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 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 as possible.

Reno-Tahoe International Airport

2001 East Plumb Lane – 775-328-6400 – map

For information on available flights to and from the Reno Airport, go here.

For information about the airport itself, check out the website here.

For Airport Frequently Asked Questions, check them out here.

For further information on items you may have lost at the airport, go to here.  For information about items lost at a Travel Security Administration checkpoint inside the airport, go to here.  If you believe you lost an item on an airplane, please contact the airline you flew with.

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 canisters (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, and share information about Black Rock City, means of transportation, and all kinds of Reno resources.

Air Playa Info will be available starting the Friday before the event through the Friday of the event week, from 9am-10pm daily.

Finally, please leave Air Playa Info as well as the airport the way you found it, by Leaving No Trace!

Transportation to the Playa

The various means available to get to Black Rock City from the airport include air, bus, rideshare, and rental car. However you get to the playa, it really is best to have your means of transportation arranged before you begin your departure for Reno.  After landing in Reno, check in at Air Playa Info, as aside from information on other resources, some of these options are coordinated with the help of its volunteers.

-  BUS TRAVEL TO BLACK ROCK CITY

To Flame Bus
To Flame Bus is a national social mobility network that will be operating buses daily during Burning Man from the Reno Airport to Black Rock City, as well as return trips following the event.  After picking up passengers at the airport, the bus will make a pitstop for supplies before heading out to the playa.  Go to their website above for further information and reservations.  Also be sure to check in at the Air Playa Info desk inside the airport for information on final arrival/departure times or possible seat availability.

-  AIR TRAVEL TO BLACK ROCK CITY

Advantage Flight
10509 Professional Circle, Suite 102 – 775-852-3512 – map
Located at the Reno Airport, Advantage Flight is the primary charter airplane service that offers direct flights between the Reno and the Black Rock City Airports. Yes, there is an airport on the playa.  It is highly recommended that you make reservations well ahead of time, by checking out their website above.  Seats or standby availability may be available once you are in Reno, in which case call the phone # above.

-  RENTAL CAR

There are several rental car agencies that operate at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Check out the listings in the yellow pages here.

-  RIDESHARE

In case you are unable to arrange means of transportation to the playa before landing in Reno, you also have a few Rideshare possibilities.  First, experience proves that for many participants, a ride to the playa is possible directly from the airport. Many fellow participants fly in just like you, and many of them rent cars and are generous when it comes to sharing a seat on their way to Burning Man.  You may also be able to get some supplies with them, as most everyone flying into Reno has to obtain supplies in the region before heading out to BRC.

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 can be of help in figuring out your options.
• 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.

The second location to go to in Reno for ridesharing:

-  RIDESHARE BASE

There is also a Rideshare Base in the Reno area. This location is a 10 minute drive from the Reno Airport, and is next to Interstate 80, the primary highway along which most of the migration of Burners to the playa occurs.  It is also the busiest spot in Reno during Burning Man.  In case you do not have means of transportation to the playa, are unable to negotiate a ride from the airport to the playa, or want to get some supplies, this is your next best option, as the experience of previous years proves that you should be able to negotiate a ride here without too long of a wait. The Rideshare Base, where you shall please Leave No Trace, is:

Save Mart Supermarket
525 Keystone Ave – 775-786-2150 – map
Open 24 hours

If you need to get to the Rideshare Base, you have several options:

• Rideshare – Check in at Air Playa Info.  You may be able to negotiate a ride from the airport to the Rideshare Base (if not to the playa).
• Taxi – A taxi should cost you around $10 to the Rideshare Base. 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 at Air Playa Info to find others with whom to possibly share a taxi.
• Regional Transportation – Unfortunately, there are no direct bus routes from the airport to the Rideshare Base. If you don’t mind taking one bus and transferring to a second bus, with total travel time from the airport to the rideshare base being about one hour, check out the RTC website for bus schedules 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 westwards onto 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 Street/NV-427, turn left onto NV-447.
• Stay on NV-447. 78 miles ahead to Gerlach
• Driving into and through Gerlach, continue on Highway 447 for one mile to the fork in the road.
• Take the right-hand fork, Hwy 34, and continue 8 miles to the Burning Man entrance. Welcome to Black Rock City, Nevada!

Reno-Sparks Resources and Storage

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.  Most everyone flying or driving through the region needs to get supplies and these pages are intended for you.   Also, if you are interested in storing some of your camping or other supplies for next year (rather than parting with them), check out the storage facilities near the airport here.

Preparation