Getting around Las Vegas is always a consideration when you are planning your trip. Your selections are influenced by your budget and destination. If you are moving over long distances, a taxi or Uber, or even Lyft can be a better fix than the train. The same goes if you are moving within the Strip.
Bus rides are a common feature in the city. They are operated by the municipal authority offering one of the most affordable trips in Vegas. If you want to save more, then buses are your option, no buts about that.
The city buses are run by the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), a municipal authority responsible for the smooth sailing of the buses and fare moderation to passengers riding the buses. Many RTC routes run daily, and the Centennial Express is a dependable transportation channel if you want an inexpensive ride between Harry Reid International Airport, the central Strip, downtown, and northwest Las Vegas.
The Centennial Express Schedule
The CX bus runs between Skye Canyon in northwest Las Vegas and Harry Reid International Airport, with stops at Centennial Hills Transit Center, downtown Las Vegas, the Las Vegas North Premium Outlets, the Strip at Flamingo & Las Vegas Boulevard, UNLV, and both airport terminals.
The route is not a 24-hour service, so always check the current RTC timetable before planning around a late-night or very early-morning ride. In general, the CX runs roughly once per hour during its operating day, with slightly different weekday, weekend, and holiday schedules.
Bus Hours: Daily, but not 24 hours
- Weekday southbound service begins before 5 am from the northwest side of the route, with late-evening service ending before midnight.
- Weekend and holiday service follows a similar hourly pattern, with slightly different first and last trips.
- Northbound service from Harry Reid International Airport generally starts in the morning and ends late at night.
Centennial Express Routes Along Las Vegas
The CX route serves only the bus stops shown on the RTC route map south of Centennial Hills Transit Center. Unlike the Deuce, it does not stop at every major casino along the Strip. The main Strip stop is at Flamingo & Las Vegas Boulevard, which is useful for Caesars Palace, The Cromwell, Flamingo, Horseshoe Las Vegas, Bellagio, and The Cosmopolitan.
The CX route is most useful if you want a low-cost ride between the airport, the central Strip, downtown Las Vegas, the North Premium Outlets, or northwest Las Vegas.
# The Southbound CX Route
| 1. Skye Canyon Park & Grand Canyon | 2. Fort Apache & Farm | 3. Centennial Hills Transit Center (Lot 1) | 4. Casino Center & Fremont |
| 5. Bonneville Transit Center (BTC) Bay 18 | 6. Grand Central & LV N. Premium Outlets | 7. Flamingo & Las Vegas Blvd. | 8. UNLV Transit Center Bay 1 |
| 9. Maryland & Tropicana | 10. Harry Reid Airport, Terminal 1 (Zero Level) | 11. Harry Reid Airport, Terminal 3 (Departure Level) |
# The Northbound CX Route
| 1. Harry Reid Airport, Terminal 3 (Departure Level) | 2. Harry Reid Airport, Terminal 1 (Zero Level) | 3. Maryland & Tropicana | 4. UNLV Transit Center Bay 5 |
| 5. Flamingo & Las Vegas Blvd. | 6. Grand Central & LV N. Premium Outlets | 7. Bonneville Transit Center (BTC) Bay 17a | 8. 4th & Carson |
| 9. Centennial Hills Transit Center (Lot 2) | 10. Fort Apache & Farm | 11. Skye Canyon Park & Grand Canyon |
As you can see, the two directions use slightly different downtown stops and different UNLV and Bonneville Transit Center bays. Southbound buses stop at Casino Center & Fremont before Bonneville Transit Center, while northbound buses stop at 4th & Carson after Bonneville Transit Center.
Note that the only CX bus stop within the Las Vegas Strip area is at Flamingo & Las Vegas Boulevard. 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 along the Strip.
If you take the CX bus between the Strip stop and the airport, the scheduled ride is usually around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on direction, traffic, and terminal.
The route can operate with modified routing or schedules during Formula 1 race week and other major construction or event periods, so check the exact timetable and schedule for each CX bus stop on the RTC website before you ride.
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 on residential routes like the CX. Meanwhile, here are the current regular residential pass prices:
- 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 a single ride on board with exact cash, or you can use the rideRTC app, Transit app, Uber app, or a Tap & GO option where available. Drivers do not give change, so if you pay cash, give the exact amount.
For longer passes, you can use the rideRTC app, Transit app, Uber app, reloadable Tap & GO cards, the Bonneville Transit Center, the RTC Administration Building, or select vendors around town.
Pro tip: if you’re coming from the airport, the rideRTC app is often the most convenient way to buy your fare before boarding.
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 CX bus stop on Level 2 in the Departures area. After claiming your baggage, go up the elevator or escalator to Level 2. Exit the terminal building and cross the pedestrian crosswalk. The bus stop is across from 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 Harry Reid International Airport—the CX bus can be an excellent option.
The daily route can take you from the airport to useful places in Vegas, from the central Strip stop at Flamingo & Las Vegas Boulevard to Fremont, downtown Las Vegas, the North Premium Outlets, and northwest Las Vegas. The main thing to remember is that it is not a 24-hour bus, so check the current RTC schedule if your flight arrives very late or very early.
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.