Las Vegas is one of the most famous, bucket-list destinations in the USA. Everyone’s gotta go there once in a lifetime. The parties are as lit as the neon signs, the food is amazing, and there’s no shortage of nightlife or entertainment – and we haven’t even gotten to the casinos yet!
A couple of things come to mind when people think of Las Vegas: Elvis impersonators and drinking til you pass out.
Las Vegas is a lot more than just the strip, but without a local who is in the know, you will likely get caught in the many tourist traps. I promise I will never recommend anything that is not worth your time and money because there is nothing worse than driving 30 minutes outside of town to see things like strange, painted rocks in the middle of the desert.
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Is a Budget Trip to Las Vegas Worth it these Days?
There’s a reason why Las Vegas is SO popular. It’s one-of-a-kind with unique themed hotels that match every famous city you can think of. Even though you are just traveling to Las Vegas, you feel like you are traveling to cities from all over the world!
it’s been a hotspot for over 75 years. In fact, before Las Vegas had the luxurious and modern “Strip,” it was originally an old western town that thrived on prostitution, gambling, and mobsters settling and building more hotels. Most of the older hotels on the Las Vegas Strip were built by mobsters as a drug front! You can learn all about Las Vegas’ wild criminal history at the Mob Museum.
When most travel goers think of Las Vegas, they think of high-drip-rollers, ballers dropping bands at a blackjack table, ridiculous entry fees for epic dance clubs, and celebrity chefs cooking in luxury restaurants. Not exactly budget-friendly.
Can You Actually Visit Las Vegas for Under $100 Per Day?
It’s a total misconception that a trip to Las Vegas HAS to be expensive! There are plenty of free and cheap things to do in Las Vegas, and if you time your trip right (hint: go midweek!) you can score insane deals on hotels, too. Heck, you can even manage to haggle your way into one of those fancy nightclubs (more on that later).
I’m here to show you that a budget Las Vegas trip does NOT have to mean an un-fun Las Vegas trip.
I’ll help you walk right past all the tourist traps to the tried and tested tips that have saved me thousands of dollars each year.
With the right mindset and a local guide, you can absolutely visit Las Vegas on a dime.
Try not to throw all your money into a casino in one day. That’s tip #1.
Where to Stay in Las Vegas on a Budget
You will want to stay either on the Las Vegas Strip or Downtown. That will put you close enough to the action to walk or transit everywhere you want to go.
Budget Las Vegas Accommodation on The Strip
If you really want that full Las Vegas experience, there are a few themed hotels along the Strip that have surprisingly budget-friendly rates during certain times of the year (and on weekdays). Check prices for the Excalibur and the Luxor – you can sometimes find rooms for under $100!
There are also some surprising on-strip hotel deals to be found, like Circus Circus, with prices hovering around $55 (just … keep your expectations down. It’s a lil’ bit old and a tad dingy. But hey, it’s a cheap place to stay and the location is great)!
Or, if you don’t mind being a 7-12 minute walk off-strip, the Ellis Island Casino & Brewery it’s dirt-cheap and as far as dirt-cheap hotels go, perfectly fine.
Even when you can’t find a good deal for a hotel along the strip, you can often find a great deal on VRBO. I’ve seen everything from apartment or room rentals for under $50/night to entire condominiums for rent, and even this MGM Balcony Suite for around $100/night! Be sure to scour VRBO for deals if you want to stay on the Strip. This budget-friendly condo is on the strip and has a cute balcony to unwind in peace watching the bustle of the city. We recommend booking directly through VRBO because it has fewer fees and more flexible cancellation policies than Airbnb – also, we’re not fans of Airbnb’s unethical track record and lax security.
iIf you’re truly on a shoestring budget, a hostel is the least expensive option for Las Vegas accommodation on the strip. There are two hostels that are just a block off the strip, averaging only $30/night however, prices will vary depending on what’s happening in Las Vegas. Sin City Hostel and Hostel Cat (Now Bungalow’s Hostel) both have fun social events like drinking games, BBQs, bar crawls and more! To get a great deal we recommend using Kayak to price-compare prices on hotels for your trip!
Budget Accommodations in Downtown Las Vegas
I would highly recommend staying in Downtown Las Vegas. For only a little more per night than a hostel, you will be in a better area of town with a significantly nicer room.
Downtown will give you a completely different feel of Las Vegas.
The Strip is expensive, luxurious, and extravagant while downtown is trendy, laid-back, and full of art districts.
You can even join in on the hipsters wandering the streets looking for the nearest thrift store and trendy coffee shop!
Downtown has old-style hotels that are not nearly as expensive as The Strip and you will be staying in an area with a lot of nightlife and food.
As long as you are not coming on a holiday weekend, you can find a nice hotel for only $40-$100 a night. My go-to hotels for Downtown are each located in a prime location on the most popular street in Downtown, Fremont Street. Here are my recommendations:
- Golden Nugget: Best known for its hotel pool with a water slide going through a shark tank! If you are traveling to Las Vegas in the summertime, this will be your best option to utilize their pool (trust me, you’ll need it). This isn’t the most budget-friendly option, but you can find decent deals on certain days – and the value is excellent!
- Four Queens: The Four Queens screams, “Old School Las Vegas.” Known for its gigantic flashing sign, you can spot it from the end of Fremont Street!
- Apache Hotel at Binion’s – managed by Four Queens. Renovated rooms are a delight and your right on top of the Fremont Street action.
There are plenty of hostels in Las Vegas but I will warn you they’re more suitable for partying. Expect lots of drinking games but don’t expect a lot of luxury. Note that hostels are still subject to local accommodation taxes and fees.
Overall Best Hostel in Las Vegas – Hostel Cat (Now Bungalow’s Hostel)
It’s close to The Strip, it’s got a gym/yoga area, lots of shops nearby, and a great social atmosphere. The hostel organizes tours to the Grand Canyon and Zion and also gets great discounts at local clubs.
There are also lots of cat paintings around (if that’s any consolation). The lack of a pool can be a bit of a turn-off, especially if you’re visiting Las Vegas in the summer.
Best Time to Visit Las Vegas
Las Vegas is blessed with year-round, GREAT weather! Winters are not too cold, there are a couple of pools that stay open during winter. Yes, now you can plan a pool party in the winter in Las Vegas.
WINTER
Okay, I know I said the weather is always great, but if I had to rule out one season in Vegas, it would be winter. The city is borderline deserted and the weather is too cold to swim (you’ll always see some cold climate people in the pool in 40-degree weather). I’d only recommend visiting in the Winter if you prefer uncrowded streets and don’t mind a lack of pool time fun. Here’s a list of pools open in the winter.
Circa Downtown Las Vegas: Boasting 6 swimming pools, 2 swim-up bars, and poolside gaming, Circa’s Stadium Swim easily qualifies as the best pool on Fremont Street. Adding to the allure is the 143-foot screen that’s always tuned into the big game.
Bellagio: Bellagio’s stunning pool deck is open in the winter, and the two larger pools are heated to a balmy 84 degrees.
MGM Grand: One heated pool is left open during the winter months at MGM Grand although the majority of their 6.5-acre complex does get shut down. Unfortunately, the popular lazy river is not open during the winter.
Aria: The foliage-rich pool deck at Aria remains open for business in the winter with water heated to 80 degrees. If staying at Vdara, you’re also able to use Aria’s pool as Vdara’s closes in October.
Cosmopolitan: Although the property has 3 distinct pool areas, only the Chelsea Pool (on the south end of the property) stays open throughout the winter for guests.
Park MGM: At least one pool, typically their South Pool is open and heated to 80 degrees during the winter.
Mandalay Bay: While the majority of Mandalay Bay’s elaborate pool complex closes during the winter, their smaller Moorea pool will remain open and heated to 82 degrees. While this is typically an “optional” pool during the summer months.
Palazzo/Venetian: The pool deck will remain open during the colder months and are heated.
Wynn/Encore: Although portions of the pool may be periodically closed for maintenance work, the pool remains open in the winter for guest use.
Mirage: Although Mirage’s main pool closes during the winter, they do keep their smaller Private Oasis Pool open and heated to the mid-70s.
Sahara: Weather permitting, Sahara keeps one of its pools open year-round for guests.
Resorts World: The newest, and one of the best pool complexes on the Strip will remain open and heated throughout the winter. Weighing in at 5.5-acres and 7 unique pools, this is one pool deck everyone should experience. Notably, there is an infinity pool on the south end of the property that overlooks the Strip.
Cosmopolitan: Although the property has 3 distinct pool areas, only the Chelsea Pool (on the south end of the property) stays open throughout the winter for guests.
Downtown Grand: DTG’s Citrus Grand Pool Deck stays open during the winter, although there are no food and beverage offerings. The rooftop pool receives plenty of sun and offers a great view of downtown Las Vegas.
Plaza: Plaza’s unique rooftop pool is open year-round and offers a great view of D*Face’s “Behind Closed Doors” mural. Both a heated pool and hot tub will be available to guests.
Trump International: Heated to 82 degrees, the pool at Trump stays open during the winter.
South Point: Although the pool is open year-round, they typically stop heating it in October. It’ll be uncomfortable, but if you don’t mind a frigid dip, the pool at South Point is an option.
Green Valley Ranch: The pool complex at the luxurious Henderson resort is open and heated during the winter.
Red Rock: The Sandbar Pool complex at Red Rock is open and heated to a balmy 78 degrees all winter long.
The time of year that is best will depend on the type of vacation you plan on doing.
SPRING
Spring’s weather is really beautiful because (most) of the season, it’s around 60-70 degrees. The only downside of traveling to Las Vegas in the Spring is that the weather changes often. Some days it’s beautiful and sunny, and other days we’re in the middle of a hurricane.
- Side Note: Day clubs are one of the best things to do in Las Vegas and don’t open until late spring. I will touch on that later, but definitely keep that in mind when planning a visit!
SUMMER
Summer in Vegas is hot as hades. Be prepared for dry, 100+ degree weather where your skin feels like it is melting off your body and you dehydrate quickly in the searing desert environment.
The good thing about summer is that the weather is extremely consistent. You will rarely have to worry about your short vacation being ruined by rain or wind and even though you’ll be sweating in places you didn’t even know you could sweat in… there are luckily a lot of pool activities/events going on.
Summer will be the busiest out of all the seasons, but the only downside to that is the prices are typically higher.
Las Vegas is one of the only cities that are more fun to go to during the high season. Why? Because no one likes to party when it’s empty!
Think of it this way: would you rather be at a packed house party with tons of people welcoming you with a shot OR an awkward house party with only two people attending, drinking boxed wine on the couch with their cat? Ya, that’s what I thought.
FALL
Fall is by far my favorite month of the year weather-wise. It doesn’t rain too much, the weather cools off to about 75 degrees, and the prices drop slightly.
I would recommend Fall for anyone who wants to spend a day hiking, wandering The Strip, and trying to save some money.
Just keep in mind that Day Clubs close in late fall, so just be sure to check the day clubs closing dates before coming so you don’t miss out on the fun.
To get extra specific since Fall is a few months long, come in late September or early October so you have the chance to experience the day clubs and the beautiful weather!
HOW TO GET AROUND LAS VEGAS ON A BUDGET
Not only are there endless cheap things to do in Las Vegas, but the majority of Vegas’ best activities and. sights are also so close together! The Las Vegas Strip (where all the magic happens), is only 2 miles in length. The hotels are practically on top of each other, making it extremely easy to see multiple things in a day.
Depending on what type of vacation you plan on doing, you won’t even need a rental car. And honestly, I would not recommend renting a car in Las Vegas unless you plan to do a lot of day trips or hiking excursions. Parking can be very expensive at the hotels and driving along the Las Vegas strip should be avoided at all costs!!
The easiest way to get around Las Vegas is by Uber/Lyft, but these can be expensive during high times.
LAS VEGAS STRIP
Walking: Excluding summer, walking is always an option because all of the hotels on the Las Vegas strip are extremely close together. Don’t plan to do a lot of walking in the summertime because it is insanely warm. It’s not a joke people, Vegas is HOT.
Trams: Many of the hotels are owned by the same company and will have a FREE tram service that will take you to and from their “sister” hotels. While these trams may not take you exactly where you would like to go, they may take you fairly close and you will need to walk the remainder of the way. The three trams are:
- Park MGM → Aria → Bellagio
- Mandalay Bay → Luxor → Excalibur
- Mirage → Treasure Island
Monorail: The monorail takes you to the main hotels on the Las Vegas Strip and is still fairly inexpensive. For roughly $11 per day, you can get unlimited monorail rides around the Las Vegas Strip. These prices may fluctuate based on holiday weekends, seasons, etc.
DOWNTOWN
Get to downtown from the Las Vegas Strip, you can take the “Strip and Downtown LOOP,” which is a public bus that strictly goes to the tourist spots, not residential neighborhoods. This is a lot faster than a standard bus, and stops at each location every 15 minutes!
A 2-hour pass is $6, a 24-hour pass is $8, and a 3-day pass is $20. This is a great option if you plan to stay in downtown, but still want to see a lot of the touristy spots on the Las Vegas Strip.
If you are downtown and want to explore the area, there is a FREE Shuttle bus that takes you to the Arts District, Mob Museum, and Fremont Street. This area is extremely easy to walk around, just be cautious of your belongings because pickpocketing happens often, especially on Fremont street where the crowds are larger.
FROM THE AIRPORT
A lot of the hotels will offer free shuttle service from the airport, but if not, there are shuttle buses with very fair rates. There are MANY airport shuttles that have comparative pricing, but the most reliable one in Las Vegas is SuperShuttle. The cost for a round-trip shared ride is roughly $10.00.
OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN
The Las Vegas Strip is such a small portion of Las Vegas! While that little area offers SO much to experience, it’s nice to step outside of the touristy areas to see what it’s really like to live here.
If you plan to do a lot of hiking, day trips, or exploring local spots, renting a car would probably be your best option.
The city is very spread out and hiking locations are on the outskirts of the valley. Taking a public bus will take a VERY long time and Uber/Lyft/Taxi will be extremely expensive.
Local Tips to Save Money in Las Vegas
Living in Las Vegas means I’ve learned a thing or two about a thing or two when it comes to saving money in Las Vegas.
Head to a grocery store and stock up on snacks when you arrive” kind of budget-friendly travel tips . These are like, low-key slick. After all, you’re in Vegas, baby!
DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY AT A LAS VEGAS NIGHTCLUB … FOR FREE!
Want to know how to get into the nightclubs for free? There are club hosts walking around the Las Vegas strip like little cockroaches just begging you to come on their guest list.
While this sounds creepy AF, they really do just want you to come on their guestlist for free access to the nightclub. They may even throw in a free drink with entry too!
Get free lifts – If you’re going to a club, particularly a strip club, don’t take a taxi. The club will provide free transport, just because they want to stick it to local taxi companies.
Ahem: If you find yourself NOT being bombarded by free club entrances as you stroll the strip, check to make sure you’re not wearing cargo pants, flip-flops with socks, or other not-Vegas-Club worthy clothing. Nothing kills a vibe more than cargo pants, people.
WANT TO DRINK FOR FREE? JUST HEAD TO THE NEAREST CASINO.
To pregame before your night out at the club, you COULD just get alcohol to drink in your room like a normal person… OR, you could hit the casinos!
Find cheap drinks during happy hour – Las Vegas has some crazy drink/food specials that could seriously sustain you for a while. Check out some of the best happy hour deals in Las Vegas.
There are very small minimums at most tables, so you can gamble very small amounts and get a few free drinks out of it. And who knows, you might just win!
Free Parking in Las Vegas
I’ve already suggested skipping the rental car, relying on public transit, and avoiding driving on the Strip at all costs. But just in case you didn’t listen, I’ve still got some budget-friendly tips up my sleeve.
Parking on the Las Vegas strip used to be free, but now hotels are charging anywhere from $8-$20 just to park your car in their garage. However, there are some hotels remaining that don’t charge for parking. Here, I made you a handy-dandy map:
Get Out and Explore Las Vegas
Vegas may be most well known for its casinos and gambling, but one thing that is often overlooked about the city is its location.
Las Vegas is very close to some amazing national parks, including Zion, the Grand Canyon, and Death Valley. For outdoorsmen, Las Vegas is the perfect base for exploring the Southwest.
Did you know that Las Vegas has a forest less than one hour outside of the city? Most people don’t!
Mt. Charleston is a green contrast to the dry and hot Las Vegas desert. It is home to hundreds of hiking trails for all fitness levels or snowboarding/skiing during the winter months. A popular hike that I recommend is called Mary Jane Falls. This is an easy, 1.5-mile hike that is the perfect length to sweat out some of the alcohol you’ve consumed thus far on your vacation!
Mary Jane Falls is a popular hike and the trailhead should easily show up on your Google Maps. Once you arrive at the trailhead, you will walk about ¼ a mile into the forest before taking steep switchbacks up to the waterfalls. There will be two waterfalls and a beautiful view once you reach the summit. The waterfalls are more of a trickle flowing down the rock unless you go after it rains, but in Las Vegas, we have to take what we can get! Regardless if the waterfall is flowing, the view at the summit is still beautiful!
DRINK FREE WINE
Rock N Roll Wine hosts “Wine Lounge Thursday” every Thursday! To attend, all you have to do is to reserve your spot online and they will tell you where the location is that week.
How to RSVP: Go to Rock N Roll Wine’s Website, click on the Events tab at the top and select “Wine Lounge Thursdays.” From there, select “RSVP Here,” and it will tell you the details of the location and time for that week. Don’t forget to continue to register so they can properly plan their volume of wine!
First Friday Art District Downtown Las Vegas
First Friday is an art festival that is celebrated in Downtown Las Vegas on the first Friday of every month. Think of this as a huge block party that has art vendors, food trucks, and music playing! This is not only a tourist attraction; a lot of locals enjoy attending as well.
If you happen to be in town for First Friday, you can find this fun block party in the Arts District (Charleston & Main St) from 5 pm-11 pm.
This is a super fun way to try new food without spending much money!
The food trucks change every month and offer every type of food you can imagine. Even if you have been to First Friday before, it will likely be a completely different experience on the second visit!
FREE LINE DANCING LESSONS AT TREASURE ISLAND
Want to learn how to country line dance? Gilley’s at Treasure Island (located on the Las Vegas Strip) provides FREE line dancing lessons Monday-Friday at 7 pm.