Landing at LAS: how to get your rental car, step by step

Harry Reid International (LAS) does not keep rental cars at the terminals. Every major rental company works out of one shared building, the LAS Rental Car Center, at 7135 Gilespie Street — about three miles south of the airport. Getting there is free and simple once you know the sequence.

Step one: collect your bags first. Head to baggage claim in Terminal 1 or Terminal 3 and pick up everything before you look for the shuttle. You cannot come back through security, and the rental counters will not hold your place while you wait for a suitcase.

Step two: follow the “Rental Car Shuttle” signs. From baggage claim, the signs lead you outside to a dedicated shuttle stop. In Terminal 1 the stop is just outside baggage claim; in Terminal 3 it is on the lower, ground-transportation level. If you are unsure, ask any airport staff member — it is the most common question they hear.

Step three: ride the blue-and-white shuttle. The shared shuttles run around the clock and usually leave every few minutes. The ride itself takes roughly seven to ten minutes. Keep your bags with you and have your confirmation email ready on your phone.

Step four: find your company’s counter. Inside the Rental Car Center, every company has a clearly signed counter. If you belong to a company’s free loyalty program and added it to your booking, you may be able to skip the counter and go straight to the garage — check your confirmation for instructions.

Step five: check the car before you leave. Walk around it, photograph every side, the wheels, windshield and the fuel or charge level, and confirm the fuel policy on your rental agreement. Then set your navigation before you pull out — the garage exit leads straight onto busy roads.

How long does it take? On a quiet weekday, plan on 30–45 minutes from baggage claim to driving away. On Friday afternoons, holiday weekends and big convention days, allow 60–90 minutes. Counter lines are usually the slowest part, not the shuttle.

Returning the car works in reverse: follow “Rental Car Return” signs to the same Gilespie Street building, drop the car, and take the shuttle back to your terminal. Give yourself at least 30 extra minutes before your flight for the return and shuttle ride.