City: Reno, NV

Category: Getting Here, Getting Around

Telephone: (775) 328-6870

Address: 2001 East Plumb Lane

Description: Named the fifth most efficient airport in the county by the Air Transport Research Society, Reno/Tahoe International Airport is one of the easiest international airports in the United States to get to, park at, and fly out from. It serves around 5 million passengers a year. The airport provides a full range of aviation services for the Reno/Sparks area, western Nevada, and northeastern California. It is within the Reno city limits and butts up against the city of Sparks. The commute time to the airport from the majority of the hotel/casinos in the area is about 15 minutes, and the drive is less than an hour from Lake Tahoe. Driving to the airport from anywhere in the Reno/Sparks area is a breeze. The easiest access is to take US 395 (either north or south, depending on your starting location) to the airport exit and follow the signs to the terminal area. If you’re in downtown Reno, follow Virginia Street, Wells Avenue, or Kietzke Lane (or any other north-south street) south until you hit Plumb Lane. Go east on Plumb Lane until it ends at the airport, then follow the signs to the terminal. The airport is classified a medium hub, primary commercial airport by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and is served by Alaska, Allegiant, American, Continental, Delta, Delta Connection, Express Jet, Horizon Air, Southwest, United, Ted, and US Airways. The airport covers some 1,450 acres and is staffed 24 hours per day. The terminal space includes U.S. Customs and Immigration offices and 23 second-level gates on two concourses. It’s designated a landing rights and Port of Entry airport. The airport is also home to the Nevada Air National Guard (NVANG), the “High Rollers” who gained fame during the Persian Gulf War flying RF-4 Phantom reconnaissance aircraft. Today the High Rollers fly the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft to provide rapid pickup and airlift duties. Thanks to a $31 million project to increase parking by 25 percent and improve the roadway in front of the terminal, dropping off and picking up passengers is stress-free and extremely easy. Be aware, however, that you cannot park and leave your car anywhere in front of the terminal because of security concerns. The traffic lanes in front of the terminal are for immediate loading and unloading. The easiest way to pick up passengers is to park in the cell phone waiting lot on the south side of the terminal loop and remain in your vehicle until the passengers call after having retrieved their luggage. The 2,400-space, three-story parking garage takes the hassle out of finding a parking space. The surface lot to the south of the garage provides parking for 1,565 vehicles. The garage offers long- and short-term parking for $1 for the first 30 minutes and $2 for the first hour with a daily maximum of $12 for long-term and $20 for short-term. Surface parking is the same rate for a maximum of $8 a day. See the “Rental Cars” section and other ground transportation sections in this chapter for information on renting cars at the airport and other ways to get to and from the airport.