McCarren to add 1,000 parking spots

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Here's some happy holiday news.

People flying in and out of Las Vegas are unlikely to have a brush with the chaos of seasons past at McCarran International Airport.

That's because this year there are about 1,000 more parking spaces compared with last year and the number of people using the airport is expected to be down about 14 percent.

The biggest change from last year is the new economy parking lot. The 5,100-space lot is west of Paradise Road and replaces the now-closed economy lot. It can be found by following "Economy Lot" signs on the streets approaching McCarran.

With the increase in spaces from the new lot, McCarran can now accommodate 12,820 vehicles.

Randall Walker, aviation director for Clark County, says the expected decrease in people traveling during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays will mean fewer parking hassles than last year.

Walker said an estimated 686,000 people will use McCarran airport from Wednesday through Dec. 1, compared with about 800,000 people during Thanksgiving weekend in 2007.

"I think the garage will be full but I would be very surprised to see this lot totally full during the season," Walker said Thursday from the new economy lot.

Rates at the new economy lot will be $8 per day, up from $6 at the old economy lot.

Parking in the garage is $14 per day and valet parking is $21.

There is also parking available at a remote lot along Gilespie Street south of George Crockett Road.

Parking there is $5 per day. The remote lot is available throughout the holiday season but will be used on a demand-only basis after the first of the year, an airport spokesman said.

Walker advised travelers to call the airport's 24-hour parking hot line, 261-5122, for up-to-the-minute updates on which garages and lots have spaces available.