las vegas trip budget

How Much Money to Bring to Vegas (2024 Budget)

(This article may contain affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Thank you!)

Your plane tickets are booked, and your hotel reservations are made…you’re going to Las Vegas! But wait – is your wallet ready for the trip? Figuring out how much money to bring to Vegas can be confusing and requires a thoughtful approach.

Please enable JavaScript

Buckle up for a journey through your Las Vegas vacation budget. This guide will ensure you bring the right amount of money for a great time, no matter your budget!

Key Takeaways:

• Plan to spend $100-$500 per person daily in Las Vegas, with the average cost being approximately $340 per person per day.
• Your daily budget will vary significantly based on your planned activities.
• If you’re gambling heavily, expect to spend a lot more.

ALSO SEE: How to Bring and Carry Money in Las Vegas (Explained)

Inside this article:

Determining Your Initial Las Vegas Budget

According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), Las Vegas saw nearly 40 million visitors in 2022. On average, each one of these tourists spent $1,156 while in town. This is just the money they spent during their stay in Vegas, not including travel costs and hotel.

How much money you need to take to Vegas depends on how you plan on spending your time. With the average time spent in Las Vegas being a 3-night 4-day stay, visitors can fit in a lot of entertainment and activities.

So, planning what you intend to do while you’re in Las Vegas will allow you to budget your daily expenses appropriately.

RELATED: Want to know how long to stay in Las Vegas ? We’ve written an article that will help.

How Much Spending Money to Take to Las Vegas (Cash)

So, let’s get to the heart of the matter. After you’ve booked or budgeted for travel and hotel rooms, it’s time to see how much spending money you’ll want to bring to Las Vegas.

The amount you’ll need is based on two numbers provided by Statista.com . Here are the facts:

• The average length of stay in Las Vegas is 3.4 nights.
• The average amount a visitor to Las Vegas spends during a visit (not including travel costs or hotels) is $1,156.

If you divide $1,156 by 3.4 nights, you’ll arrive at the magic number. You’ll want to bring $340 in spending money per person per day to Las Vegas.

Here is an approximate breakdown of the average amount of money each person will spend each day:

Your priorities may be different, however. For instance, you may want to spend less on food and drink and more on entertainment. Also, keep in mind that gambling isn’t included in the list above and can rapidly increase how much money you’ll need to bring.

Remember, $340 is an average. Your actual amount may go up or down depending on your taste for fancy living.

Spending Depending on the Number of Days in Vegas

Depending on the length of their stay, visitors to Las Vegas often inquire about the recommended amount of money to bring along.

I’ve put together the table below based on a range of spending depending on the days you stay in Vegas.

A couple of things to note about the table:

• Spending less than the minimum amounts shown is possible. You may discover, however, that you’re missing out on some of the best Vegas experiences.
• A maximum spending amount is also listed, providing a healthy budget for getting the most out of your trip. Please note, however, that spending far more than the maximum amounts listed is easily possible if you’re so inclined.

Vegas Spending Money Calculator

You can use this budgeting calculator we developed to determine your Vegas spending money needs based on your length of stay and your own personal spending habits.

Simply enter your estimated daily expenses by category, and the number of days your staying to calculate the amount of spending money you’ll need to bring with you on your trip to Vegas.

You don’t want to risk overspending or ending up with too little to enjoy all Las Vegas offers. This spending calculator will help create a realistic budget tailored to your preferences and ensure your trip to Vegas is both thrilling and financially sound.

Keep reading to learn more about each line item in the calculator and what you should expect to spend in each category.

Average Cost of Food and Drink in Las Vegas

Let’s break down what you can expect to spend on dining and drinks in Vegas.

Average meal costs in Las Vegas can vary from $25 buffets to an all-out splurge at a celebrity-owned restaurant. For instance, at Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant Hell’s Kitchen, you can spend as little as $40 for lunch or up to $155 a person for a three-course meal with wine.

Of course, fast food options are always available if you’d rather spend your money on other delights that Vegas has to offer.

So how much you spend on food is entirely up to you. The options here vary quite a bit. You could spend less than $250 for a three-night stay or more than $450 on food and beverages if you so choose. On the high end, a complete Las Vegas culinary experience could easily cost $1,500 to over $2,000 in just a few days.

So if you are a foodie and fine dining is your thing, you can expect to spend more than the $340 a day average. If, on the other hand, upscale dining isn’t a priority for you, there are plenty of opportunities to get good food, eat relatively inexpensively, and dial back your daily expenses.

Drink Costs

Drink prices in Las Vegas can vary widely depending on the venue and the type of drink you order. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $7 to $15 for a standard beer, while mixed drinks can cost anywhere from $15 to $30 or more.

Here are some example Vegas drink prices:

High-end nightclubs and bars may charge even more for premium drinks and bottle service. It’s a good idea to budget accordingly and be prepared to spend more than you would at your local bar or nightclub.

ALSO SEE: How Much to Budget for Food in Las Vegas (Average Cost to Eat!)

Entertainment Costs

Entertainment costs in Las Vegas can vary significantly based on the type of activity, show, or venue you choose.

Here are some general cost ranges for various forms of entertainment in Las Vegas, keeping in mind that prices can fluctuate based on demand, special events, and other factors:

Alternatively, if your budget is tight, you could instead focus on the many free things to do in Las Vegas .

Budgeting for Gambling

The amount of money to bring to Las Vegas for gambling greatly depends on your personal financial situation and preferences. The general guideline is to only to bring what you can afford to lose.

For a modest budget, you might allocate $25-$50 per day for gambling, while a moderate budget might involve a daily allocation of $100-$200, and a more lavish gambling experience might necessitate a budget of $500-$1,000 per day or more.

Remember to set strict daily spending limits , stick to them, and consider setting aside any winnings to prevent spending them. Always prioritize responsible gambling and view losses as the cost of entertainment, not as actual financial losses.

If you’re staying multiple days, divide your total gambling budget by the number of days to ensure you have funds to gamble with each day. Regardless of the budget, ensuring that your gambling funds are separate from your essential spending money is crucial to enjoying your time without facing financial strains.

RELATED: Find out how much you must play to get comped in Vegas .

Figuring Your Shopping Budget in Las Vegas

Shopping expenditures in Las Vegas will depend on your interests and budget. The city has many great shopping venues, from high-end boutiques to affordable shops and outlet malls.

Here are some general ideas of what you might expect to spend on shopping per day, categorized by budget:

Additional Notes:

• Designer Boutiques : Purchases can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per item.
• Outlet Malls : Expect to spend anywhere from $20 for smaller items to a few hundred for larger purchases.
• Souvenir Shops : Items like t-shirts, mugs, and trinkets typically sell under $30 each.
• Sales Tax : An additional cost will be added to your purchases at checkout.

Remember that these are general estimates, and spending can vary considerably based on individual preferences and shopping habits.

RECOMMENDED: Discover the 12 most amazing malls in Las Vegas .

Costs of Transportation in Las Vegas

Now, let’s figure out what getting around in Las Vegas will cost. Several options are available, including a convenient and inexpensive public transportation system.

• Many taxis and Ubers are available, ensuring wait times are short.
• There is an extensive monorail system that regularly travels up and down the east side of the Strip.
• Then there are the famous double-decker buses (Las Vegas public bus system) called the Deuce.
• There are even a few free trams that you can use to get around parts of the Strip.

Taxis are numerous in Las Vegas, with most hotels having access to a taxi stand. Just getting in the taxi and starting the meter is $3.50, and the rate for every 1/12 th of a mile is $.023, so you will be looking at $2.76 for a mile.

If you are flying into Las Vegas , there is an additional pick-up charge of $2 when you are being picked up at the airport in a taxi.

The monorail system makes getting up and down the Las Vegas strip a breeze. The monorail is quick and easy, making waits fairly short. A single ride costs $5, an Unlimited Day Pass is $13, and the Unlimited 3-Day pass is $29.

(For more info about the monorail and how to get discount tickets , check out our article here).

The Deuce double-decker buses are iconic on the Strip and in Las Vegas’s downtown area and run a route between various popular locations. The passes for using the Deuce run from a $6 fee for a two-hour pass, $8 for a twenty-four-hour pass, and $20 for a three-day pass.

For more info, please read our complete article: How to Get Around Las Vegas without a Car .

So, the costs for getting around Las Vegas are directly proportional to the speed and convenience of the transport method. Riding the bus is the cheapest (but slowest) option, and taxis are the quickest and most expensive option.

It is a time versus money situation if you only have a few days here. Riding the bus is the cheapest, but you’ll spend an hour or more trying to get from one end of the Strip to the other.

My advice is to use a ride-sharing service such as Uber. It’s quick and convenient without breaking the bank. A few things about Uber and Lyft are unique to Las Vegas, so be sure to read the article I referenced above about getting around in Las Vegas for more information.

Miscellaneous Expenses

Every vacation racks up a few miscellaneous expenses you might not have thought of, and Las Vegas is no exception. Everything from forgetting to bring a hat or your favorite lip balm to having a few spare dollars available for tipping .

Also, you’ll want to keep in mind Las Vegas ATM fees . This is especially true if you plan to use the ATMs inside the casino.

You’ll want to remember to pad your Vegas budget with a few extra dollars a day for these miscellaneous items.

Budgeting for Your Las Vegas Adventure: Final Thoughts

Ensuring a well-budgeted and enjoyable trip to Las Vegas involves thoughtful planning across various expenditure categories, including dining, entertainment, gambling, shopping, and transportation.

Our general spending guideline suggests allocating approximately $340 per person per day, yet this figure can flex depending on personal preferences and the activities chosen.

UP NEXT – Find out which things you’ll need cash for in Las Vegas.

Bryan is a Las Vegas local who has spent years exploring the city's vibrant culture and entertainment scene. With his extensive knowledge of the best attractions and hidden gems, he has become an expert on all things Las Vegas. He regularly shares his insider tips with people looking to visit Las Vegas and make the most of their trip. More about Bryan.

Similar Posts

How to Bring and Carry Money in Las Vegas (Explained)

Las Vegas is gambling heaven. People from all over the world head to Las Vegas in the hope of striking it lucky. Of course, since Las Vegas is all about gambling, people are often concerned about moving large sums of cash into the city. How can you do this? Are there any restrictions? Let’s explain….

Cheapest Time to Visit Las Vegas (Monthly Price Comparison)

Las Vegas is one of the most beautiful, thrilling cities in the United States. Unfortunately, this also means that it can sometimes be difficult to come by affordable hotels and airlines. Here are some of the cheapest months to visit Las Vegas. The cheapest time to visit Las Vegas is December and January, with July…

How Much to Budget for Food in Las Vegas (Average Cost to Eat!)

Food is an important part of the vacation experience for many Las Vegas visitors. The great news is that the city offers a wide variety of meal options for every taste. The not-so-good news is that food can be extremely expensive in Vegas. How much you should budget for food in Las Vegas depends on…

The Cost of a Trip to Las Vegas (Let’s Break it Down)

Coming to Las Vegas can be an expensive vacation. You can expect to spend between $200 – $300 per person per day plus the cost of hotels and flights. There are ways to bring this cost down a bit, but there are also ways to make your trip much more expensive. There are a lot…

How Much to Tip Vegas Street Performers? (Vegas Tipping)

Walking the streets of Las Vegas is an exciting experience, especially when you get to see all the sights and sounds the city has to offer. One of the things I always enjoy watching is the street performers. Street performers in Vegas run the gamut from showgirls, singers, Chippendales guys, topless nuns, guys you can…

LA to Las Vegas by Private Jet (How Much?)

Flying in a private jet between Los Angeles (LA) and Las Vegas is an attractive option if you want to save time and have a luxurious and relaxing experience at the same time. But how can you charter a private jet, and can you afford this option? In general, a private jet from LA to…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Yes, Las Vegas can be done on a tight budget — here's how

Fortunes are won and lost every day in Las Vegas . And I'm not just talking about at the casinos.

Some of the country's best restaurants have outposts in the city, and sky-high prices to match. Luxury boutiques line the resort shopping malls. And good tickets to a hit show or superstar concert are likely to set you back more than the cost of your hotel room.

But that doesn't mean that Vegas is only for high rollers.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

Las Vegas was once known for its cheap steak dinners; buy one, get one free show tickets and a steady stream of complimentary booze. The theory was: Lure visitors into the casino and they will gamble away more than enough cash to subsidize those cheap meals.

Those deals still exist, but you're going to work just a little bit harder to score a 99-cent shrimp cocktail.

In 1999, when I turned 21, my college friend and I did a crazy cheap trip to Las Vegas. I flew a TWA red-eye and stayed at the cheapest room at Circus Circus, known still today as "The Manor House." It's really a motel next to the RV park, and the room rate included two free passes to the buffet.

On another trip, I booked an America West vacation package and stayed at Harrah's. The location was better but the room was far from glamorous.

Enough has been written about the free shows in Vegas: the Bellagio fountains, the Mirage volcano, the circus act at, well, Circus Circus. The same for hiking in Red Rock Canyon or driving to the Valley of Fire. Those are all great activities for your first or second trip to Vegas.

But I set out to see how, on my 19th trip to Sin City, I could find some new experiences without breaking the bank.

Taxis, Ubers and Lyfts in Las Vegas can be very expensive. ( Plus, they are sometimes hard to find .) And while walking is my normal way of seeing a city, temperatures in Las Vegas can easily top 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The massive casinos on the Strip might look close to each other, but they're actually pretty spread out.

Yes, there are free trams between a handful of resorts. And there are buses that run throughout the city. So, if you're on an extremely tight budget, that is the way to go.

For me, I've found that renting a car one-way to or from the airport makes a lot of sense. I'll either pick it up at a casino on my final full day, use it to explore and then return it to the airport the next morning, saving $30 on a taxi. Or, I do the opposite.

Many folks will think I'm crazy given the long shuttle ride to the airport rental center and because I'll need to fill up the car with gas. But for me, a one-day rental on a 72-hour Las Vegas trip is a nice trick.

If you have elite status with a casino chain, you can also park for free.

I've leveraged my Hyatt Globalist status to earn M Life Gold, allowing me to park for free at any of the MGM resorts.

A car gives you the flexibility to play $5 blackjack tables at casinos off the Strip or explore local restaurants. You can visit Fremont Street and favorite spots such as the Neon Museum. It's not right for everyone, but it's something I've started to do more often — especially on crowded weekends when there is often a long wait for a taxi.

Check out the pinball museum

There are plenty of flashing lights in this city. But only at the Pinball Hall of Fame can you actually take control of some of those bulbs yourself.

You'll find the massive museum (it fits into an aircraft hangar) just south of Mandalay Bay. It's got about 200 games, ranging from vintage to modern, and others that brought me back to my childhood in the 1980s.

And the best part? You can play some for just a quarter. A $5 bill kept me and my colleague occupied for nearly an hour. Consider the free parking, and it's a great experience for travelers on a budget.

Related: 12 things to do in Las Vegas when you don't want to gamble

Cheap meals in Las Vegas

When it comes time to eat, you generally have two choices: a fancy, over-the-top meal or the same fast food you get back home.

Las Vegas buffets used to be a steal, but prices have crept up along with the offerings. (Pro tip: If you arrive just as breakfast is ending, you pay the breakfast price and can stay as the restaurant transitions to lunch.)

But for good food at an even better price, eat like a local.

My favorite old-time Las Vegas haunt is The Original Omelette House.

It's the sort of spot that, when you see it from the outside, you think about getting back into your car and driving away. But trust me: stay. Ignore the strip mall filled with a liquor store, chiropractor's office and a vape shop.

Related: Getting to Las Vegas on points and miles

You can get a salad or a sandwich here but really, that's like ordering a steak at Long John Silvers. You just don't do it.

Instead, there are dozens of omelets you'll want to choose from. Just be warned, these are big omelets. The standard ones are made with six eggs. That's right, half a dozen eggs. Not a typo.

There was plenty after my meal for leftovers.

For a dollar less, you can get the so-called baby omelet made with just three eggs. (See, the price of that rental car is easily being paid off.)

If you're not willing to venture far off the Strip, there is the long-time steak special at Ellis Island. Yes, you have to join the loyalty program and do some gambling. But then you can get the steak for only $7.99. The casino describes it as a "10-ounce top sirloin steak served with ... potato or rice, garlic green beans and homemade soup or salad."

Also note that Ellis Island has $5 blackjack, something that fewer and fewer casinos offer anymore.

Cheap drinks in Las Vegas

Yes, everyone knows the trick to getting free booze while gambling. But you don't always want to sit at a slot machine or table to get an inexpensive drink.

Here's where you can take a little field trip on the Strip.

There's a CVS, Walgreens, Target and a convenience shop called ABC Stores all right between City Center and the MGM Grand caddy-corner to it.

Need a case of water in the desert? Cheap beer? Wine or liquor? You're all set.

These convenience stores are much more affordable than any bar in the casinos. And, as long as you're not carrying glass, you can drink whatever you want on the street.

The final tip here: Visit your resort's fitness center. Hang on, I'm not saying you need to work out (but after that six-egg omelet, it may not be a bad idea.) This is another place where you can often pick up bottles of water for free. You are already paying exorbitant resort fees, so you might as well get back every last penny.

Related: Advice for staying safe in Las Vegas

Casino loyalty programs and coupon books

Airlines, hotels and car rental agencies aren't the only companies to reward travelers for their loyalty.

Casinos offer their members discounted or free rooms, shows, meals and more. OK, don't expect a free room unless you gamble a fair amount. But discounts are pretty easy to come by.

Typically, you need to sign up in person — something that won't help you on your first trip to Las Vegas. However, if you have a local outpost of one of the big casino chains, sign up there and then try your luck at a discounted room.

For those who really want to dive into these programs, here's our complete guide .

Sometimes, there are promotions to sign up, especially at the smaller casinos. This could mean a free game or a match play, where the casino essentially doubles your bet. (It only helps if you win the hand, but can be a great boost.)

I recently earned a promotion through an online game, myVEGAS Slots, which is run by Playstudios and partners with several travel and entertainment companies for rewards, including MGM. It's a free online casino that I've wasted way, way too many hours at over the years. There are also plenty of free night offers for people who play the online game, but it's not an easy path to a cheap vacation.

Other ways to save in Vegas

Discounted show tickets.

You are not going to score a discounted ticket to the latest show in town.

But, if you want to see one of the lesser-known acts or a show that's been open for years, check out Tix4Tonight.

It is the Las Vegas answer to Broadway's TKTS: discounted show tickets that need to be purchased that day, in person, at one of the company's outlets.

Magic. Comedy. Vegas showgirls. You name it, and it might be on sale tonight. Or not. Like everything else in Vegas, it's a gamble, but one that usually pays out for deal seekers.

Related: The top 13 things to do in Las Vegas

Free slot machines

Some casinos still have a "free pull" at a slot machine. These machines have horrible odds but are usually flashy machines on the street to get you in. There are fewer and fewer of them today, but it's worth the wait in line and, hey, you never know.

Save on ATM fees

Finally, think about how much cash you might need during your trip to Las Vegas. If you do rent a car, go to a local branch of your bank and get cash there.

If not, consider carrying enough cash from home. During a recent trip to Sin City, I saw a $9.99 fee at the ATMs in the new Resorts World casino .

The house might always win at the slot machines, but you don't have to give away your money at the ATM too.

Feature photo by Davin G Photography / Getty Images.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Destinations

How to Plan a Trip to Las Vegas on a Budget, According to a Travel Expert

Because Sin City isn’t just for high rollers.

How to Save on Food

How to save on transportation, how to find affordable las vegas hotels, how to save on flights to las vegas, free las vegas activities.

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

When you think of Las Vegas, it’s likely the glimmering casinos , flashy hotels, over-the-top entertainment , and extravagant meals that come to mind first. However, you don’t need to spend a small fortune to have a good time in Sin City — so as long as you’re savvy. From flights and hotels to activities and transportation, here are our top tips on how to plan a trip to Las Vegas on a budget, including expert insight, tips, and recommendations from long-time Vegas visitor and travel advisor Allison DePesa of Marvelous Mouse Travels . 

monticelllo/Getty Images

It’s no secret Sin City is home to spectacular restaurants , including the Michelin-starred Picasso , the sceney Cipriani Las Vegas , and Wolfgang Puck’s beloved Spago , to name a few. However, these aren’t the only options in town. Those looking to get the most bang for their buck can — and should — take advantage of Vegas’ seemingly endless buffets, says DePesa. What’s more, she tells T+L, “Buffets are a staple in Vegas, and you can usually find a great all-you-can-eat option with bottomless Champagne, mimosas, or bloody marys if you go for brunch.” For example, you can’t go wrong at Wicked Spoon at The Cosmopolitan, which serves extravagant all-day brunch items like bone marrow, short ribs, and even steamed snow crab — in addition to the classics like omelets — for $47 per person on weekdays and $54 on weekends; $25 extra for bottomless mimosas, Champagne, bloody marys, or Bud Light). For a more affordable option, consider the MGM Grand Buffet (from $31.99 Monday to Thursday, $37.99 Friday to Sunday), which offers an array of breakfast and lunch dishes, from fresh pastas to pancakes. If buffets aren’t your thing, the Strip is also teeming with fast-food joints and quick-service restaurants. Tacos El Gordo , which doles out wallet-friendly tacos, quesadillas, tostadas, and other Mexican favorites, is among our favorites, as is the Instagram-worthy Cafe Lola , which dishes out sweet and savory breakfast and lunch staples (think crème brûlée challah French toast).

Additionally, DePesa recommends budget-conscious travelers take advantage of happy hour specials. “Many restaurants and bars in Vegas offer discounted food and drink specials during happy hour, usually in the late afternoon or early evening. “ Brera Osteria at The Venetian Resort offers 50 percent off pizza, cocktails, and wines by the glass every day between 3 and 5 p.m. Also, don’t miss sangria hour at The Cosmopolitan's Jaleo , which has sangria from $7, beers from $7, wine from $9, and cocktails from $12 — along with a selection of tapas — every day from 5 to 7 p.m. The deals continue off the Strip at local favorite Honey Salt , where guests can enjoy $5 beers and wines, $6 cocktails, and apps like fried pickles and chicken sliders between $4 and $8 apiece every Monday through Friday between 3 and 6 p.m.

Pro tip: Be sure to sign up for restaurant rewards programs. “Many restaurants, especially those located in casinos, offer rewards programs or loyalty cards,” says DePesa. “Sign up for these programs to earn discounts, free meals, or other perks.” 

Although resorts on the Strip are typically more expensive than those a bit further away, their central location makes it much easier — and cheaper — to get around. What’s more, explains DePesa, “The Las Vegas Strip is relatively compact, and many attractions are within walking distance of each other.”

However, that’s not to say you can’t stay off the Strip and still save on transportation. While taxis and ride-share apps are available — as are rental cars, of course — DePesa recommends utilizing public transit to get around. “There's an extensive bus system in Las Vegas, including the Strip and downtown areas.” Deuce on the Strip , which runs 24/7, stops at almost every resort on the Strip, and while single rides cost $4, you can save money by snagging a multiday pass; a three-day one, for example, will run you $20. The Downtown Loop is a free shuttle service that takes visitors to some of downtown Vegas’ top attractions, including the Arts District and Fremont Street Experience . Also, keep in mind that some off-the-Strip hotels offer complimentary shuttle service to the Strip — but more on that below. 

 Ethan Miller/Getty Images

A Las Vegas hotel stay doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. For one, DePesa recommends booking well in advance, which "can often lead to better deals." She adds, "Hotels tend to offer lower rates for early bookings, especially if you're traveling during off-peak seasons." The summer months (June, July, and August) coincide with the city's low season due to the scorching heat. As such, you can find lower hotel rates. Shoulder season (September through November and January through April) also offers discounted nightly rates; according to Kayak, March is the cheapest month to stay in Las Vegas, with an average five percent drop in price. Ultimately, being flexible with your dates is key. "Midweek stays tend to be cheaper than weekends, and rates may fluctuate depending on special events or conventions in the city," explains DePesa. Finally, as previously mentioned, consider staying at a hotel off the Strip since, per the pro, properties “tend to be more affordable.” She elaborates, “Many of these hotels offer complimentary shuttle services to the Strip, making it convenient to access the main attractions."

DePesa recommends using Westgate Flamingo Bay Resort as your base. The property is home to 13 on-site restaurants and spacious accommodations clocking in at more than 500 square feet. She also suggests checking into Marriott's Grand Chateau ; while it does not provide shuttle service to the Strip — though, fortunately, it’s less than a mile away — it does have a rooftop pool, two bars, and, best of all, no resort fee.

If you choose to stay on the Strip, you can save money by selecting a property with low or no resort fees, which can cost as much as $55 per night. Those craving a more upscale hotel experience may consider a stay at the Sahara Las Vegas , one of few Strip hotels with an under-$40 nightly resort fee .

Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Looking to save money on flights ? Just like with hotels, DePesa says the key is to “be flexible with dates and book early.” She also recommends using fare comparison websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak to help you “easily find the best deals and set up price alerts for your desired travel dates.” Additionally, if you have the time and patience, DePesa recommends opting for a connecting flight to or from Vegas since they tend to be less expensive. “But be sure to check the total travel time and factor in potential layover durations,” she says. 

It’s also worth noting Las Vegas’ main airport, Harry Reid International Airport, is considered one of the cheapest in America, according to a 2022 analysis from CivMetrics . 

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Unbeknownst to many — especially first-time visitors — Las Vegas offers plenty of free activities , which means you can save your money in hopes of winning big at the casino.

“At the Bellagio, you can see the fountain show and Conservatory & Botanical Gardens ,” says DePesa.

Alternatively, catch the volcano eruption at the Mirage or check out the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat , “a quiet oasis home to koi fish, turtles, birds, and a flock of Chilean flamingos.” The Fremont Street Experience has free live music, Silverton Casino features a complimentary aquarium with thousands of tropical fish, and Circus Circus offers exhilarating acts. Travelers can also visit Ethel M Chocolates for free self-guided factory tours; afterward, explore the three-acre botanical garden, which boasts more than 300 species of flora. Other no-cost attractions include The Arts Factory , the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art , and the quirky Pinball Hall of Fame .

Related Articles

• Travel Planning Guide

Travel Budget for Las Vegas Visit Las Vegas on a Budget or Travel in Style

• Las Vegas Costs

• Las Vegas Hotel Prices
• Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Las Vegas
• Best Hotels for One Night in Las Vegas
• Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Las Vegas
• Best Hotels for One Week in Las Vegas
• Best Business Hotels in Las Vegas
• Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Las Vegas
• Best Party Hotels in Las Vegas
• Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Las Vegas
• Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Las Vegas
• Best Luxury Hotels in Las Vegas
• Best Cheap Hotels in Las Vegas
• Is Las Vegas Expensive?
• How much does a trip to Las Vegas cost?
• Is Las Vegas Worth Visiting?
• The Northeast
• The Midwest
• New York City
• San Francisco
• Los Angeles
• New Orleans
• How much does it cost to travel to Las Vegas? (Average Daily Cost)
• Las Vegas trip costs: one week, two weeks, one month

Is Las Vegas expensive to visit?

• How much do I need for a trip to Las Vegas?
• Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
• Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to Las Vegas?

You should plan to spend around $310 per day on your vacation in Las Vegas. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

• $80 on meals
• $53 on local transportation
• $317 on hotels

A one week trip to Las Vegas for two people costs, on average, $4,342 . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

• Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 310
• One Week Per person $ 2,171
• 2 Weeks Per person $ 4,342
• One Month Per person $ 9,305
• One Week For a couple $ 4,342
• 2 Weeks For a couple $ 8,684
• One Month For a couple $ 18,609

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Las Vegas cost?

A one week trip to Las Vegas usually costs around $2,171 for one person and $4,342 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Las Vegas on average costs around $4,342 for one person and $8,684 for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Las Vegas will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Las Vegas on average costs around $9,305 for one person and $18,609 for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Las Vegas has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Las Vegas is a somewhat more expensive place to visit. Located in the United States of America, which is a moderately priced country, visitors will need to plan for the extra expenses of this destination. It is in the top 25% of cities in the country for its overall travel expenses. When visiting, expect to pay somewhat higher prices for accommodation, food, and activities.

Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Las Vegas is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in North America for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Las Vegas is generally more expensive than most.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Las Vegas Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Las Vegas?

The average Las Vegas trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Las Vegas travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Las Vegas

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Las Vegas is $158. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Las Vegas is $317. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

• Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 158
• Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 317

Hotel Prices in Las Vegas

Looking for a hotel in Las Vegas? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Actual Hotel Prices The average hotel room price in Las Vegas based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $96. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Recommended Properties

• Residence Inn by Marriott Las Vegas Airport Budget Hotel - Kayak $ 163
• Wynn Las Vegas Luxury Hotel - Kayak $ 159

Transportation Budget in Las Vegas

The cost of a taxi ride in Las Vegas is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $53 per person, per day, on local transportation in Las Vegas.

• Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 53

Recommended Services

• Las Vegas To Harry Reid Airport Private Transfer Viator $ 58
• Private Airport Transfer Manila to Hotel in Manila or vice versa Viator $ 88

Flights to Las Vegas

Rental cars in las vegas, what did other people spend on transportation in las vegas.

Typical prices for Transportation in Las Vegas are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Las Vegas, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• 24 Hr Bus Pass $ 15
• 24 hrs Deuce Bus $ 7.00
• Taxi from Airport to the Strip $ 36

Food Budget in Las Vegas

While meal prices in Las Vegas can vary, the average cost of food in Las Vegas is $80 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Las Vegas should cost around $32 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Las Vegas is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

• Food 2 Meals for one day $ 80

Recommended

• Makati Street Food tour Experience with Mari Viator $ 73
• Downtown Las Vegas Food Tour Viator $ 89

What did other people spend on Food in Las Vegas?

Typical prices for Food in Las Vegas are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Las Vegas, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Coffee $ 5.00
• Deep Fried Twinkie $ 1.07
• Chocolate Dip Banana $ 1.07
• Gelato $ 5.95

Entertainment Budget in Las Vegas

Entertainment and activities in Las Vegas typically cost an average of $78 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

• Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 78

The Go City Las Vegas Pass offers great discounts on attractions in Las Vegas. With the Go City Explorer pass, you can choose to visit specific sights and attractions at a discount. Or, you can visit as many included attractions as you like with a multi-day All-Inclusive Pass. The average visitor saves 30% off of the regular admission prices.

Recommended Activities

• Red Rock Electric Scooter Tours Viator $ 135
• VIP Small Group Guided Photography and Walking Tour of Zion Viator $ 299

What did other people spend on Entertainment in Las Vegas?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Las Vegas are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Las Vegas, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Wedding Chapel $ 139
• Atomic Testing Museum (two people) $ 12
• Gondola Ride (4 person) $ 64
• Monorail Ride $ 5.00
• NY NY Rollercoaster $ 14
• Circus Circus Adventure Dome Day Pass $ 26

Tips and Handouts Budget in Las Vegas

The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Las Vegas is $15 per day. The usual amount for a tip in Las Vegas is 10% - 20% .

• Tips and Handouts 1 For guides or service providers $ 15

Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Las Vegas

Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Las Vegas is $125, as reported by travelers.

• Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps 1 $ 125

Alcohol Budget in Las Vegas

The average person spends about $55 on alcoholic beverages in Las Vegas per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

• Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 55
• Wine & Mead Tasting, Distillery and Brewery Tour with Lunch Viator $ 193
• Las Vegas Brewery Tour by Party Bus w/ 3 Flights of Craft… Viator $ 129

Water Budget in Las Vegas

On average, people spend $11 on bottled water in Las Vegas per day. The public water in Las Vegas is considered safe to drink.

• Water 2 Bottled water for one day $ 11

Expert Advice from Local Travelers

We're asking our community members and registered users to contribute their experiences about Las Vegas.

How can you save money during your time in Las Vegas?

We used to stay off the Strip because the hotels were cheaper, but honestly it was more hassle than it's worth. Pay the extra money and stay on the Strip where you can use the transportation or walk everywhere.

Are you an experienced traveler? Help other travelers! Answer a quick question about your past travels. + Add Comment

Related Articles

Las vegas on a budget.

Neighborhoods

Food and dining, transportation, more related articles.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

Subscribe to our Newsletter

By signing up for our email newsletter, you will receive occasional updates from us with sales and discounts from major travel companies , plus tips and advice from experienced budget travelers!

Search for Travel Costs

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.

Travel Cost Data

You are welcome to reference or display our travel costs on your website as long as you provide a link back to this page .

A Simple Link

For a basic link, you can copy and paste the HTML link code or this page's address.

Travel Cost Widget

To display all of the data, copy and paste the code below to display our travel cost widget . Make sure that you keep the link back to our website intact.

• Privacy / Terms of Use
• Activities, Day Trips, Things To Do, and Excursions

How Much You Should Budget for a Trip to Vegas – By Category!

By Author Jake Hoffman

Posted on Last updated: October 13, 2023

Key Points:

• According to survey data, the average visitor spent $1,461 per 4.6-day long trip, which breaks down to about $318 per day.
• The average visitor budgeted $500 per trip specifically for gambling, which amounts to about $109 per day.

When it comes to budgeting spending money for Vegas, there isn’t a “one size fits all” answer. Variations in preferences from person to person need to be taken into account before determining how much cash you’ll need.

With that being said, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) conducts an annual visitor survey to gauge how much, on average, people spent during their trip on things like entertainment, food, drink, and gambling.

Below, I’ll dig into those average spend figures which can help you create your own spending plan.

Note that for each category below, visitors shared how much they spent per category per trip to Vegas. The same survey noted that the average trip length was 4.6 days in 2021. With that information, I’m able to get a feel for what the “average person” should budget to spend per day while in Vegas.

Entertainment Budget

Determining how much money you should bring to Vegas for shows and other activities is dependent on your tastes. What do you plan to do while in town? Popular shows like “Absinthe” at Caesars, or “O” at Bellagio can cost upwards of $100 per seat while entry to comedy clubs or activities like Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is significantly cheaper.

I recommend pricing out your preferred activities on sites like Vegas.com where you can see the full allotment of entertainment options available to you along with their associated price. With that information, you can put together an accurate spending plan.

The average visitor in 2021 spent $83.83 on shows, entertainment, and sightseeing per trip, or about $18 per day.

If you’re looking to do a LOT, the Las Vegas Go City All-Inclusive Pass could help you conserve your spending money.

Food & Drink Budget

Again, your specific tastes will dictate how much money you should take to Vegas for restaurants and drinking. Are you eating at Hell’s Kitchen and Giada’s, or at less expensive fast food options?

Rest assured, if you are looking to eat cheap in Vegas, there are plenty of value buffet and restaurant options to stretch your dollar. If you plan to indulge in a couple of higher-end meals though, check out that restaurant’s menu online in advance so you can budget appropriately.

When it comes to drinking, do you prefer $1 Michelobs at a dive bar like Stage Door Casino , or $20 craft cocktails like those found at the Ghost Donkey speakeasy at Cosmopolitan? Create a game plan based on what type of bar you want to belly up to. Remember, drinks are free while gambling, but bring plenty of singles to tip!

For those looking to stretch your Vegas budget, check out our guides to eating cheap on the Strip and cheap eats on Fremont Street .

Additionally, I keep an up-to-date rundown of happy hour deals on the Strip in addition to Drink deals on Fremont Street .

The average visitor in 2021 spent $462.37 on food and drink per trip, or about $101 per day.

Shopping Budget

You either do it, or you don’t. Me? You’ll find me at the craps table but I understand that some like perusing the various shopping malls in Las Vegas that range from outlet malls to high-end luxury.

The average visitor in 2021 spent $284.55 on shopping per trip, or about $62 per day.

Transportation Budget

Options for transportation in Vegas exist for all budgets and range from public transportation to limousines. Options include:

• City Bus ( The Deuce ) ($6 for a 2 hr. pass)
• Uber/Lyft ($10-$20 per trip)
• Cabs ($15-$25 per trip)
• Limos ($60/hr)

The average visitor in 2021 spent $130.02 on local transportation per trip, or about $28 per day.

Related: See all transportation options in Las Vegas , here.

Gambling Budget

The average amount of money visitors budgeted for gambling in 2021 according to the LVCVA is wide-ranging, with 7% budgeting $99 or less, 23% budgeting $100-$300, 30% budgeting $300-$600, and 39% budgeting over $600.

My suggestion is to establish a daily plan, or limit. Split the cash up into envelopes labeled by day to keep you on budget.

Of course, you can also stretch your gambling budget by escaping the Strip and visiting locals casinos where minimums are often cheaper. I suggest walking to Ellis Island , a small locals casino just behind Horseshoe off the Strip where $5 blackjack and craps can still be found.

The median amount budgeted for gambling in 2021 was $500, or about $109 per day.

So, How Much Money Should I Bring to Vegas?

The average visitor spent $1,461 per trip when you add up each category above from the 2021 LVCVA profile survey. That total breaks down to about $318 per day, based on the average 4.6-day trip.

Obviously, the amount of money you should bring to Vegas will likely differ, but this should give you a good baseline idea of how much money to bring.

Miscellaneous Items To Consider

Tipping: I typically arrive in Vegas prior to hotel check-in and check my bags with the bellman so that I can roam the city free of encumbrances. The problem? I never seem to plan adequately for tipping which has me scrambling. Part of your spending money plan should include a stack of $1 or even $2 bills for tipping. More on tipping in Vegas here .

Resort Fees: Although your hotel will be paid for upfront, resort fees will be due at the hotel property upon check-out for the vast majority of travelers. Resort fees differ by resort, but high-end properties typically charge $45, while lower-tier strip properties have a nightly fee that lands in the $30 range. It is possible to avoid the fees if you are a big-time gambler, otherwise, you’ll want to book at one of these Las Vegas hotels without resort fees .

Understandably, your answer to “How much to budget for Vegas?” will be different depending on your tastes and preferences.

I recommend going category by category, thinking ahead about what you intend to do, and planning for what you plan to spend for each. Putting thought into your budget will help ensure you have enough spending money for Vegas to be the time of your life!

See Also: Ways to Save Money in Vegas and Free things to do in Vegas – A complete list.

Feature Image: ©andreypopov/123RF.COM

I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.

Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.

More about me, here .

Share this Article!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

How to Visit Las Vegas on a Budget

Best Time to Visit

Things to do, where to eat.

• Booking a Hotel

Getting Around

Vegas devotees know that there are many, many cheap and free things to do in Las Vegas —but this city wasn’t meant to be a bargain. Remember that its very raison d’être is to separate you from your money. All the distractions are lures. And the house always wins.

That said, Vegas’ job is to appeal both to the budget traveler and the traveler for whom budget is no object. For those who want to make smart use of their travel budget and still make room for a few splurges, here are some planning tips.

While it is true that there are plenty of things to do year-round in Las Vegas, it’s also true that there’s a high season, and knowing when to travel can save you a lot. The best time to visit is generally the shoulder seasons of March to May and September to November. These months offer the most moderate weather and, generally, the most moderate prices. Although Las Vegas does get cold in the winter, it also gets lots of visitors, especially around New Year’s Eve. As you might imagine, hotel prices reflect the popularity.

You should also keep in mind that the convention business is Las Vegas’ lifeblood. Come during the MAGIC fashion trade show or the Consumer Electronics Show and you’re virtually guaranteed a hotel shakedown—that is, if you can find a room at all. Occasionally, Vegas plays host to several large conventions all at once, which can affect nearly all the prices in the city. If your trip dates are flexible, start your research on the city’s official convention and trade show site . Avoiding the major conventions will help you search out the less busy (and less expensive) travel times.

Many of the best things in Las Vegas (as in life) are free. And while it's clear that those free things are really engineered to keep you in Las Vegas longer with the goal of getting you to spend money, you really can indulge without parting with (that much) of your hard-earned cash.

Explore Attractions Inside and Around the Bellagio

You won't want to miss the tried-and-true iconic draws of the Las Vegas Strip, such as the Bellagio Fountains , whose 400-plus-foot-high water jets are choreographed to the stylings of Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Lady Gaga, Andrea Bocelli, and many more. And the best place to see them is right from the street, completely for free.

Go inside the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden for its rotating, seasonal display of tens of thousands of flowers and animatronic animals (there's never been the same display twice).

Marvel at Wynn's Lake of Dreams

Wynn's Lake of Dreams recently got a $14 million overhaul. The lake, which you can only see from inside the resort, can be accessed via the curving escalator that leads down to SW Steakhouse and Lakeside restaurant, and you'll see such wild new sights as a trio of giant, animatronic exotic birds gyrating to Lady Gaga's "Born This Way," as well as a mysterious spacewoman floating over the lake to David Bowie's "Space Oddity."

And if you haven't had your fill of wow-worthy shows, just a 15-minute walk away is the volcano at Mirage, which erupts nightly in a pyrotechnic display that might scare the kids, but you'll remember it forever.

Check Out Public Art Displays

Art lovers will find plenty to love in the city, from the incredible public art collection on the 67-acre CityCenter campus (look for Henry Moore, Claes Oldenburg, and Nancy Rubin, among many others). And although you'll have to book well in advance through Louis Vuitton in The Shops at Crystals, its 20-minute, hidden, immersive art room by light artist James Turrell— Akhob —is totally free.

Get a Selfie with a Vegas Landmark

Looking for the best selfie spots? Bookend your trip with the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign , on the Strip's south end, and the new "Downtown Las Vegas Gateway Arches," the new, 80-foot-high neon arches that now welcome visitors to the city's wild and fun Downtown area. Or, take a picture with someone you love standing in the "O" of the ruby red "LOVE" sculpture in the waterfall atrium in Palazzo.

Breakfast and lunch can add up (especially in-room dining, where surcharges can be steep). If you’re here to save a bit of money so you can have a few blowout dining experiences, choose hotels that have lower-priced options attached to them or within close proximity.

For instance, the Venetian has some of the most top-notch restaurants in the city, but it also has the food court at Grand Canal Shoppes . Likewise, you could blow all your money on restaurants at Caesars or eat a bit more frugally at Forum Shops at Caesars and save your pennies. New cafés at Wynn, such as Urth Caffé, are more gently priced than most of its restaurants, but it’s also a short walk across the street to Fashion Show Mall, where you’ll find a Starbucks and plenty of cheap eats.

If you’ve rented a car or are one of the many tourists who come by car, look into hotel suites such as those at Aria, Vdara, and slightly off-Strip at Platinum Hotel Las Vegas, which come with kitchenettes or full-size kitchens. Considering how much you can spend on food (and drinks) here, you can actually offset the price of your stay in a fancier room if you eat some meals in.

Tips for Booking a Hotel

Las Vegas hotels are tiered; it's a basic truth that some are just more expensive than others. Budget hotels on the Las Vegas Strip are aplenty, but you can also deals and save costs on even the most luxurious resort—here's how.

• Signing up for hotel loyalty programs—such as Venetian’s Grazie, Wynn’s Red Card, Caesars Rewards, and MGM’s MLife—will reward you with comp points, food and beverage credits, show tickets, and lots of other deals that will soften prices.
• It's not uncommon to stumble on an outstanding hotel deal, like, say, a room advertised for $29 a night, but a word of caution: Once you add a resort fee (hotels are now charging between $35 and $45 per night) and parking, and the 12 to 13 percent hotel room tax on the Strip and Downtown, those prices start to look a little less like a bargain.
• There’s a downward trend in parking fees, but mostly for self-parking. Check the rates before you book.
• No matter when you decide to visit Las Vegas, planning a mid-week trip can make a difference of hundreds of dollars. You’ll find rooms at their lowest rates between Tuesday and Thursday. (Logic would tell you that Sunday night stays would be a great idea, but this often doesn’t hold true. Weeklong conventions often start on Monday mornings, which is why the airport can be a nightmare on a Sunday.)
• Many people don’t know that a lot of the hotel casinos actually publish their own rate calendars well in advance. There’s often no need to look up random dates and hope for the best: It’s all there on the calendar. MGM’s hotels have always done this (a recent search showed a difference in rates of $49 on a weekday and $159 on a weekend night for the same room at MGM Grand ). You might have to do a little digging, though, since a few hotel casinos bury them within the site.

Apologies to the hardworking taxi drivers of Las Vegas, but there’s no reason to take a cab anymore. Here's how to get around Vegas on a budget.

• Depending on all the same factors above (season, conventions, and special events), an entire day’s rental car can cost less than a taxicab from McCarran International Airport to the Strip.
• Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft run about half the price of a taxi, and all the hotels have dedicated rideshare lanes.
• The Las Vegas Monorail runs from the Sahara (all the way at the north end of the Strip) south to MGM Grand, stopping at the Las Vegas Convention Center, on the Strip’s east side. Six of the Strip hotels have monorail stations, so if you’re planning to go the length of the Strip, it’s a good option. Single ride tickets cost $5, an unlimited 24-hour pass is $13, and a three-day pass is $29.
• The Deuce, a double-decker transit bus, stops every 15 to 20 minutes on the Strip. You can buy a two-hour Strip pass for $6 or a 24-hour pass with unlimited rides for $8.
• A free tram on the south end of the Strip connects Mandalay Bay, Luxor and Excalibur on the south end of the Strip; another free tram connects Treasure Island and Mirage; and there’s a Bellagio/CityCenter/Park MGM Tram, also free, that runs about every seven minutes.

Your Trip to Las Vegas: The Complete Guide

Where Do You Park in Las Vegas?

Every Las Vegas Neighborhood You Need to Visit

50 Things to Do in Las Vegas This Summer

UFC in Las Vegas: Travel Guide for Attending MMA in Sin City

Stratosphere Hotel Casino Tower Las Vegas

How to Save Money on a Hotel in Las Vegas

Best Budget Hotels on the Las Vegas Strip

Budget Is Not Bad at Excalibur Las Vegas

How to Travel From Chicago to Las Vegas by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

Las Vegas Must-See Sights and Attractions

The 15 Best Things to Do in Las Vegas with Toddlers

A Guide to Riding the Las Vegas Monorail

The Mirage Las Vegas: The Complete Guide

The Las Vegas Strip: The Complete Guide

14 Top Things to Do in Las Vegas During a Layover

How To Enjoy Las Vegas On A Budget

by Melissa Giroux | Last updated Nov 8, 2023 | Travel Tips , United States

Las Vegas might not be the first-holiday destination you think of for a budget travel experience. However, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to hear that Sin City isn’t all Michelin-starred restaurants and exclusive VIP nightclubs.

Yes, there are plenty of ways to soak up the glitz and glamor of Vegas while saving money on food, drinks, entertainment and much more.

Find Discounted Show Tickets on the Strip

If you like the idea of seeing a show or two in Vegas, then it’s possible to get cheap tickets along the Strip or downtown.

The booths open at 10 a.m., so get there early for the best choice that day.

Hit the Penny Slots and Still Enjoy Free Drinks

Las Vegas’ casinos are famous for their free drinks. Cocktail waitresses pound the casino floors dishing out free alcohol to keep guests playing. If you want to take advantage of the free alcohol on a budget, then play at the penny slots where your risk will be minimal.

The casinos on the Vegas Strip also have sportsbooks with screen upon screen of live sporting action. They are free entry, too, to help you keep up with the results of your favorite teams without spending a cent.

Where the land-based sportsbooks in Sin City differ to their online competitors is their so-called comps and incentives.

While their online counterparts provide risk-free incentives when signing up, most sportsbooks in Las Vegas will take your money, and that’s that. So, don’t pay a visit to a Vegas sportsbook unless you have the available funds to do so.

Take the Deuce Up and Down the Strip

Avoid taking taxis if you can. Uber and Lyft apps will give you cheaper taxis, but for the best value transport up and down the Strip, take the Deuce.

This double-decker bus offers 24-hour travel for $8 while three-day passes are available for only $20.

Avoid Visiting During Holidays and Conference Dates

If you don’t want to pay jacked-up hotel room rates, then avoid hitting Vegas in holiday seasons such as Christmas, New Year, Thanksgiving or Independence Day.

When major seminars and conferences are in town, the hotel rates are also extortionate, so with a little forward planning, you can pick the ideal time to visit. Weekday rates are much cheaper than weekends, so consider a Monday to Friday trip.

Check Out Vegas’ Plentiful Free Sights

There are so many things to do and see in Vegas that don’t cost you a cent. In fact, this place is a full-on sensory overload.

Whether it’s the Bellagio fountain show, the Mirage’s volcano eruption, the acrobats and jugglers performing at the old-school Circus Circus, the pretty oasis of pink flamingos at The Flamingo or the reaction of those zip-lining up and down the Fremont Street Experience Downtown, there’s plenty to soak up without getting your wallet out.

Hit the Casino Buffets at the Right Time

One final tip for food lovers: Recognize the value in the casino buffets. The best time to visit these buffets is to head there right before the changeover between lunch and dinner or breakfast and lunch.

By paying breakfast prices and getting the lunchtime food selection or paying lunch prices and getting the full array of evening dishes, you can fill your boots for less.

Final Thoughts On Las Vegas On a Budget

While Las Vegas is not the most budget-friendly destination in the United States, it’s still possible to enjoy Vegas on a budget.

If you’re planning on traveling to Vegas with your partner, make sure to check our suggestions for romantic activities in Las Vegas .

MY TOP RECOMMENDATIONS

BOOK HOTEL ON BOOKING.COM

BOOK HOSTEL ON HOSTELWORLD

GET YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

LEARN HOW TO START A TRAVEL BLOG

LEARN HOW TO VOLUNTEER ABROAD

Travelling is ultimately a tool for growth. If you want to venture further, click this banner and take the leap 😉

• Meet the Team
• Work with Us
• Czech Republic
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• Scandinavia
• Philippines
• South Korea
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Budget Travel
• Work & Travel
• The Broke Backpacker Manifesto
• Travel Resources
• How to Travel on $10/day

Home » North America » USA » Las Vegas

The EPIC Las Vegas Travel Guide + Budget Travel Tips! (2024)

Sin City AKA Las Vegas – it’s one of the most infamous places in the USA that’s often portrayed as a den for gangsters, gamblers, and runaways.

If I can guarantee just one thing, it’s that visiting Vegas will be an experience – to say the least.

In this Las Vegas Travel Guide, I’m not going to walk you through how to experience nightlife. Because to participate, all you have to do is show up.

I’m going to be talking about some of Sin City’s less conventional travel attractions: the amazing hikes, the interesting museums, the local restaurants- all the things that make a city worth visiting.

Granted, we will be spending some time on The Strip and you’ll still have plenty of opportunities to shoot craps. At the end of the day, this is a guide to visiting Las Vegas for first timers and these things are, admittedly, a right of passage.

By the end of this article, you’ll know when, where, and how to travel in Vegas on a budget, along with a few offbeat location ideas, too.

So grab your tacky Hawaiian shirts, your one-piece suits, your Elvis costumes, whatever it is you want to wear. We’re heading to bat country!

The Broke Backpacker is supported by you . Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more .

Why Visit Las Vegas?

A sample 3-day itinerary for las vegas, top things to do in las vegas, backpacker accommodation in las vegas, las vegas backpacking costs, best time to travel to las vegas, staying safe in las vegas, how to get into and around las vegas, working and volunteering in las vegas , nightlife in las vegas, faqs about traveling in las vegas, final advice before visiting las vegas.

Because where else can you find a literal City of Sin in the middle of a massive desert?

Las Vegas is unique in just about every way, from its hundreds of underground tunnels to its bonafide status as an “Adult Disneyland.” If you’re going to be backpacking the USA , it’s one of those places that you just can’t miss.

From themed casinos to some of the best shows in the world, Las Vegas is synonymous with entertainment. While many call NYC the city that never sleeps, it’s Vegas where you can truly find EVERYTHING at each and every hour of the day. 24/7/365 casinos outfitted with “natural” lighting can really make this damned city feel like another world.

Not trying to spend every day attepting to win money?

You can also rock out at one of Las Vegas’ iconic pool parties, or check out the very vibe-y Fremont Street, which is where the city’s old heart beats. Sin City can also hold its own in the food scene, and I’m not just talking about the bougie restaurants you can find in all the famous casinos.

While Las Vegas isn’t quite as “real” as even Miami, part of what makes it so fun is the debauchery. We’re always down for a good party, and the reality is that with cash to blow, a trip to Las Vegas might just be the most lit part of your American adventure. It’s also centrally located to several famous natural landmarks, like the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam .

What Are the Major Attractions in Las Vegas?

Las Vegas is teeming with iconic attractions, after all, it does attract tourists from all over the world! As much as you should try to get off the beaten path while experiencing Sin City, this wouldn’t be a legitimate Las Vegas travel guide without mentioning these awesome things to do in Las Vegas .

Here’s what you just can’t skip:

• Fremont Street
• The Venetian
• Caesar’s Palace

How Long to Spend in Las Vegas?

Las Vegas is a pretty small city, and most of its attractions can be seen pretty quickly. This means you can pack a LOT into just a few days.

I’d recommend spending 3 days in Las Vegas to start. This will give you enough time to see the main sights, do a bit of gambling, and even take a solid day trip from Vegas .

If you’re looking to properly check out all the casinos and really get into traditional Las Vegas activities, you may want to extend that to 5 days. You’re definitely gonna want to leave one for recovery.

The following is a sample 3-day itinerary for a weekend in Las Vegas. Most of the top destinations mentioned in this Las Vegas travel guide are covered in this section, but be sure to leave some room for spontaneity in your Vegas itinerary !

Day 1 in Las Vegas: It’s All About The Strip

The first day of our Las Vegas travel guide is all about the touristy stuff. We’re talking about all the essentials of Las Vegas. While I don’t think that any of the casinos are really impressive, you have to roll the dice once at a craps table and see the Bellagio Fountains while in Vegas.

Las Vegas Boulevard AKA The Strip officially begins on the edge at the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign (cue touristy photo op). The first casinos you’ll see are Mandalay Bay, the Luxor and then the line goes on for about 4 miles until Circus Circus.

Each casino on The Strip has a specific theme and usually offers attractions based upon that theme. Mandalay Bay is all about water – it has an aquarium, as well as a pretty cool ice bar.

Excalibur is medieval-themed, so obviously it hosts jousting tournaments. A lot of these are actually being demolished to make room for newer hotels, so you might want to visit them before they’re gone.

CityCenter is one of the newest developments on The Strip and attracts attention for its futuristic architecture. Inside this complex are a couple of really cool installations, like the Art Gallery of Richard Macdonald and the Akhob – the latter is highly recommended.

The Bellagio is one of the most famous casinos in Las Vegas and is recognized by its iconic fountains. Less known are the free Botanical Gardens inside the hotel and the Gallery of Fine Art . The gallery sometimes hosts an infinity room by the famous Yayoi Kusama.

End your day out with a sunset gondola ride at the Venetian , because when in Vegas, am I right? Then end your night in Caesar’s Palace or the Flamingo gambling and eating till it’s time to call it a night.

Budget Travel Tip: If you can’t sneak in, just get a day pass to one of the pool areas, at least for one day! The best way to beat the heat is hang out at one of the casino’s extravagant pools. Many pool areas host a massive EDM pool party on their respective day of the week. If you’re into that, well, ladies get in free. Men, expect to pay up.

Day 2 in Las Vegas: Downtown + Museums

We’re going to be dedicating the second day of our Las Vegas travel guide to the Downtown Las Vegas area. Here lies the city’s most traditional nightlife as well as a number of museums and art installations. It is a more authentic area that offers a chance to see another side of Vegas.

There are a number of cool museums to start off your day with. The Mob Museum is everyone’s favorite exposition of the people who essentially ran this town in the 60s. You’ll get to see and learn a whole lot about organized crime.

Next, check out the Neon Museum – this graveyard of old electric signs perfectly captures Las Vegas’ essence.

Some notable casinos on Fremont are the Golden Nugget and The D. The Golden Nugget gets its name from the giant lump of gold it has on display, which is referred to as the Hand of Faith (it’s actually really big). Nearby is The D and it is one of the last great vintage casinos in the city.

There’s a lot more to see in the Downtown area beside the Fremont Arcade though. There’s a shit ton of street art between 6th and 7th Streets on Ogden and plenty more further south in the Arts District. If you’re around on First Friday, there’s a big street party in the Arts District.

If not, be sure to stop by Container Park for a drink and some photos before ending your day on Fremont Street – a vortex of neon lights and old-school casinos. Wandering around this area is definitely one of the most popular things to do in Las Vegas at night.

Day 3 in Las Vegas: Pick Your Day-Trip

A lot of the must-dos in Vegas are not even in the city itself – several are located on the outskirts and further into the desert. On the final day of your Las Vegas trip, you’re going to see a few of them

Lake Mead is one of the best day trips from Las Vegas as it’s directly east of the city and is the perfect place to cool off on hot days. The lake is open to recreational use, which means you can go boating on it. There are even a couple of “beaches.” Before heading back to the city, stop by the Hoover Dam at the mouth of the lake for some iconic views.

Finish off the outdoorsy day with a stop at the Red Rock Canyon Viewpoint – It’s practically a part of town and offers all of the amenities of a world-class national park. At Red Rock Canyon, you can go hiking, climbing, and on one of many scenic drives. The viewpoint offers great sunset and star views on clear days.

Spending More Time in Las Vegas?

Got more time to work with? Aside from all its “main” attractions, there’s a whole lot to see, do, and eat in Vegas that most short-stay tourists miss out on. Here are some of the lesser-known adventures to be found in Las Vegas:

• Visit the other museums : Vegas is chalk full of unique museums. Aside from the famous Neon and Mob displays, you can check out the various pop-up exhibits, including the Erotic Heritage Museum, where you can see and learn about human sexuality. The immersive Van Gogh exhibit is another can’t-miss if it’s happening on your travel dates.
• Check out the Arts District : To see Vegas before it became another version of Disneyworld, look no further than the Arts District, where you can check out the underground Art Factory too.
• See a show : Las Vegas is known for its legendary entertainment scenes, and there’s always a new artist or performance to be enjoyed. Check out which artists are “in residency” as those will be your best show options.
• Go on an Area 51 tour : Nearly everyone has heard of the conspiracy-riddled region of Nevada known as Area 51. While the exact site is strictly off-limits to the public, tours from Las Vegas to what’s known as the “Extraterrestial Highway” is one of the most unique places to visit in the USA.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

1. Give Chinatown a chance

Often neglected, Las Vegas’ own Chinatown is actually really good. Some of the best places to eat in Vegas are in this plaza because the restaurants can be very authentic. You can thank all of those Chinese businessmen who just made a quick million at the slots and want a hot pot to celebrate.

2. Be knighted

Ironically, the most popular pro sport in Las Vegas is hockey. The Las Vegas Golden Knights have only existed for a couple of years and yet they have already made it to the Stanley Cup finals! Obviously, the locals love their team but the Knights are gaining fans from all over the country now.

3. Go faster!

If you’re a fan of speed or anything turbo-charged, there are two activities that you must do in Las Vegas: one is driving a souped-up race car and the other is going for a ride in an acrobatic plane. Both are huge thrills and will leave you breathless (quite literally).

4. Get outdoors

Vegas may be most well known for its casinos and gambling, but one thing that is often overlooked about the city is its location.

Las Vegas is very close to some amazing national parks, including Zion , the Grand Canyon , and Death Valley . For outdoorsy people, Las Vegas is the perfect base for an epic Southwest road trip .

MATH TIME: The entry fee for Yellowstone National Park is $35. Meanwhile, the entry fee for the neighbouring Grand Teton National Park is another $35. That means that visiting TWO national parks alone (out of the 423 total in the USA) will run you a grand total of $70…

Or you can stuff that whole deal off and buy the ‘America the Beautiful Pass’ for  $79.99.  With it, you get unlimited access to ALL federally-managed land in the U.S.A for FREE – that’s over 2000 recreational sites! Ain’t that just beautiful?

5. Double down at a blackjack table

It may not be one of the cheapest things to do in Las Vegas, but you simply have to sit at a blackjack table on a casino floor – if only for the experience. Feel free to set whatever budget you’d like; just try not to get sucked into the game. Funnily enough, these casinos (AKA massive, glitzy businesses) know how to profit off saps with bad luck.

If you hit a big win, my advice is to take it and run. If you get lucky once, chances are you won’t get lucky again.

6. Walk on The Strip

It may be cliche, but walking The Strip at night is still one of the best things to do in Las Vegas. Here, you’ll find all Las Vegas’ top attractions, like the Luxor , the Bellagio , Caesars Palace , and more. All are monuments to the city’s glory and can be best described by one word: extra.

7. Be a different person

Vegas has always attracted people who are trying to escape something, be it for a weekend or a lifetime. These runaways are afforded new lives in Sin City and some thrive on their newfound anonymity. Regardless of where you come from, you can be whoever you want here, because “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”.

8. Go to a music festival

More and more, Las Vegas is turning to EDM. While the casinos are already throwing dance parties every night, the absolute best way to experience electronic is at a festival in Vegas .

EDC is legendary by now for its outrageous production and stacked lineup, but the Life is Beautiful and iHeartRadio festivals are good too.

9. Visit a different sort of museum

Las Vegas may not be a paragon of high culture or offer the most spectacular collections of art. What it does have though is a series of very odd and interesting museums.

Be sure to drop by the likes of the Pinball Hall of Fame , the Atomic Testing Museum , the Neon Museum , or the Mob Museum for a unique experience.

10. Check out the street art

One of the best things to do in Las Vegas during the day is to go on a hunt for street murals. The Downtown area, specifically between 5th and 7th Streets on Ogden , is jam-packed with street art leftover over from the Life is Beautiful Fest. The Cosmopolitan Hotel also has a cool Wallworks gallery in one of their garages.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Hostels  in Las Vegas are kinda cheap but their quality is not what I’d call extraordinary. They’re usually built from former motels, which may or may not irk you. Prices spike if you visit Vegas on the weekend.

Las Vegas Hotels often appear expensive but don’t feel discouraged. There are plenty of affordable lodging options in Las Vegas. Be aware that many hotels deals may neglect to provide certain amenities, much in the same way budget airlines do. Keep this in mind when planning a trip to Las Vegas.

Vacation rentals in Vegas give you more freedom and flexibility to come and go as you please as well as spread out like you would at home.

The Best Places to Stay in Las Vegas

Wondering where to stay in Las Vegas ? Here are some of the best budget options in the city. With a higher bank balance, the sky is literally the limit when it comes to accommodation in Sin City.

South Strip

If you’re visiting Las Vegas for the first time, there’s no better place to stay than the South Strip neighbourhood. Located, you guessed it, just south of the world-renowned Las Vegas Strip, this neighbourhood is within walking distance of the city’s most famous casinos, clubs, restaurants and attractions.

Downtown Las Vegas

Downtown Las Vegas – or DTLV – is the city’s central business and historic district. Set a short walk north of the Strip, this ideally located neighbourhood is close to great bars, cool clubs, and a myriad of unique and unforgettable attractions.

There’s no better place to stay if you’re looking to party the night away than the Las Vegas Strip, the most infamous neighbourhood in Las Vegas.

Arts District

Tucked away north of the Strip is one of the coolest and most colourful neighbourhoods in Las Vegas. Spanning 18 city blocks, the Arts District – also known as 18b – is the heart of Las Vegas’ arts and culture scene.

Symphony Park

Symphony Park is one of the smallest and newest neighbourhoods in Las Vegas. Covering just 61-acres, this neighbourhood is a mixed-use space that houses shops and businesses as well as residences and a massive green space.

For something a bit different, I highly recommend checking out the numerous VRBOs in Vegas .

Las Vegas Budget Accommodation Hacks

Sometimes you need your own roof above your head – I know the feeling. Other times, you’re doing everything you can to save a nickel and dime.

If you’re trying to cut the costs of travel to Las Vegas, then maybe it’s time to stay somewhere besides a hostel or apartment. Airbnbs in Las Vegas are plentiful and generally of high quality. You can also save some cash as you can use the kitchen to cook your own food.

If you need to save money, try one of these:

• Couchsurf – Couchsurfing is the best way to save cash when it comes to accommodation: most of the time you’re crashing for free! Staying with a local host is also a great chance to experience a more authentic side of the city and to visit hidden Las Vegas. The problem with Couchsurfing is that it’s really popular (duh, it’s free) and demand often outstrips supply. Hosts are picky as well so you’ll need to impress them with an eye-catching message. Definitely, try Couchsurfing, but be ready to be rejected.
• Tap into your backpacker network – You never know when you have a friend in a foreign city! If you’ve traveled a lot, you may have met someone from Las Vegas – or know someone who knows someone…
• Camping – Urban camping is a growing trend in many cities. These campsites are comfortable, sociable, safe, and cheap. They are often located on the outskirts of town, which means they are quieter too. Call in advance to check for spaces and pack your best budget tent !

Visiting the USA on a budget is tough, and in Vegas, it can seem downright impossible. Las Vegas is marketed as one of the most luxurious, most lavish places to visit in the US . It’s a city where people with too much money visit to throw away their hard-earned dollars, simply because they don’t know what else to do with them.

That being said, Las Vegas can still be cheap! This city offers a number of affordable options, and you don’t necessarily have to be a high roller to visit.

Las Vegas will take your money, no matter how little it is. In order to travel to Las Vegas on the cheap, you just have to have very strict spending habits.

Take note of what I say in this Las Vegas travel guide and y’all will be fine. A lower daily budget for Las Vegas will be around $60-$80. This will get you a dorm bed, groceries, tickets to some local sites, and beer money.

The average daily cost of food in Las Vegas can vary widely . Las Vegas has some crazy restaurants, run by some of the most famous chefs in the world, and eating at these will assuredly cost a lot. If you stick to cooking for yourself and dining at local places to eat in Las Vegas, then your dollar will go much further.

For that matter, eating or drinking anywhere near The Strip will cost way more than the Downtown Vegas area or the burbs. If you want to truly do Las Vegas on a budget, limit your spending near the casinos and popular areas.

A Daily Budget in Las Vegas

A few free things to do in las vegas.

Even though it’s one of the most opulent places in the USA, there are actually quite a few free things to do in Las Vegas. Take advantage of one of these gratis offerings to really visit Las Vegas on a budget.

• First Friday Art Walks – On the first Friday of every month, the Vegas Arts District sets up a big block party for exhibiting local studios. There’s plenty of art to see and lots of food vendors to keep you going.
• Free concerts – Fremont Street hosts a lot of free shows in Las Vegas. Hang out here long enough and you’re bound to catch one.
• Free shows – Las Vegas almost always charges a premium (or discounted one) for a performance. Luckily, there are a couple of staples in the city that you can catch for free. Circus Circus offers complimentary acrobatics on a daily basis and the Dueling Pianos at Harrah’s is practically a right of passage for first timers to Las Vegas. There’s also the iconic Volcano at the Mirage, but it may be a little underwhelming compared to the ones in Iceland.
• Silent Savasana – If you’re burned out from a couple of days of binge drinking or maybe just want to get away from the madness, it’s time for some yoga. Silent Savasana hosts free yoga courses at various locations around Vegas and provides headphones to cancel out the noise of the city.
• Tasters – There a number of local factories and restaurants in Las Vegas that organize free tastings of wine and sometimes food. Hearthstone Cellar, Rock n’ Roll Wine, and Ethel M Chocolates are all well-known practitioners of the free sample. Just don’t expect these to be a real source of sustenance.

Las Vegas Travel Guide – Budget Tips

Las Vegas can be one of the most expensive cities in the USA, but as a local told me once, “only idiots pay full price.” Las Vegas is just one of those places where you need to pull out all the budget travel tricks!

• Find cheap drinks during happy hour – Las Vegas has some crazy drink/food specials that could seriously sustain you for a while. Scope out the best happy hour deals in Las Vegas . Or…you could make your own cocktails to be enjoyed from your hotel balcony. Seeing as you are in Las Vegas, the Vegas Bomb Shot is a good one to sip at sunset.
• Take advantage of Vegas “freebies” and visitors coupons – There a ton of offers floating around that can get you everything from 2-for-1s to free buffets in Las Vegas. Women can usually get into all the pool parties and clubs for free too. Check with your hotel or casino to see if you’ve earned any, sign up for local memberships, and use Las Vegas Visitors coupons .
• Look for discounted or free shows in Vegas – A big thing to avoid in Las Vegas is a full-priced ticket. For whatever reason, there are a ton of leftover tickets or cancelations, which means that there are always discounted offers. Drop by a hotel concierge or ticket office and see if you can get cheap Vegas show tickets.
• Hustle – At the end of the day, Las Vegas is all about taking advantage of a situation. One of the best ways to get free stuff in Las Vegas is just by being smooth – pretending to be a high roller, tipping waitresses well to get free drinks, convincing show-goers to give you their extra pair of tickets; it’s all a part of the game.
• Get free lifts – If you’re going to a club, particularly a strip club, don’t take a taxi. The club will provide free transport, just because they want to stick it to local taxi companies.

Why You Should Travel to Las Vegas with a Water Bottle

No corner of Earth is free from our plastic problem… so do your part to say no to single-use plastic.

You aren’t going to save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem. When you travel it really puts the full extent of the plastic problem into perspective. So I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveler .

Plus, you can save money from all those overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets too! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor some poor fishy’s life again.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

Las Vegas is a desert, in case y’all haven’t heard yet – a place that is full of cacti, Gila monsters, and the buried remains of those that opposed mobsters. It is hot in Las Vegas, in more than the literal sense, and will be for most of the year.

Winter is a popular time to visit Vegas as the temperatures are reasonably mild and almost never go below freezing. Being the desert, nights are still chilly and snow is not entirely impossible .

Prices during the winter will be a bit higher than usual. Many people travel to Las Vegas to enjoy the holidays and New Year here. They may also be escaping whatever sub-arctic climate they came from, be it Boston, Chicago, or New York City.

You can find good deals on hotel rooms during the spring, with the exception of big holidays or events. Spring Break (April) will drive prices way up and will sometimes make you question your faith in humanity, as American Spring Breakers can be the epitome of douchebaggery.

EDC, which is usually held in May, is another time to avoid Las Vegas, unless you’re actually going to the festival.

Summers in Las Vegas are scorching hot and temperatures can easily be in the triple digits (Fahrenheit – obviously, jeez). The only thing to do in Vegas during the days of summer is to take shelter next to the pool or hang out in an icebox. Both will be overcrowded, you can bet on that.

The main reason to go to Vegas in the summer is for the pool parties to be honest, but another silver lining is that the season usually offers the best deals on accommodation in Las Vegas.

The best time to plan a trip to Las Vegas is around the spring and the Fall .

During these times, the temperature is very pleasant and the city shouldn’t be too crowded. I find this the best time to go hiking around Las Vegas as well.

What to Pack for Las Vegas

What you’re going to pack for Las Vegas will vary depending upon when you visit, but here are a few essentials I wouldn’t head to Sin City without!

Osprey Daylite Plus

Any city slicker needs a SLICK daypack. In general, you can never go wrong with an Osprey pack, but with its array of awesome organisation, durable materials, and a comfy build, the Daylite Plus will make your urban jaunts buttery smooth.

Grayl Geopress Filtered Bottle

Save $$$, save the planet, and save yourself the headache (or tummy ache). Instead of sticking to bottled plastic, buy a Grayl Geopress, drink water no matter the source, and be happy knowing the turtles and fishies thank you (and so do we!). 🙂

OCLU Action Camera

Wait, it’s cheaper than a GoPro and… better than a GoPro? The OCLU action cam is the cam for budget backpackers that want to immortalise all their wildest adventures – including that time you dropped it off a Himalayan mountain – WITHOUT breaking the bank.

Solgaard Solarbank

Resourceful travellers know how to find power outlets anywhere on the road; smart travellers just pack a solar power bank instead. With 4-5 phone cycles per charge and the ability to top up literally anywhere the sun is shining, there’s no reason to ever get lost again!

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

ALL travellers need a headtorch – no exceptions! Even in the hostel dorm, this beauty can save you in a real pinch. If you haven’t got in on the headtorch game, DO. I promise you: you’ll never look back. Or at least if you do, you’ll be able to see what you’re looking at.

While it might not be the safest part of the USA , Las Vegas is far from the most dangerous. Especially after the 2017 Las Vegas Shooting, security has been amped up making it more secure than ever.

Las Vegas attracts all kinds of shady characters, both rich and poor, who are looking to score quickly. You shouldn’t be surprised to hear that a city that lures so much money and frivolousness also brings about a few thieves in the process.

Luckily, Las Vegas takes security very seriously . The city maintains its reputation as being one of the biggest gambling destinations in the world because it ensures that people walk out with what they win. If people were being robbed in droves here, Las Vegas would not be as popular as it is.

The police and private security firms are very active on The Strip and near popular casinos. Casinos themselves will often aid guests by escorting them to wherever they need to go. They will usually provide additional means of guarding your winnings too, be it in the form of a personal check or safe.

That being said, thieves never really give up. Pickpockets do roam the streets and will take advantage of you if given the opportunity. If you’re in a smaller casino or in a less-busy part of town, there will be fewer eyes around to stop thieves.

No matter where you are or how drunk you intend on getting, you must always practice travelling safely .

On that note, be aware of hustlers, con artists, and prostitutes. These kinds of people will try to coerce you out of your money or put you in a situation where it can be taken forcibly. If someone presents an offer that seems to be good to be true, it probably is.

Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is synonymous with sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll. Internationally known for its insane parties, and copious amounts of illicit substances, Vegas is THE place to drink and party.

Now let’s start with the legal stuff: alcohol and weed! Yup–Las Vegas is one of the places in the US that has embraced drug tourism and sells the good ol’ devils lettuce to anyone age 21 and over. Don’t expect the dispensaries to be cheap, but they’re there, and they’re state-of-the-art.

Alcohol is as easy to find as water, and ladies can likely find plenty of opportunities to get lit for free. From pool parties to EDM club scenes, Las Vegas is a fabulous place to be a woman. Guys on the other hand can still attend, but paying up is a pre-requisite.

As the saying goes, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” and that’s not a joke: some real crazy shit can and does happen here. The casinos can easily make you feel like you’re in another dimension, and that’s when things can get weird. Above all, make sure you stay hydrated when trying any of the many illegal substances of Sin City.

Now to talk about one last thing: sex. It’s well known that Las Vegas and sex work go hand and hand. Though brothels and prostitution are legal in some parts of Nevada, that doesn’t include Clark County–where Vegas is located. Escorts and strip clubs are legal, however, and you certainly won’t be lacking in options.

If you do make your way into this scene, make sure you respect anyone you’re interacting with, as they’re a real person just like you. Love and sex on the road are almost inevitable in Sin City, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try your best to partake responsibly.

Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Las Vegas

Traveling without insurance in Las Vegas would be risky. Especially with the infamous (and ridiculous) for-profit health system in the USA. So do consider getting good travel insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure.

I have used World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. They’re easy to use, professional, and relatively affordable. They may also let you buy or extend a policy once you’ve started your trip and are already abroad which is super handy.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Its existence may be a slap in the face to Mother Nature (no city of this size should be in situated in what feels like the Mojave Desert) but its location is pretty hard to beat.

Las Vegas is at the confluence of some of the best states in the USA, including California, Northern Arizona, and Utah. If you’re on a West Coast road trip , you can get to Las Vegas very easily and have immediate access to all of its unearthly delights.

If you’re coming from Los Angeles for a weekend road trip, be aware that Highway 15 can be very congested with people doing the exact same thing. While driving in the US is pretty straightforward for the most part, with this region, not so much. There have been so many deaths from reckless driving on I-15 that the route was actually named one of the deadliest in America. So be on guard.

If you do not have your own car  rental or otherwise, you can still travel to Las Vegas via bus or plane (obviously).

McCarran International is Las Vegas’ primary airport. The airport itself is located very close to The Strip and there are multiple public buses connecting the two. A bus from McCarran takes around 30 minutes to reach The Strip and 40 minutes to reach Downtown Vegas.

I’d avoid taking a taxi from the airport as the rates in this town are robbery. Choose Uber or Lyft if you really need a private car.

Long-distance buses service Las Vegas frequently. Greyhound is the most popular national company though MegaBus is a good alternative.

For the ultimate experience, you can rent an RV in Vegas . That’s how make a trip that rocks!

Getting Around Las Vegas

Compared to many other American cities, Las Vegas is small. On a map, getting around Las Vegas seems like a very simple affair as it’s grid-like and most of the big Vegas attractions are fairly close to one another. Many people choose to experience Vegas by foot and most have a great time doing it.

Walking in Las Vegas can be grueling though. The heat can be relentless and, oftentimes, the only way to escape it is to duck into a casino for a moment. The strip itself is about 4-miles long and, while that may not seem like a lot, it can become a death march.

Of course, you can go walking in Las Vegas. Just remember to bring a good water bottle and take frequent breaks. If you’ve been drinking, dehydration will kick in MUCH quicker as well so try not to supplement water with cocktails.

Las Vegas actually has a very effective and varied public transportation network. Between the monorail, trams, and public buses, you could conceivably see the best of Vegas without being outside too much.

The public buses (managed by RTC) are your standard urban affair – utilitarian and efficient. Rides cost $2 one way and $5 for day passes. The Strip has its own set of buses – a double-decker called The Duece and the SDX – and these cost $6 for a 2-hour pass.

The Las Vegas monorail is a cool way to get around the city but isn’t really practical to use. It has limited routes, capacity, and is pretty expensive to use. I’d ride it a couple of times and move on.

Finally, there are a couple of trams that provide transport on the strip. They’re also limited but are at least free to use.

Traveling in Vegas long-term? Keen to make some cash when you are not exploring the city?

Teaching English online is a great way to earn a consistent income—from anywhere in the world with a good internet connection.

Depending on your qualifications you can teach English online from your laptop, save some cash for your next adventure, and make a positive impact on the world by improving another person’s language skills. It’s a win-win!

In addition to giving you the qualifications to teach English online, TEFL courses open up a huge range of opportunities and you can find teaching work all over the world.

Overall, Las Vegas isn’t what I would call a top place to work online or volunteer, but you can still find some decent opportunities with a reputable company. I’d recommend steering clear of shady companies and instead, book your volunteering experience with a good one.

The Broke Backpacker recommends Worldpackers as it’s easy to use and offers up some cool community features. It’s review-based so you’ll be able to know exactly what to expect before you arrive.

Worldpackers: connecting travellers with  meaningful travel experiences.

It’s no secret that everyone goes to Las Vegas to party – a lot of my friends go there several times a year just to let loose. Arguably, Las Vegas is the ultimate party destination in the USA as you can do just about anything here and will have to worry very little about being judged.

The Strip is probably the most revelrous part of the city. By day, the casinos host wild pool parties. At night, the Las Vegas Strip is mostly inhabited by stumbling drunks, wandering from casino to casino with too much money and too little sense.

Most of the bars and clubs in this area are ridiculously expensive and, honestly, a bit over the top. At this time and place is when most of the weird shit happens in Vegas.

Since most casinos have their own stages, the grand majority of music shows happen on The Strip. The initial price for these shows may seem steep but you can always find cheap Vegas show tickets. Just ask around and you’ll dig something up.

Downtown is where you’ll find more casual forms of bars, like pubs, lounges, and the occasional speakeasy. In my opinion, it offers the greatest variety of things to do in Vegas at night. You’ll also find much better deals in this part of town.

Some noteworthy spots in Downtown are Commonwealth, Backstage Bar, Downtown Cocktail Room, and Atomic Liquors.

If you want a real taste of Vegas, hang out in the local joints. These are often frequented by the permanent denizens of Vegas and feel much more authentic. Some local bars in Las Vegas include Frankie’s Tiki Room, Huntridge Tavern, and Dino’s Lounge.

Travel Tip: You can drink in public in Vegas! Granted, it’s still technically illegal but no one really bothers with this law.

Dining in Las Vegas

It wouldn’t be one of the most famous vacation destinations in the world if the food was shit, would it?

Las Vegas offers a ton of culinary options in a million different ways. Whether you’re looking for a Michelin-star meal or something easier, I doubt you’ll go hungry here. Join a curated Las Vegas food tour so you don’t miss any of the eats the city has to offer.

Buffets are one of the most popular ways of eating in Las Vegas because they’re large and cheap. Lots of hotels offer these as freebies to Las Vegas guests and these can make all of the difference. Free buffets in Las Vegas are one of the best ways to save cash.

There are also a number of venues in Vegas that offer discounted full-course meals. These can still be quite pricey ($50+) but, considering the quality, it’s still well worth the money.

While you can find just about any type of food in Las Vegas, there are two varieties that you should pay special attention to – Italian and Asian.

Italian immigrants played a huge part in the development of the city and obviously brought their cuisine with them. You can still find a lot of authentic Italian food in Las Vegas, particularly at the local lounges.

Asian food is very well represented in Las Vegas due in part to the plethora of visiting businessmen. Las Vegas’ Chinatown actually has a number of great restaurants and shouldn’t be ignored.

On another note, the Thai in Vegas is extremely good and I’ve heard from several people that the Lotus of Siam is a must-visit restaurant here.

Slick Restaurants and Cheap Eats in Las Vegas

There’s no denying it: eating in Las Vegas is expensive AF. The world-famous city is teeming with 5-star restaurants and celebrity chefs, and eating just one meal on The Strip could cost more than your hostel’s nightly rate.

But while you should splurge on Vegas’ iconic gastronomy at least once, here are some of my favorite cheap eats to help you stay on budget:

• Moon Palace – I bet you haven’t tried this fast food brand before! Moon Palace is located inside of the Venetian and has all of your fast-food favorites (including Vegan options) for under $10. What makes this joint extra special–aside from its cute moon mascot–is that its burgers are served on King Hawaiian rolls. You can also try their prime rib french dip slider for something a bit different.
• Viva Las Arepas – For some of the best arepas and overall best budget eats in Vegas, look no further than Viva Las Arepas. The Venezuelan joint has delicious and unique pork and beef options to choose from.
• Archi’s Thai Cafe – Archi’s is all about the lunch special, though it’s entire menu is far more affordable than most Thai food in Las Vegas. While the prices won’t feel like Thailand, you can still fill up for $15-$20 on authentic options.
• CrunCheese Korean Hot Dog – I just love when you can save $$ while trying a completely new food at the same time. That’s exactly what you’ll get to experience at CrunCheese, which serves the best Korean hot dogs in Las Vegas. These fried hotdogs come in multiple varieties and you can have more than one for less than $10!
• Gabi’s Gorditas –   Another iconic local eatery, Gabi’s Gorditas is a place you’re going to want to visit multiple times if you want to save some cash. The delicious Mexican dish comes in various flavors, you can nab everything from tuna poke to brisket for $7 or less.
• Marilyn’s Cafe – Who doesn’t love all day breakfast? It’s what Marilyn’s is famous for–and it’s real budget friendly too. You can get a quality, filling meal at all hours of the day for $10.09, a true steal for Vegas.

Our GREATEST Travel Secrets…

Pop your email here & get the original Broke Backpacker Bible for FREE.

How to Get Off The Beaten Path in Las Vegas

While I’ve touched on some of the hidden gems in Las Vegas , to actually get off the beaten path will involve getting out of the city. Here are some of the superlative places to visit near Las Vegas if you want to see more than casinos:

• Seven Magic Mountains – An iconic art installation right off the side of I-15 that’s become an Instagram hotspot these days, and is still worth seeing even if you don’t plan to post your day to the infamous app.
• Grand Canyon – It’s the granddaddy of all chasms in the world; the most epic, most awe-inspiring, and most famous place to visit near Las Vegas – you can’t leave without visiting The Grand Canyon . If you can manage it, try spending a week around this natural wonder, visiting the likes of the North Rim, Havasupai, and the Colorado River.
• Death Valley – True to its name, Death Valley is often considered one of the most inhospitable ecosystems in the world. If you can stand the heat while staying in Death Valley , which is more bearable in the winter, you will be rewarded with wondrous sights like the Mesquite Sand Dunes , Zabriskie Point , and the Sailing Rocks .
• Northern Arizona – There’s more to Arizona than your average Grand Canyon itinerary . Many locations, like Antelope Canyon , the Vermillion Cliffs , and Buckskin Gulch , are just outside of the borders of Grand Canyon National Park and all of these are worth the day trip from Las Vegas.  
• Zion/Bryce – Both of these national parks are, hands-down, among my favorite places in the entire USA. They are just spectacular, and will show you why Utah’s national parks are among some of the best in the country.

Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.

Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure – don’t be daft!

Before you head to Sin City, it’s likely you have some questions you want to be answered, and I’ve absolutely got you covered. Here are some top FAQs for traveling to Las Vegas:

Is traveling to Las Vegas expensive?

It absolutely can be! If you want to stay in one of the top casinos and eat at the famous restaurants, expect to shell out a few grand in just a few days. But even if you follow all the budget travel tips out there, Vegas is still going to be pricey.

Is Las Vegas safe?

Yes, Las Vegas is safe for travel–otherwise it wouldn’t attract millions of gamblers a year. Even so, any city offering so much fun is bound to attract pickpocketers and other shady characters. Follow your usual travel safety tips and you should be fine.

Is weed legal in Las Vegas?

Yes! As of 2017, recreational marijuana has been legal in Sin City. These days, there are tons of dispensaries to choose from and cannabis lounges are incoming!

What are the top attractions in Las Vegas?

The top attractions of Las Vegas include The Strip, Fremont Street, Bellagio, and the Venetian. You can also visit the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and Red Rock Canyon from Vegas.

Are there any cheap hostels in Las Vegas?

Let’s say cheap-ish. While they’re certainly not the cheapest hostels in the world, Las Vegas does have a few budget-backpacker friendly hostels to choose from.

Sin City is going to be a lot of things at once, and hopefully, that will include some killer memories in some of the gaudiest locales in the entire United States. As much as this city has been filmed and discussed, there’s a massive difference between watching a movie set in Vegas, and having your own Las Vegas experience.

The latter is sure to be unlike any other trip you’ve taken. There’s simply no other city in the world quite like this. Even backpacking Los Angeles won’t hold up.

But as extra and over the top as Vegas is, it’s a whole lot more than that if you give it a chance. It’s the quirky downtown scenes, the legendary natural sites that surround it, and more importantly, it’s a place where people live full lives beyond the casino floors.

If I can give you one final piece of advice in this Las Vegas Guide let it be this: see the real Vegas. You know, the one beyond the multi-million dollar casinos and $100 dinners. Those deserve to be experienced too, but give your Las Vegas trip a bit of variety why don’t you?

Try to meet locals, head to those offbeat spots, and sample the many cheap restaurants that can be found outside of The Strip.

Regardless of how you spend your time, make sure you buckle up: a trip to Las Vegas is one helluva ride!

Last Updated: February 2022 by Samantha Shea at Intentional Detours

Share or save this post

Great in depth article. For a view from the Stratosphere without paying for a ticket to the observation deck, you can go up to the bar on the 107th floor and walk around a few times to soak in the view, then “decide” you don’t want anything, and head back down. Sure beats paying $20 to get the same view at the observation deck.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.

12 Top Tips for Visiting Las Vegas on a Budget

By Author Meg Frost

Posted on Last updated: November 19, 2023

Categories Nevada , United States of America (USA)

Share the love!

Ah, good ol’ Las Vegas. One of my favorite quick getaways in the USA.

It’s a great place to stash yourself when you need a break from everyday life and want to live it up.

But guess what? Living it up in Vegas doesn’t have to cost a lot.

Learn how you can avoid blowing through your travel budget this year with my tips on visiting Las Vegas on a budget.

Sign up for hotel promotions

Being strategic about the time of year you visit Las Vegas is one way to ensure great deals on hotel rooms.

Another way is to sign up for free membership to the loyalty programs for two of the biggest hotel groups in Vegas, MLife Reward s for MGM-owned properties and Total Rewards for properties owned by Caesars.

Signing up for these 2 reward programs will keep you in the loop with their promotions, as some deals are reserved for loyalty program members.

MGM and Caesars own many of the hotels on the Las Vegas strip, so chances are high that you’ll stay at one of their properties.

This includes hot spots like MGM Park, Bellagio, Aria, Caesars Palace, The Cromwell, The LINQ, and Planet Hollywood.

If you’re aiming to stay at a hotel not owned by one of these 2 groups, sign up for the loyalty program or newsletter specific to the hotel you want to stay at.

For example, one of my favorite hotels in Las Vegas is The Cosmopolitan.

I was alerted to a fantastic deal via their newsletter for the 4th of July weekend. Ordinarily the 4th of July is an expensive weekend to visit in Las Vegas, but I paid less than $180 for a super swanky upgrade room with a balcony.

While in many places that is expensive, for a holiday weekend at a luxury hotel, that was a good deal. I’ve seen rooms at the Cosmopolitan for less than $100, as well!

Avoid visiting during peak season

Las Vegas is a year round destination. There really isn’t a season that is terrible to go, weather-wise.

However, there are peak periods when it comes to cost. Summer, holidays, and big sports events tend to be the most crowded and most expensive in terms of hotel and airfare costs.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, and Super Bowl all tend to increase costs and crowds in Las Vegas.

If your budget is more important than the dates you visit Las Vegas, then avoid these times of year to keep costs down.

Fall and Winter seem to be the cheapest and least crowded time to visit Las Vegas in general, but keep in mind many holidays in that time period that can affect costs.

Score cheap (or free) airfare

When you buy your airfare can make a difference in scoring a good deal.

In the past, many people in the travel industry would recommend buying airfare on Tuesday afternoons.

However, that’s not really a given. You can find deals on other days and time slots.

In general, prices will go up toward the end of the week. So if you see super high prices on the weekend, it’ll likely fall after the weekend passes.

If you don’t want to constantly be searching for airfare deals, sign up for deal alerts on Skyscanner, Kayak, and Google Flights for your desired dates.

Doing so will alert you to deals when they pop up and you can quickly go in and make your purchase when the price is right for you.

Lastly, my favorite US budget airline, Southwest Airlines, has many routes to Las Vegas.

In my opinion, Southwest is the easiest airline to redeem points for airfare , as well.

The redemption costs tend to be lower than other airlines, so someone who doesn’t travel a lot can still manage to earn enough points to get a free flight now and then.

Use budget transportation

The cheapest way to get from the Las Vegas airport to a hotel is by booking a seat on the BellTrans shuttle bus online.

Depending on where your hotel is located, the cost is $15-18 round trip. Every dollar counts when you’re traveling on a budget, even in Las Vegas, right?

I’ve never had to wait more than 5 minutes when getting to the BellTrans desk, which is often shorter than waiting for an Uber.

Plus, you won’t run the risk of a taxi or ride share driver taking a longer route to jack up the price.

Bring your sunscreen from home

A lot of people avoid checking their luggage when traveling by flight to save money. Not a bad idea, really.

However, if your ticket includes a checked bag for free (hey, Southwest!), I highly recommend taking advantage of that so you can bring your sunscreen from home.

Even if you spend most of your Vegas vacation club hopping and playing the slots, you’re gonna need sunscreen.

I got a sunburn walking from Park MGM to Cosmopolitan and most of my route was through the hotels in between!

And if you haven’t guessed it yet, sunscreen prices are seriously jacked up in Las Vegas. Avoid spending the unnecessary extra money and bring your own instead. Your travel budget says thank you!

Set a strict budget for food & drink

While Las Vegas is known as a foodie haven, that doesn’t mean that all food in Vegas is super expensive.

There are many places that have delicious food for cheap in Vegas .

Another tip for saving on food in Vegas is hitting up Happy Hour for excellent food and drink specials.

Happy Hour usually takes place between lunch and dinner hours and typically includes discounted food and/or drinks, like $5 margaritas, $2 beers, or $4 appetizers.

While you’re out and about, keep an eye out for Happy Hour specials advertised outside your favorite restaurants or check their websites.

If you’re the gambling type, most Las Vegas hotels are still offering free drinks to gamblers.

This practice is becoming a bit scarce, so if you do encounter a waiter or waitress offering free drinks, be sure to tip well to entice them to circle back your way.

Lastly, a few Las Vegas buffets have started offering passes that allows you to eat at any time for a set price, at a discount.

Personally I’m not a buffet kind of person, but if you love ’em, this can be a good way to stay on a budget but still eat yummy food in Vegas.

Buy a multipack of water instead of single use

Water is another basic necessity in Vegas that is very expensive. As much as I hate to buy bottled water, it’s kind of necessary in Vegas.

Even if you’re not drinking alcohol, the sun and heat alone can be dehydrating.

You’ll likely want to have water with you while you’re out and about. While you could bring a refillable bottle, it’s nearly impossible to find water fountains to fill ’em up.

Buying a single bottle of water is ridiculously priced. I paid nearly $5 for a single bottle of water when stopping in at the Luxor hotel earlier this year.

Never again, friends. Never. Again.

Do yourself a favor and buy a multipack of water at CVS, Walgreens, or ABC Stores to save money on this necessity.

Get discount show tickets

Shows in Las Vegas can be super pricey, but there are deals available.

One way is to try to catch a show when it first debuts. Sometimes there will be a discounted rate for the first few weeks or even longer.

When I last visited Las Vegas, the Cosmopolitan hotel’s newest show, Opium , was just opening. Tickets were offered for $34, but now they run for $79 minimum.

Another tip is to browse for deals on ticket broker websites. Vegas.com and Tix4Tonight.com are both reputable discount ticket sites for shows and events in Las Vegas.

My personal favorite is Vegas.com. I often find better deals on Vegas.com, plus their website is far more informative, with photos, videos, and summaries for each show.

For more tips on which shows to see, check out my post about the best shows in Vegas .

Skip the pool clubs in Las Vegas

Las Vegas has a big day club scene built around pools.

If you’re looking to spend time around the pool but don’t want to spend a fortune on cover charges, there are plenty of regular hotel pools in Vegas that are and don’t cost anything to access.

You don’t necessarily have to skip ALL of the pool clubs if that’s truly what you want to do, but you can at least cut back on the number of visits.

How? Most regular hotel pools in Vegas, at least on the strip, will have poolside refreshments, music, and other entertainment.

They might not have a celebrity DJ or be packed to the brim, but they’re still a lot of fun. Caesars, Bellagio, LINQ, and Mandalay Bay all come to mind as hotels with hip pool scenes that aren’t day clubs.

Before you book your hotel, check out the pool scene at the hotels you’re considering to help you decide where to go.

A few things you can do to find out how the pools are at your hotel are looking at photos on the hotel website and Instagram, reading reviews on Yelp or TripAdvisor, and watching review videos on YouTube.

You just might find a free pool with a cool DJ and fun crowd that doesn’t cost anything to get in!

Alternatively, if there’s a regular pool you want to access, but you’re staying somewhere else because it’s cheaper, look into getting a day pass for non-guests. Many of the hotels on the Strip offer day passes at a reasonable cost.

Check out all the free things to do in Las Vegas

One of the best ways to do Vegas for less is to hit up all of the free things to do.

The Bellagio hotel features 2 of my favorite free things to do in Las Vegas.

Outside the hotel is the famous dancing fountain show, which runs every 30 minutes from 3 to 8pm and every 15 minutes from 8pm to midnight.

The Bellagio also hosts an indoor flower and topiary display that changes each season, as well as for Chinese New Year.

On my last visit to Las Vegas, the displays were themed around Italy with giant wine bottles, fountains, lemon trees, and more.

Another one of my favorite free things to do in Las Vegas is to visit downtown Las Vegas, aka Old Vegas.

At Fremont Street, the shopping area is covered with an electronic display with a show that plays every hour from 6pm to 1am.

There is also a lot of street art and murals in the downtown Las Vegas area, most of which stems from the annual Life is Beautiful festival.

The Bellagio and downtown Las Vegas are just 2 spots in Las Vegas where there are free things to do.

Check the internet to see if there are any temporary art exhibits at your hotel, free tours of stage shows, celebrity meet-and-greets, or other common free activities in Vegas.

Get into clubs for free

You could wait in a ridiculously long line and pay $20 to get into a nightclub or you could get in for free.

Which one would you choose? Yes, I thought so: get in for free!

Here’s how to get into Vegas nightclubs for free:

While you’re out and about during the day, stop by the club you want to go to that night.

More often than not, there will be a representative outside the club signing people up for free access or at the very least, skip-the-line access.

I know, so easy, right?

Earn rewards with the myVegas Slots app

If you enjoy playing games on your phone or iPad, this money-saving tip is right up your alley.

The myVegas Slots app is pretty much what it sounds like: a gaming app with Vegas-style slots.

The gist of the myVegas Slots app is to earn enough points to redeem for discounts or free items at select Las Vegas hotels, restaurants, and tour companies.

The app is free to download and play, with an option to purchase more virtual playing chips. In my opinion, this isn’t really necessary, as it’s easy to earn chips for free.

Examples of discounts and free items include a free drink ticket at select Bellagio lounges, 2 free nights at Park MGM, 2-for-1 Vegas helicopter night tours, and free buffet passes.

What are your favorite ways to do Las Vegas on a budget?

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about my top tips on how to do Las Vegas for less. There truly is something for everyone in Sin City!

For the best deal on Vegas hotels, use the search box below to find prices across multiple booking sites.

Next up, check out these posts:

• 100+ Cool Things to Do in Las Vegas, Nevada
• The Best Bars in Las Vegas on the Strip
• 20 Best Pools in Vegas for Fun & Relaxation
• What to Pack for Vegas

About the author

Meg Frost is a Boston-based travel blogger that helps people embrace technology to make vacation planning and traveling wicked easy, affordable, and fun.

She holds an M.A. in Journalism from Northeastern University and B.S. in Communication & American Studies from University of Miami.

Read more →

This post was originally published on September 15, 2018. It was last updated on November 14, 2022.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

30 Best Shows in Vegas that You Must See in 2023

Saturday 11th of March 2023

[…] 14 Tips for Visiting Las Vegas on a Budget […]

13 Fun Day Trips from Las Vegas, Nevada in 2023

Go Wander Wild

Monday 7th of June 2021

This guide to Las Vegas is incredibly helpful. You’ve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. Thank you for this helpful resource. Saving this guide for later!

Sunday 16th of September 2018

Great tips! We go to Vegas alot, so appreciate the advice!

Harmony Skillman

Saturday 15th of September 2018

we usually go to vegas once a year and these are great tips. the food is so $$ its actually kind ridiculous. but there is walgreens on the strip, you can get water, soda, snacks and alcohol! And I agree, the pool are great, no need to pay for the pool party. i need to check out that app, that is awesome!

• Hotel Deals
• Attractions
• Military Discounts
• AAA Discounts

A Budget Travel Guide to Las Vegas

Introduction

While Las Vegas might seem like the type of place reserved for the big spenders and the big ballers with cash to flash, it needn’t be a pipe dream holiday just because you have a slightly stricter budget. There are plenty of ways to save money whilst still having the full experience. 

As with most places, when it comes to traveling on a budget, it’s all about being in the know. That’s why we’ve put together this budget travel guide to Las Vegas to help you get around and have a great time, without having to rack up huge bills behind you everywhere you go. 

So yes, you can have a small budget and still go big in Vegas. Keep reading to find out how.

Tips for Saving Money in Las Vegas

Here are some of the best tips for how to save money when you’re staying in Las Vegas. 

Book Your Trip Ahead of Time

Booking your trip in advance will help you save money as you’ll be able to shop around for the best deals, and you won’t be hustled into paying extra for flights or hotel rooms due to it being the last option available. However, it does mean you’ll be locked into these flight times. 

Another good way to look for cheaper flights is by choosing ones that fly in the early hours of the morning or late at night, as the unsociable hours mean the prices are reduced. 

Pick the Right Season to Travel 

Picking the cheapest times to go to Las Vegas can be another good way to make sure you’re not paying the highest prices as these tend to increase during certain seasons. 

Avoid traveling around holidays as a general rule as these are always busier or more expensive (although traveling on a holiday is comparably much cheaper), and aim for months like July, August, and mid-December instead as these are during the slow season. 

Avoid Going to Las Vegas at the Weekends

Unsurprisingly, weekends are one of the most expensive times to travel to Las Vegas with costs essentially doubling compared to what you would be charged for a weekday visit.

According to James Filsinger , who is the president and chief executive of Yapta, a website specifically designed to compare the prices of various hotels and airfare, “instead of flying with the masses on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, travel on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday and you’ll find that prices are lower”.  

However, be sure to check out the convention calendars , as some events may happen during the week that can make hotel rates a lot more expensive. For example, when CES events and other big trade shows are in town midweek you tend to see an increase in prices. 

Find Cheap Hotels to Stay At

The best way to find cheap hotels is through thorough research and comparing the different prices for different hotels. Some of the most affordable hotels on the strip include the following, which are often available for prices less than $70.00 per night:

It’s often cheaper to book with the hotel directly than it is through third-party booking sites as you’ll be paying additional fees on top of the hotel rates. Off-strip hotels are also much cheaper, although you will need to factor in any additional travel costs to and from the strip. 

Additionally, it’s worth checking to see if your hotel will price-match their rates if you end up finding a better deal elsewhere, or if they offer discounts for nearby restaurants and shops.

Join the Player’s Clubs

If you tell anyone you’re planning on taking a trip to Vegas, most of them will reply by advising you to sign up to the player’s club in every casino you visit, but how will this save you money? 

By joining one or more of the player’s clubs, you can accumulate points when you gamble to receive great deals, free show tickets, meals, or rooms from the casinos. Different establishments will offer their own rewards or offers and member’s only exclusive events. 

Player’s clubs are also free to sign up to which means there’s no downside to joining as many as possible before you start playing in the casinos.

Be Smart When You Gamble

When you’re in Vegas, there’s nothing more dangerous than a credit card with no upper spending limit or a debit card that gives you access to more money than you budgeted for. 

Enjoying your time in Vegas on a budget requires you to be smart with your gambling. This means pacing yourself and making sure you don’t blow the budget by betting it all on red. 

Only take out as much cash as you think you’ll need for the day and leave the rest locked away in the safe that will be provided in your hotel room to help you stick to your budget.

Don’t Pay For Taxis Using Your Card

If you do end up taking a taxi, don’t pay with your card. Many taxis will charge you a $3.00 service charge when you pay with a credit card, so avoid this charge by paying for your trips in cash. It might not sound like much, but $3.00 here and there soon starts to add up. 

Besides, any card that gets left behind in a taxi is likely lost forever. Not only is this bad news for your budget, but if someone else comes along and picks it up they could end up using up the last of your budget before you even get a chance! 

Avoid Using Casino ATMs

Most casino ATMs will charge a pretty high fee for withdrawing cash, but there are plenty of ways you can get cash out for free in Vegas, including the following.  

Recent technology has made it even easier to accidentally overspend and exceed your budget as there are now tabletop ATMs that are able to pay out, between hands, in casino chips rather than actual cash. Unlike regular ATM limits of up to $500, these PlayOn ATMs allow you to withdraw much higher sums of money like $3,000 to $5,000 a day. 

Hot Tip: There is a BOA ATM inside the M&M's store on the Las Vegas Strip, or in many of the local convenience stores such as Target, CVS, and Walgreens which have cheaper fees. 

Refill Your Water Bottles Instead of Buying New Ones

The weather in Las Vegas is known for being hot and humid, so it’s important to make sure you’re drinking lots throughout the day so that you don’t end up becoming dehydrated.

With over 300 days of sunshine every year, hydration is key when it comes to this holiday destination. Alcohol is expensive (and it’s also not that hydrating) and the costs can quickly start to add up if you’re having to repeatedly buy soft drinks and bottled water during the day. 

Instead, why not pack or purchase a refillable water bottle which you can fill up throughout the day? Not every place will be willing to do this, but most Starbucks’ will happily send you out on your way with a full bottle of water. Hotel fitness centers will also have filtered water. 

If you’re willing to search for them, you might also be able to find a few of the casino’s water fountains that are dotted in between the tables. Another incentive to drink from your refillable bottle instead of buying a new single-use bottle for every drink is that it is more eco-friendly. 

Fill Up At the Buffet

While there are certainly some gorgeous restaurants in Las Vegas that would keep any foodie in the family happy, a lot of the time, people come to Vegas for the gambling scene. 

If that sounds more like you, a great way to save money is to eat your fill at a buffet rather than forking out for fancy meals every night. Breakfast buffets are ideal as you can fill up in the morning which will mean you’re less likely to eat out on expensive food during the day. 

Some of the best buffets in Vegas will offer a taste of cuisines from all over the world and some may even include alcoholic beverages with your unlimited meal.  

Drink At the Casino Before Heading To the Club

It’s easy to spend money at the casinos in Vegas, but one thing you won’t be paying for is your drinks, as most gambling establishments offer free alcoholic beverages to patrons. 

You will need to be a paying customer to benefit from this and in some places, you’ll need to be spending over a certain amount before you’ll attract the attention of the staff, but getting the drinks in while they're free means you won’t use up your budget on drinks at the club.

How To Get Around Las Vegas on a Budget

Getting around Las Vegas on a budget means staying away from the taxis that swarm the strip, as many will overcharge tourists by taking you on a longer route to rack up the meter. 

To avoid being swindled, here are a few cheaper, alternative ways to get around in Vegas.

Use the Monorail

You can get around a lot of Las Vegas just using the tunnels and walkways, but another option is to use the monorail which stops at seven different points on the Vegas strip and costs just $5.00 for a single ride.

Rail passes are also a good idea if you think you’ll be traveling around a lot but you don’t want to lock yourself in with tickets for specific days or times, and they’ll often be much cheaper ( $12.00 a day ) than the cost of booking individual trips as well as being more flexible.

Taxis can be quite expensive in Las Vegas. A good cheaper alternative is to use ridesharing apps like Lyft and Uber which costs a lot less but saves you from taking the bus or walking. 

Plus, according to TripSavvy , the majority of hotels will have dedicated rideshare lanes so you won’t have to wander too far from where you’re staying just so you can catch a ride. 

Consider Car Rentals

If you’re going to be doing a lot of traveling to various different places during your stay in Vegas, you might want to consider renting a car to help you get around, although you’ll need to be over 21 years old and have a full driver’s license in order to rent a car in your name.  

With a bit of savvy internet sleuthing you can find car rental deals that cost as little as $35.00 a day for a multi-day rental period, or perhaps for even less if you’re staying for longer.  

Cheap Things To Do in Las Vegas  

When you’re not gambling in the casinos, what else is there to do in Las Vegas when you’re on a tighter budget? Not everywhere in Vegas charges an admission fee, so check out some of the free activities and things to do from the list we’ve put together for this next section. 

Visit the High Roller

The Las Vegas skyline wouldn’t be the same without the soaring 550 foot High Roller Observation Wheel that stands out amongst the towering buildings at the eastern end of the Las Vegas Strip, so it’s definitely a sight worth seeing if you’re already in the area.

You can do more than just see it from the ground - from a starting price of just $8.50 for kids and $23.50 for adults during the day, tickets are available for a trip on the wheel where you’ll get to witness 360-degree views for approximately 30 minutes in one of the 28 comfy cabins. 

There are also deals and discounts that apply to locals, students, seniors, or service members, and certain times such as happy half-an-hour which includes a bar and a bartender in the cabin you choose to take your trip around the wheel in. 

Visit the Eiffel Tower

Now, don’t let us confuse you. You won’t be able to see the infamous Parisian Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas . Obviously. But you can go to see the half-scale Eiffel Tower replica at the Paris Hotel and Casino as it puts on an intricate and beautiful light display every half an hour. 

See all the way out to the mountains with a fantastic panoramic view of the city and the surrounding valley from the 460-foot viewing area that is 50 stories high. 

Good news if you’re a student or a local resident as you’ll get 50% off your standard ticket price upon proof of a valid Nevada ID or US student ID card. You can also receive $5.00 off any ticket with your US military ID or if you are a visitor who is over the age of 60.

Check Out the Strat Tower

The Strat is the tallest, free-standing observation tower in America and it boasts some of the best views that Vegas has to offer. There are even rides at the top of the tower that are only $5.00 each a ride, although sky jumps and bungy jumping are a lot pricier starting at $139.00. 

A standard adult ticket starts at $25.00 with concessionary prices for residents of Nevada, members of the military, senior citizens, students, and children. If you’re a guest at the Strat Casino, you can get your entry ticket for just $10.00. 

It’s open to the public from 10:00 to 01:00 from Sunday to Thursday, and from 10:00 to 02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, although the opening hours for the complex restaurants and stores may vary. You can also take the monorail as it’s a 2-block walk from the Sahara station. 

Shark Reef Inside Mandalay Bay

You can get up close and personal with some of the world’s most fascinating predators at the Shark Reef aquarium and exhibit at Mandalay Bay . They host over 2,000 animals, including sharks, giant rays, endangered green sea turtles, piranha, and a komodo dragon. 

It’s cheaper to opt for a timed entry ticket which is priced at $29.00 for adults, $27.00 for seniors (65+), $24.00 for children aged 5 to 12, and free for children under the age of 4.

Anytime pricing starts from July 1st and is a more flexible option as it permits you entry up until 17:00 when the doors are closed to visitors, but adult tickets are priced at $36.00.

Go To the Las Vegas Comedy Club

If you’re looking for as many laughs as well as big wins at the casinos, check out the Las Vegas Comedy Club for something that might tickle your fancy without costing you an arm and a leg. 

It’s only $34 to see a live comedy show in Planet Hollywood where some of the best comedians have performed in a more intimate theatre setting so the jokes don’t get lost in the crowds. Edwin San Juan is their current full-time headliner and is hilarious - his observational comedy and crowd-pleasing antics make for an unforgettable show. 

Visit the Springs Preserve

One of the hidden gems of Las Vegas is the Springs Preserve which is another great activity to choose if you’re looking to get away from the big city for a bit. 

It’s just $18.95 for an adult ticket and kids can go for $10.95 and you’ll have the whole day to explore the beautiful botanical gardens. You can wander around the outdoor spaces amongst the flowers and nature or take in some of the history in one of the onsite museums. 

There’s a butterfly habitat that hosts some of the most beautiful species and you’ll also find a play area for the kids to enjoy while you take a break from walking around. 

If You Have Kids, Go To ‘Dig This’

A lot of people think that it’s trickier to go to Vegas when you have kids traveling with you, but there are plenty of cheap and affordable ways to keep them entertained during the day so that they’ll sleep well enough at night for you to head down to the casino. 

If you really want to make sure they’re tuckered out, you should definitely consider taking them to ‘ Dig This ’ which is an adult-sized sandbox that allows your little ones to experience the excavators, bulldozers, and dirt to play in.  

Children aged five and older are allowed to get behind the wheel on their own whilst kids aged three to four will need an adult to give them the hand. It costs $20.00 for 15 minutes in the sandbox, which seems a little stingy, but we guarantee that your kid will have so much fun that it will feel like a lifetime there.

Visit the Neon Museum

For those who love exploring the culture through visiting museums and galleries while they’re away, you’ll love the Neon Museum which costs just $17.00 for a daytime tour for adults. 

This collection of over 120 of Las Vegas’s most iconic neon signs has been restored and displayed for travelers to learn about. There are also concessionary prices available with local, military, student, and senior discounts which would make the tickets cheaper again.

Have Some Fun At the VR Experience At Pole Position Raceway 

The next recommendation we have for you is the VR experience offered at Pole Position Raceway. Ever thought about how you would survive in the face of an apocalyptic hoard of zombies? Well, with this activity, you can be sure to find out. 

The experience involves a new high-tech OmniArena in which you’ll find yourself immersed in several different virtual battles against the undead, robots, soldiers, or pirates, depending on the preferences of the players. Tickets for this start at just $15.00.

Have a Hiking Day At the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

The bright lights of the big city are incredible, but the novelty can wear off pretty quickly if you’re not used to such hustle and bustle back home. A great (and cheap) way to take a breather from the business of the main strip is to plan a hiking day at the Red Rock Canyon. 

There are some great trails such as the popular Calico Tanks trail where you can get to see stunning views of Las Vegas from the top of the summit. It’s cheaper to walk as you’ll only need to pay the $5.00 entrance fee, whereas entering with a vehicle will cost $15.00. 

You could also look at hiking some of the other popular trails such as the Ice Box Trail (2.6 miles), the White Rock Willow Spring Loop (4.4 miles), or the Keystone Thrust (2.2 miles). 

Have a Bowling Night At Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas

Forget about everything you think you know about bowling alleys, as the Brooklyn Bowl in Las Vegas exceeds all expectations. There isn’t a whiff of sweaty socks or stale shoes in the air in this cool, retro place filled with chesterfield couches and cocktail waitresses. 

Think bowling alley plus concert venue plus a restaurant combined into one swanky spot. There are 32 Brunswick state-of-the-art lanes with huge high-definition projection screens and table service is available at the lanes and bowler’s lounge. Plus, when there’s a concert playing, you get a live music performance thrown in for the price of your ticket as well.

It’s great for families during the day (11:00 - 18:00) when tickets cost $25.00 for a 30-minute session, but they go up in price by $5.00 from 18:00 until close when there’s a cooler crowd.

Go Back In Time At Pinball Hall of Fame

If you’re old enough to remember the vintage pinball machines from a childhood spent playing in the arcades, take a trip to the Pinball Hall of Fame for a hit of nostalgia that can take you all the way back to the 1940s, as well as the chance to play some modern games. 

It's located right next to the strip after moving to a new place in April 2021 and it now boasts 25,000 square feet of space that is filled with your favorite classic pinball machines. Don’t forget to bring your quarters, but otherwise, this is a great cheap activity to do in Las Vegas. 

Eat Downtown 

Food is one of the easiest things to overspend on, even when you’ve budgeted strictly for it. Eating downtown is much cheaper and can be a great evening out nonetheless. 

The Fremont East bar district in downtown Vegas is more than just affordable, it’s actually one of the biggest and hottest food scenes currently thriving in the city. It has a great vibe that attracts all sorts of hipsters and the rad restaurants are really reasonably priced. 

A few of our favorite spots include Le Thai, VegeNation, Evel Pie, and Carson Kitchen, but there are so many different places to try that you could definitely dine there most nights and still keep your food bill below $20 at most of the restaurants! 

Get On the Slotzilla Zip Line 

Here is another thrilling activity that might blow your mind but won’t blow the budget.

For the price of just $20.00 and your life flashing before your eyes, you can experience the world-famous Slotzilla zip line which will get you 114 feet up into the air where you will see views of Fremont Streets as you travel 850 feet across it at speeds seen in a NASCAR race.

It only takes about 20 minutes for the whole experience to wrap up, but you won’t be able to see Fremont Street the same way ever again after viewing it from up here. 

Visit Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art

Less interested in the adrenaline rush and more interested in the Art this city has to offer? Check out the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art to see the world-class exhibits shown in both famous museums and as part of private collections. 

Tickets are around $18 for which you’ll get to see works from the likes of Warhol and Monet.

Get Your Adrenaline Pumping At Adventuredome at Circus Circus 

Our final family-friendly activity that’s affordable but will certainly get your adrenaline pumping is the Adventuredome at Circus Circus . The indoor theme park is one of the largest in the whole of America and has over five acres of activities to keep your kids entertained. 

Check out some of the roller coasters, bumper cars, mini-golf, or try winning yourself one of the stuffed animal prizes from one of the many midway games. There is plenty to do for all ages making this the perfect place for a family day out, and you can easily spend the day.

In terms of prices, you can pay as little as $6 to $12, but if you are planning on staying there a little longer than the length of a few rides, you’ll get better value for money if you purchase an all-day pass for $31.95 or a junior all-day pass for $17.95 (must be under 48 inches tall).

We hope that we’ve been able to show you just how affordable Las Vegas can be if you want to stick to a stricter budget while you’re away and that the tips and tricks we’ve included throughout this article will help you save money whilst still having the best time. 

It doesn’t always need to be outrageously big bets and penthouse suites and rogue tigers - this isn’t ‘The Hangover’, after all, it’s a regular holiday and tourist destination, where regular holidaymakers and tourists visit. Don’t count yourself out of this list before you’ve even tried!

One Comment

Full of really good advice. Thanks!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Sign me up for the Lasvegasjaunt.com newsletter!

Sign-up and receive our Exclusive VIP Member Deals!

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy

How To Visit Las Vegas On A Budget

By: Author MC Miller

Posted on Last updated: January 29, 2023

Categories Travel Blog Post , USA

To sum it up, Las Vegas could not typically be classified as a budget friendly getaway. However, this post will explain how to visit Las Vegas on a budget.

If you’re travelling with a partner, you might also want to check out our guide to the best things to do in Vegas for couples .

Whether you have your eye set on Vegas for a romantic getaway , or if you plan to live it large with buddies as a high roller, Las Vegas is definitely a place where you could stay in the most amazing 5 star hotels , see incredible shows and just generally splash a lot of cash around.

This is great for a special occasion or couples retreat, where the likes of  the Wynn  or  the Venetian  are sure to impress the even pickiest of dates.

However, what if you want to visit Vegas on a quick weekend break for no special occasion and not spend a ton of money?

We investigated and found it is still possible to visit Las Vegas on a budget and have an amazing time!

Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas! Don’t miss our Vegas Quotes post for the perfect Instagram caption

Keep reading to find out the best tips and tricks for traveling to Las Vegas on a budget.

How to visit Las Vegas on a budget?  Budget Accommodation Options in Las Vegas

The accommodation in Vegas is very different from anything else we have experienced. A lot of the hotels are themed and have food courts, clothes stores & even theme parks located inside.

For people who haven’t been to Vegas, you really have to see these hotels to believe it. It is amazing how much money is spent on the hotels in Vegas!

While there are some amazing  5 star hotels on the Las Vegas strip (including ones with amazing hot tubs in room ) which we would choose in a heart beat if we were coming to Vegas for a special occasion, there is also decent budget accommodation available in Las Vegas for the budget conscious traveler.

At first glance, we found it difficult to find decent accommodation on the Las Vegas Strip at a reasonable price. However, after considerable research, we found a few affordable & decent accommodation options in Las Vegas that we would recommend.

Circus Circus

The first time we traveled to Vegas, the only affordable accommodation available was  Circus Circus , a circus themed hotel located at one end of the strip.

We were a little apprehensive to book this accommodation as we were warned strongly against it by an American we met in Ocala Forest Park . He told us to never set foot in Circus Circus due to the undesirables that lurk in the casino.

However, at a price of  $26 USD a night , the cheapest directly on the Las Vegas Strip (and about $100 cheaper than anything else) we simply  had   to give it a go!

And, for all those hanging on the edge of your seats in anticipation of what staying in Circus Circus is like, the verdict was that we were actually pleasantly surprised!

The rooms were older style but they were very clean & comfortable. It also has a fast wifi connection and an interesting circus themed interior with free circus shows, a theme park and fast food court inside. We didn’t even run across any undesirables in the casino!

For those cruise lovers out there, the best way that I can describe staying at Circus Circus is like being on a cruise ship. Almost being the operative word as, of course, unlike a cruise ship, you have to pay for all the food & beverages inside the hotel.

Circus Circus  has at least 3 accommodation buildings you can stay in, which differ, based on price. The Manor Lodge, the cheapest accommodation available in Circus Circus, is what we decided to book. However, when we arrived, we were surprised to be treated to a free upgrade to the Skyrise Tower! Woohoo!

The Skyrise Tower in  Circus Circus  was very nice and if it is only slightly more expensive, I would definitely recommend booking it over the Manor Lodge.

I have read previously you can score an upgrade by slipping the hotel receptionist a $20 note but luckily, we didn’t have to exercise this strategy and got our upgrade for absolutely free!

The cool thing about Circus Circus is the hotel sometimes offers additional perks. At the time we booked, the hotel was also offering a $20 free beverage credit.

If you manage to get Circus Circus’s free beverage credit, the best value bar at the hotel is Slots-a-Fun bar, which offers $3.24 (incl. tax) Coronas. That means a total of 6 beers free for your hotel credit!

If you aren’t a beer fan, I would personally highly recommend the frozen strawberry daiquiris served at the West Bar. They are absolutely delicious!

To top off the comfortable rooms and free beverage credit, the cost of gambling at  Circus Circus  is probably also one of the cheapest available on the main strip with $10 minimum tables as opposed to $15 minimum tables in many of the more expensive hotels.

As an extra perk, to get you in the gambling spirit, there are free gambling lessons at Circus Circus in Blackjack, Roulette, Craps & Slots if you would like to learn more about a particular casino game.

Overall, we totally satisfied with our decision and would definitely return to  Circus Circus  if we were traveling to Las Vegas on a budget!

The Plaza – Downtown Las Vegas

After visiting (and thoroughly enjoying) the Downtown area of Las Vegas on our first trip, we felt like our next stay should be near Fremont Street due to its vibrant & quite frankly wacky atmosphere.

We decided to stay at  The Plaza Hotel & Casino . We paid $25 USD a night mid week plus a resort fee of $18 USD and were very satisfied with our choice.

The rooms were very spacious, wifi was fast and the hotel provided great access to the heart of the Las Vegas downtown area.

The Plaza Hotel also has a newly renovated pool area which is very nice for relaxing in the summer.

If you are planning to rent a car in Las Vegas or are leaving on a flight from Las Vegas, it is also helpful that the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas offers a free shuttle service to the airport!  Note that they only offer this service to the airport, it is not available coming from the airport.

Other budget accommodation options

Other potential options for cheap hotels on the Las Vegas strip include  Super 8 at Ellis Island  or the  Stratosphere Hotel & Casino . Be warned though these hotels do require a little bit of walking to the heart of the Las Vegas strip!

You might get lucky and be able to score another great budget option during your dates. For the best deals, we suggest searching for hotels in Downtown Las Vegas .

As a general tip, for the best price of accommodation in Las Vegas, go on the weekdays if possible as the price of accommodation in Las Vegas often triples on the weekends.

The best luxury hotels in   Las Vegas

If we were going to Las Vegas for a special occasion like Valentines day, an anniversary or a birthday, after walking through the casinos, we would probably have choose  the Wynn  or  the Venetian .

The  Wynn  hotel was just overall a very luxurious and modern hotel. The casino was also very glamorous at  the Wynn .

We were also particularly impressed with  the Venetian , a hotel designed to be the city of Venice. It was amazing to see gondolas traveling though the hotel & a real life sized Rialto Bridge!

For the best deals on luxury accommodation in Las Vegas, we suggest searching for 5 star hotels on the Las Vegas strip . Go on the weekdays if possible for the best price on luxury accommodation in Las Vegas as the price of Vegas triples on the weekends.

Pro Tip: Factor the nightly resort fee in Las Vegas

One thing to be mindful of with accommodation in Las Vegas is that the nightly rate does not include a resort fee. A resort fee in Las Vegas is a fee for the use of the facilities in the hotel such as a pool & gym (if any) and wifi.

In our case, when we stayed at  Circus Circus , we paid a nightly resort fee of $23 USD a night & tax.

The resort fees in Las Vegas differ from hotel to hotel. For example, when we stayed at  The Plaza Hotel & Casino  we paid a resort fee of only $18 USD.

Differences in resort fee prices, especially at luxury hotels, can add up if you are staying in Las Vegas for more than a few nights. We use this website to compare resort fees in Las Vegas .

Budget Food & Drink Options in Las Vegas

Like accommodation, food can be phenomenally expensive in Las Vegas.

Although most hotels have cheaper options available including a Mcdonalds & Subway located within the premises, the cost of even these low-cost fast food restaurants can be as much as double the usual cost in Las Vegas.

Where to find cheap fast food in Las Vegas?

We purchased a meatball subway in Circus Circus and it cost $9.50.

Later during our stay, we found a plaza, a short distance away, across the road from the Stratosphere Hotel that served normal price subways. Woohoo! The address of the plaza is Sahara Paradise Plaza, 2246 Paradise Road to be exact.

In the same complex is a normal priced McDonalds and even a great Thai restaurant called  Thai Pepper  which serves delicious Thai meals for around $7 USD!

We ordered the Pad Thai & it was really tasty. We appreciated that despite the low cost, Thai Pepper had generous serving sizes. We even found one meal take away was enough between two for a light dinner or lunch.

If you are nearby during lunchtime, take full advantage of Thai Pepper’s $5.95 lunch specials!

There is not a lot of cheap food options available directly on the Las Vegas Strip. However, while checking out the Casino at Treasure Island , we stumbled upon a good find: crispy crème donuts for $1 – a much better deal than Circus Circus & a great snack after a few hours of gambling!

Do note also, if you happen to be over 350 pounds, you can eat for free in Fremont Street. Unfortunately, we didn’t quite quality for this deal!

Supermarket/Convenience Stores in Las Vegas

There are numerous convenience stores located on the Las Vegas strip.

Directly to the left of  Circus Circus , around 100 metres down the road is a CVS convenience store, which is probably the cheapest option for food on the Las Vegas strip.

You can hunt out some good deals at CVS on the Las Vegas strip. They have a $1 section which has tuna packets, big packets of strawberry drop biscuits & chips. They also stock have $1.99 pringles, 79 cents apples/bananas (per piece), $2.99 bread & peanut butter for $3.50.

However, the best part of this store for us was being able to withdraw money for no transaction fee! Basically, for foreigners every ATM on the Las Vegas strip charges a $6 transaction fee. Finding a way to withdraw cash with no ATM fee was a big saving!

Note, there are a number of CVS convenience stores in Las Vegas. Depending on where you are staying, there is another CVS in the middle of the strip near the Treasure Island Hotel .

Las Vegas Travel Tip:  Don’t drink the water from the hotel rooms in Las Vegas, it made us a little sick. You can get large water bottles from CVS or there is usually free water in the hotel gym.

The most affordable Las Vegas Buffet

While in Vegas one of the ‘things to do’ is to experience a Vegas Buffet!

We hunted for the best buffet in Las Vegas and tossed up between splurging on an expensive 5 star buffet such as the Bellagio Hotel buffet priced at around $40 – $60 USD per person or going for a cheaper buffet option.

After pouring through hundreds of reviews, the quality of the 5 star buffets on the Las Vegas strip didn’t seem to justify the high price.

We instead opted for a cheaper Las Vegas buffet located in the Downtown Las Vegas area. We decided upon the  Main Street Station Casino Garden Court Buffet   priced at only $11.99 per person on a Monday night.

While the buffet was certainly plentiful with everything from ribs to pizza to tacos, the food for most part was pretty average.

The saving grace for this buffet was the cheap price and the fact that the building interior was absolutely stunning.

To experience a Las Vegas buffet at a cheap price I would recommend it. I can only imagine (based on the reviews) that some of the expensive buffets are also pretty ordinary.

Free Drinks in Las Vegas – Are they still available?

You will be pleased to know that yes, you can still drink for free (or nearly free) in Las Vegas while gambling at the casinos.

The cheapest way, if you are purely interested in getting a cheap drink, is to go on the one cent poker machines in the casino.

You’ll probably have to wait for around 20 spins before a waitress comes over to take your drink order. When she returns, the drink is free but its courtesy to give the waitress a tip. We usually gave $1 and they were always happy with that.

I did see other people not tipping at all, and, while I would rather the practice of tipping be eliminated in favour of higher prices and fair wages, when the drink is free, a tip is more than fair!

No drink menus are available so you can pretty much order what you want including cocktails ! Simply, ask the waitress, she will tell you no if they can’t do it.

To get the absolute cheapest drinks, select a casino at one of the cheaper hotels like Circus Circus. One cent machines are not available at the more luxurious casinos such the Wynn. You can also get a good deal on hotwire so you might want to check it out too.

Budget Activities in Las Vegas

While there are plenty of activities available to those who want to splash some cash, there are plenty of budget and free activities in Las Vegas to enjoy. Here are our favourite affordable or free activities in Las Vegas!

We traveled to Las Vegas as couple. If you are looking for romantic things to do for couples in Las Vegas you might like to check out budget (and non budget) activities for couples here .

The Fremont Street Experience

This was probably our favourite Las Vegas experience and in many ways we regretted not staying the first time we went to Las Vegas in accommodation in Downtown Las Vegas .

Fremont Street in the Old Vegas is out of this world!

It is a very happening street with a lot of weird & wonderful buskers & just a whole lot of atmosphere! I imagined Downtown Vegas to be full of old men in seedy & outdated casinos but quite the contrary, a lot of young people congregate in Fremont Street for the great atmosphere & cheaper prices.

To sum it up, it is basically a pedestrian mall with a covered roof that runs a Light & Sound Show every hour. The Downtown Las Vegas light show is pretty amazing as it lights up the whole street with different songs & pictures.

There is also an epic zip line that runs along the entire top of the street and really good street performances along the mall. While we were at Downtown Las Vegas, we saw Elvis perform in the street for free!

Free Shows in Las Vegas

The shows in Las Vegas can set you back a lot of money. While seeing Brittany Spears or Justin Bieber in Las Vegas would be a pretty cool experience, it certainly is not a good idea for those wanting to conserve a little cash.

The good news is you can also experience shows for absolutely nothing in Las Vegas! Many of the casinos in Las Vegas offer regular shows in accordance with the theme of the hotel.

Some of our favourites include the Volcano Show at the Mirage Hotel, the Water Show at Bellagio and the Circus Acts at Circus Circus.

The Mirage Volanco is very impressive as it shoots fire high into the air, much like a real-life volcano. The Bellagio water show is also spectacular as water spurts into the air in perfect synchronization to music.

While Circus Circus’s free circus acts weren’t as good as the other two mentioned, they were amusing & impressive enough to be enjoyable.

Here, we have listed the timetable of the free shows available in Las Vegas:

Budget Gambling in Las Vegas

Believe it or not gambling in Las Vegas can be somewhat of a budget pastime.

The price of gambling differs from Casino to Casino. At the more expensive Casinos (such as the Wynn, Venetian etc) there is a $15 minimum for table games.

However, at the cheaper Casinos such as Circus Circus and Treasure Island, there is only a $10 minimum for table games. This price difference can really start to add up after a few rounds.

To make your gambling money go further, the Flamingo Hotel offers a special $5 blackjack rate! There is also virtual roulette and blackjack tables at the cheaper casinos for $3, which was really popular option for affordable gambling in Las Vegas.

However, my personal favourite is the 25 cent Roulette at El Cortez Hotel & Casino in the Downtown Las Vegas. There is a $1 minimum but in terms of Roulette it doesn’t get much cheaper than this!

Budget Transportation in Las Vegas

Despite Las Vegas being a relatively expensive destination, transportation can be relatively inexpensive if you know how to travel like a local!

Public Transport from Airport to the Las Vegas Strip

The cheapest way to reach the Las Vegas strip from the airport is to get the 108 Public Bus, which can be reached Terminal 1. The 108 bus costs $2 a ticket one way. Payment can be made in $1 notes on board.

If you arrive at any of the other terminals you can get a free shuttle bus from outside to Terminal 1 (look out for the black shuttle Van).

If you are staying in the Downtown Las Vegas area , the WAX bus is the cheapest way to go. It departs from the same location as the 108 Public Bus and also costs $2.

Transport from the Las Vegas Strip to Fremont Street

From the Las Vegas Strip, the simplest way to access Fremont Street is by the Deuce Bus.

The Deuce Bus costs $6 per person for 2 hours or $8 for a 24 hour ticket.

During the day, we felt energetic and walked to Fremont Street from Circus Circus (which took approximately 50 minutes). We intended to catch the bus home however, there is no one way option on the bus!! The bus driver was nice enough to offer us a free lift. If we went again, I’d definetely purchase the 24 hour ticket.

Car Hire in Las Vegas

From Las Vegas, we have made trips to both the Grand Canyon & Yosemite on separate occasions.

At the airport, car hire is located a short shuttle ride away from Terminal 1. We usually rent our car through Budget Car Rental as they generally have the cheapest prices.

If you have purchased the cheapest car category through Budget, they will try to convince you to upgrade your vehicle.

In our experience, this wasn’t necessary as you get to choose the vehicle you want from a range of vehicles and they *usually* have a slightly better value car available that you can select than the one you paid for.

We hope you enjoyed our ultimate budget guide to Las Vegas. If you have some extra budget tips for visiting Las Vegas or if this guide has been helpful, we would love to hear from you so please leave a comment below!

Save this How to Guide to Pinterest!

Disclaimer – This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a booking through our links we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you found this post helpful, we would appreciate you using our links to help keep  our site running!

MC Miller is a travel blogger and writer who has travelled America extensively and abroad to over 80 countries. He founded Couple Travel The World in 2017. Since then, he has spent over 6 years on the road as a full time travel couple. When he not traveling he likes to spend quality time with his partner Bett, planning our their next date or romantic getaway!

Monday 9th of October 2017

Awesome... Very nicely written.. Great detail... We went to Vegas once but it was certainly not a budget travel... Will definitely go through this blog again the next time we plan Vegas. :)

Nadia & Mike

Thanks PM! Yes, there are some pretty cool luxury options in Vegas. It’s nice that it is still possible to have a budget trip though!

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

Hotel Deals & Packages

Downtown las vegas, walk to allegiant stadium from these hotels, family-friendly hotels in las vegas, hotels on the strip, pet-friendly hotels, view all hotels & casinos, best places to catch live music in las vegas, vegas shows – the comprehensive guide, 11 can’t-miss las vegas entertainment experiences, special events & festivals, events this weekend, kid-friendly shows in las vegas, view all shows & events, gordon ramsay dishes on las vegas, budget-friendly fine dining in vegas, late-night dining spots, new restaurants, celebrity chefs, fine dining, bars & lounges, view all restaurants, free things to do in las vegas, 20 ways to celebrate your birthday in vegas, discover downtown las vegas, las vegas with kids, outdoor adventure, museums & exhibits, wedding packages and offers, 10 reasons to have your wedding in vegas, affordable weddings in las vegas, what you need to get married here, find your wedding venue, the 2024 las vegas wedding guide, plan your vegas wedding, formula 1 heineken silver las vegas grand prix 2024, latest in vegas: sports, how to bet on sports in vegas like a pro, four golf courses near the strip, 2024 las vegas raiders schedule, wrestlemania 41, join the millions who follow us, follow us for must-see las vegas experiences, can't miss las vegas hotel deals & updates, how to visit las vegas on a budget.

 You don’t have to be a high roller to experience Las Vegas like a VIP. The destination offers exciting attractions, delicious dining and comfortable accommodations for every budget. 

Free Attractions 

In Las Vegas, there's a plethora of free attractions waiting to be explored. Start your adventure in downtown to explore the electrifying Fremont Street Experience , offering nightly live music, entertainment, and a spectacular daily light show at 6 p.m. And don’t miss the vibrant and exciting atmosphere of the Downtown Container Park , featuring various art installations, live entertainment, food vendors, and boutique shopping.

Fun for everyone in Downtown Container Park 🕺🎊

Peep our 'Gram 👀

Downtown Container Park

There’s also the Aquarium at Silverton Casino Lodge, where a 117,000-gallon aquarium houses more than 5,000 exotic fish from around the world. Plus, don’t miss the opportunity to wander through the Wynn Conservatory at Wynn Las Vegas, where you can marvel at ever-changing floral arrangements that adorn the space, open 24 hours for your enjoyment. Art enthusiasts will delight in a visit to the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art at UNLV, showcasing modern and contemporary pieces. Finally, round off your Vegas adventure with a visit to The Flamingo Wildlife Habitat at Flamingo Las Vegas, a family-friendly four-acre garden teeming with exotic birds, turtles and fish.

And, of course, a visit to Las Vegas isn’t complete without seeing the mesmerizing Fountains of Bellagio and Conservatory & Botanical Gardens , offering a delightful two-in-one deal of seasonal beauty, at Bellagio. For a dose of entertainment, make your way to The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace to witness the captivating Atlantis Show , featuring animatronic displays of nine-foot-tall talking statues amid dramatic fire and water effects. Don’t forget to stop by the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, a must-see for any visitor, conveniently located just south of the Strip.

Affordable Dining

With endless dining options, it’s easy to find delicious deals that are easy on the wallet. From classic American bar favorites to innovative culinary infusions that you won’t find elsewhere, there’s a spot for any budget.

Save on discounted drinks and food during happy hours, like Cañonita at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, a traditional Mexican restaurant that boasts views of the resort’s gondolas and specials, which are available Monday through Thursday from 2-5 p.m. There’s also Favorite Bistro at The LINQ Hotel + Experience, which offers a lively environment and tasty, affordable finger food and discounted drinks daily from 2-6 p.m.

And for the perfect pregame meal deal, check out TAP Sports Bar at Excalibur Hotel and Casino. It offers a 3 for $33 Value Meal, including an appetizer, soup or salad, and an entree so you can fuel up before your team takes center stage.

Looking to satisfy your hunger cravings, no matter what time it is? Many eateries cater to both late-night owls and early birds, offering a variety of options to indulge your appetite. Take, for instance, Evel Pie , nestled in Las Vegas’ vibrant Fremont East Entertainment District, which offers pizza by the slice, with doors open until 2 a.m. on weekdays and 4:20 a.m. on weekends. For round-the-clock dining, head to Village Pub & Café at Ellis Island Casino, Hotel & Brewery. This establishment has earned its reputation for having incredible deals, such as its unbeatable top sirloin steak special. For a taste of Mexican cuisine at wallet-friendly prices, there’s Tacos El Gordo, with four locations in the Las Vegas area.

Specials for a Great Night Out 

When it comes to drinks in Las Vegas, expect to find some great deals and specials. If your group is interested in heading to a nightclub, keep in mind that most require ticketed entry or cover charges. Your best option is to look for a local promoter to help get you into a club, as the cost could be reduced or waived entirely. Promoters can be found all over the Strip, as their main job is to help bring crowds to the clubs. 

And for all those lucky ladies out there, many clubs have drink specials, such as Blue Martini at Town Square Las Vegas or Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. 

Where to Stay

The Strip is known for its luxury resorts, but some might not know that Las Vegas Boulevard is home to many affordable, world-class hotels as well. If value is what you’re looking for, be sure to check out Treasure Island – TI Hotel & Casino .

You can also find several budget-friendly hotels in historic Downtown Las Vegas, many of them right on Fremont Street. Take a look at El Cortez Hotel & Casino and Golden Gate Hotel and Casino if you’re looking for a great rate.

Save even more by visiting between Sunday and Thursday when prices are much lower. Off-the-Strip resorts and hotels are also budget-friendly options and easily accessible by Uber or Lyft. Each offering a fabulous Las Vegas experience, consider staying at Palace Station Hotel Casino or South Point Hotel Casino & Spa .

How to Get Around

The Las Vegas Monorail is a secret gem and extremely helpful in getting around the Strip quickly. With stops putting you just steps away from some of the destination’s favorite resorts, why not save some time while taking a minute to kick back and enjoy the view? You could also consider hopping on The Deuce, a double-decker bus that provides an affordable transportation option, making stops at every resort along its route.

Visiting Las Vegas doesn’t have to break the bank! Looking for more? Check out our free things to do in Las Vegas guide and various deals and packages . Start building that itinerary with electrifying entertainment, delicious dining and so much more! 

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Mint Notion

Feel rich living within your means

Las Vegas on a Budget: The Ultimate Guide

By Eden Ashley To cover the cost of my website and the time I spend writing these posts, sometimes I link to affiliate products. If you choose to buy through these links (at no additional cost to you), thank you so much! It makes it possible for me to keep doing this. Disclosure Policy

Visiting Las Vegas on a budget? Follow these travel tips to help you plan a trip to Vegas on a budget in 2022. Includes budget food recommentations, cheap hotels on the Vegas Strip, and how to party in Vegas on a budget.

Sin City is one of the only destinations in the USA where you can party like a Rock Star and enjoy a high roller vacation in Las Vegas on a shoestring budget.

That is, of course… if you know how to scope out the deals. That’s why I’m showing you places to visit in Las Vegas on a dime.

If you’re planning a trip to Las Vegas for the first time, this post will show you how to stay at luxury hotels, dine at 5-star restaurants, and watch incredible shows all on a budget.

My boyfriend and I LOVE visiting Las Vegas and we’re always finding cheap stuff to do and new ways to save money without much effort.

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a romantic trip, a bachelor or bachelorette party, or a week-long excursion, use these tips and tricks to help you visit Las Vegas on a budget.

Related Posts:

• 20 free things to do in Las Vegas
• Visiting Vegas for the first time? Avoid making these rookie mistakes
• 10 best kid-friendly hotels in Las Vegas

Table of Contents

Las Vegas on a budget – Attractions

1. save money with the las vegas explorer pass.

Visiting Las Vegas for the first time can be hectic. With so many great things to see and do, it can be challenging to plan an itinerary and determine which attractions are worth spending your money on.

Getting the most bang for your buck is my #1 factor when planning a vacation and the GO Las Vegas Explorer Pass was rated the #1 Vegas tourism pass by TripAdvisor.

They’re also recommended by Expedia and Go City Passes currently have a TrustScore rating of 8.5/10 on Trust Pilot . Many people have already used the Explorer Pass for their Vegas trip and posted happy reviews.

With the GO Vegas Explorer Pass, you can save time, money, and enjoy stress-free sightseeing. But don’t just take my word for it. Check out these TripAdvisor reviews.

Read Next: My honest review of the Go Las Vegas Explorer Pass

2. Find discounts and book online

If you want to visit Las Vegas on a budget – there’s absolutely no reason to pay full price for Vegas attractions. You’ll always be able to find a discount.

Whenever I’m in Las Vegas, THIS is my go-to website for scoring deals. They offer the lowest prices on Las Vegas attractions and tours. I recommend booking online, especially for popular attractions, so you can save time and hassle.

3. Check out free attractions in Vegas

If you’re wondering what is there to do in Las Vegas on a budget , you’ll be surprised to learn how many free attractions you can find in Vegas.

That’s why I put together this post sharing 20 of my favorite cheap things to do in Las Vegas . The best part is, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy!

4. Look for free live music and shows

One of our favorite things to do in Las Vegas is check out live music and shows. We loved going listening to a live band at Fine Irishman’s Bar at the NY NY Hotel . They even had a traditional Irish dancer there which was awesome!

5. Find affordable attractions off the Vegas Strip

Whenever we’re in Las Vegas, we always make time to check out attractions off the Vegas Strip.

We love hiking and visiting nature trails. Some of our favorite spots include Valley of Fire State Park , Red Rock Canyon , and Zion National Park .

If you have time to explore further, consider checking out this Grand Canyon tour . It includes a comfortable roundtrip motor coach ride from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon with breakfast snacks and lunch.

Las Vegas on a budget – Show Tickets

6. vegas.com has the cheapest show tickets.

One of the best things to do in Las Vegas is see a show. Whether it’s a Cirque du Soleil production, such as The Beatles LOVE at the Mirage Hotel or a variety show, such as Absinthe at Caesar’s Palace, seeing a show is a MUST when visiting Vegas.

Vegas.com offers the best deals on show tickets. I recommend booking tickets online to save money and time. This website is always our first choice for scoring discounts on Vegas shows.

Is Vegas.com a legit travel website? Yes!

Vegas.com has been around for over 20 years and is a reputable site. I have personally been using this website for the past several years to save money on Vegas shows and attractions.

Vegas.com currently has a TrustScore rating of 4.6/5 on Trust Pilot with over 75,000 reviews . Here’s a screenshot of real reviews from happy customers.

7. Take advantage of online discounts

There are lots of discounts available online for shows in Las Vegas. If you’re planning on having dinner before the show, consider booking a dinner + show special . This is super convenient and can save you a lot of money.

LIMITED TIME OFFER:  Right now, you can book some of the top Vegas shows for $50 or less. This is a great deal!  See the full list of shows here.

8. See shows with the Las Vegas Explorer Pass

The Las Vegas Explorer Pass allows you to visit 3 to 7 popular attractions all for one low price. You can even use the pass to check out some of the most popular shows in Las Vegas including:

• Vegas! The Show (normally $116)
• V – The Ultimate Variety Show (normally $94.81)
• Zombie Burlesque (normally $86)
• The Mentalist (normally $66.98)
• And more great shows!

You can learn more here about all the benefits of the Las Vegas Explorer Pass.

9. Sit through a timeshare presentation

If you want to get free show tickets and have time to spare, then consider sitting through a timeshare presentation.

Of course the presenters will try and pressure you into buying a timeshare. But make sure to stand firm and say no. Then you can collect your free tickets, enjoy some free food, and be on your way.

10. Tix 4 Tonight

While I always recommend booking tickets online (and in advance) for popular shows, you can take your chances and see if Tix 4 Tonight is offering last-minute discounts. You can find Tix 4 Tonight booths set up along the Vegas Strip.

Where to stay in Las Vegas on a budget

12. stay during the week.

Las Vegas room rates drop significantly during the week. Monday-Thursday is usually the cheapest time to go to Las Vegas , with Friday and Saturday being the most expensive.

This is because a lot of people love to come to Las Vegas on the weekends, which drives hotel rates through the roof.

PRO TIP: Research ahead of time to see if your hotel offers mobile check-in. We recently stayed at the MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip in the summer. The regular check-in line was nearly an hour wait.

We signed up for M Life Rewards (which is free) and were able to take advantage of their mobile check-in. It only took about 5 minutes to check-in which was a huge time-saver!

Below are some of the best cheap Las Vegas hotels:

• Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
• Best Western Plus Casino Royale – Center Strip
• Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
• SAHARA Las Vegas
• Harrah’s Hotel & Casino Las Vegas
• Excalibur Hotel & Casino
• The STRAT Hotel & Casino
• Circus Circus Hotel, Casino & Theme Park
• Travelodge by Wyndam Las Vegas Center Strip

12. Take advantage of online discounts

You’ll want to compare rates to make sure you’re getting the best price. Vegas.com is my go-to website for finding cheap Las Vegas hotels.

I also recommend staying near the center of the Vegas Strip so you’ll be close to all the action and save money on transportation.

I also like to compare hotel rates on Booking.com . Below you can check out affordable hotels in Las Vegas for your trip.

13. Keep on an eye on events and conferences

There are many events and conferences that happen in Las Vegas. Popular events can cause hotel rates to increase, which can make your vacation very expensive. I recommend visiting when there won’t be any major conventions happening to help you save money.

14. Research resort fees

Almost every major hotel on the Las Vegas strip charges a daily resort fee. These fees can range from $20-$45 per night . Resort fees are not included in the initial hotel price. Instead they are due to the hotel at the end of your stay, upon check out.

To avoid this surprise expense, make sure to do your research before booking your hotel. Find out if they charge a daily resort fee and how much it costs. This can help you get a better idea of how much to budget for your hotel accommodations.

15. Stay in Downtown Las Vegas

If you’re not keen on staying on the Vegas Strip, I recommend checking out accommodations in Downtown Las Vegas. The most popular hotels downtown include the Golden Nugget , Four Queens , and Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino .

Almost everything is cheaper off the Vegas Strip, including entertainment and food. If you’re look for the best places to eat in Las Vegas on a budget, you’ll find many options here.

Read Next: 10 best kid-friendly hotels in Las Vegas

Eating in Las Vegas on a budget

16. Eat and drink during Happy Hour

If you’re wondering how can I eat cheap in Las Vegas , consider checking out happy hours.

If you don’t mind having a late lunch or early dinner, you can save a lot of money by dining during Happy Hour. Most restaurants and bars offer cheap drinks and discounts on food during this time. This can be a great way to to find food in Vegas on a budget.

17. Consider eating at resort buffets

If you’re planning on ordering an appetizer, entrée, and drinks, then consider eating at a resort buffet. Why pay $40 at a restaurant when you can pay $20-$40 for all you can eat food and drinks?

Some of the best buffets in Vegas include:

• The Buffet at Wynn
• Bacchanal Buffet at Caesar’s Palace
• Wicked Spoon at Cosmopolitan
• Buffet at Bellagio
• Buffet at Aria

18. Share or split meals

Most of the restaurants in Las Vegas offer generous portions. Whenever my boyfriend and I go to Vegas, we usually split a couple of appetizers or share an entrée. This allows us to eat well and save money.

19. Make your biggest meal of the day lunch

If you’re trying to save money in Las Vegas, I recommend making your cheapest meal of the day your biggest. Usually this is breakfast, but if breakfast is not your jam, then I recommend making lunch your biggest meal of the day.

Many of the popular restaurants in Las Vegas offer a less expensive lunch menu. You may even be able to get Happy Hour drink specials too.

20. Eat at restaurants off the Vegas Strip

Almost everything is going to be more expensive on the Vegas Strip. But if you’re looking for a delicious meal that doesn’t break the bank, then considering eating like a local and checking out restaurants off the Strip. I like using Yelp or TripAdvisor to find affordable places to eat.

Below are some of the best places to eat in Las Vegas on a budget:

• Breakfast – The Egg & I, Babystacks, Omelet House, Mr. Mamas, Eggslut
• Lunch – Earl of Sandwich, Shake Shack, Sirrico’s Pizza, Nacho Daddy, Tacos El Gordo, Evel Pie, In-N-Out Burger
• Dinner – Ellis Island’s Village Pub & Cafe, Monta Noodle House, Istanbul Mediterranean

Las Vegas on a budget – Transportation

21. book your flight and hotel package together.

Many third-party booking websites, such as Booking.com or Vegas.com offer a discount when you book your flight and hotel together. Booking.com and Vegas.com are my go-to sites for finding cheap Las Vegas packages.

22. Renting a car? Book through Costco

We always book a rental car when visiting Las Vegas. This is because we love to explore both on and off the Vegas Strip.

We also like to check out some of the attractions outside of Las Vegas. Costco travel offers the best rates on rental cars.

23. Avoid taxis and use Uber or Lyft

Taxis can be very expensive in Las Vegas. With the emergence of ride-sharing services, I recommend using Uber and Lyft instead. It’s often cheaper and more convenient.

24. Look for free parking

Many of the hotels in Las Vegas now charge a parking fee. However, there are a few places left where you can still find free parking on the Vegas Strip, such as Fashion Show Mall.

For registered hotel guests staying at any of the MGM Resorts , your 24-hour parking fee provides you with in-out privileges across all MGM Las Vegas destinations.

This also applies for registered hotel guests staying at any of the Caesar’s Entertainment Resorts.

25. Ride the Monorail

The Monorail is one of the easiest ways to get around the Vegas Strip. The Monorail operates along a 3.9-mile route from the SLS Station to MGM Grand Station.

Las Vegas on a budget – Entertainment

26. buy drinks from the grocery store.

Drinks in Las Vegas can be expensive. A good way to save money is to buy your own alcoholic beverages from a local grocery store. It is legal to have an open container of alcohol while walking on the Las Vegas Strip, as long as it’s not in a glass container.

PRO TIP: Another way to get cheap drinks is to ride the High Roller Observation Wheel during Happy Half Hour. A Happy Half Hour ticket includes one 30-minute rotation with an in cabin open bar. You can learn more about it here .

27. Take advantage of free things to do in Las Vegas

There are many ways to party in Vegas on a budget. Start by seeing what’s avilable at your hotel accommdations. If you’re paying a resort fee at your hotel, you might as well take advantage of the amenities being offered.

For example, one of our favorite things to do in Las Vegas on a budget is to hang out and relax by the pool. We’ve stayed at several resorts along the Vegas Strip, but our favorite pool is at the MGM Grand Hotel.

Another free thing we enjoyed at the MGM Grand Hotel was they had a 80’s cover band playing one night. It was a free concert so we had fun listening to some classic hits.

28. Check out free concerts on Freemont Street

Freemont Street in downtown Las Vegas is one of the best places to enjoy free, live music in the city. Plus, you can check out the world’s largest video screen, known as Viva Vision. The Freemont Street Experience features free light shows every night of the week.

29. Sign up for Player’s card and casino reward programs

Even if you’re not gambling, consider signing up for casino player’s cards. They are free to sign up for at every casino and sometimes they give you free stuff just for joining. This can include a free credit on your card to gamble, a free buffet pass, and so on.

30. Set a gambling budget and stick to it

If you’re planning to gamble in Las Vegas, a good way to save money is to set a budget and stick to it. You don’t want to risk more than you can afford to lose. This can help you visit Las Vegas on a budget.

Las Vegas on a budget FAQs

What is a good daily budget for las vegas.

Your daily budget should be around $246 per day (per person) for your vacation. Based on the expenses of other visitors, this is the average daily price. (Price are in USD).

There are many variables to consider, such as if you’ll be gambling, shopping at designer stores, eating at celebrity restaurants, checking out a Vegas show, and so on.

How much do I need for 7 days in Las Vegas? As you can see, a vacation to Vegas for one week will cost an average of $1,723 per person or $3,446 per couple. ( Source )

Can you go to Vegas on a budget?

Depending on your interests, you can have an amazing trip to Las Vegas on a budget. There are tons of budget-friendly hotels , cheap eats, affordable shows , and free things to do in Vegas for all travellers.

What’s the cheapest month to go to Vegas?

January is the cheapest month to go to Vegas. This the best time to find cheap Las Vegas flights and hotel deals. Vegas winters tend to be cold and dry, so it’s important to keep this in mind. Other cheap months to visit Vegas are February, April and September.

Is Vegas affordable to visit?

Yes, Vegas is affordable to visit. It doesn’t have to be expensive! You can find good deals on hotels if you stay during the week. There are plenty of free or cheap things to do in Las Vegas and you can save money by eating and drinking during happy hour.

Are drinks free in Vegas?

Las Vegas casinos serve free drinks to all gamblers. All you have to do is sit down at a machine and play. It’s recommended to tip your server to get better service and more free drinks.

Are taxis cheaper than Uber in Las Vegas?

Uber is cheaper than riding in Vegas taxis. If you’re traveling on a budget, then taking an Uber or using public transportation is the most cost-effective way to get around Sin City.

About Eden Ashley

Eden has an MBA and a degree in Psychology. As a new mom (and homeowner), she knows the importance of having a budget that works. She's helped thousands of women get good with money using the same strategies she used to save $100,000 by age 25. Click here to learn how to create a better budget!

How to Be a High Roller in Vegas on a Low-Roller Budget

I love Las Vegas . I avoided going for years because I like to gamble and didn’t want to empty my bank account. However, when I finally went, I found the city offered a lot more than just ways to lose money.

Most people think Vegas is expensive — and it certainly can be if you splash out and indulge (or are terrible at playing cards!) — but it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of ways to experience Vegas without breaking the bank.

Today, I’ve enlisted my friend Abby Tegnelia, former editor of Vegas Magazine and all-around Vegas guru to show us how to have a first-class Vegas vacation without going home broke.

In recent years, Las Vegas has exploded with five-star dining, A-list shows, and world-famous nightclubs.

But not everyone can afford to pay top dollar for a Hangover -worthy weekend or a food fest that belongs in the pages of Gourmet .

While it’s easy to blow the bank the second you land in Vegas, the gambling mecca has also made it easier to experience its newly diversified entertainment offerings at a fraction of the full price.

To help you plan your trip and keep your budget intact, here’s everything you need to know to be a high roller in Vegas on a low-roller’s budget!  

Table of Contents

How to Eat Five-Star Food on a One-Star Budget

How to enjoy the nightlife like a celebrity, vegas shows without the vegas price.

• Car Rentals

More Money-Saving Tips

Prime-time seating at the Strip’s five-star restaurants is between 8pm-10pm, but these hot spots like to be full all the time so most have both happy hour and pre-show menus to kick off their evenings between 4pm and 7pm. (Details can vary between restaurants, so be sure to call first.)

Belly up to the bar if you don’t want to commit to a full table seating but are still hungry to try some famous food at low prices. Or sit down in the early evening for a pre-theater meal. (You don’t have to produce a theater ticket to keep the reservation.) Some also have prix fixe lunch menus as well.

Here are just a few of Vegas’s gourmet restaurants where the cost of a meal under normal conditions could reach into the hundreds of dollars, but you can use this tip to enjoy a five-star meal for under $100 (wine pairings might be more):

• L’Atelier Joel Robuchon (MGM Grand)
• Estiatorio Milos (The Venetian)
• Jean-Georges Steakhouse (Aria)
• Michael Mina (Bellagio)
• Eiffel Tower (Paris)

Reverse Happy Hour Many Vegas restaurants stop serving food by 10:30pm, but there are so many performances finishing up about that time that the Strip has a tradition of the post-10 (or 11, depending on the place) “reverse happy hour” with food and drinks starting as low as $5.

Some of the best reverse happy hours in Vegas are:

• Sugarcane Raw Bar and Grill (The Venetian)
• Ra Sushi (Fashion Show Mall)
• PKWY Tavern (multiple locations)
• The Yard House (multiple locations)

Brunch A boozy brunch is a Sin City staple. And in Vegas, the best ones come with unlimited food and drinks on the weekends. Here are some of the best brunches in town:

• Border Grill (Mandalay Bay): For $44, you can enjoy all-you-can-eat five-star Mexican small plates, both sweet and savory. You can also add bottomless mimosas, micheladas, and Bloody Marys for an additional $27.
• La Cave (Wynn): On Sundays only, one of the Strip’s fanciest resorts offers a $49 all-you-can-eat brunch with mouth-watering dishes such as truffled grits, Canadian bacon, and French toast, plus $34 all-you-can-drink mimosas, caipirinhas, or mojitos.
• The Wynn Buffet (Wynn): One of the few restaurants that offer brunch on Fridays, The Wynn Buffet is $50 for unlimited gourmet food, with an add-on “Endless Pour” for $28 per person. Due its popularity, advance reservations for priority seating are highly recommended (otherwise the wait can be extensive).

If you don’t have an expensive table reservation or know someone at the door, you’ll need to make sure you arrive early if it’s a busy night. I recommend being there by 10pm at the latest.

Being a group of guys will make it harder to get in, so be prepared to shell out the full price for entry. Clubs prefer a 2:1 girl-guy ratio. If at all possible, guys should try to meet some girls earlier in the evening and go to the line with them. There is a good chance that you won’t go to the end of the line; instead, you could be put in one of the “halfway” lines. You still might have to pay full price, but there’s a chance you won’t, and at least you won’t have to stand in line as long.

If you meet one of the VIP hosts and aren’t sure if you’ll go to the club, know that the lists close at 9pm. Try to call or text by about 7 or 8 to confirm your place on the list to beat the rush. Know your assets: if you’re a group of young women, ask your host to let you know if any of his tables of guys are looking for girls to hang out with them. Tip : Many of the nightclub workers also have drink tickets for free cocktails, so it never hurts to ask them to share!

If you’re a group of women, stop and talk to the promoters handing out flyers. Their job is to get as many ladies into the club as possible, so you can easily get free entry with those flyers. Sorry, guys, but you’re out of luck there.

There’s a separate line at every club for hotel guests, so make sure to bring your room key. Depending on the night, you may also get a discounted rate.

If you’re not staying at the hotel whose club you’re trying to get into, you can also make a dinner reservation at the associated restaurant if it has one. Dining at Tao or Lavo will get you into their clubs that night, and eating at Andrea’s at Encore will garner a hand stamp for Surrender.

If a local puts you on a list through someone high-level at the club, make sure to mention that name at the door. Otherwise, you might be stuck in a longer line than you need to be.

All bets are off after about 2am, when the hosts have seated most of their big clients, and the lines of people trying to get in have waned. If you manage to reach your VIP host via text, he’ll probably be finished with those paying customers. He can, therefore, run down to get you outside to let you in and might be more generous with his drink tickets or finding you a place to sit. That said, if he’s partying too hard, he might not get your text to begin with.  

The booths open at 10am and accept both major credit cards and cash. Get there early!

Also make sure to visit Vegas.com , which has listings and deals for shows and some food specials. You can often find some good deals here.  

1. Skip the weekend – Most people visit Las Vegas on a Friday or Saturday and stay for the weekend which means this is the most expensive time to visit. By visiting the city during the week you can avail yourself of the significantly reduced room rates and restaurant prices.

2. Gamble responsibly – It’s Vegas, of course, so you’ll want to risk a few dollars in a casino, but don’t go wild. Only gamble what you can comfortably afford to lose, because chances are, the house will win.

3. Get comps – If you’re gambling, the casino will often reimburse some of your losses in the form of meals, discounted show tickets, and rooms. Make sure to ask about these (they’re offered often to returning visitors too, so make sure you don’t unsubscribe from the hotel/casino’s mailing list).

4. Use coupons – Coupons are almost a currency in Las Vegas; casinos will give you a book of them when you sign up for a (free) player’s card and you’ll find 2-for-1 offers on meals in restaurants on the Strip.

5. Don’t pay cabs with a credit card – Taxis charge a service charge when you pay with a credit card (up to $3 sometimes!). Avoid the charge by paying cash.

6. Eat at the buffet – Vegas has some of the best food in the world. With all the money flowing in, that should be no surprise, but if you really want to save money on food, stick to the all-you-can-eat buffets. Buffets cost about $20-35 — but you can eat enough to keep you going for a long time!

7. Pre-drink at the casino – To cut down on expensive drinks at the bar or club, drink on the casino floor first. The drinks are free as long as you’re playing one of the games so just sit down at a penny slot machine, play slow, and drink fast. You can have 10 drinks for the price of one at the club! Just make sure you tip your server.

A Note About Car Rentals

Here’s where I would save your money. Unless you’re planning on some off-Strip activities on your own, there’s no need to rent a car. The airport is 10 minutes from any hotel, so a cab is easiest. And even if you do decide to go off-roading or to the Hoover Dam, there are plenty of shuttle options when you make your reservations.

I’d only suggest renting a car if you plan to drive to the Grand Canyon or spend a couple of days outside the city. Otherwise, skip the rental and save your money.

Many people tell me they arrive in Vegas feeling overwhelmed by everything there is to do. Las Vegas can cause sensory overload and leave you unsure where to begin. By knowing a few tips and tricks, your trip to Vegas can be a wonderful time where you’re treated like a VIP without having to spend VIP money.

Abby Tegnelia is a former travel blogger and former editor-in-chief of Vegas Magazine. She currently resides in Saratoga, NY. You can follow her adventures on Twitter .

Book Your Trip to Las Vegas: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. My favorite places to stay in the city are:

• Las Vegas Hostel

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Las Vegas? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Las Vegas for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

Related Posts

GET YOUR  FREE TRAVEL STARTER KIT

Enter your email and get planning cheatsheets including a step by step checklist, packing list, tips cheat sheet, and more so you can plan like a pro!

Vacations in Las Vegas

Search hundreds of travel sites at once for vacation package deals in las vegas.

Let KAYAK do the searching

Save on your next vacation

Search and compare hundred of travel sites at once for vacation packages in Las Vegas, Nevada

We’re completely free to use - No hidden charges or fees

Filter by free cancellation, free breakfast and more

Cheap Las Vegas package deals

Most popular las vegas flight and hotel deals, last minute vacation packages to las vegas, search by stars, search by review score, search by board, search by price, search by freebies, when to book a vacation in las vegas, tips for finding las vegas package deals.

• There are loads of types of vacations in Las Vegas and the cost will depend on what type of trip you’re taking and for how long you’d like to stay. Here are the latest prices for a 3 night trip for 2 travelers: Top vacation $372; Family vacation $328; Romantic vacation $478; Luxury vacation $517; Budget vacation $240.

Why should you book a vacation package to Las Vegas?

The best way to enjoy Las Vegas, saving time and money, is with a vacation package. By bundling together hotels and flights, you will often be able to take advantage of preferential rates, as opposed to standard single rates when booking separately. You will also save time matching hotel availability to your flights. If flexibility isn’t your priority, Las Vegas vacation packages could leave you more money to spend in the city itself, rather than on getting there.

When should you book a vacation package to Las Vegas?

Booking a Las Vegas flight and hotel package is an efficient way to save on stress and cash. For the best deals and rooms, it’s advisable to search for Las Vegas vacation packages during quieter periods. Traveling during the week is generally more affordable than at weekends, and by booking earlier you can help avoid higher rates. The July-August ‘Monsoon’ season is a good time to find Las Vegas travel deals, as most travelers opt to visit during spring and fall when the weather is hotter and dryer. It’s also a good time to get away from the concrete and visit the surrounding valleys, mountains and national parks in cooler weather.

Whilst searching for Las Vegas travel deals, be sure to check out seasonal activities. Most crowd-pulling events such as the NASCAR race, the Super Bowl, and the Rodeo happen during fall and winter as well as major conventions such as the Consumer Electronics Show and the Magic International.

Where should you stay in Las Vegas during your vacation?

For any vacation type in las vegas:.

The Aria Resort and Casino is one of the classiest hotels on the Las Vegas strip, offering private cabana rental alongside a range of first-class, dedicated amenities to make your Las Vegas getaway feel special. The resort is just a 10-minute drive from McCarran International, and offers a 24-hour taxi and limo booking service. If you book a Sky Suite with the hotel, luxury transfer to and from the airport is included.

The Venetian Resort Hotel is a luxurious, whimsical Las Vegas creation. Housed in a sprawling Italianate palazzo, it boasts an on-site grand canal complete with gondolas, renaissance mall, spacious, eco-friendly suites and 10 outdoor pools. The hotel is just 12 minutes by car or taxi from the airport, and it offers a wide range of transport options, from a taxi booking service to a ‘Grazie’ shuttle service (free for Gold and Platinum members), running every half hour between 6.am and 6.30pm.

For family vacations in Las Vegas:

Marriot’s Grand Chateau, 15-minutes’ walk from the strip, boasts spacious family rooms, free valet parking, kids’ activity rooms and a bird’s-eye view of central Las Vegas. Just a ten-minute drive from the airport, head north onto McCarran Airport Connector, carry on to Swenson Street, then left onto E Harmon Ave. The Chateau offers free valet parking.

The Mandarin Oriental offers cozy family rooms and a range of child-oriented services, from children’s afternoon tea to the arrangement of certified babysitters, to ensure a stress-free stay for the whole family. The hotel is around a ten-minute drive by cab or car from the airport and is located right on ‘The Strip’.

For romantic vacations in Las Vegas:

The Desert Rose Resort, just 2 blocks from the southern part of the Strip, is a great choice for couples on a budget. It boasts a range of contemporary condominium suites with private patios or balconies. As it doesn’t host on-site bars or clubs, it’s ideal for those looking for something quieter. Just seven minutes from the airport by car, head north onto McCarran Airport Connector then left onto E. Tropicana Ave. After 1.6 miles, turn left onto Duke Ellington Way – the resort is on the right.

The MGM Grand attracts some of the world’s most famous acts to its numerous nightclubs and showrooms. With pool complexes, a range of signature bars and restaurants, and generously-sized suites, it’s an ideal honeymoon resort. The resort offers tax assistance and features on shuttle service routes to and from the airport (just 7 minutes away, though usually longer via shuttle). If driving from McCarran International, head north onto McCarran Airport Connector and left onto E. Tropicana Ave., then right onto Audrie St. and left towards the resort entrance.

For luxury vacations in Las Vegas:

The Wynne Las Vegas is a dazzling luxurious resort, featuring a full casino, dozens of boutiques and matchlessly designed amenities. The hotel doesn’t offer a free shuttle service, but is located directly on the Strip, and is easily reachable (around 12 minutes) from McCarran International via cab or hired car.

The Four Seasons in Mandalay Bay offers glorious views of the surrounding desert mountains from chic, Art-Deco suites. Alongside stellar on-site restaurants, guests can enjoy tailored treatments in the Forbes Five Star Spa. Limo, taxi and rental car services are available for airport transfers (around 12 minutes away) and beyond.

For budget vacations in Las Vegas:

The Mardi Gras Hotel and Casino is located 5 minutes from the Monorail and offers free shuttles to the Strip and airport transfers (between 7am and 10pm). It also offers free service level parking and a friendly full-service bar and restaurant. From the airport, simply head north on Paradise Road for 2.3 miles. The hotel is on the right.

The Circus Circus Hotel, Casino, and Theme Park is just 5 minutes’ drive from the Convention Center and offers free entertainment nightly. The hotel is just 8 minutes away from the airport by cab, or half an hour way via line 108 bus.

Where to stay in Las Vegas

Las vegas vacation information, other popular package vacation destinations.

• London package vacations
• Los Angeles package vacations
• Miami package vacations
• Miami Beach package vacations
• Montego Bay package vacations
• Myrtle Beach package vacations
• Nassau package vacations
• New Orleans package vacations
• New York package vacations
• Orlando package vacations
• Paris package vacations
• Playa del Carmen package vacations
• Puerto Rico package vacations
• Punta Cana package vacations
• Rome package vacations
• Saint Martin package vacations
• San Diego package vacations
• San Francisco package vacations
• San Juan package vacations
• Seattle package vacations

• Car Rentals
• Airport Transfers
• Attractions & Tours
• Flight + Hotel
• Destinations
• Trip.com Rewards

Maximizing Your Fun on a Budget: Las Vegas Trip Cost Breakdown

by Trip.com

April 25, 2024

Welcome to Las Vegas / Source: Trip.com

Calculating Your Las Vegas Trip Cost: What to Budget for Flights

High Roller / Source: Trip.com

Las Vegas Trip Cost Comparisons: How Much to Budget for Hotels

The Venetian® Resort Las Vegas / Source: Trip.com

The cost of a hotel room can vary greatly depending on the time of year, location, and amenities 👍 . If you're looking to keep your Las Vegas trip costs down, it's a good idea to research and compare prices before making a reservation. In general, look for hotels located off the Strip for more affordable options, or consider booking a hotel that is connected to a casino for added entertainment value.

You can save money on your hotel stay by booking in advance or choosing a hotel that offers free amenities like breakfast, parking, or Wi-Fi. If you're flexible with your travel dates, you can often find lower rates during the week or the offseason. Furthermore, if you're traveling with a group or family, consider booking a suite or vacation rental for more space and amenities. This can be a great way to save money on dining expenses, as you can prepare meals in your room and avoid eating out for every meal.

Here is a table of accommodations at different price ranges. Click on links to specific hotel examples to access our exclusive member-only discounts on your Las Vegas trip costs.

** Please note that these prices are subject to change depending on the time of year and availability, so it's always best to check with the hotel directly to get the most up-to-date pricing. **

Remember to also consider resort fees and taxes, which can add a significant amount to your hotel bill. These charges often cover amenities and extra perks like pool access, car parking, and fitness center admission. To avoid any surprises, it's essential to read the fine print and ask about any hidden fees before booking.

Overall, with a little bit of research and planning, you can find a comfortable and affordable hotel in Las Vegas without compromising the quality of your stay. By choosing a hotel that fits your budget, you can maximize your fun and make the most of your Las Vegas trip.

Best Hotels in Las Vegas 🏨

The cosmopolitan of las vegas, the venetian® resort las vegas, bellagio hotel & casino, caesars palace, las vegas hilton at resorts world, family friendly, the strat hotel, casino & tower, paris las vegas hotel & casino, golden nugget las vegas, treasure island – ti las vegas hotel & casino, a radisson hotel, mgm grand hotel and casino, swimming pool, circus circus hotel, casino & theme park, rio hotel and casino, the orleans hotel & casino, luxor hotel & casino, las vegas trip costs: dining at different price ranges.

• Budget Dining : For those on a tight budget, Las Vegas has plenty of fast-food chains and food courts in hotels and casinos. Some popular options include In-N-Out Burger, Shake Shack, Earl of Sandwich , and the food court at the Fashion Show Mall. Visitors can expect to spend around $10-15 per meal.
• Buffets: All-you-can-eat dining is a top attraction in Las Vegas, offering a wide selection of international cuisine at a cost-effective price. Some recommended options include The Buffet at Bellagio , The Buffet at Aria , and The Wynn Buffet. Visitors can expect to spend around $30-60 per person.
• Mid-Range Dining : Las Vegas has plenty of reasonably-priced dining options. Some popular options include The Cheesecake Factory, The Buffet at Wynn, and Gordon Ramsay Burger . Visitors can expect to spend around $25-40 per meal.
• Fine Dining : Las Vegas is home to some of the most exclusive fine dining restaurants in the world, including many Michelin-starred options. Some popular options include L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon , Restaurant Guy Savoy , and Le Cirque . Visitors can expect to spend $100 or more per person for a meal.

Las Vegas Trip Cost: Keeping Souvenir Expenses in Check 🎁

Enjoy high-speed connectivity with usa esim.

Las Vegas popular souvenirs / Source: Jametlene Reskp @ unsplash

Some popular souvenirs from Las Vegas include:

• Playing cards: Many casinos have their own unique decks of cards, which can make for a fun and practical souvenir.
• Shot glasses: Las Vegas is famous for its nightlife and party scene, and many people like to collect shot glasses as a way to remember their time in Sin City.
• T-shirts: There are plenty of T-shirt shops in Las Vegas selling a wide variety of designs, from humorous to outrageous.
• Keychains: Keychains are a great way to remember your trip and can be an inexpensive and functional accessory for your keys.
• Casino chips: Many people like to collect casino chips as a souvenir, especially if they have won big on the tables.
• Show memorabilia: Las Vegas is home to a wide variety of shows, from  Cirque du Soleil  to big-name headliners. Many people like to purchase show merchandise as a way to remember their experience.
• Food and drink: From specialty hot sauces to sweet treats like fudge and candy, Las Vegas has a variety of unique food and drink options that make great souvenirs.

Getting Around Las Vegas: Budgeting for Transportation on Your Trip

Here is a table of transportation options in Las Vegas at varied price ranges:

If you're staying on the Strip, walking is a convenient option to get around and explore the various attractions, restaurants, and shows. Taxis and ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft are also readily available, and can be a good option for those traveling in groups or with luggage. It's also worth noting that many hotels offer complimentary shuttle services to popular attractions and the airport, so be sure to inquire about these options when making your reservations.

Las Vegas trip cost / Source: Trip.com

Public transportation is another affordable option, with the RTC (Regional Transportation Commission) bus system offering extensive routes throughout the city, including the Strip and downtown area. The Deuce is a popular bus that runs 24/7 along the Strip, stopping at major resorts and attractions. There are also the monorail and trams, which offer a faster and more comfortable way to get around the Strip and downtown.

For those looking for a more unique experience, the Las Vegas Strip offers a range of transportation options, from limos and party buses to helicopters and hot air balloons. However, these options can be more expensive and may not fit within your Las Vegas trip costs.

Sightseeing on a Budget: Planning Your Las Vegas Trip Cost for Attractions

Here is a table of popular attractions in Las Vegas that cater to different interests and budgets:

Las Vegas Explorer Pass

Planning your las vegas trip cost: how much for 2 nights & 3 days.

Death Valley National Park / Source: Trip.com

• For flights, a roundtrip ticket for two people from Los Angeles to Las Vegas can cost around $200 per person.
• Accommodation can range from a budget hotel like  Circus Circus , where you can find rooms for as low as $50 per night, to a luxury hotel like   The Bellagio , where you could pay upwards of $200 per night. For this example, we'll assume a mid-range hotel like   The Mirage , where a room can be booked for around $150 per night.
• Transportation costs can vary depending on how you choose to get around. For this trip, let's assume you'll be using a mix of ride-sharing services and public transportation. Budgeting around $30 per day for transportation should be sufficient.
• For food, it's possible to find a variety of mouth-watering dining options in Las Vegas to suit any taste and price range. On a budget-friendly trip, you could expect to spend around $20-30 per person per meal, or around $180 per day for two people.
• Entertainment is a major attraction in Sin City and can make up a significant portion of your Las Vegas trip costs. For this trip, let's budget around $400 for entertainment, which could include a few shows, a visit to a museum or attraction, and some gambling. No trip is complete without souvenirs, so let's set aside $100 to spend on gifts and sundries.

Here's a final breakdown of the Las Vegas trip costs for our 2-night, 3-day adventure:

In summary, a reasonably priced Las Vegas trip cost for two adults, would be just under $1,000 per person . This includes flights, accommodation, transportation, food, and entertainment. Keep in mind that this is just an estimate and the cost can vary depending on the options you include.

Las Vegas Trip Cost for Every Type of Traveler: Families, Couples, Solo

Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck / Source: Trip.com

• For families, Las Vegas offers plenty of family-friendly attractions that will keep everyone entertained. A must-visit is the  Adventuredome Theme Park , where you can ride roller coasters, play carnival games, and go mini-golfing. Another great option is the  Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay , where you can get up close and personal with a variety of aquatic animals. To keep costs low, consider staying at an off-strip hotel like the   Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino , which offers affordable family packages that include dining and activities.
• Couples looking for a romantic escape can enjoy a night out at the   Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck , where they can take in the stunning city views and enjoy a gourmet dinner. They can also take a stroll through the romantic   Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens   or take a gondola ride at   The Venetian . For accommodation, couples can consider staying at   The Cosmopolitan , which offers luxurious rooms and world-class amenities.
• Solo travelers can enjoy the vibrant nightlife and exciting entertainment that Las Vegas has to offer. The city has an array of solo-friendly activities like a day trip to the Hoover Dam or a tour of   The Neon Museum . Another great option is to take a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon for a breathtaking view of one of the world's most magnificent wonders. Solo travelers can also stay at hostels or budget hotels like the   Las Vegas Hostel   or   The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Skypod , where they can meet other travelers and save on accommodation within their Las Vegas trip costs.

Below is a table outlining the estimated Las Vegas trip costs for a two-night, three-day trip for each type of traveler, based on average prices for accommodation, transportation, food, and entertainment.

Cutting Costs on Your Las Vegas Trip: Money-saving Strategies

Ethel M Chocolates Factory & Cactus Garden / Source: Trip.com

• First and foremost, timing is everything. Visiting Las Vegas during peak season means skyrocketing prices, while traveling during off-peak times can lead to major savings. The winter months, particularly November and December, can be a great time to visit as hotels offer lower rates and the weather is still mild. Plus, with the holiday season in full swing, you'll be able to enjoy festive attractions and events without emptying your wallet on Las Vegas trip costs.
• Another way to save on your Las Vegas trip cost is to take advantage of the many discounts and promotions offered by hotels, restaurants, and attractions . Many hotels offer reduced rates and package deals during slow periods, so be sure to check their websites or sign up for email newsletters to stay in the know. Additionally, sites like Groupon and LivingSocial frequently offer discounts on activities, restaurants, and shows, so it's worth checking them out before you book.
• Speaking of shows, don't miss the opportunity to see world-renowned performances at a discount. Many shows offer discounted tickets for same-day or last-minute purchases, and some even offer standing-room tickets for a fraction of the price. Don't be afraid to ask the ticket desk if they have any specials or discounts available and save big on your Las Vegas trip costs.
• And when it comes to dining out, Las Vegas has plenty of affordable options. Take advantage of happy hour specials, which often include discounted drinks and appetizers. And if you're looking for a more upscale dining experience, consider making lunch reservations instead of dinner as prices are often lower during the day.
• Finally, don't forget to use your player's club card when gambling as it can lead to discounted or even free hotel rooms, meals, and other perks . The more you play, the more you earn, so make sure to sign up at your hotel's player's club desk.

Expert Tips for Reducing Your Las Vegas Trip Cost and Maximizing Your Fun

Here are some other tips to help you maximize your fun while minimizing your expenses:

• Stay off the Strip: Accommodations on the Strip can be pricey, so consider staying in a hotel or vacation rental off the beaten path. You'll still be able to enjoy all the attractions and entertainment Las Vegas has to offer, without spending a fortune on Las Vegas trip costs.
• Use public transportation: Instead of renting a car or taking cabs, save money by using Las Vegas' public transportation system. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada offers an extensive bus system, with single rides starting at just $2. Or, try the Las Vegas Monorail, which can take you from one end of the Strip to the other for as little as $5 per ride.
• Take advantage of free attractions: Believe it or not, Las Vegas has plenty of free attractions. Check out the   Bellagio Fountain , the  Volcano at the Mirage , or the   Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo , just to name a few. There's no need to spend a fortune on entertainment when there are so many great free options available that don't add to your Las Vegas trip costs.
• Eat smart: Las Vegas has no shortage of high-end dining options, but if you're on a budget, there are plenty of great places to eat that won't break the bank. Look for happy hour specials, discounted buffets, or affordable fast-food options.
• Know your limits: If you're a gambler, it's important to set a budget and stick to it. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement and overspend, but staying disciplined and setting limits for yourself will save you money in the long run.

Valley of Fire State Park / Source: Trip.com

Travel with Trip.com and save money on Las Vegas trip costs!

Congratulations, you've made it to the end of our guide on maximizing your fun on a budget during your Las Vegas trip! By now, you should have a better understanding of what to expect in terms of Las Vegas trip costs and how to plan a budget-friendly trip to Sin City without sacrificing the fun.

Remember, the key to keeping your trip affordable is to plan ahead and be smart about your spending. From budgeting for flights, hotels, and transportation, to dining, entertainment, and souvenirs, there are plenty of ways to save money on Las Vegas trip costs without compromising on quality.

Be sure to sign up for our Trip . com Rewards loyalty program to access all our latest deals on travel, hotels and flights and save more on your Las Vegas trip costs.

Save more on your Las Vegas trip cost / Source: Trip.com

Las Vegas Trip Cost - FAQs

What is the best time of year to visit las vegas.

Spring (March-May) and Fall (September-November) have comfortable temperatures, smaller crowds, and cheaper rates.

What should I pack for a trip to Las Vegas?

Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, light clothing, and a jacket (air-conditioned areas can get chilly). Dress code varies by venue.

Do I need a rental car in Las Vegas?

No, but it's recommended if planning to explore outside the Strip. Public transport and ride-sharing are also available.

Is it safe to walk around Las Vegas at night?

Las Vegas is generally a safe city, but it's always wise to take precautions when walking around at night. Avoid flashing valuable items, and be aware of your surroundings.

What is the minimum age to gamble in Las Vegas?

The legal age for gambling, drinking, and smoking is 21. You will need to provide identification to enter casinos.

Las Vegas Trip Cost

• 1. Calculating Your Las Vegas Trip Cost: What to Budget for Flights
• 2. Las Vegas Trip Cost Comparisons: How Much to Budget for Hotels
• 3. Las Vegas Trip Costs: Dining at Different Price Ranges
• 4. Las Vegas Trip Cost: Keeping Souvenir Expenses in Check🎁
• 5. Getting Around Las Vegas: Budgeting for Transportation on Your Trip
• 6. Sightseeing on a Budget: Planning Your Las Vegas Trip Cost for Attractions
• 7. Planning Your Las Vegas Trip Cost: How Much for 2 Nights & 3 Days
• 8. Las Vegas Trip Cost for Every Type of Traveler: Families, Couples, Solo
• 9. Cutting Costs on Your Las Vegas Trip: Money-saving Strategies
• 10. Expert Tips for Reducing Your Las Vegas Trip Cost and Maximizing Your Fun
• 11. Travel with Trip.com and save money on Las Vegas trip costs!
• 12. Las Vegas Trip Cost - FAQs

<h3>Trending Searches</h3>

Popular Content

• weekend getaways in kentucky
• Trip to Botswana cost
• what to pack for japan
• Trip to Mauritius cost
• trip to japan cost
• things to do in chicago
• weather in Japan in September
• what to pack for south korea
• Trip to Kenya cost
• Trip to Guatemala cost

Popular Attractions

• Louvre Museum Tickets
• disney locations
• Gardens by the Bay Tickets
• tokyo disneyland tickets
• hong kong ocean park tickets
• Bermuda Triangle
• Amusement Park
• Nurburgring
• Qinhuai River Boat Tour
• Ghibli Museum
• Flight Experience Beijing
• Chengdu Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum
• Yonghe Temple
• universal studios japan tickets
• Day Tour Zurich
• Day Tour Osaka
• shanghai disneyland
• california disneyland

Connectivity

• Israel eSim
• best Japan travel apps
• eSIM Hong Kong
• best china travel apps
• Thailand SIM Card
• Saudi Arabia esim

Getting Around

• Tokyo Metro
• Shinkansen Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka
• JR pass airport transfer
• jr tokyo wide pass
• Haruka Express
• Haneda Airport to Tokyo
• Customer Support
• Service Guarantee
• More Service Info
• Website Feedback
• About Trip.com
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Statement
• About Trip.com Group

Other Services

• Investor Relations
• Affiliate Program
• List Your Property
• Become a Supplier

North America Chevron

United States Chevron

Nevada Chevron

Las Vegas Chevron

16 Best Hotels in Las Vegas

When it comes to the best hotels in Las Vegas for you, ask yourself: Where in the world would you like to sleep tonight? How about Venice ? Check. Or maybe Paris , New York , Lake Como? They're all here, too. Vegas requires a sense of humor to truly appreciate its hotel offerings; you have to love that you can see the Eiffel Tower and a laser-topped Egyptian pyramid from the city's own Piazza San Marco, so just give in. Our picks for Las Vegas' best hotels—yes, including those themed ones—all have fabulous, over-the-top personalities of their own, and there's something here to please every type of traveler, with almost every option being known for something different. Read on for our list of the best hotels in Las Vegas to help guide you through the Strip and beyond.

Read our full Las Vegas travel guide here .

Every hotel review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider properties across price points that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination, keeping design, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.

All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Fontainebleau Las Vegas Arrow

Saying that Fontainebleau is the longest-awaited of any Las Vegas property is no hyperbole: In fact, the 729-foot-high tower (the tallest hotel in Las Vegas) was topped out in 2008 but sat vacant through several ownership changes before Jeffrey Soffer’s Fontainebleau Development reclaimed it in 2021—and unveiled the final product in one of the most star-studded and lavish parties in Las Vegas history at the end of 2023. The hotel is a soaring tribute to the original architect of its iconic Miami Beach sister property, Morris Lapidus, complete with a massive oval lobby, monolithic bow-tie-shaped porte cochere, and other midcentury modern glam details. The 67-story Fontainebleau (now the tallest hotel in Vegas) features 3,644 rooms in several categories that afford incredible views of either the mountains or the Strip from floor-to-ceiling windows. There are some truly new-to-Vegas experiences on the dining front: Numbering among the 36 restaurants and lounges are Mother Wolf, which doles out Roman pizza and hand-cut pasta; and the witty Washing Potato, serving up dim sum and street food. The clever Reboot Lounge offers everything from a signature foot massage to compression therapy for legs (great for recovering from a long flight). Fontainebleau takes all the best Las Vegas amenities, adds a bit of Miami glamour, and supersizes everything on a massive stage. —Emily Gordon

NoMad Las Vegas Arrow

NoMad Las Vegas is a hotel within a hotel; specifically, the Park MGM, the completely rethought former Monte Carlo. But unlike some other hotel-in-hotel pairings in  Las Vegas , there's some synchronicity here, since the Sydell Group had a hand in the redesign of the entire property. But while Park MGM is fun and accessible, NoMad is its totally grown-up side. It's all old-world luxury here, with sexy dark corners and a grand, library-inspired restaurant. When you walk into NoMad, it's like wandering into some amazing secret hidey-hole. If you thought you were too sophisticated for Las Vegas, you haven't been here yet.

The Venetian Resort Arrow

Just walking into The Venetian lobby feels like taking a trip to the Bel Paese; it’s completely frescoed to its vaulted ceiling, and its centerpiece is a massive, gilded sphere held up by four golden women. After having passed a replica of  Venice’s  campanile and Rialto Bridge, arriving in this basilica-style registration area should feel totally cheesy—and yet, it is  so  over-the-top and grand, you can’t help but be impressed. The complex is enormous, with more than 7,000 rooms and three million square feet of retail and meeting space spread across the Venetian and Palazzo hotels. But perhaps the most memorable thing about the place is its huge array of  restaurants , including Estiatorio Milos for incredible seafood (and the Strip’s best lunch deal), Mott 32 for excellent Chinese food, and new openings from superstars Tetsuya Wakuda (Wakuda) and Eyal Shani (HaSalon). Beyond dining, everything you need can be found inside The Venetian. The gym is actually a Canyon Ranch, where you can go on the climbing wall, get nutritional counseling, and even have your gait analyzed, while the spa is full of unexpected extras, such as acupuncture.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Autograph Collection Arrow

If you’ve ever seen Cosmopolitan’s provocative ads about being the “right kind of wrong,” you’ll understand who it’s trying to attract—and it’s succeeding. The guests are usually on the younger side of the Strip demographic, with plenty of money to spend on all the great restaurants, cabanas at the pool, and bottle service at  Marquee Nightclub . Its rooms are some of the best for entertaining on the Strip (and some of the very few with open-air terraces). In recent years, the Cosmopolitan has focused on upping its offerings for bigger spenders, and its rooms reflect that: the Chelsea Penthouses, for instance, start at 2,400 square feet, and the three-bedroom penthouses have terraces with panoramic views. All the rooms, though, appeal to those who love clean-edged design. Cosmopolitan has long had some of the Strip’s most standout restaurant and lounge options, and they’re constantly adding fun new things. Look for The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails, a swanky room behind a janitor’s door where you can take in a major whiskey selection and, yes, actually schedule an old-school shave and haircut, and the hidden Ski Lodge at Superfrico, inspired by ski chalets in Hokkaido, Japan. The hotel was acquired by MGM Resorts International in 2022 and is operated by Marriott, and is now part of a new brand collection, the MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy, that gives Marriott members special access and points on stays.

Bellagio Arrow

When this  Lake Como –inspired wonderland opened in 1998, it instantly become the model for the over-the-top Vegas extravaganza resorts that would follow; its fountains remain the biggest free show in town. The Strip icon could have rested on its reputation, but the Bellagio has taken the last couple of years to reinvest in the experience for its guests—not just those who walk in for the spectacle. The  Chicago  firm The Gettys Group Companies, in partnership with MGM Resorts International Design Group, oversaw a full renovation of all 2,568 guest rooms in the main tower, taking design cues from the fountains with natural stone and pops of aqua; in some rooms, vast showers replaced the old tubs. But even as it modernizes, the resort has smartly realized it can’t get rid of its icons. The hotel is currently renovating its Spa Tower to the tune of $110 million, in jewel tones Champalimaud Design is borrowing from Lake Como and the Alps; this is where to check in for a more residential feel.

The Palazzo at The Venetian Resort Arrow

The Palazzo is the extravagant younger sibling of  The Venetian  (both are part of The Venetian Resort) and was planned around the same kind of Renaissance Italian aesthetic. Each of the hotels has its own rotunda entrance; on the Palazzo side, rather than being all gold, there's an amazing crystal sculpture of women that's actually a two-level fountain. It's both modern and reminiscent of classical sculpture. It has the largest standard rooms on the Strip—700-square-foot bilevel suites with L-shaped sofas—and a slightly quieter atmosphere than Venetian’s family-forward vibe. Venetian and Palazzo have always had so many dining options, but in recent years, they've really turbo-charged the hip options, like Rosina, an intimate, Art Deco lounge right at the base of the guest room elevators in Palazzo. And the Prestige upgrade is well worth the money for the largest standard rooms on the Strip, and at less money than a hotel room in most other cities.

Circa Resort & Casino Arrow

Until Circa opened in October 2020, no new hotel had been built in Downtown Las Vegas for 40 years. What a tribute to all the fun and wackiness of the area; the place has distinguished itself as an unapologetic, adults-only temple of fun. It plays to a pretty specific demographic: sports lovers who come for its Stadium Swim pool complex—pool, lounge seats, sports bar, and bungalows all facing a massive, 40-foot-high HD TV that always has a major game playing. For dining it has the obligatory  Las Vegas steakhouse , but also a pan-Asian eatery that’s both an ode to the Midwest and to Las Vegas, and a fantastic (if very expensive) deli. There’s plenty to keep you inside this resort for days, but you could easily venture out to the funky dive bars, the (wild) people-watching, and the galleries of the 18b Arts District, all just steps out the front door. And if it’s views of the Vegas Valley you want, Circa’s Legacy Club, a partly open-air lounge on its 60 th floor, has some of the best. (You can enjoy them Vegas-style next to 500 custom gold bars and a ticker that shows their fluctuation in value in real time.)

Vdara Hotel & Spa Arrow

If you want to feel like you're checking into a destination spa, Vdara may be the hotel that comes closest in Las Vegas. The lobby has soaring ceilings, and the whole hotel—although it's a glass high rise in ultra modern CityCenter—is built to maximize light and bring in natural materials. It's the only completely non-smoking AND non-gaming hotel in Las Vegas. The spa is one of the nicest in the city, plus never as crowded as, say, Qua in Caesars, or one of the other spas in large casino resorts—there's a meditation lounge, waterfall, wooden floors—definitely a go-to spot while you're here. While Vdara has slightly higher room rates than some comparably sized hotel rooms, and upgrade is worth a little extra money for all the extras you get: Studios have little kitchen areas so you're not always going in search of food, and if you're staying for a while, there's no reason to skip the laundry service you can access.

Wynn Las Vegas & Encore Arrow

With its sunlit atriums, indoor koi pond, and fountains and waterfalls in multiple locations throughout the resort, you’ll recognize immediately why this resort is the largest five-star resort in the world. When you walk into Wynn, it’s an otherworldly fantasy where retail boutiques have their own backyards and an entire, lush par-70 championship length golf course hides behind the resort—the only golf course on the Strip. Behind the marquetry doors of Delilah supper club, names you would know mingle under the soaring cast-brass palms that evoke icons like  L.A.’s  Cocoanut Grove and the Tropicana Club in Havana, while Casa Playa serves dishes from Mexico’s Pacific and Atlantic coasts to a packed house of beautiful people. The Overlook Lounge, meanwhile, is a sumptuous redo of the central lounge, and offers a menu of cocktails infused with edible perfumes. In the last several years, Wynn has been on a spree, opening a Gucci with the only Gucci Garden in the US, a jaw-dropping Louis Vuitton with exclusive objets, and even a supercar store by McClaren, and renovating rooms to the tune of $200 million. There’s a reason Wynn has remained the city’s resort gold standard since it opened some 17 years ago—and it continues to gild the lily.

Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas Arrow

When you pull into the Waldorf Astoria, it feels secluded and private—a certain number of people actually live here full-time and enjoy all the amenities. You'll be greeted by name when you arrive at the lobby on the 23rd floor, and there's no line for check-in. The true pièce de résistance? No gaming, which means everything is blissfully quiet. And if you're skeptical of the  pool scene in Vegas , you'll love this one, arguably the most civilized, mellow, and sophisticated little spot in the city. You can hole up for an entire afternoon and relax without thumping music or bumping into the bachelor party in the next cabana. And whenever you need a snack, you can either walk right over to the Pool Cafe or just order something from there to your cabana. It's glamour at its absolute low-key best.

Aria is a sleek, curvilinear building, complemented by contemporary features such as a water wall and public art displays. The people who are checking into Aria are generally keen on staying in a more modern building, and like the proximity to high-end shopping (it's in the same CityCenter complex as The Shops at Crystals). When you walk in from the valet, you feel like you're in a monumental glass atrium. There's almost never a wait at registration, and the lobby feels so spacious that it never has that cramped, crowded feeling that other casinos have. The  spa  is also one of the best on the Strip, with a salt room and an incredibly relaxing section with heated beds, which are imported from Japan and made of a single block of stone. The 420 Sky Suites were all recently renovated, with spa-like bathrooms and a lighter, brighter color palette, as well as mod Vitra armchairs and comfortable wingback headboards.

MGM Grand Hotel & Casino Arrow

When you picture Vegas, you picture MGM Grand—with Cirque Du Soleil shows, roaring lions on display behind glass, and raucous bachelors’ parties likely coming to mind. It's impossible to casually list reasons to stay at the hotel, because it pretty much has…  everything . It’s the largest hotel in the U.S. and the third largest in the world. In addition to the 6,852 rooms available there's an expansive range of experiences at an equally wide range of prices, with basic rooms for less than $100 depending on the season, to ultra-luxe suites that go for thousands of dollars a night. In 2022, it completed a 700-room renovation of its Studio Tower, reminiscent of midcentury desert glam of the city’s Golden Age. No matter where you sleep though, the appeal of the iconic casino, the five swimming pools, endless entertainment, nightlife, and dining options, and the Strip itself are reasons enough to make MGM Grand an ideal home base for any Vegas trip.

Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas Arrow

When you arrive in the circular driveway of the Four Seasons Las Vegas, it feels impossible that you’re in Vegas—and what’s more, that it could be connected to the renowned  Mandalay Bay . It’s a gaming-free sanctuary at the southernmost end of the Strip, and it barely feels worlds away from the trademark splash and bang of the city. Although it occupies floors 35 to 39 of Mandalay Bay, it has its own lobby, restaurants, and scene—and best of all, a serene pool and beautiful spa. Just a few years ago, Four Seasons completely renovated its rooms, and what were very lovely but somewhat standard cream-colored Four Seasons rooms are now classic Art Deco–inspired retreats done up in a sophisticated color scheme with bold, graphic wallpaper.

Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace Arrow

Everyone knew of chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s  restaurants  when he opened his first hotel here in 2013, but its debut marked the beginning of a new era for the renowned restaurateur—and for the city’s storied hotel scene. Within the behemoth that is Caesars, it ends up being a surprisingly intimate stay: Few hotels can pull off the boutique-within-a-hotel concept and feel as if they are truly an individual experience. When you walk into the very small lobby (of what was once the old Centurion tower), it feels as Nobu and Rockwell Group imagined it—very spare and Japanese, with beautiful touches like wood walls resembling what could be a Louise Nevelson sculpture. The Rockwell Group’s 2022 rethink of the rooms inspired by kintsugi , the Japanese art of gold epoxy-veined pottery, gives them a warm, residential feel. And if you’ve ever dreamed of picking up the phone and having the  amazing food of Nobu  delivered right to you, your time has arrived. It’s easy enough to go to the restaurant downstairs—the only Nobu that serves breakfast—but you should absolutely take advantage of the in-room dining while you’re here.

Caesars Palace Arrow

The Strip’s Ancient Rome–themed wonderland is anything but stuck in the past; its largest building block—the 1,181-room Palace Tower—which got a $100 million reno just a few years back, is testament to that fact. Those looking for a splurgy trip should go straight for the 29th-floor villa suites, which, like the grand villas in the Octavius and Augustus towers, are massive and full of great (and OTT) design details. Because Vegas is all about donning your new identity for a while, you can pick from villas with completely different aesthetics, from Ancient Greece to a formal northern European villa furnished in Biedermeier furniture, to neoclassical French Empire and English Regency, all with features like 24K gold-plated fixtures and hand-painted murals, private elevator entry, limo transport, and VIP check-in.  Bacchanal  continues to offer one of the most mind-blowing buffets in the world (it never ends and serves about 500 dishes at any one time), and if you feel like walking to the other end of the massive complex, you'll get to the Forum Shops, where the retail offerings are vast and there are even more places to dine. It’s truly a self-contained city.

Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa Arrow

This hotel channels all the glamour of old Vegas, with backlit onyx, tinted glass, and thousands of Swarovski crystals reminiscent of classics like the Desert Inn. But it also feels really contemporary and natural: Since it backs up against the stunning Red Rock Conservation Area, its rooms and public areas are very much in keeping with the colors of the desert—natural hues and dark woods with pops of color. Ever evolving, this hotel that’s beloved by both locals and an increasing number of drive-in travelers has opened high-end restaurant after restaurant recently (Marc Vetri’s Osteria Fiorella, Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, a new outpost of the city’s legendary Lotus of Siam, and the stunning Naxos Taverna). And those who associate locals’ casinos with old-timers playing bingo should check out the new High Limit Room, a 9,000-square-foot salon of table games attended by dedicated butler service.

Recommended

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

100 ROUTES UNDER $30

Celebrate Frontier's 30th bday with 100 routes under $30!

* Buy by 6/27/24. Valid for travel select days of week through 11/13/24. Blackout dates and route exclusions apply. 7 -day advance purchase is required. 

Get the most out of your travel with Discount Den! Not a Discount Den member? Sign up here ! 

Use our app to add bags and seats, check-in, and get your boarding pass quickly and easily.

Terms and Conditions

Fares must be purchased by 11:59 pm Eastern time on Jun. 27, 2024. Sale fares are valid for nonstop travel on Monday through Thursday, and Saturday, through Nov. 13, 2024. Except as noted:

Travel to Las Vegas, NV, Sunday through Wednesday; Travel from Las Vegas, NV, Tuesday through Friday; Travel to Florida, Sunday through Wednesday; Travel from Florida, Tuesday through Friday. Directionality between markets applies in both directions.

The following blackout dates apply: Jul. 3, 5-7, 2024; Aug. 29, 2024; Sep. 2-3, 2024; Oct. 10, 14-15, 2024; Nov. 7, 11-12, 2024. Not all markets are available for all dates of travel. 7-day advance purchase is required. Round trip purchase is not required.

Discount Den™ fares are only available at FlyFrontier.com to Discount Den™ members. Join Discount Den here ! Fare(s) shown include all transportation fees, surcharges and taxes, and are subject to change without notice until purchased. Seats are limited at these fares and certain flights and/or days of travel may be unavailable.

All reservations are non-refundable, except that refunds are allowed for reservations made 7 days (168 hours) or more prior to departure and provided that a refund request is made within 24 hours of initial reservation.

Changes or cancellations made to itineraries after the 24 hours will be subject to change fees, and any fare differential. Learn more about our change policy . Previously purchased tickets may not be exchanged for special fare tickets. Flight segments must be cancelled prior to scheduled departure time or the tickets and all amounts paid will be forfeited.

Except for bundles, additional travel services, such as baggage and advance seat assignments are available for purchase separately at an additional charge. In addition to these Terms and Conditions, please refer to Frontier Airlines'   Contract of Carriage .

Domestic Routes

More From Forbes

Ultimate las vegas golf guide: 10 great courses plus travel tips.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Las Vegas is in the desert, and so are many of its best golf courses, such as the 54-hole Las Vegas ... [+] Pauite Golf Resort

Travel + Leisure magazine just announced survey results ranking Las Vegas as the most popular summer destination in the United States. But while that is in large part because of the city’s over-the-top pool scene, both leisure and business travel to Sin City is a year-round passion—as is golf. There has been steady post-pandemic growth, with nearly 41 million visitors last year, approaching the all-time 2016 tourism record. Whether you are headed to Vegas now or in cooler weather, for a vacation, a bachelor/bachelorette party, concert, sporting event or convention, if you play golf, you just might want to carve out some extra time, because the city has some exceptional courses.

Like food, hotel rooms, drinks and just about everything else in Las Vegas, the golf runs from sub-par to good to world-class, and from surprisingly reasonable to shockingly expensive. And like most other aspects of the city, it varies wildly based on when you visit, with peak season from October–May and the in between hotter months heavily discounted. Early morning tee times are the priciest and most courses discount “twilight” rates, which can begin as early as noon at some times of the year. Surge pricing, last minute liquidation, and a bewildering array of peak, off-peak, semi-peak and replay rates make pricing confusing, and in addition, there are numerous online tee time booking companies, resellers, the courses themselves and discounted stay and play packages—offered by both golf clubs and hotels.

In general, I’ve found the best advance rates for a single round typically come via individual course websites, but if you are flexible there are several last-minute discounters, using surge pricing to dump excess demand as far as three days out and up to the same day. One of the most reliable and easiest to use is the NBC / Golf Channel’s GolfNow .

VIP Golf Services is a local concierge company for more serious muti-day golf itineraries, including transportation and increasing discounts for the more courses you combine (at least two). They also have an excellent array of reasonably priced rental clubs (many brands), delivered to your hotel even if you don’t book through them, along with rental extras from golf shoes to rangefinders.

There are many fun reasons to go to Las Vegas, and a day of golf is a perfect fit with many of the ... [+] other attractions

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024.

Very little Vegas golf is at traditional golf resorts, and most of the good courses are standalone, with the notable exception of Wynn Las Vegas, the only hotel with golf on the Strip, though you don’t have to stay at Wynn to play it. For those seeking a more traditional non-Vegas golf resort feel, the upscale JW Marriott in suburban Summerlin has a stay and play partnership with the immediately adjacent TPC Las Vegas, one of the best, and several other courses within 10 minutes.

Shadow Creek, the city’s most exclusive course, is strictly limited to guests of MGM Resorts properties, but there are a ton of those at many different price points. Regardless of where you fall on the luxury spectrum, the greens fees are very likely going to be more than your room cost. MGM also has a special arrangement with private club DragonRidge, but other than these two you can stay anywhere you want and play anywhere you want.

There are also more “fun golf” options in Vegas than anyplace else on the planet, including the world’s largest Top Golf facility , attached to the MGM Grand. A new rival, the 100,000 square foot Atomic Golf , with six bars, just opened (first quarter 2024) at the north end of the Strip next to the Strat. The Vegas outpost of PopStroke , a national chain of which Tiger Woods is part-owner and course designer, just opened its off the Strip location in the popular retail and dining Town Square neighborhood. The family friendly concept is two elaborate putting courses, sort of mini-golf on steroids, plus lawn games, restaurant, cocktails and craft beer. The Rio is home to KISS World Mini Golf , a glow-in-the-dark layout themed on the famous rock band, decorated with Kiss props, next to a KISS museum and rock n roll wedding chapel. The new Horseshoe Casino resort (formerly Bally’s), a Caesars Strip property, has Twilight Zone by Monster Mini-Golf , with two glow in the dark sci-fi/horror themed 18-hole courses.

The only casino resort course on the Las Vegas Strip is the Wynn Golf Club, with an ultra-convenient ... [+] location.

Angel Park , an actual golf course near the airport (and the Strip) has the Devine Nine, a larger than life putting course with natural grass, water hazards, rock outcroppings, bunkers and dogleg fairways, that is lighted for night play, as well as Cloud 9, a short course with 12 replicas of famous Par-3 holes from around the world, such as the Island Green from TPC Sawgrass and the Postage Stamp from Scotland’s Royal Troon. It was one of the first lighted golf courses in the world—and has beverage cart service of course.

This fall will see the grand opening of Swinger’s Club Las Vegas , “A $50 million mini-golf course for adults,” in Mandalay Bay. A boozy brand out of the UK, Swingers is already in London, New York, Washington, DC and Dubai but Vegas will be its flagship location, with five “English countryside” and “Country house” themed courses, lots of drinks and bars, food and DJs, spanning 40,000 square feet.

But back to real golf. These are the best golf courses in Las Vegas, in order, in my very informed opinion. I have been writing on and ranking golf courses and resorts around the world for 30 years ( Golf Magazine, Travel + Leisure Golf, The Golf Insider, LINKS Magazine, USA Today , and many others), but have been especially busy in Las Vegas. The ranking below incldues factors in addition to the pure quality of the course itself, such as service and the experience, conditions, setting and location. (I am not including Mesquite, over an hour from the city, which has eight courses, small casinos and some excellent golf, especially highly rated Wolf Creek , and some might make the drive).

Shadow Creek

Shadow Creek is one of the highest ranked courses in the entire country - and totally different from ... [+] all the other Vegas courses.

This one is a no brainer, as Shadow Creek is not just the best course in Las Vegas, it’s one of the best in the world and the highest ranked in Nevada, by a wide margin. Currently Golf Digest has it on Number Five on America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses, and it’s also Top 10 on Golfweek’s list (at Number eight). Golf Digest also ranks it Best in the State and puts it on its global list of Top 100 Courses in the World, public or private—the most elite ranking in golf. But while these rankings consider the architecture and the course itself, they don’t get to the experience of playing Shadow Creek, which is far superior to that of any other public course in this country. If you gave me the choice tomorrow of playing top rated Pebble Beach Golf Links or Shadow Creek (both of which I have played multiple times), I’d take Shadow Creek. Almost all of the other high-priced golf courses in this country (let’s say north of $3-$400) take the factory golf approach of collecting as many greens fees—and additional fees—as they can, resulting in slow rounds and often mediocre conditions.

Shadow Creek, in a dramatically different tact, takes a “King for the Day,” approach to its guests. Tee times are very limited and a minimum of 30-minutes apart. The course is heavily wooded so that you rarely can see another hole from the one you are playing, and in the times I have played there, I have never seen another group on the course. Pace of play is however you feel, conditions are immaculate, all players get one of the best trained caddies in the business and the carts have coolers stocked with complimentary beverages. Greens fees include roundtrip limo transfers from whatever MGM property you are staying at (you cannot arrive at Shadow Creek in your own car or by taxi) and it’s a truly special experience. The course is Tom Fazio’s best, and widely believed to have been the most expensive ever built at the time ($38 million and it opened in 1989). It was considered an engineering marvel, with hundreds of tall, fully mature trees transported and replanted in the desert, massive earth moving and the first course to be completely sodded rather than seeded. The result is a parkland-style course in the Nevada desert that looks like it should be in the Carolina mountains, with streams tumbling over boulders, large elevation changes, and fairways flanked by forests of towering pine trees. It is completely unlike anything else in the region. The three finishing holes are spectacular, and it is gorgeous and fun to play.

It also has the highest greens fees in the country, and these have been increased repeatedly in recent years to the current jaw dropping $1,250. It’s only open to the paying public Monday–Thursday, with weekends reserved for “invited guests,” who are comped and don’t pay anything to play here.

By any standards that’s a lot for golf, but at the end of the day it’s not the most expensive public round, it just has the highest greens fees. That’s because while you have to stay at an MGM property (excluding Excalibur) you can usually do that for under $200 (often well under) if you choose something at the bottom of the heap, with New York-New York the best of the cheaper qualifying properties. Rooms here were just all redone, and when I just checked online, it has rates in the $50s and $80s per night next week). Other resorts that require staying onsite charge less for golf but much more for lodging, and there’s probably no great golf course in the country that offers associated hotel rooms available for less. Of course, if you choose the Forbes 5-Star Skylofts, 5-Star Sky Suites at Aria, or the even tonier Mansion at MGM, you’ll pay accordingly.

According to Golf Magazine , while Pebble Beach greens fees are “only” $625 (plus extra for a cart and more for a caddie), they have a minimum stay requirement of two nights with rooms “starting at” $920, for a lowest cost of $2,465 for one, or more realistically $3,090 for two, while Shadow Creek would be under $1,400 and $2,650 respectively. According to Golf Monthly , the second highest greens fees in this country are TPC Sawgrass at $920, and while Shadow Creek costs 30% more, it is much more than 30% better.

But the bottom line is that if you love golf and can afford to play Shadow Creek, you should, it’s Bucket List stuff for sure, and if you can’t well then, the decision is irrelevant. If you gamble enough to get comped, which is the case with many who play here, greens fees are the last of your financial concerns.

Said to be the most expensive course ever built at the time, Cascata has holes laid out in a series ... [+] of adjacent canyons.

After the groundbreaking success of Shadow Creek, Wynn (later MGM) competitors needed their own VIP layout for high rollers, and the result was the even more expensive Cascata , again said to be the costliest ever built at the time. But despite its one-of-a-kind setting and high fun factor, it never enjoyed the kind of exclusive cache and popularity Shadow Creek achieved, and was sold by Caesars Entertainment, along with sister Las Vegas desert course Rio Secco, to a real estate investment trust, and both are now managed by Canada’s wildly successful high-end golf resort group, the Cabot Collection, with numerous Top 100 courses.

Cascata is still very much worth seeking out for its unique design. Architect Rees Jones blasted large parcels of a rocky mountain and built the holes in narrow, parallel finger canyons emanating from the summit, with self-contained fairways running up and down the rocky slopes. Sitting in the canyons, most holes are completely isolated from one another by the rocky slopes, dramatically contrasted by the lush green grass. Jones focused on the especially dramatic par-3s, built in front of amphitheater cliffs and waterfalls. This is Vegas, so they also built a 40-story waterfall that pours through the marble Italian palazzo–style clubhouse (Cascata is Italian for waterfall). You can pair Cascata with Rio Secco (see after note below) for a two-day discounted package.

Las Vegas Paiute Golf

The Las Vegas Paiute tribe owns a great parcel of land outside the city, and instead of building a hotel or casino or shopping mall, way back in 1996 they developed it into the city’s finest “pure golf” facility , with three first-rate 18-hole courses—all by the late, great Pete Dye, one of the most awarded golf architects of all time.

Pete Dye invented the island greeen, and you can play this one at Las Vegas Pauite Golf Resort, ... [+] where he designed three different 18s

The 54-holes are carved from the desert with nothing else in sight, no casinos or homes, just a fabulous clubhouse, nature, and the three eighteens. The signature course is the infamously challenging Wolf, the longest in Nevada at 7,604-yards from the tips. It’s long but another challenge is water, as it has a true island green par-3 homage to the original one that was invented by Dye at TPC Sawgrass. The Wolf is a must for better players, but most amateurs will have more fun on Snow Mountain and Sun Mountain. All three are usually in great shape, and all have been ranked in Nevada’s’ Top 15 by Golfweek and rated 4.5-Stars by Golf Digest . It’s the collective multiple courses that elevate Paiute so high on this list, especially since they offer various multiple play, unlimited play and discounted replay options. If you have 36-holes in your wheelhouse, this is the place, as they often run a heavily discounted “Golfapalooza” special that includes lunch in between rounds, but you can also come back the next day and still get a discount.

It's great golf, but it is also one of the best values in town, especially if you are playing more than 18. They also partner with MGM Resorts for stay and play packages.

Wynn Golf Club

It's Vegas Baby! The par-3 18th at Wynn Golf Club is all carry over water to a green backed by this ... [+] huge waterfall—which you then drive your cart through.

Steve Wynn was the original innovator behind Shadow Creek, and after he sold it along with the Bellagio and Mirage to MGM Resorts, he brought back his favorite designer, Tom Fazio, to do a Shadow Creek-esque course on the Strip for his new Wynn Las Vegas casino resort, on the site of the former Desert Inn course. Built in 2005, the course was closed to make way for a waterpark in 2017 and was half demolished before the casino board changed their mind. Wynn Golf Club was rebuilt by Fazio with eight new and ten revamped holes and a new routing and reopened in 2019. The really big appeal here is location, in the heart of the Strip, the only resort on Las Vegas Boulevard with golf, super convenient if you are staying at Wynn, and within walking distance of Resorts World and the Venetian (Wynn guests get preferential tee time booking up to 90 days in advance).

The course has hosted The Match, the celebrity and PGA Tour (and LIV Tour) made for TV competitions. It is also a totally first-class operation, from the pro shop to the lavish locker rooms and attendants to the maintenance to the available forecaddies, beautiful with luxury flair and prices to match—more than Pebble Beach before the lodging (see Shadow Creek above for a detailed cost comparison). But the footprint of the course is small, so the result is a fairly comp0pact 18-hole par-70 layout with an unusual six par-3s. Like Shadow Creek, there was a ton of earth moving and it has surprising amount of elevation change and the signature boulder strewn creeks. It’s a fun and playable course, not one where you lose a lot of balls. It also helps you get your Vegas on, with something you won’t see anyplace else: the signature hole is the long (up to 249-yards!) par-3 eighteenth over water, with a manmade 35-foot-tall by 100-foot-wide waterfall behind the green and a tunnel through it you drive your cart inside of for a dramatic end to the round.

The course is very expensive and a true luxury to play, and part of that luxury is walking down from your room to the pro-shop, something you cannot do anyplace else in or around Las Vegas. It also holds a special place in my heart, because on opening day in 2019 I was the first person ever to birdie the signature eighteenth, and always will be, at least until they build another course on top of this one.

Coyote Springs Golf Club

The Coyote Springs course is a Jack Nicklaus design with a stunning four hole finish around lakes.

Consistently a Las Vegas best-value, Coyote Springs is also simply one of the best golf courses in Nevada. It was developed by the PGA of America in 2008 and was immediately named Best New U.S. Public Course of the year by Links Magazine . Rave reviews continued, Coyote Springs was also a Top 10 New Course in both Golf Magazine and Golf Digest . It is a Jack Nicklaus Signature course with a lot of rock-lined water features, including 11 lakes and dramatic creeks, but also captures the desert environment with sandy waste areas. It shares some DNA with the Nicklaus-designed Reflection Bay at Lake Las Vegas, which used to be a marquee area layout but declined, and Coyote Springs is a better option. Nicklaus’ trademark is a memorable finish, on water when possible, and he does that here, with the last four holes curving around lakes. The only caveat is that it’s the furthest course on this list from town.

DragonRidge Country Club

This is one of the top private clubs in the city, but DragonRidge has a special arrangement with MGM resorts—sort of like Shadow Creek, only cheaper (much). MGM’s golf concierge can book it for guests of all its hotels (including round-trip car service, or you can rent or Uber/Lyft). It was designed by desert specialist Jay Morrish (Troon North, Troon CC, Forest Highlands, TPC Las Colinas, etc.) and named one of the nation’s best new private clubs by Golf Digest when it opened in 2001. DragonRidge is most famous for the way iconic sections of the Las Vegas skyline are framed behind several greens, and it typically has among the best conditions of the courses you can play around the city.

TPC Las Vegas

Las Vegas has two TPC courses, private Summerlin (shown), which hosts the Shriners Open, and TPC Las ... [+] Vegas, which you can play

The Tournament Players Clubs, or TPC, network, was created by and is owned by the PGA, and began with the so-called “stadium courses,” specifically designed to host tournaments and spectators. The network has grown around the world, but the vast majority, including nearby TPC Summerlin, which hosts a PGA Tour stop, are private. But TPC Las Vegas (formerly TPC Canyons) is one of the few public exceptions, and was designed by Bobby Weed and Ray Floyd. In the past, it hosted the Las Vegas Invitational and the Michelob Championship. It is a tough and relatively unforgiving yet well-designed desert course, with significant elevation changes and holes that play over canyons, with plenty of opportunities to lose balls in the desert. But while it is most appealing to the better player, it does offer six sets of tees with greatly varied options by ability, and all the facilities are first-rate. TPC Las Vegas has a longstanding partnership and packages with the adjacent JW Marriott Summerlin, a first rate luxury property, as well as several Strip resorts.

Las Vegas Golf Club

Still a great area bargain, even though in recent years the Las Vegas Golf Club has have pumped $5 million in renovations and improvements into the course, the first and oldest in Las Vegas. Legendary Golden Era designer William Bell laid it out in 1938, and it’s been locally popular ever since. It is welcoming to less skilled golfers with wide fairways and little in the way of penal hazards or significant trouble.

Angel Park Golf Club

Angel Park’s courses are solid but unremarkable, and what it lacks in the way of standout design it makes up for with quantity and enthusiasm. This—and an especially convenient location near the airport and Strip—have helped make it one of the most successful public golf facilities in the entire United States. The par-70 Palm Course and par-71 Mountain course are both solid Arnold Palmer designs, and Angel Park also has other golf attractions. The grass putting course predates—by a long time—the current trend for these, a craze that just about every top resort is embracing. The Cloud Nine short course has replicas of 12 famous par-3 holes from around the world, like the Postage Stamp at Royal Troon, and these are lit for night play. It’s a boisterous and very locally popular facility.

Final Thoughts & Othe Notables

Any Top 10 list is going to disappoint the course on the bubble, and if I had 11 spots the last would go to Rio Secco Golf Club , one of the best (and closest) desert-style courses, designed by Rees Jones, who also did sister course Cascata, both now managed by the Cabot Collection (see above).

Las Vegas National was the sight of Tiger Woods' very first PGA Tour win, and also used as a set for ... [+] golf scenes in the hit movie Casino.

Years ago, Reflection Bay would have been in the middle of this list, but the last time I visited, the facility had gone significantly downhill, and it has a convoluted routing that starts with an especially weak opening hole, significantly reducing the quality of the experience.

Besides Wynn, Bali Hai is the only other golf course directly on the Strip, and its location is a big draw, one that does not require a pricy cab ride or rental car. The tropical themed course has 7-acres of water features including a dramatic island green. Its flair and convenient location keep it popular among visitors.

Bear’s Best is a tribute to Jack Nicklaus (the Golden Bear) by Jack Nicklaus, with re-creations of his handpicked 18 holes from designs elsewhere. Some golfers love it, but while there are a couple of standouts, especially those from Montana’s Old Works Golf Course, I felt most didn’t really fit the desert landscape.

Golf history buffs and Tiger Woods fans might want to tee it up at Las Vegas National , a course that has hosted the Tournament of Champions, the Sahara Invitational, and the Ladies’ Sahara Classic. Most notably, Tiger Woods won his very first PGA Tour event here before becoming the first or second greatest player in history depending on your opinion. The course was also the golf setting of the hit movie Casino .

The Revere Golf Club is another one close to the cut, with two quality eighteens, Lexington and Concord, both designed by Billy Casper and Greg Nash. It’s solid golf, often at a very good price, and a great value proposition for a 36-hole day.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Join The Conversation

One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts. 

Forbes Community Guidelines

Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.

In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's  Terms of Service.   We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.

Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:

• False or intentionally out-of-context or misleading information
• Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kind
• Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author
• Content that otherwise violates our site's  terms.

User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:

• Continuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejected
• Racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory comments
• Attempts or tactics that put the site security at risk
• Actions that otherwise violate our site's  terms.

So, how can you be a power user?

• Stay on topic and share your insights
• Feel free to be clear and thoughtful to get your point across
• ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ to show your point of view.
• Protect your community.
• Use the report tool to alert us when someone breaks the rules.

Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's  Terms of Service.