RENO AIRPORT
Thousands of Burning Man participants from all corners of the earth migrate their way every year to and from Black Rock City via the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RTIA), making this period of time the airport's second or third most popular travel time of the year. We've compiled information, and a list of resources that will help make your travel through RTIA as smooth-sailing as possible.
Reno-Tahoe International Airport
2001 E. Plumb Ln. - 775-328-6400 – map
For information about the airport itself, check out the website here.
For Airport Frequently Asked Questions, check them out here.
Note that there is Wifi freely available at the airport, but no showers or storage facilities.
A Special Note on Prohibited Items:
Every year participants unknowingly find that some of their items cannot be taken on-board an airplane due to safety requirements, and therefore find their items confiscated and money wasted.
Propane, nitrous oxide cannisters (aka wippits), lighters, knives, tools, fireworks, and various other liquids and gels are the most common prohibited items.
Additionally, many people are unclear on the various regulations regarding what is allowed in baggage vs. carry-on. We therefore highly recommend that you to take a careful look at the Transportation Security Administration’s listings of prohibited items here.
Air Playa Info
Through the coordinated efforts of the Burning Man Project, the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, and local and international resources, Air Playa Info was established in 2008 to provide information and resources for travelers on their way from the airport to Burning Man.
Located next to Baggage Claim inside the airport, volunteers at the Air Playa Info table help answer your questions, provide directions and maps, share information about BRC and all kinds of Reno resources, and coordinate your rideshare and shuttling options (see below).
Air Playa Info will be available starting the Friday before the event through the Friday of the event week, from 9am-9pm daily.
Transportation to the Playa
The various means available to get to Black Rock City from the airport include air, bus, rideshare, and rental car. In each case, please check in with Air Playa Info first, as a number of these options are coordinated through its volunteers.
Bio Bus Shuttle
The Bio Bus Shuttle offers rides from the Reno Airport direct to Black Rock City. For full information, fares, schedule, and to book your seat, visit www.burncleanproject.org.
BioTour
Bio Tour is an eco-friendly rideshare on a vegetable oil-energized bus. For full information, fares, schedule and to book you seat, visit www.biotour.org.
Rideshare
Experience proves that for many participants, a ride to the playa is possible directly from the airport. Many fellow participants rent cars, and many are generous when it comes to sharing a seat on their way to Burning Man.
A few helpful tips for possibly landing a ride to the playa from the airport:
- Check in at Air Playa Info inside the airport. Most Burning Man participants will stop by here, and the Air Playa Info volunteers are very helpful, so it this is an ideal spot to inquire about sharing a ride.
- Offering to chip in for gas is a plus!
- Everyone in the vehicle must be wearing a seatbelt – it’s the law.
- Be comfortable with those with whom you may share a ride.
Additionally, there are other places to go to in Reno to land a ride to the playa in short order, as well as means to get to them…
Rideshare Bases
There are three Rideshare Bases (spots that attract a lot of participants who have stopped to shop for event supplies) in the Reno area. Each of the Rideshare Bases is within a 10 minute drive from the Reno Airport, and are next to a freeway along the regular Burning Man migrations to the playa. Going to one of these spots and inquiring with participants there about sharing a ride will likely land you a ride in short order. The three Rideshare Bases (where you shall Leave No Trace, please!) are:
Whole Foods Market
6139 S Virginia Street – 775-829-8666 – map
Open 8am-9pm
Trader Joe's
5035 S McCarran Blvd – 775-826-1621 - map
Open 9am-9pm
Save Mart
525 Keystone Ave - 775-786-2150 - map
Open 24 hours
Airport Shuttle to Rideshare Bases
There will be a free shuttle transporting Burning Man participants from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport to the three Rideshare Bases. Check in at Air Playa Info to get onto a shuttle.
The shuttle will operate during peak travel hours, and will pick up participants from the airport approximately every 1/2 hour during these times:
Monday – Wednesday of the event week
10am – 3:30pm and 7pm - 9:30pm
The shuttle will be transporting participants only to Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods until approximately 8pm (both stores close at 9pm). After 8pm, the shuttle will transport participants only to Save Mart (which is open 24 hours).
Other Options to Get to a Rideshare Base
If you need to get to a Rideshare Base when the free shuttle isn't running, you have several options:
- Rideshare - Experience proves that you may be able to catch a ride to one of the Rideshare Bases. Check in with Air Playa Info.
- Taxi – A taxi should cost you around $10 to any of the Rideshare Bases. MAKE SURE YOU TELL THE TAXI DRIVER TO USE THE FREEWAY – not using the freeway could cost you lots more money and time. You can check in with Air Playa Info to find people with whom to share a taxi.
- Regional Transportation – Unfortunately, there are no direct bus routes from the airport to any of the Rideshare Bases. If you don’t mind taking a few different buses via transfers, check out the RTC website for bus schedules here.
Rental Car
There are several rental car agencies that operate at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Checking out the listings in the yellow pages here.
Advantage Air
For those who can afford it, Advantage Air (1880 Gentry Way – 775-852-3512) is the only charter airplane service that offers direct flights between the Reno-Tahoe International Airport and the Black Rock City Airport. Yes, there is an airport on the playa.
Although it may be possible on the spot to arrange for a flight to the playa from the airport via Advantage Air, it is recommended that you make reservations well ahead of time, by checking out the website here.
Directions to Black Rock City, NV
Here's how to get to Burning Man from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Travel time is approximately 3 hours.
- Upon leaving the airport you will find yourself on Plumb Lane. US-395 is about 1/4 mile ahead.
- On Plumb Lane, get in right lane, take US-395 NORTH
- About 2 1/2 miles north, you will see signs for I-80
- Get in right lane, take I-80 EAST
- 30 miles east of Reno on I-80, take Exit #43 at Wadsworth
- At exit stop-sign, turn LEFT onto Main Street/NV-427. You are entering Wadsworth, NV.
- 1 1/2 miles down Main St., turn left onto NV-447.
- Stay on NV-447. 78 miles to Gerlach
- In Gerlach, continue on Highway 447 for one mile to the fork in the road.
- Take the right-hand fork, Hwy 34, and continue 11 miles to the Burning Man entrance. Welcome to Black Rock City, Nevada!
Reno-Sparks Resources
We recommend checking out the thorough listing of Reno-Sparks resources found in the Reno Pages for what you may need before making the journey to the playa.
