Think ahead before parking at airport during holiday

Accessing McCarran International Airport shouldn't be a problem this week as the majority of the road work either has been wrapped up or put off until after the holiday.

Motorists might find some relief as all three northbound lanes through the connector tunnel are expected to be open by Thanksgiving.

Parking, however, could be a different story.

The airport's long-term covered lot on-site, with the valet parking area, typically fill up early in the holiday week.

Airport officials recommend that travelers use the economy lot, which is off Paradise Road just south of Tropicana Avenue and costs $8 a day, or the remote lot on Gilespie Street just north of Warm Springs Road, which is $8 a day through Monday.

For 24-hour parking information or to summon a free shuttle from the remote lot, call 261-5122. Directions to the various parking lots can be found at www.mccarran.com.

Travelers also can park at the Regional Transportation Commission's South Strip Transfer Terminal, on Gilespie Street and Sunset Road, and take the Route 109 north. It gets you to the airport in about 10 minutes and costs $1.75. Parking at the bus terminal is free; if you plan to stay more than a week, notify the security team inside the building.