What to expect when you rent at Harry Reid International
Las Vegas airport car rental happens at Harry Reid International Airport (formerly McCarran), located about 5 miles south of the Strip. All the major rental companies operate there: Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, and others. You pick up your car in the rental facility, drive it during your stay, and return it before your flight home.
The rental counter is in the baggage claim area on the ground level. After you collect your luggage, follow signs for "Car Rental" — it's a short walk. The whole process from counter to driving off usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how busy the airport is and whether you've already reserved a car.
Prices vary widely by season, day of the week, and how far ahead you book. Summer and weekends cost more than winter weekdays. A compact car might run $25 to $40 per day in the off-season, but $60 to $100 or more during peak times. Booking online before you arrive is almost always cheaper than walking up to the counter.
Key Takeaways
- All major rental companies operate from Harry Reid International Airport's ground-level rental facility, a short walk from baggage claim.
- Booking online before your trip costs significantly less than renting at the counter, and you can compare prices across companies in minutes.
- Nevada requires a valid driver's license and a credit card in your name; an international driver's permit is useful if your license is not in English.
- Airport rentals include a 12% airport concession fee on top of the daily rate, plus Nevada sales tax of 8.375% — factor these into your budget.
- Return your car with a full tank of gas to avoid steep refueling charges, and inspect it for damage before you drive off the lot.
What documents and information you need
Bring your valid driver's license — a U.S. state license, Canadian license, or international license all work. If your license is not in English, bring an International Driving Permit (IDP) as well; you can get one from your country's automobile association before you travel. The rental company will check that your license is current and that you have not had it suspended.
You will need a credit card in your name to hold the reservation and cover the rental cost. Debit cards are rarely accepted, and prepaid cards usually do not work. The card does not have to match the name on your driver's license, but it must be in your name — a spouse's or friend's card will not work.
Have your reservation confirmation number ready if you booked online. If you did not book ahead, the counter staff will ask your name, dates, and what type of car you want. They will also ask about insurance — see the insurance section below before you arrive, so you know what you want to say.
Airport fees and taxes that add to your bill
The rental rate you see online does not include everything you will pay. Nevada adds an 8.375% sales tax to the daily rate. On top of that, Harry Reid Airport charges a 12% airport concession fee — this is a tax the airport collects from rental companies, and they pass it to you. A $50-per-day car ends up costing roughly $56 per day after tax and airport fees.
Some rental companies also charge a vehicle license recovery fee (usually $3 to $5 per day) and a facility charge ($2 to $4 per day). These vary by company and are often listed in small print during checkout. Read the final quote before you hand over your card.
If you return the car with less than a full tank of gas, the company will refuel it and charge you for the gas at a markup — often $6 to $8 per gallon, which is two to three times the pump price. Return with a full tank to avoid this charge entirely.
Insurance options and what your credit card may cover
The rental company will offer you Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) — these cover damage to the rental car if you are in an accident. The cost is usually $15 to $30 per day. Before you buy it, check whether your own auto insurance or credit card already covers rental cars.
Many credit cards include rental car coverage if you charge the full rental to that card. American Express, Visa Signature, and Mastercard World Elite often include this benefit. Call your credit card company before your trip and ask: "Does this card cover collision damage on rental cars?" If it does, you can decline the rental company's CDW and save money. If it does not, buy the CDW from the rental company.
The rental company will also offer Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI) and Personal Effects Coverage. SLI covers damage you cause to other people's property; your own auto insurance usually covers this already. Personal Effects Coverage is rarely worth the cost. Stick with CDW or rely on your credit card, and skip the rest.
Picking up your car and inspecting it before you leave
At the counter, you will sign a rental agreement that lists the car's condition, mileage, and fuel level. Read this document carefully — it shows whether the car has existing damage. If you see a dent, scratch, or stain that is not listed, point it out to the staff and ask them to note it. Take photos of the car's exterior and interior with your phone before you drive off the lot.
The staff will give you the keys and show you where the car is parked. Before you leave the lot, check that the fuel gauge reads full (or whatever level was noted in the agreement), test the lights and wipers, and make sure the air conditioning works. If anything is wrong, go back to the counter when ready — it is much easier to report a problem before you leave than after.
Keep your rental agreement and keys safe. You will need the agreement when you return the car, and losing the keys will cost you $200 to $500.
Returning the car and avoiding extra charges
Plan to return your car at least 2 hours before your flight. The rental facility is only 5 miles from the airport, but traffic on the way back can be heavy, especially during peak travel times. If you return the car late, you will be charged for an extra day — even if you are only 30 minutes over.
Return the car with a full tank of gas. There is a gas station about 1 mile from the airport rental facility; use that one rather than a station farther away, so you have time to spare. Fill the tank completely, get a receipt, and keep it until you have returned the car and checked out.
At the return counter, the staff will inspect the car for damage, check the mileage and fuel level against your rental agreement, and process your final bill. If there is damage you did not report at pickup, you will be charged for it. If the fuel level is not full, you will be charged for a refill at the company's rate. Once you have signed off, keep your receipt — it shows what you paid and protects you if the company tries to charge you later for damage you did not cause.
Booking online versus renting at the counter
Booking online before your trip is almost always cheaper than walking up to the rental counter. Online rates are typically 30 to 50 percent lower because rental companies use discounts to fill their inventory in advance. You can compare prices across Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, and others in minutes on sites like Kayak, Autoslash, or directly on each company's website.
When you book online, you lock in the rate and the car type (compact, midsize, SUV, and so on). You still have to pay at pickup, but the price will not change. If you rent at the counter without a reservation, the company can charge you whatever the current rate is — which may be much higher if the airport is busy.
Book at least a few days ahead if you can. Prices often drop as your travel date gets closer, but they can also spike if the airport becomes busy. Set a price alert on Autoslash or Kayak, and rebook if the price falls — you can usually cancel a reservation for free up to 24 hours before pickup.
Getting around Las Vegas without a rental car
If you are staying on the Strip, you may not need a car at all. The Strip is walkable, and the monorail connects major casinos. Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft operate throughout Las Vegas and are often cheaper than parking and gas. A ride from the airport to the Strip costs $15 to $25, depending on traffic and surge pricing.
If you want to explore beyond the Strip — Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Hoover Dam — a rental car makes sense. These destinations are 30 to 60 miles away and are not served by public transit. Renting for just 1 or 2 days of your trip may be cheaper than renting for your entire stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an International Driving Permit if I have a valid license from my home country?
A valid license from your home country is usually enough, but an International Driving Permit is useful if your license is not in English or if the rental company questions whether it is legitimate. An IDP is inexpensive and straightforward to get before you travel — contact your country's automobile association. Bring both documents to be safe.
Can I rent a car if I am under 25?
Yes, but most companies charge an additional fee of $15 to $30 per day for drivers under 25. Some companies have a minimum age of 21; others require you to be 25 to rent certain vehicle types like SUVs. Check the rental company's age policy when you book, because the fee is not always listed in the initial quote.
What happens if I return the car with damage I did not cause?
Report any damage you notice when you pick up the car, and make sure it is noted in your rental agreement. If damage appears after you have signed, take photos and contact the rental company within 24 hours with your evidence. If you bought Collision Damage Waiver, the damage is covered. If you did not, you may be charged, but you can dispute it with your credit card company if you have proof you reported it.
Is it cheaper to rent at the airport or downtown Las Vegas?
Downtown rental locations do not charge the 12% airport concession fee, so they are sometimes cheaper than the airport. However, you would need to take a rideshare or taxi from the airport to the downtown location, which costs $15 to $25 and takes 20 to 30 minutes. For most travelers, the airport rental is more convenient, and the fee difference is small enough that it does not offset the cost and time of getting downtown.
Can I extend my rental if I decide to stay longer?
Yes. Call the rental company as soon as you know you need the car longer, or use their app or website to extend the reservation. Extending online is usually cheaper than calling. The extension will be charged at the current rate for those dates, which may be higher or lower than your original rate depending on demand.