A visit to Sin City can be an expensive venture when it comes to accommodation, food and entertainment. It is easy to blow your budget in the fastest growing city in the US! The Entertainment Capital of the World, which welcomed 42.2 million visitors in 2017, is a spectacular destination to experience. You can enjoy what the city has to offer with some simple money-saving tips that don’t call for you to be a high-roller. It simply calls for a great deal of research on Vegas before you take your trip to uncover the deals that exist and what you can take advantage of.

There are significant savings that can be made when you book your flights and hotels as a package. When you are planning your Vegas trip, research discounted hotel rooms using TripAdvisor, Expedia, and Booking.com. Be on the lookout for specials on hotel websites, or check out Vegas.com for deals or loyalty programs like Total Rewards or Grazie Loyalty Program.

Another practical and money-saving solution would be to share your room, especially if you are staying in the middle of the Strip. That way you can save money on taxi fares around the main hub between Caesars Palace, City Center, Planet Hollywood, and the Flamingo. A 24-hour, three-day or five-day bus pass is a wonderful alternative to get around on a budget. If you prefer to be in Downtown Las Vegas, reasonable room rates, as well as inexpensive food, can be found there as well.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Photo by Moyan Brenn / CC BY-2.0

A really helpful tip is to time your visit to avoid conventions and fight events, which is when prices can surge. Generally, Monday-Thursday room rates are low with Tuesday and Wednesday being the cheapest. Arrive Saturday-Monday for a weekend getaway, since it is cheaper to fly out on a Monday.

Being in a special interest group can also afford you some savings. This can be anywhere from 10 to 20% for someone in the military or a veteran. First responders, teachers, AAA members and students can also get up to 10% discounts or more at certain properties. Some hotels even offer special packages for Nevada residents.

Soaking up the entertainment scene is a must and you can opt to take advantage of bundled promotions which offer free buffet passes, sizeable discounts, free show tickets, free nightclub line passes, etc. Don’t rule out the value of discount coupons like Groupon and TravelZoo etc. Attractions in Las Vegas can be expensive but Cirque Du Soleil’s top shows, for example, offer some behind the scene tours for free. There are open houses twice a day and rehearsals for various shows for which visitors can buy discounted tickets. By thinking creatively, instead of paying a few hundred dollars to see a big-name act you could see some of the lesser known performers for around $50 and, potentially, save even more by booking advance tickets online. If you’re on a tight budget, there are plenty of free attractions to enjoy including public art, the Bellagio Fountains, free concerts at the Fremont Street Experience, etc.

Sin City

Photo by Moyan Brenn / CC BY-2.0

A gourmet meal in Vegas can set you back considerably, but this does not mean you have to miss out totally. Choose a restaurant that serves really large portions and share! Burgers and pizza are always a cheap and filling meal, (U.S. burger chains like In-N-Out Burger and Shake Shack can both be found on the strip) and taco stands abound. You’ll also find cheap buffets and dinner options downtown along the Fremont Street Experience.

There are always ways to make the traveling experience a lot cheaper especially in what is seen as a city of wealth. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try to experience as much as you can in the Entertainment Capital of the World, simply because you are keeping an eye on your wallet.  You can save money by being smart and saving on hotel rates, food and entertainment in a number of creative ways. With some imaginative thinking and armed with all the resources of the Internet, a trip to Vegas on a budget can be just as exciting as if you were a high-roller!