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.
