When you save up money to have a luxurious trip to Vegas, you don’t want to blow all your cash on high transportation fares. It’s better to save your cash for those delicious meals, bottle service at the club, and fun games at the casino.
Uber-ing to your hotel is tempting after a long, tiring flight, even if the jacked-up prices force you to pay $30 or so. But there’s a smarter, more practical, more affordable way to get to the Strip or wherever you need to go in Vegas from the Harry Reid International Airport: the Centennial Express bus.
But what is the Centennial Express bus, otherwise known as the CX bus? Today, we’ll take you through its routes, schedules, ticket prices, and everything else you need to know about this convenient transportation option. Keep scrolling to learn more!
What is the Centennial Express Bus?
The Centennial Express (CX) bus is a bus route that goes from both terminals of the Harry Reid International Airport to key points of northwest and downtown Vegas, like the Bonneville Transit Center and the Centennial Hills Transit Center.
It also passes by the Strip—also known as the heart of Las Vegas, where most hotels, casinos, and other tourist attractions are found.
The CX bus is operated by the Regional Transportation Commission, also known as the RTC. It was designed to make traveling to and from the airport convenient for commuters, especially those who are traveling to Vegas and need an affordable, practical way to get to their hotel.
Stops and Schedules for the CX Bus
Unlike other bus routes, the CX bus stops are easy to digest as it has only 11 stops per way. The southbound and northbound routes are quite similar with only one or two key differences. Here are the stops per route:
Southbound Route:
- Skye Canyon Park & Grand Canyon
- Farm and Fort Apache
- Centennial Hills Transit Center (Lot 1)
- Casino Center & Fremont
- Bonneville Transit Center Bay 18
- Grand Central and LV N. Premium Outlets
- Flamingo and Las Vegas Blvd.
- UNLV Transit Center Bay 2
- SB Maryland and Tropicana
- Harry Reid International Airport, Terminal 1 (Level 0)
- Harry Reid International Airport, Terminal 3 (Departures)
Northbound Route:
- Harry Reid International Airport, Terminal 3 (Departures)
- Harry Reid International Airport, Terminal 1 (Level 0)
- Maryland and Tropicana
- UNLV Transit Center Bay 2
- Flamingo and Las Vegas Blvd.
- Grand Central and LV N. Premium Outlets
- Bonneville Transit Center Bay 18
- 4th and Carson
- Centennial Hills Transit Center (Lot 1)
- Farm and Fort Apache
- Skye Canyon Park & Grand Canyon
As you can see, the only stark difference between the two is that instead of passing by 4th and Carson, the southbound route stops at Casino Center and Fremont instead.
Note that the only CX bus stop within the Las Vegas Strip is at The Flamingo. When you get off, you’ll be in the center of Sin City’s vibrant party and leisure scene. You can either walk to your accommodation or take the Deuce—a bus that runs exclusively along the Strip.
If you take the CX bus from the Strip to the airport and vice versa, it takes just about 30 minutes to get there.
Hours run slightly differently on weekdays and weekends, but you can expect the bus to run every day from around 5 AM to 12 MN. A bus will pass by each stop to pick up and drop off passengers at least once per hour for both northbound and southbound routes.
Check the exact timetable and schedule for each CX bus stop on the RTC website.
How Much is the Fare for the CX Bus?
You can either get a one-way ticket for the CX bus or a pass, which you can use as many times as you want for a specified amount of time.
Single-ride tickets are $2 per person. Meanwhile, here are the prices for passes:
- 2-hour pass: $3
- 24-hour pass: $5
- 7-day pass: $20
- 15-day pass: $34
- 30-day pass: $65
One-way tickets, two-hour passes, and 24-hour passes are best for tourists. Meanwhile, the multi-day passes are an amazing deal for locals and business travelers who commute to and from key points in Las Vegas.
You can buy one-way CX bus tickets straight from your bus driver or the rideRTC app. If you opt for the former, give the exact amount of cash as the drivers don’t give change.
Passes, on the other hand, can only be bought on the rideRTC app or from select vendors around town.
Pro tip: if you’re coming from the airport, this app is the most convenient way to get tickets. You can also get them in person at the RTC Administration Building and the Bonneville Transit Center.
Note that you need to have proof of payment for your tickets and passes the entire time you’re on the CX bus.
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How to Ride the CX Bus from the Airport
If you’re coming from Terminal 1 of the airport, you can find the CX bus stop on Level 0. At the baggage claim area, look for the elevator that takes you down to Level 0. Go out of the building and cross the road to find the bus stop.
In Terminal 3, you’ll find the bus stop in the Departures area. After claiming your baggage, go up the elevator to Level 2. Go out of the building and cross the street. The bus stop should be right across Door 44.
Try This Convenient Way to Get to The Strip Today!
If you’re looking for an affordable way to get around Vegas—especially to and from the Harry Reid International Airport—the CX bus would be an excellent option for you.
The daily route can take you from the airport to tons of places in Vegas, from the Strip to Fremont to other areas downtown. You can rely on this service to pass by each stop at least once every hour, so it’s something you can catch whatever time your flight is.
The affordable price for one-way tickets and passes is just the cherry on top of this practical, convenient way to get around Vegas. If you know how to read a timetable and don’t mind squeezing into a bus with locals and other tourists, hop on board and try the CX bus out.