How to Save Money in Las Vegas

Planning a trip to Sin City? Well, know that they will take every penny from you if you let them. Luckily, you found the best tips to save money in Las Vegas so you can have a fun trip while avoiding too many charges on your credit card.

There are plenty of ways to save on things like food, drinks, and hotels while also taking advantage of free attractions and discounted entertainment. You just need to know where to find it!

How to Save Money in Las Vegas – 32 Easy Tips

Set a Trip Budget
Lock Down a Gambling Budget
Only Carry a Day’s Worth of Cash
Go During Non-Peak Season
Use the Hopper App
Stay at Off-Strip Hotels OR
Choose Affordable Options on the Strip
Skip the Rental Car
Walk vs. Taxis/Ubers
Download Uber AND Lyft
Use Public Transporation
Coffee from the Bar
Eat a Big, Healthy Breakfast
Find Cheap Meals
Hit Up the Buffets
Fancy Restaurants for Breakfast & Lunch
Buy a Case of Water
Buy Alchohol for the Hotel Room
Buy Snacks
Find Happy Hours
Play Video Poker
Hang Out at the Pool
Hang Out in Off-Strip Areas
Check Groupon
Go to Tix4Vegas Booths
Use Go City Pass or Las Vegas Power Pass
Stop at the Bellagio
Find More Free Entertainment at Hotels
Avoid ATMS
Play myVegas App Games
Become a Rewards Member
Don’t Let the Sales Reps Get You

Now, let’s get into the details of all 32 easy tips to save money in Las Vegas!

Save Money in Las Vegas – Planning

Here are the tips to save money in Las Vegas when you are just starting to plan your trip out to Sin City. Keep these in mind as you are working through logistics.

1. Set a Trip Budget

First things first, once you know you are headed to Las Vegas, set a trip budget! No matter if you are a high roller or someone who doesn’t have a lot of extra cash, a budget is going to save you money in the end—and ultimately create freedom around your spending.

If flying, research flight options and get a general idea of what you are going to spend.
Look into hotels at a reasonable price range for you and figure out how much that will be in total.
Set a daily spending limit. For example, when I go to Vegas, I think of it as about $125 per day. This would include gambling, food, drinks, taxis, etc. Obviously, this will vary greatly from person to person (mostly due to gambling!) but that’s my general rule of thumb.

Add up your totals and there’s your simple budget for your trip to Vegas. I prefer to purchase flights and hotels on my credit card, but then bring my spending money in cash.

2. Lock Down a Gambling Budget

Going off of #1, it’s a good idea to set a gambling budget, or basically, how much you’re willing to lose before you call it quits. Again, this will vary depending on how much money you have and how big of a gambler you are, but think in your head if I lost $X, I’d be okay with it, yet wouldn’t want to lose any more!

3. Only Carry a Day’s Worth of Cash

Don’t carry all of your cash with you. Take each day’s budget (with a little extra, in case) and leave the rest in the hotel safe. Having it all with you is going to cause you to be more carefree with it. If you have $50 left of your daily budget but are carrying around an extra $200, you’re much more likely to make that $100 purchase.

And don’t worry, you’ll have your credit or debit card with you in case something comes up!

4. Go During Non-Peak Season

New Year’s, Spring Break, and major sporting events and conventions can really drive up room rates in Las Vegas. And you can get way lower rates when it’s NOT. Consider what time of year you are going and try to hit Vegas in January-February or the summer months.

5. Use the Hopper App

When booking flights, I ALWAYS use the Hopper app. Select your dates and its algorithms will tell you to buy now or to wait until later when prices are expected to drop. This app has saved me hundreds!

6. Stay at Off-Strip Hotels

While The Strip is lively and fun, it’s definitely the most expensive when it comes to Vegas hotels! You will find more affordable hotels in places like Downtown Las Vegas. If you aren’t too concerned about the bells and whistles, this is probably your best option!

TIP: Off-strip hotels are less likely to have stupid resort fees, as well. Keep this in mind and check into it before booking yours. Also, keep in mind if there is free cancellation.

ANOTHER TIP: ALWAYS consider location. If you are going to be on the Strip for most of your trip, it might be worth the price to stay there vs. Ubers and taxis back and forth—not to mention, the inconvenience.

7. Choose Affordable on the Strip

Don’t worry, you have options! Affordable hotels on the Strip include Luxor, Excalibur, Flamingo Las Vegas, and Park MGM. Do your research and see which one will get you the best deal.

I really enjoyed New York-New York Las Vegas and we were able to find great rates in March.

8. Skip the Rental Car

One thing I really love about Las Vegas is the location of the airport. It is very close to popular destinations and is less than a 15-minute cab ride from the Strip. If you are going to be sticking around the city, you do not need to rent a car. It’s rare to find free parking, there is so much in walking distance, and it’s really not worth the hassle. Plus, it’ll be a big expense you can avoid!

9. Walk vs. Taxis and Ubers

Ubers and taxis are going to get you in Las Vegas—they are expensive! And while you probably won’t completely avoid them (consider this in your trip budget), try to walk as much as you can! The Las Vegas Strip is very walkable via pedestrian walkways and, not to mention, entertaining in its own right. Whether you want to get over to the MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, or Caesar’s Palace, you can do it on two feet!

TIP: Walk in the day and save your Ubers for the night when things are a bit shadier!

10. Have Uber AND Lyft Apps

Make sure you or your travel partners have both apps. You will want to compare prices as there can be a huge discrepancy between the two and you’ll want to find the cheapest option. (It’s never “cheap.”)

11. Public Transportation

The Monorail runs along the Strip and is fairly convenient and a cheap way to get around from hotel to hotel. One ride costs $5 per person. You can get a day pass for $15 (buying online will get you a $1.55 discount.)
Explore Downtown Las Vegas and the Strip with the Deuce bus. It runs 24 hours a day from Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Vegas to the airport Rent-A-Car center and stops at all of the major hotels. A 24-hour pass is only $8.
There are also three free trams at select hotels including the ARIA Express Tram, Mandalay Bay, and the Mirage-Treasure Island Tram.

Save Money in Las Vegas – Food & Drink

We gotta eat and drink—especially in Vegas! And it is possible to do it on a budget. Believe it or not, yes, you can save money big money with these helpful tips.

12. Coffee from the Bar

This is a pro tip, people. Skip the long lines at Starbucks and other overpriced coffee shops and just head straight up to a bar; they will usually have a pot of coffee on, and charge way less.

13. Eat a Big, Healthy Breakfast

Skip the donuts with your coffee and make sure to get something hearty and healthy like an omelet or breakfast burrito. This meal will keep you full for hours, you can likely get by with a light lunch or snack, and then wait until dinner. Eating crap for breakfast is going to leave you hungry all day and purchasing overpriced food from morning through night.

14. Find Cheap Meals

Speaking of meals, squeeze in a few meals at a cheap place. Las Vegas has a range of options for this including the diner Hash Hash a Go Go, Ocean One Bar & Grill for $5 lunch, Earl of Sandwich in Planet Hollywood, and the ever-popular Shake Shack, plus additional fast food stops,

15. Hit Up the Buffets

Okay, I’ll admit. This isn’t my style. But, if you’re one who enjoys a buffet, definitely take advantage in Las Vegas. You can get a good deal at buffets located in the MGM Grand, Excalibur, Circus Circus, and Luxor.

TIP: Go before 3 PM and you won’t get the dinner price.

16. Fancy Restaurants for Breakfast & Lunch

Eyeing up a few good restaurants you want to try? You can save money in Las Vegas by going to these places for breakfast or lunch. Dinner plates tend to be more expensive and will add up over the course of your trip.

17. Buy a Case of Water

My biggest beef with Las Vegas? No water fountains. Like…I never saw ONE! They basically force you into purchasing plastic bottles of water throughout your trip and charge anywhere from $3-6 for them!

Honestly, this might be my best tip in the entire blog post!

A good way to save money is as soon as you get to town, stop at Walgreens and pick up a case of water for your room. You’ll get 24 bottles for the price of one and can carry them with you throughout your trip. I brought a 32 oz. reusable water bottle and would just dump them in there so I always had a bunch on me.

18. Buy Alcohol

And while you’re at it, purchase your own alcohol for the room as well. You will 100% prefer having a few drinks in the room vs. paying at the bar! We’re talking $9 Coors Light bottles, $15 Jack and Cokes, the list goes on.

TIP: It is not illegal to carry alcoholic drinks while walking around in Las Vegas—just don’t have glass.

19. Buy Snacks

Okay, last thing for your Walgreens list! Another great way to save money in Las Vegas is to buy a few snacks to have in the room as well. I always had some granola bars and nuts in my fanny pack to whip out if I ever needed something to eat. You will find convenience stores in all of the hotels but are going to pay double or triple!

20. Find Happy Hour

Back to the booze. Most of us want to have a great time and party in Las Vegas! You’re going to end up buying overpriced drinks at some point, but make sure to look into happy hours and daily deals at the bars near you.

TIP: Tom’s Urban in the New York New York Las Vegas Hotel has bottomless mimosas daily for $23 until 2 PM.

21. Play Video Poker

If you are not much of a gambler and the rest of your group is, a great way to both have fun and get some free drinks at the casino is to sit down at one of the video poker games, throw in $20 and bet small. Because you’re technically gambling, they will make sure you get a beer or cocktail while you play.

Save Money in Las Vegas – Entertainment

Entertainment expenses will add up quickly in Vegas! From the shows to the clubs to the casinos and everything in between, money flies around fast. But there are a few great tips to save money when it comes to entertainment.

22. Hang Out at the Pool

You technically paid for this when you purchased your hotel nights so you should use it! And who doesn’t want to hit the pool when on a Vegas trip? Grab your towel, find a chair, bring a book, (grab a room drink?), and enjoy the weather poolside—without spending another dime.

23. Hang Out in Off-Strip Areas

If you do decide to stay on the Strip, save some money by spending a little time elsewhere! The Downtown area has fun options including the Fremont Street Experience—it is a BLAST! I love hanging out there and you’re going to find cheaper restaurants and drinks.

24. Check Groupon

You can find a ton of great deals on Groupon including massages, shows, entertainment packages, restaurant deals, and more. Make sure to start there when you are trying to find fun things to do (and ways to save money) in Las Vegas!

25. Last Minute Shows at Tix4Vegas Booth

The best way to see a show in Vegas on a budget? Visit one of the Tix4Vegas booths you will see around the Strip. They sell last-minute show tickets at a discounted rate in order to fill the venue!

26. Go City Pass/Las Vegas Power Pass

Get the best deal on the top Las Vegas attractions—for the people who want to do it ALL! Go City allows you to bundle different experiences such as the wax museum, Grand Canyon tour, show tickets, and more that are then all offered at a discounted rate.

I’ve never purchased the Go City Pass in Vegas, but we did use it in Seattle and thought it was a GREAT way to experience the city—especially when it’s your first time there.

27. Stop at the Bellagio

The Bellagio is the perfect place to spend a few hours and enjoy free access to entertainment. The hotel itself is beautiful to walk through. You can admire the gardens of the Bellagio Conservatory. And the water shows right outside is a must-experience once event—and one of the best free shows, especially at night.

28. Find More Free Entertainment at Hotels

The Mirage Volcano Eruption Show and/or the Aquarium and Atrium
Fall of Atlantis Show at the Caesars Forum Shops
Painted ceilings at the Venetian
Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo
Fremont Street Experience

READ MORE about The Best Things to Do in Vegas.

Save Money in Las Vegas – Overall Tips

A few final tips—that can actually save you HUNDREDS of dollars when you visit Las Vegas.

29. Avoid the ATMs

The LAST place you want to be in Vegas is standing at the ATM pulling out more money for the slot machine. AVOID THIS AT ALL COSTS. There are $10 fees just to take your money out (I’m not kidding.)

As I mentioned above, bring the cash you are going to need. Once you run out, no more pulling out cash and you’ll need to use your debit or credit cards.

30. Play myVegas App Games

Did you know you can play an easy app game and save hundreds of dollars in Las Vegas? Yep! Download the free myVegas app games and play slots or blackjack every day to earn points. You can use those points for hotel rooms (the most bang for your buck), food, drinks, and experiences.

My husband and I played this the 6 weeks or so before Vegas and both earned a free night stay in New York-New York. We used rewards for Thursday and Sunday nights (there are limitations) and then paid for Friday and Saturday. Employees were able to merge all of our nights together to make sure we only kept one room and we saved well over $200!

31. Rewards Member

Join a loyalty program and enjoy perks. It’s easy to sign up right on hotel sites, there is no cost to you, and all you do is swipe your card when you’re gambling to earn rewards. If you often stay at MGM Hotels, get an M Life Card. Caesars Entertainment has the Caesars Rewards Club. And most other places will have their own versions.

32. Don’t Let the Sales Rep Get You

They are ALL OVER in Vegas trying to get you to buy this, buy that, come to this presentation, etc. While they will offer you a ton of entertainment in exchange, it is rarely worth it and you often end up spending money! Use the tips above instead.

Whether it’s a girl’s weekend road trip, a boy’s party weekend, a couple’s getaway, or a trip for the whole family, a Las Vegas trip is a good time. But, it is expensive. So be prepared and use as many of these “how to save money in Las Vegas tips” as you can. Your wallet will thank you after!