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A vacation in Las Vegas, Nevada doesn’t have to break the bank if you do some planning ahead of time.
I’m sharing tips and tricks to help guide you to save money on your next visit so that you have more margin to splurge on the top experiences on your bucket list.
This article contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if you click a link and purchase something we have recommended at no additional cost.
Tips for Planning Your Trip to Las Vegas, Nevada
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Book your travel during the week.
Arrive in Las Vegas on a Monday/Tuesday and leave on a Friday.
You can find great deals on airfare, accommodations, shows, and restaurants midweek.
Talk about what types of activities you want to enjoy during your visit (Attractions, Shows, Museums, Clubs, Casinos, Etc.)
Determine if you plan to stay in Las Vegas during your whole visit or do you want to venture on a road trip from Vegas for a day or two?
How to Save Money on Airfare to Las Vegas
Most of the major airlines offer amazing sales, special offers, and travel deals on flights and packages.
You can bundle your flight, hotel, and rental car through Expedia for additional savings.
Compare your flight options to Las Vegas on Google Flights. If you’re flexible with your dates, adjust them to check for an additional savings.
Another way to save on airfare is to use points/miles from credit cards and airline frequent flyer miles.
How to Save on Baggage Fees
Don’t forget to factor in the price of luggage, especially if you tend to be an over-packer.
Several airline credit cards also include a checked bag.
Many budget airlines charge an additional fee for carry-on luggage and checked bags and may have a lower checked bag weight allowance. Checking a bags with a budget airline can raise the rate significantly.
Make sure that you check the sizes for personal items and weight limit for your airline of choice.
I always weigh my luggage at home before a trip and pack a digital luggage scale to avoid overage fees on the way home.
I also recommend have a backpack or foldable travel duffel that can hold a lot as your personal item.
How to Save Money on Accommodations in Las Vegas
All resorts on the Strip have newsletters and mailing lists, which include special promotions, deals, and discounts.
Prior to booking a hotel on the Las Vegas trip, sign up for the newsletters at the properties that you are most interested in and review the deals/offers they send and compare them with deal site to see which offer provides the greatest value.
Consider and compare prices at resorts off-Strip or in Downtown Las Vegas – Fremont Street as well. Some, if not most, provide free shuttle service to and from the Strip.
Keep in mind that most hotels in Las Vegas charge a resort fee. The inclusion of resort fees varies by the hotel but many of them cover free internet in your room and access to the gym.
Off-Strip hotels tend to have lower fees than the hotels on the Strip and there are very few resorts that do not charge a resort fee at all.
You can compare prices on resort fees, see what the fees include, and the location here.
The daily resort fees are charged when you check into the hotel and are not included in the pricing from deal-saving comparison sites like Kayak.
Consider a red-eye flight home on your travel day home to avoid adding an additional night in a hotel.
How to Find Deals on Hotels or Vacation Rentals Near Las Vegas, Nevada
How to Save Money on Transportation in Las Vegas
Walk the Las Vegas Strip whenever possible! (Wear comfortable shoes because you will easily walk many miles each day) Good arch support is a must for any sandal or street shoe/ sneaker.
Walking the Strip is a great way to sightsee and get a feel of Las Vegas whilesaving money and burning some calories.
Sight-see using the Las Vegas Monorail. The public transit is much cheaper than Big Bus tours and has seven stops along the Las Vegas Strip with trains every 4-8 minutes.
The Monorail has daily and multiple-day options to get the most out of the stay.
Use Uber and Lyft to get around for longer distances.
If you’re staying at an off-Strip property, take advantage of the shuttle service offered by your hotel.
You really don’t need a rental car if you plan on staying in Las Vegas during your whole visit.
How to Save Money on Restaurants in Las Vegas
To save on dining, try to eat a little earlier, or a little later than traditional dinner times.
Some restaurants, bars, and lounges offer happy hours with drink and food specials.
It’s possible to get great food without paying an astronomical price.
Look up the locals’ hangouts, venture off the beaten path and try something new/different.
Check out my Las Vegas dining recommendations for a variety of budgets.
Food tours in Las Vegas are also an added value if you consider that you get to try dishes at multiple restaurants without a wait on a guided tour.
How to Save Money on Las Vegas Shows
Do some online research to find additional discounts on some of the best shows.
Several sites will offer discounted tickets, including Groupon, Tiquets, Get Your Guide and Viator.
Some resorts also send discounted tickets in the above-mentioned newsletters. Double-check those emails for the show(s) offers.
Purchasetickets for popular shows for that evening at a discount at theTix4Tonight ticket booth/kiosks located on the Strip.
You can also check availability in the morning at 9:30am PCT online or by phone.
How to Save Money on Entertainment/Activities in Las Vegas
Online research pays off in savings here, too. Look for attractions and museums on Viator and Get Your Guide.
Some of the museums, activities, and experiences in Las Vegas have partnerships that allow visitors to experience more attractions for less.
For example – there is a discount if you purchase tickets to the Neon Museum and Mob Museum together.
Free and Low Cost Things to Do in Las Vegas, Nevada
There are so many fun things to do in Las Vegas that are actually free!
Read more about several of the ideas listed below and a few that are not on this list-15Fun Things to Do in Las Vegas if You Are on a Budget.
- Take a picture at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign
- Pinball Hall of Fame
- Watch the mermaids at the Silverton Casino Lodge
- View the floral displays at Wynn Las Vegas
- Bellagio Conservatory
- Fountains of Bellagio
- The Volcano at The Mirage
- Forum Shops and Fall of Atlantis show at Caesars Palace
- The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Las Vegas
- Waterfall Atrium at The Palazzo Las Vegas
- Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
- Lobby Art at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
- Downtown Las Vegas
- Fremont Street Experience
- Fremont East Entertainment District
- Downtown Container Park
- Downtown Art Murals
- See and take a picture with 1 million dollars at Binions
- Off-Strip
- Ethel M Chocolate Factory (Henderson)
- Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge near the Hoover Dam (Boulder City)
- Seven Magic Mountains
Bucket List Adventures to Try in Las Vegas
I’m a firm believer in saving when you can so that you can spend a little more on bucket list experiences and adventures.
If you want a memorable adventure, Las Vegas has you covered!
Las Vegas has something to offer for all comfort levels ranging from soft adventure to extreme thrills.
You will definitely want to add these 7 Unique Bucket List Adventures in Las Vegasthat have been tried and tested to your list!
For example, a night helicopter flight over the Strip is an unforgettableexperience!
If you complete the Stratosphere Jump, you can purchase a discounted unlimited rides pass for the thrill rides at the top of the Stratosphere.
You can find tickets for bucket list adventures on Tiquets, Get Your Guide and Viator.
With a little preparation, you can create a vacation to Las Vegas that is both affordable and memorable.
Additional Las Vegas Content
- Great Places to Eat in Las Vegas, Nevada
- 5 Unique Outdoor Adventures Within an Hour of Las Vegas
- Tips For An Unforgettable Visit to Area15 in Las Vegas
- 15 Fun and Low Cost Things to Do in Las Vegas On a Budget
