Las Vegas is one of the most popular weekend getaways in the U.S. There are so many things one can do there that it’s too easy to spend money left and right, from staying in posh hotels on the Strip to gambling, drinking, watching nightly shows, and indulging in gourmet dishes.
If your budget is limited and you can’t do all these things, you can still enjoy yourself in Las Vegas. There are a lot of ways to save money there. You’ll see that despite its plush new hotels, gourmet restaurants, and top-notch entertainment, traveling to Sin City can remain affordable if you play your cards right.
1. Do Some Research and Plan in Advance
You can save a lot of money on your Las Vegas trip by planning ahead. You will have time to get the cheapest flights, find the best deals in hotels, and book show tickets with big discounts.
If you do your research, you will also realize that you need to avoid Las Vegas during weekends, holidays, and days when there are conventions scheduled, among other special days in the city. On those occasions, prices jack up so much you won’t know what hit you (or your pocket) when you arrive.
2. How to Find Cheap & Accommodation
If you can, go off the Strip. The prices go down considerably once you venture away from it. Bellagio rooms, for example, can cost $499 a night, whereas you can get a hotel room downtown for less than $30.
3. How to Save Money at Las Vegas Restaurants
If you’re looking to save on food expenses, however, definitely avoid those restaurants. A deli—from the Carnegie Deli in the Mirage to the Earl of Sandwich in Planet Hollywood—can be your best bet. You can have delicious and filling food there for under $10.
Consider your hotel’s buffet as well if you’re staying on the Strip. Most hotels there have their own breakfast buffet for less than $10. Eat closer to 10am, when most of the buffets close, and eat enough for both breakfast and lunch. This will save you money for dinner.
If you’re traveling with someone else, split all your orders as well. The portions are usually quite big and two people can be satisfied with ordering just one appetizer and one main dish.
For those with huge appetites, the best option is to purchase an “all you can eat in one day dining passes.” These are available in many restaurants. You pay a set fee and return as many times as you like to eat as much as you can during your 24 hours.
4. How to Save on Transportation
You can also take the bus, starting from when you get off the plane up to going around the city. The single-use pass costs only $2 while a 24-hour pass costs $8. This beats taking the taxi!
5. Get Discounts to Entertainment Or Enjoy Free Attractions!
Seeing a show is a must in Sin City. If you’re on a budget, though, make sure to buy the tickets in advance if there’s something you really want to see.
If you don’t care about the show and just want the experience, head to one of the Tix4Tonight booths on the Strip when they open at 10am and find out what’s on sale. There are a lot of shows in Vegas daily, so you’ll have a lot of options to choose from.
The best alternative is to just watch the free attractions on the Strip. For starters, there are nightly battles between pirates and sirens taking place on the pirate ship in front of the Treasure Island Resort. It starts at 7pm and continues every hour and a half until 11.30pm.
Another one worth a visit is the spewing Volcano at the Mirage. It’s a visual show of music and fire and occurs every hour on the hour from 8pm until midnight. Check out the Fountains of Bellagio as well. These are world-famous fountains in front of the hotel known for their water show and music. There’s also a botanical garden inside that you can check out.
Best of all, people-watching is free and you can do it anywhere in Las Vegas. There are so many interesting characters you’ll see that you won’t notice time passing by.
Aside from the entertaining sight of other vacationers, for example, there are also a lot of sidewalk performers, ranging from professional musicians to hobos on the lookout for a few dollars.
Sin City indeed has something to offer everyone, whether on budget or not. As long as you know-how, you can certainly save money on your trip to Las Vegas.