How To Visit Las Vegas On A Budget (Tips From a Travel Expert)
Social media might make Las Vegas seem like the kind of place that requires a lot of money to enjoy – I’m here to tell you that’s definitely not the case.
Not long ago I was a student – visiting Vegas all the way from France – and having a great time on a budget!
There are plenty of ways to save money whilst enjoying the complete Las Vegas experience.
In this article I’m going to provide 12 tips that will help you enjoy the best of what Las Vegas has to offer on a budget – but before we look at all the methods in more detail, here’s the TL:DR version.
| Budgeting Tip | Budgeting Tip Explained |
|---|---|
| Pick The Right Season To Travel | Avoid peak seasons and major events like Wrestlemania 41 (April) and F1 Grand Prix (November). Travel between March-May or September-November for lower prices. |
| Book Flights Ahead of Time | Book flights early and consider budget airlines like Flair and Spirit. Flying into nearby cities like LA or Phoenix can also save money. |
| Find Cheap Hotels Rooms | Compare hotel deals and consider package options. Check our website for the best deals available. |
| Avoid Weekends | Weekends are expensive and crowded. Visit mid-week for cheaper rates on hotels, flights, and entertainment. |
| Reserve Happy Hour | Take advantage of happy hour deals at restaurants and bars. Reserve spots in advance to secure your place. |
| Maximize Buffets | Fill up at buffets, but pace yourself. Consider buffet passes that allow multiple visits in a day. |
| Book Show Tickets & Attractions in Advance | Book early to get the best prices on shows and attractions. Avoid scalpers and resale sites to save money. |
| Avoid Tourist Traps | Steer clear of overpriced tourist traps like the M&M Store and expensive Strip restaurants. Stick to iconic attractions. |
| Use Public Transport | Save money by using public transport like the Deuce bus and Las Vegas Monorail. Consider walking to nearby attractions. |
| Bring Cash (And Convert Your Currency At Home) | Carry cash to avoid extra fees and help control your spending. Convert your currency at home for better rates. |
| Don’t Use Casino ATM Machines | Avoid casino ATMs due to high fees and hidden surcharges. Use alternative ATMs with lower fees. |
| Most Importantly, Gamble Responsibly | Set a budget, use cash, and know when to stop. Gambling responsibly ensures a fun and budget-friendly experience. |
Now, let’s review the budget saving tips in more detail.
12 Detailed Tips To Help You Visit Las Vegas On a Budget
#1 Pick The Right Season To Travel
When planning a budget-friendly trip to Las Vegas, timing is everything.
The city experiences peak tourist seasons, which often come with higher prices for accommodations, flights, and entertainment.
You need to avoid peak seasons. Las Vegas is busiest during holidays, major events, and conventions.
Prices for hotels and flights tend to spike around New Year’s Eve, and Memorial Day. In 2025 major events in Vegas include Wrestlemania 41 (April), the F1 Grand Prix (November) and of course, weekends that the Raiders are playing a home game.
Typically March to May and September to early November are good times to enjoy Vegas on a budget.
#2 Book Your Flights Ahead of Time
Once you’ve figured out your season, book your flights well in advance. Start watching prices early and set up alerts, begin monitoring as soon as you know your travel dates.
If you’re traveling from outside of the US, then consider flying into LA or Phoenix – sometimes flights can be cheaper, you’ll get to see another city in the USA and you can make your way to Vegas in a budget-friendly shuttle.
For Canadians and Americans, consider budget airlines like Flair, Spirit, and Southwest. They’ll get you to Vegas at a much lower cost than legacy airlines such as Air Canada and American Airlines.
#3 Find Cheap Hotel Rooms
Accommodation is one of the biggest expenses when visiting Las Vegas – or anywhere for that matter. Compare, compare, and compare before you buy.
Consider package deals and total up the differences between booking flights and hotels separately.
When you’re looking for a room, see if you can get a daily food and beverage included in your deal.
You can actually find some of the best deals on our website – take a look at all of the hotel deals that are on offer. You’ll see deals on every major hotel – from Aria to MGM Grand to Vdara.
#4 Avoid The Weekend
If it’s possible, and you’re here for a short trip then avoid the weekend.
Prices surge on Friday night. Las Vegas is a weekend hotspot, as a result hotel rates, flight prices, and even dining costs tend to increase significantly from Friday to Sunday.
By scheduling your trip during the week, you can take advantage of lower prices across the board. As well as cheaper pricing, the weekdays are more affordable for entertainment, dining, and best of all – things are just less crowded.
#5 Reserve Happy Hour
Take advantage of happy hour deals – we have a complete article dedicated to the best and cheapest happy hours in Las Vegas.
Many restaurants, bars, and lounges in Las Vegas offer substantial discounts on food and drinks during their happy hours. These deals typically occur in the late afternoon or early evening, making them a perfect opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal or cocktail at a fraction of the regular price.
Some of these places end up getting really busy – so a recommendation is to reserve a spot in advance for each of the days you’re going to be in Vegas.
#6 Maximize The Buffet
Saying with the theme of food, buffets are a staple of the Las Vegas dining experience, offering a wide variety of dishes at a single, often reasonable price. However, not all buffets are created equal (that’s why we have an article that shows you the most appetizing buffets in Las Vegas).
Anyway, the point is to fill up at the buffet – but remember to pace yourself. Start with smaller portions of a range of dishes so you can sample more without filling up too quickly. Some casino buffet passes even allow you to visit multiple times in a day for a single price.
#7 Book Show Tickets & Attractions in Advance
You already know Las Vegas is renowned for its world-class entertainment, from dazzling shows to thrilling attractions – you can use our website and check out tickets to your favorite shows and attractions – you’ll find special deals that will save you money.
Book in advance, and avoid scalpers and resale sites. It can be tempting to buy last minute tickets but you’ll be paying a much higher, inflated price.
Get great deals on attractions.
Oh, and if you don’t want to pay any money at all, here’s a list of 100 free things to do in Vegas.
#8 Avoid The Tourist Traps
The M&M’S Store, con games on the strip, mini-fridge treasures, street performers, vending machine cakes, respective Strip restaurants and over-priced restaurants (just to name a few).
Las Vegas is full of iconic attractions and experiences – stick to those.
Avoiding things that are too good to be true – don’t let a scam ruin your vacation.
#9 Use Public Transport
If you rely solely on taxis or rideshare, the dollars will add up fast.
Try the Deuce on the Strip – it’s a double-decker bus that runs 24/7 along the strip, stopping at nearly every major hotel and attraction. A 2-hour pass is $6, a 24-hour pass is $8 and a 3-day pass is just $20.
The Las Vegas Monorail is another great option, it’s slightly more expensive than the bus at $5 per ride or $13 for a day pass, but it’s faster and can be more comfortable. Some hotels also provide complimentary shuttle services to and from the airport, and to other major attractions – so it’s worth inquiring with reception staff.
You can also consider walking – many attractions on the strip are within walking distance of each other. You’ll save money and take in the sights and sounds of Vegas.
For more information, check out our article that talks all about getting around Las Vegas without a car.
#10 Bring Cash (And Convert Your Currency At Home)
Bring cash… as we just spoke about transport, this is a good time to tell you that if you take a taxi, don’t use your card, pay cash. They’ll charge an extra fee on top of your fare.
Using cash also helps with budget control. With credit and debit cards it’s easy to lose track of how much you’re spending but with cash, it’s a lot easier to stay in control.
It’s also wise to convert your currency at home vs in Las Vegas. We’ve created a dedicated article that talks about the best way to convert currency into dollars before you head over to Vegas.
By using cash you’ll also save money on foreign transaction fees that your home banking provider will charge.
#11 Don’t Use Casino ATM Machines
If you withdraw cash at casino ATMs, be ready to pay high fees. With everything from high withdrawal fees to hidden surcharges, it’s just recommended to avoid ATMs in the casino – no matter how convenient they are.
(The only time you want to be near the M&M store is to access the Bank of America ATM that has a reasonable fee).
#12 Most Importantly Gamble Responsibly
The most important tip is saved until last. Gamble responsibly, and know your limit.
Avoid chasing losses, take breaks, use cash, know when to quit, and seek help if needed.
Gambling is a fun part of your Las Vegas experience – by gambling responsibly you can enjoy the excitement of Las Vegas without jeopardizing your budget, or your trip’s enjoyment.
Start Planning Your Budget Friendly Trip To Vegas Today
And there you go – Las Vegas can be enjoyed on a budget without sacrificing the excitement it’s known for.
By choosing the right time to travel, booking flights and hotels in advance, and taking advantage of deals like happy hours and public transport, you can experience the best of the city without overspending. With careful planning and smart choices, you can make the most of your Las Vegas trip.
So start planning your budget-friendly trip to Vegas with these great hotel deals.
If you’ve already booked your trip, then check out our guides to:
