, B, C and D gates)

Southwest, American, Delta, Allegiant, Sun Country

A/B Gates checkpointCLEAR3:15 a.m.-1 a.m. per LAS security page (another LAS page says 3:30 a.m.-1 a.m.). CLEAR lane 4 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun/Mon/Thu/Fri and 4 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Tue/Wed/Sat.
C Gates (Southwest) / C Annex checkpointCLEAR3:05 a.m.-10 p.m. per LAS security page (another LAS page says closing 9:30 p.m.). CLEAR 4 a.m.-8 p.m.
C/D Gates checkpointCLEAROpen 24 hours. CLEAR 4 a.m.-10 p.m.
  • Terminal 1 has ticketing, check-in and baggage claim for airlines using A, B, C and D gates
  • D gates are a satellite concourse reached by automated tram
  • Rideshare pickup is on Level 2 of the Terminal 1 parking garage
  • The RTC public bus stop (Routes 108 and Red Line) is at Terminal 1, Level Zero

Terminal 3 (D and E gates)

United, Alaska, JetBlue, Frontier, Hawaiian, Breeze, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air, Air Canada, WestJet, Aeromexico, Volaris, Condor, Edelweiss

Terminal 3 Level 2 checkpoint (D and E gates)CLEAR3:30 a.m.-1:30 a.m. CLEAR 4 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun/Mon/Thu/Fri and 4 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Tue/Wed/Sat.
Innovation Checkpoint (Terminal 3, Level Zero)PreCheckCLEARTSA PreCheck travelers only; self-service screening pilot. 5 a.m.-1:30 p.m. per LAS security page and Aug 2026 reporting (another LAS page says 6 a.m.-2 p.m.).
  • Home to all international airlines and some domestic carriers, and has its own ticketing, check-in, baggage claim and Customs
  • An automated tram connects Terminal 3 to the D gates
  • Rideshare pickup is on the Valet Level of the Terminal 3 parking garage

Between terminals: Airside, trams connect Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 to the D gates, and LAS says Terminal 3 security can be used for Terminal 1 flights. Landside, a free inter-terminal shuttle runs about every 20-30 minutes from Level Zero at each terminal.

Terminals are connected after security, so you can walk between them without re-screening.

Getting to LAS

Rideshare and taxi: Uber and Lyft drop off at the regular Departures curbs of Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Pickups are in the garages: Level 2 at Terminal 1 and Valet Level at Terminal 3.

Transit: RTC Route 108 (Paradise) and the Red Line (formerly Route 109, Maryland Parkway) stop at Terminal 1, Level Zero. Terminal 3 travelers take the inter-terminal shuttle. LAS does not publish typical travel times to the Strip.

Driving and parking: Both terminals have garages; there are 17,000+ public spaces including Economy and a Remote Lot with free shuttles. New parking rates took effect July 1, 2026. Discounted Terminal 3 Long Term parking ($16, Sat-Wed) requires a reservation. Expect lane reductions in the Airport Connector Tunnels through December 2026.

Construction and changes in 2026

  • Airport Connector Tunnel pavement project: since Aug 10, 2026, northbound and southbound tunnels are down to two lanes from 5 a.m. to midnight, and to one lane from midnight to 5 a.m. Sunday-Friday. Expected to finish by end of December 2026; LAS advises extra travel time.
  • Separate Clark County Public Works I-215/Airport Connector Interchange project and NDOT Sunset Road paving project are also under way, per LAS
  • Parking rates changed July 1, 2026

Checking a bag

Delta at LAS: check-in at least 45 min before departure with or without bags, 1 hour for international-bound flights, at the gate 15 min before. Southwest: bags 45 min, check-in 30 min (domestic). Alaska: check-in and bag drop typically close 40 min before departure.

LAS tips first-timers miss

  • Parked at Terminal 3 but flying from Terminal 1 with no bags? LAS suggests using the Terminal 3 checkpoint and taking the tram, since it connects to the D gates and Terminal 1.
  • The C/D Gates checkpoint in Terminal 1 is open 24 hours, while the other checkpoints close overnight
  • PreCheck members flying from Terminal 3 in the morning can use the self-service Innovation Checkpoint on Level Zero, open about 5 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
  • Remote Lot and Economy parking are cheaper; discounted Terminal 3 Long Term ($16) is reservation-only and Saturday-Wednesday only
  • The Airport Connector Tunnels have reduced lanes through December 2026, so allow extra driving time
  • LAS warns that weekends, holidays and big conventions can call for more than the standard 2 hours

Leaving for LAS?

Pick your flight and where you're starting. Leave By checks live traffic, security lines and your terminal, and tells you the minute to walk out the door.

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Questions travelers ask

How early should I get to the Las Vegas airport?

Harry Reid International recommends at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights. Add extra time on weekends, holidays or during major conventions.

Which terminal is my airline in at LAS?

Southwest, American, Delta, Allegiant and Sun Country use Terminal 1. United, Alaska, JetBlue, Frontier, Hawaiian and all international airlines use Terminal 3. A free courtesy shuttle connects the terminals landside about every 20-30 minutes, so go to the right terminal if you are checking bags.

Is any security checkpoint at LAS open 24 hours?

Yes. The Terminal 1 C/D Gates checkpoint is open 24 hours. The A/B, C Annex and Terminal 3 checkpoints open between about 3 and 3:30 a.m. and close in the late evening or after midnight.

Sources

Airport conditions change. Always follow your airline's check-in and bag-drop deadlines.

Other airport guides

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