Las Vegas on a Budget: 27 Money-Saving Tips + Cheap Things to Do

You can easily blow your entire bank account in Las Vegas… Or you can use these tricks to save lots of money during your visit to Sin City! We’ve put together tons of money-saving tips and free activities so you can enjoy your time in Vegas without flattening your wallet. This article has everything you need to travel to Las Vegas on a budget!

For a city known for its opulence and excess, you might be surprised to find out that you actually can travel to “Sin City” without spending a lot of cash.

Las Vegas has plenty of free and cheap things to do, and it’s totally possible to have a hell of a time even if you don’t have a high roller budget.

We’ve traveled to Las Vegas a couple of times — all on tight budgets. We’ve each visited this city on our own as broke college students, and again while we were living in our campervan for a summer. Let’s just say that we did all sorts of research to find how we could enjoy Las Vegas without leaving the city completely drained of cash like you see in the movies.

Whether you’re looking to get the most out of your romantic getaway, or you’re planning a bachelorette party on a budget, this article is packed with money-saving tips that will help you come up with a game plan for a perfect cheap vacation in Las Vegas!

Article Contents

We’ve broken this article into sections, so feel free to jump around to get to what you’re looking for:

• Planning a Cheap Trip to Las Vegas
  • Cheap Flights
  • Getting around Las Vegas for cheap
  • Affordable Hotels in Las Vegas
  • Best time to visit Las Vegas
• Once you’re There!
  • Free & Cheap Things to do in Las Vegas
  • Cheap Pools to Visit
  • Cheap places to Eat
  • Drink for Cheap
• BONUS: Get outside of Las Vegas
  • Cheap things to do outside the city
  • Road Trip after visiting Las Vegas

Psst! If you have more time, be sure to check out our bucket list of cool things to do in Las Vegas (besides gambling!).

Planning a Cheap Trip to Las Vegas

If you plan ahead, you can actually save a ton of money on your trip to Las Vegas.

We’re going to show you how to get there for a steal and how to get around the city the cheapest way possible. Plus, there are a few other planning tips you won’t want to miss!

1. Find a cheap flight to Las Vegas

Flights to Vegas tend to be really cheap. In fact, getting there may be one of the least expensive parts of your trip, which isn’t the case for most destinations.

Psst! To find the best deals, use our tips for finding the cheapest flights.

One thing to keep in mind is that Spirit Airlines always seems to have great deals to Vegas, but being a discount airline, they charge for just about everything, including carry-on bags. Add up all the extra costs and before getting psyched about their seemingly low rates.

2. Skip the rental car

Having a car is not necessary if you plan on spending most of your time on The Strip and downtown. Apparently free parking used to be standard in most Las Vegas hotels, however, today, most hotels charge for this service. These fees can add up quite quickly ($15 – $25 per day seems to be the daily average).

So then how do you get from the airport to your hotel if you don’t have a car? Glad you asked…

Check and see if your hotel has a free shuttle from the airport to your hotel. If it doesn’t, you can get bus passes from an automatic ticket machine for inter-city bus called The Deuce (more information below in #3).

Cheap Parking in Las Vegas

Alternatively, if you are on a road trip and are arriving in Vegas in your car (or campervan, like we did!), you have a few options:

• Find a hotel that has reasonable parking rates. Here’s a pretty comprehensive round-up of all hotel parking fees.
• Stay at an Airbnb that includes free parking!
• Park for free at this lot near the airport! (Chances are it’ll be cheaper to leave your car at this lot, then take the Deuce into town than it would be to park at your hotel.)

3. Find the cheapest ways to get around the city

If you’ve never been to Las Vegas before, you might be surprised by just how big the strip is. From end to end, it is 4.5 miles. And that’s just the main drag.

If you want to make it to the old downtown to explore the Fremont Street experience and the original casinos (recommended!), it’s 6 miles away. Suffice to say, you’ll be doing a lot of walking, but you won’t want to walk everywhere. Especially in the desert heat.

Let’s just say that traffic in Las Vegas is not fun, and especially if you plan on enjoying any alcoholic beverages, you’ll need to know how to get around town cheaply.

Transportation in and around Las Vegas is notoriously expensive, but there are ways you can avoid breaking the bank.

a) Avoid taxis

They are seriously overpriced and are notorious for taking tourists the “long way” in order to tick up that meter.

b) Take Lyft or Uber instead of cabs

We asked one taxi driver how much it would cost for a ride from the Strip to Fremont Street (downtown Las Vegas), and he replied, “About $25 to $30.” We looked up the same route on Lyft, and it was $8 to $12. I bet you can guess which option we chose!

It’s also a good idea to check the prices on both apps and compare before deciding which to take as the apps have different busy times and surge rate depending on how many drivers they have on the road.

c) Take the Deuce

This double decker bus (get the name now?) that is the cheapest mode of public transportation. $6 per person will get you 2 hours of access, or for $2 more you can ride unlimited for 24 hours.

Our advice would be to go with the $8 pass because depending on traffic, the rides can take a while and you wouldn’t want to just miss the 2-hour mark. And if you’re there for the whole weekend, you might as well get the 3-day pass for $20 per person.

The Deuce runs from the South Strip Transfer Bus Terminal (south of McCarren Airport) up to the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown, and it stops at all hotels on the Strip in between. The best part is that it runs 24/7 and comes every 15-20 minutes.

*And yes, it does stop at the airport itself!

Find more info and the schedule for the Deuce.

d) Take the monorail

The Las Vegas monorail runs along the entire Las Vegas Strip from the SAHARA Station at the north end to the MGM Station at the south. It stops at 5 different hotels along the route so it can seriously cut down on your travel, if you are willing to walk shorter distances in between.

Trains arrive at each of the 7 stations about every 4-8 minutes. A single ride ticket on the monorail costs $5, but a full-day pass is only $13 with unlimited rides. They also sell 3, 4, 5 and 7-day passes.

Find more info and the schedule for the Las Vegas Monorail.

e) Take the FREE Tram

Operating independently from the Las Vegas monorail, there are 3 trams that run between hotels on the Strip, making it possible to connect the entire route without stepping outside.

The best part is… these trams are entirely free! You just hop on and hop off as you please.

The cars on these tram systems are air conditioned and run every 5 minutes or so in both directions.

Mandalay Bay to Luxor to Excalibur: This route connects Mandalay Bay to the Excalibur Hotel on the west side of the Strip, making a stop at Luxor in between.

Park MGM to Aria to Bellagio: This route starts at the Park MGM (near the Aria entrance), stops at the Crystals Shopping Mall near the Cosmopolitan, and ends at the South Tower of the Bellagio (near the spa).

Mirage to Treasure Island: This tram runs between the two hotels with no stops in between and takes less than 5 minutes to get you from one casino floor to the other.

Psst! Looking for more things to do outside of Sin City? We put together a list of fun day trips from Las Vegas, all within a 2 hour drive of the city!

4. Find a cheap hotels in Las Vegas

Las Vegas has no shortage of hotel rooms, so unless you’re traveling during an extremely busy time, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a room you’ll love. And there’s actually a pretty decent assortment of affordable hotels if you know where to look.

Lucky for you, we did a ton of research before our trip to Vegas, and we’re pretty sure we found the best way to find cheap hotels. 

a) Compare different booking platforms

We scoured several booking sites and compared prices on Trivago, Agoda and Booking.com and found they were quite different during our dates. Try comparing each platform for your travel dates and see which give you the best rate.

You’ll find that even some of the popular Las Vegas themed hotels have great rates if you are booking during the off-season. 

b) If your trip is last minute, consider this…

But if you want a really, really good deal on a hotel in Las Vegas, Hotel Tonight is where it’s at. We traveled to Vegas over the 4th of July, and being that it was a holiday weekend, prices were jacked up considerably. But on a normal weekend, you can find nice hotels on the strip for around $100. Despite the name, you can book up to a week in advance.

To be honest, Las Vegas is the only place we have found this app to be worthwhile (so far), but we were happy with it for this trip.

DISCOUNT CODE: If you book with Hotel Tonight for the first time, we’ve got a discount code for you that’ll save ya $25! Just download the app on your phone and use our code BZWEBER for the extra cash off. You’re welcome!

c) Don’t forget to factor in the Resort Fee

We’re not fans of hidden costs, but it seems that just about every decent hotel in Vegas has a resort fee that is not included in the hotel rate you’ll see when booking. This fee can range from $15 up to $40 and goes toward parking, the hotel pool and other amenities.

The resort fee at our hotel covered parking, Wi-Fi and pool access. Plus, we were given vouchers for 2 free alcoholic drinks (beer or well drinks), plus $12 to spend at the onsite Starbucks each day. Not too shabby.

d) Book a weekday trip

If you want to save even more money, plan your trip to Sin City during weekdays, and find rooms on the Strip for as little as $30 to $50 per night. No joke!

Weekday Price (2 nights at the Bellagio):

Weekend Price (2 nights at the Bellagio):

e) Join a rewards program

If you’re a frequent visitor to Las Vegas, it might make sense for you to sign up for a hotel rewards program to get savings on room rates, entertainment, and more bonuses.

The MGM rewards program, M Life, is perhaps the largest and includes the following properties: The Mirage, Aria, Vdara, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Park MGM, New York New York, Luxor, and Excalibur.

Our Experience: We signed up to test it out and it seems like the room rate “discount” is around what you’ll find on other booking sites. However, if you travel to Las Vegas often there are other perks that could add up.

f) Consider staying just off The Strip

You’d be surprised how much cheaper rooms tend to be if they don’t have a Las Vegas Boulevard address. Look at properties just off The Strip, and you’ll see the dollar signs drop!

Our experience: Since we were visiting (accidentally!) during a holiday week, all the hotels had inflated rates. We just didn’t like the idea of delving out $300 per night. Since our budget was tight budget and we didn’t mind the idea of being a 5-minute walk from The Strip, we landed on The Renaissance hotel which was basic, yet newly renovated; and rooms were less than $100 per night during our stay. Much better than the rates just a few blocks away!

g) Stay at an Airbnb

If you do a bit of searching using the tips above, you should be able to score a great deal on a hotel in Las Vegas, but an alternative option is staying in an Airbnb.

Personally, we’d probably choose a hotel in Las Vegas because it’s part of the experience, however, staying in an Airbnb could be a great choice for you and might even save you quite a bit of money, here’s why:

• most Airbnb properties don’t have a resort fee like the hotels do
• many offer free parking
• you can choose one with a kitchen so you can make your own breakfasts and save some money
• if you’re traveling with a group of friends, this might be the perfect way to all stay together and be able to split the cost.

Our advice would be to look for one with a good location and a pool, because let’s be real, the pool is part of the reason you come to Vegas!

5. Time your trip right

With plenty of things to do, world-class dining, and an incomprehensible amount of hotel rooms, there’s no wonder why Las Vegas is one of the most popular weekend getaway destinations in the US. That means it can get busy—like really busy—during holiday weekends.

To avoid the really crazy jacked up rates, avoid holidays. Everything from flights to hotels to brunch menus and shows will be much more expensive than usual. We learned this lesson the hard way because we naively visited a few days before the Fourth of July. Don’t make the same mistake we did unless you have the budget for it.

So when is the best time to visit Las Vegas?

For the best weather:

• Well, weather-wise, you’ll find the most comfortable temperatures from March – May and from September – November.
• The winter months can get quite chilly and won’t be ideal for lounging at a pool (if that’s a priority for you).

For the best deals:

• If you’re looking for the best deals, avoid school holidays like spring break and fall break, and you should be able to find some good prices within those time frames.
• For the best deals, weekday rates on hotels, flights and entertainment can be significantly lower than on weekends. However, it might be a bit difficult to convince the boss that a Tuesday to Thursday getaway to Vegas is a good idea.

6. Create a travel budget & track it

No matter where in the world we are traveling, one of the very first things we do is to figure out how much money we are comfortable spending, that way we don’t overspend. This is one of the biggest reasons we are able to afford to travel so often.

Need a bit of guidance making a travel budget? Lucky for you, we’ve broken down exactly how we create a travel budget just for you!

Making a travel budget is the first step, but it’s even more important to track what you spend so you don’t accidentally go over budget. We like using Trail Wallet, but there are lots of apps out there that allow you to track expenses.

7. Plan your splurges

Let’s just say that part of the allure of this city is the glitz and glamour, and there are many things you can spend your money on. It would be a shame to come to Las Vegas and not to any “splurge” activities because you were

Our advice is to decide what activities are your top priorities, and allocate some of your budget to that. Definitely want to see Cirque de Soleil? Want to have one fancy meal? Want to have an epic night out?

Do it! Part of the reason to travel to this city is for these types of experiences. But know when to pull in the reigns too.

Figure out how much each of your “splurges” will cost and count that into your budget. That way, you’ won’t be scared off by the price in the moment and you will have already designated money for the experiences that mean the most to you.

It will also help keep things in perspective as you are bombarded with things to spend money on. It will be less tempting to blow $100 on souvenirs when you know that money is set aside for something special.

Psst! We’ve got you covered with lots more budget travel tips that’ll help you save money no matter where in the world you go!

Free & cheap things to do in Las Vegas

Now that you know how to get to Las Vegas without spending a fortune and you have a few resources for booking cheap hotels, let’s talk about how to enjoy your time in Sin City without breaking the bank.

There are plenty of money-sucking activities in Las Vegas – from zip-lining at the Fremont Experience, to helicopter tours over the city and, well, gambling…. It can seem like this city’s sole purpose is to flatten out your wallet.

But there are actually a ton of free (or seriously cheap) things to do in and around Las Vegas. You just gotta know where to find them!

8. Relax at a pool (for cheap!)

There is no shortage of pools in Las Vegas. And nothing feels better than relaxing poolside with a cocktail in hand in that midday desert heat.

Our advice would be to choose a hotel with a pool you actually want to spend time at. You’ll be paying for it in the hotel’s “resort fee”, so you might as well use it, especially if lounging by the pool is one of the things you’re most looking forward to.

Free and cheap pools in Las Vegas

If you weren’t able to snag a room at a hotel with a great pool, you can certainly enjoy the chlorine-laden waters at another property. But may cost you some buck bucks depending on where you go. You may need to either pay a cover charge, or rent a daybed or a cabana (which is a good choice if you are with a large group).

Good to know: Sometimes the cost of admission to the pools around Las Vegas is more expensive for men. It is also worth noting that there are often discounts for locals and military.

Here are some of the most affordable (but still nice!) pools in Las Vegas. Some are even free!

Citrus Grand Pool Deck | at the Downtown Grand

• Monday – Thursday: admission is FREEto everyone (even non-guests)
• Friday – Sunday: $10 admission fee to everyone who is not a guest of the hotel

Influence | at The Linq

• FREE admission every day
• Come for the pool parties Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays for DJs, drink specials, and best of all, no cover charge!
  • Good to know: This is a 21+ party pool

M Pool | at M Resort

• Monday – Thursday: $10 admission
• Friday – Sunday, and holidays: $20 admission
  • Admission includes entrance to DayDream Pool Club

Go Pool | at the Flamingo

• Monday – Thursday: FREE admission to everyone
• Friday – Sunday: $22 admission for non-guests

Looking for a night dip? Every Monday at 8 p.m. the Boulevard Pool (at The Cosmopolitan) shows a “Dive-In Movie”. Doors open at 7 p.m. and admission is $7.

*prices as of April 2020

9. See a show with a discount!

One of the biggest draws of Las Vegas are the shows. From Cirque du Soleil to magicians and musical acts, there’s something to tickle anyone’s fancy. But don’t pay full price for tickets! Vegas.com guarantees the best rates on shows.

Plus, you can get an extra 10% discount with the code: STOP.

Looking for a way to fit it all in? Follow this itinerary for a weekend in Las Vegas that is especially geared towards first-timers. 

10. Limit your gambling

We’re not huge gamblers, but when in Vegas, well, we’ll dabble a bit. There’s no faster way to blow your budget than to throw money on a table, but if you plan it out ahead of time, it can be worthwhile entertainment.

Determine ahead of time how much money you’re okay parting with and cut yourself off there. Once it’s gone, that’s it. Practice your willpower – I know it’s in you!

Oh, and if you’re curious about which games give you the biggest bang for your buck, here are two ideas:

Craps

This social game is easy to play, and often your initial bet can last quite a while. The dealers are typically helpful if you don’t know how to play and will guide you through some of the most basic bets. 

Tip: Many casinos have at least one $10 minimum bet table for Craps, but the only $5 minimum table we saw on the strip was at Harrah’s, where there were several. We by no means did a comprehensive search of all casinos in Las Vegas, but we checked quite a few. The atmosphere at Harrah’s isn’t exactly the best, but if you want to start small, it might be a good option.

BINGO

$4 will buy you a packet of BINGO sheets, and the fun lasts for about an hour. Plus, drinks are free when you’re playing. When we did a brief search, it looks as if the closest BINGO to the strip is at the Gold Coast Hotel, which boasts the biggest BINGO hall in Nevada, with 720 seats.

It was far from full while we were there and we were the youngest people in the room by a good 20 years, but the people watching was spectacular and it was just a fun experience.

Tip: Remember to buy a “Dabber” from a vending machine or ask the guys at the bar if you can borrow one. They happily let us each borrow one free of charge!

11. Get off of The Strip

While you’ll definitely want to explore the Las Vegas Strip thoroughly, but there’s lots more to this city. Off the Strip, you’ll find cheaper prices, more locals hanging out, and a very different atmosphere.

Downtown Las Vegas

This is the historic center of the city, and is home to iconic casinos like the Gold Nugget. While this area is not the “Las Vegas” people often think of today, it is full of historic charm and much cheaper prices than you’ll find on The Strip.

• Fremont Experience: Fremont Street is most known for the LED canopy that covers it, creating a 24-hour “mall” of sorts. Watch people zip-line above your head (yes, really!) and take in all the sights and sounds. And don’t leave this area without getting something to eat or drink because you’ll find some of the best food in the city for cheap! (More on that in the section below!)
• Downtown Container Park: This unique shopping center was built from — you guessed it — shipping containers! Wander through boutiques, art galleries, and wine bars. And soak up a little sun as you people watch from the courtyard.

Arts District

With dive bars, cheap eateries, and you guessed it — lots of art, this neighborhood will likely become one of your favorite spots in the city if you like getting off the beaten path.

• Check out the Community Healing Garden, dedicated to those who were killed in the Mandalay Bay shooting, while you’re in the area.
• You can also see the Pawn Shop that was made famous in the television series, Pawn Stars, one of the coolest places for shopping in Las Vegas.
• In Las Vegas on the first Friday of the month? Keep reading because you should definitely check this out…

12. First Friday Art District

Just like the event’s name suggests, if you happen to be in Vegas during the first weekend of the month, head up to the Arts District for food trucks, art, live music, and a night of fun!

It’s free to attend, and you can find some reasonably priced bites. Plus, you’ll get out of the tourist-have that is The Strip, and instead, you’ll be surrounded by lots of locals.

Like their tagline says, this event is “where art and community collide”. Wouldn’t it be fun to be a part of?! We sure think so!

Interested? Check the First Friday website to stay up to date.

13. See live music

You don’t have to buy tickets to a show to enjoy live music in Vegas.

In fact, you’ll find it around just about every corner – from street performers to shows in bars and casinos on the strip to free concert series in Fremont, your musical cravings can be satisfied at no charge!

14. Check out all the free sights

Las Vegas is sensory overload. The good news for any traveler on a budget is that many of these sights are free. Oh, and so is people-watching…

Below you’ll find just a handful of free things to see to get your started. (And if your senses are not pleasantly overwhelmed after this list, you might want to see a doctor…)

• Bellagio:
  • Iconic water fountain show takes place every 30 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes at night until midnight.
  • View the Bellagio’s blown glass art installation in the hotel lobby’s ceiling, by famous artist, Dale Chihuly (pictured above).
  • Next to the blown glass, walk through a flower garden unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
• Circus Circus: Watch as acrobats, clowns and jugglers perform a show every half hour in the hotel lobby
• Fremont Experience: Watch people zip-line through the neon-lit ceiling, and if that’s not enough, do some quality people-watching and enjoy all sorts of street performances – from amateur magic to spray paint artists to scantily clad women who’ll pose for a picture.
• Mirage: Watch a volcanic eruption at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. outside this hotel. An additional eruption happens at 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
• The Flamingo: View pretty pink flamingos in a little oasis.
• Treasure Island: Come for a live “pirate show” in front of their hotel at 7:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 10:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.
• “Travel” around the world:
  • Take selfies in front of the “Eiffel Tower” at Paris
  • then venture to skyscrapers at New York-New York
  • glimpse the Sphinx at Luxor
  • pose in front of the Trevi Fountain at Caesar’s Palace
  • Who needs to travel around the world when you’ve got Vegas? Only kidding…

15. See the iconic Las Vegas sign

On the very south end of the Strip (aka Las Vegas Boulevard), you’ll find the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign that has made appearances all over Instagram, in movies, and even at the top of this article!

Getting a picture in front of the famous sign is on the to-do list of many visitors, but be prepared to wait in line for that shot! We got tired of waiting (I mean, check out that crowd!) and settled with a picture of just the sign itself.

If it’s really important to you, go early in the morning to avoid the crowds or at a time that you don’t mind waiting. (Just wear sunscreen because there’s not much shade around!)

Eat & Drink for cheap in Las Vegas

While The Strip is full of menus that will make a budget traveler start to tremble, there are plenty of places around the city that are reasonably priced.

Remember, you don’t need to go big for every meal. As a rule of thumb, if you venture just off of The Strip you’ll find more affordable menus. But if all else fails, head to the nearest In ‘N Out Burger!

In this section, we’re sharing some of the BEST inexpensive places to eat, plus, some tips that’ll save you money on food in Vegas!

16. Cheap places to eat in Las Vegas

Here are some excellent (non-chain) restaurants that won’t break the bank:

Le Tai | Downtown | Thai

With entrées starting at just $10, huge portions and flavorful food, you won’t be disappointed with this Thai restaurant. This tiny restaurant fills up fast. Go early and put your name on the list before exploring the Fremont Experience, or opt to eat on their small patio from takeout boxes and you won’t have to wait at all!

Tip: You’ll tell them the level of spice you want (0 = no spice to 5 = Thai spicy). Order one level below what you think you want. Take it from two people who lived in Thailand. We ordered a 3 (hot) and our mouths were on fire.

Tacos el Gordo | just off the Strip | street tacos

Walking distance from The Wynn, this join serves up street tacos that are cheap and filling.

Esther’s Kitchen | Arts District | Italian

It it’s Italian you’re craving, this place will hit the spot. With handmade pasta and a menu that changes with the seasons, you’ll leave full and happy. Come for brunch or lunch when the entrees range from $10 – $17.

Secret Pizza | The Strip |Pizza

While it’s not exactly a secret, this pizza shop on the 3rd floor of the Cosmopolitan Hotel is unmarked and can be a bit difficult to find. They serve up pizza by the slice for less than $6, or you can get a whole pie. They also have beer and wine available.

VegeNation | Downtown | Vegan

With an eclectic menu of dishes inspired by cuisines from all over the world, this place is right up our alley! And each item on their menu is plant-based, so any veggie travelers in Vegas will want to give this one a try! It seems like most of their entrees are priced at $13, so a healthy meal here is possible even on a budget.

Monta Noodle House | Chinatown | Ramen

This local hotspot is known for the best ramen in town, and the affordable prices don’t hurt either! If you’re craving an authentic tonkatsu, this place will blow your mind.

Psst! Wanna brush up on your knowledge of ramen and all things Japanese cuisine? We gotchu covered in this guide to Japanese food.

Evel Pie | Downtown | Pizza

With a rock ‘n roll meets Evel Knievel vibe, this pizza joint earns rave reviews. And with unique topping combinations and affordable prices, it’s easy to see why!

Viva Las Arepas | south of the Arts District | Venezuelan

This no-frills, counter-service shop may not have a swanky atmosphere, but they make a mean arepa and are known for large portions and delicious smoked chicken. And starting at just $5, what’s not to love?!

Flock & Fowl | Downtown | Chinese

This small restaurant may be unassuming, but don’t be fooled! The award-winning chef at Flock & Fowl has put together a small but nice menu of Chinese dishes wit ha focus on free-range chicken.

Tip: Come for their happy hour where they serve up stiff cocktails for a really reasonable price!

Cornish Pasty Co | Arts District | British

If you’re craving filly comfort food and don’t have much money to spare, a Cornish pasty will certainly do the trick. (It’s also a good hangover cure!) Priced between $11 – $14, these filling pasty pies won’t break the bank. They have traditional pasties as well as ones inspired by Indian and Mexican and Cajun flavors.

Estiatorio Milos | The Strip | Greek

This fine dining locale inside the Cosmopolitan wouldn’t seem like a great budget pick on the surface, but stick with us… They have a $29 three-course lunch deal (from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.) which includes your choice of appetizer, main course and dessert. If you’d like to try one of their specials, be sure to make reservations, because it is a popular place!

17. Find food trucks

With more than 100 food trucks in the Las Vegas area, you’ll surely be able to find one that satisfies your cravings — whether it’s Asian fusion or shaved ice you’re after.

Best yet, the prices are typically quite affordable compared to what you’d pay in a sit down restaurant.

Check out some of the most popular food trucks in Vegas and be sure to check their Twitter to see where they are located that day.

18. Opt out of the buffet

Let’s be real… do you ever feel good after eating at a buffet? Does it sound like a good idea to don your bikini or day drink after being stuffed to the max? Didn’t think so.

Las Vegas has tons of amazing restaurants, and instead of an all-you-can-eat buffet, opt instead for a meal at a nice restaurant. Your taste buds will be happy, you’ll leave satisfied instead of stuffed, and your bill will be half of what you’d pay at a buffet.

Want a brunch suggestion? The Buffet at the Wynn is often listed amongst the best in town, but we opted for a regular brunch at the Terrace Pointe Café (also in the Wynn), and enjoyed Eggs Benedict over Crab Cakes and an Asparagus and Truffle Goat Cheese Omelet all for a reasonable price. Trust me when I say I was stuffed and could not have eaten any more, even if I had been at a buffet!

19. …or do a Buffet on a Budget

We’ll just pop in and say while we don’t usually love buffets, Las Vegas is an exception. Buffets are ubiquitous in Vegas, and the quality tends to be much higher than at buffets you’d find elsewhere.

So if you really want to try one of the famed buffets in Vegas, but are on a budget, here are a few tips:

• Brunch is a good way to go. Often, they serve some of the same dishes they do at dinner, but are cheaper than the price you’ll pay come dinnertime.
• Silverton Casino’s Seasons Buffet is known to have one of the best buffet deals in town (that is, if you don’t mind getting just off of the Strip). One of their best offerings is on Sundays when they have a Bellini Brunch for $20.99 (get $2 off with their member card). And as the name implies, this includes bottomless mimosas and bellinis! We haven’t personally been, but we’ve read that the quality of this buffet is better than the cheap buffets you’ll find on the Strip, making this one a good choice for budget travelers.
• Wicked Spoon (in the Cosmopolitan) has perhaps the best quality-for-price when it comes to buffets in Las Vegas. While it’s not exactly cheap, it’s not expensive either. So if dining at a buffet on the Strip is a must for you, the Wicked Spoon might jsut be your best choice. You’ll find the best prices are weekday brunch ($29 per person / weekends are $36). And if you want to take brunch up a notch, add on bottomless beverages for $17 (and a 2-hour time limit):
  • Brunch: Mimosas, Champagne, Bloody Marys, or Bud Light Draft
  • Dinner: Red or white house wine, Moscow Mules, or Bud Light Draft

Last words on buffets: Just don’t go with the cheapest buffet to save money. You don’t wanna be spending your time in Vegas in the bathroom after a bad buffet. ‘Nuff said.

Cheap places to drink in Las Vegas

While clubs and higher end restaurants serve hand-crafted cocktails with prices that’ll make your eyes water, there are plenty of inexpensive drinks to be had in Las Vegas.

20. Happy Hour

Take advantage of happy hour specials around the city; there are plenty!

Insider Tip: Read the descriptions below and see which bars sound most like your vibe. Then, map out your own DIY Las Vegas Bar Crawl, taking into account the happy hour times.

The Golden Tiki| Chinatown
Happy Hour: Daily from 4 – 7 p.m.

A friend told us not to miss the happy hour specials at The Golden Tiki… fun drinks for a great price? Count us in! The funky Polynesian-inspired décor, big & strong fruity drinks, and low-key atmosphere was a nice escape from The Strip. This establishment is also known for live DJs and for the fact that they’re open 24/7.

Downtown Cocktail Room | Fremont
Happy Hour: Monday – Saturday from 4 – 7 p.m.

During their “Halfty Hour”, everything is half off (as the name implies!). And at a venue with one of the most inventive cocktail menus in the city, that’s one hell of a deal. They also have rotating DJs each night of the week (except Sunday and Monday).

Eureka! | Fremont
Happy Hour: Daily from 3 – 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. – close

Laidback spot with crafty food and drinks to pair. Their happy hour includes discounted drinks and on snacky bites like fried mac ‘n cheese balls.

Flock & Fowl
Happy Hour: Daily from 5 – 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. – close

During the daily happy hour, you’ll find select beer, wine and punch for $3 – 5, and boozy craft cocktails are $6. Plus, some of the appetizers are discounted as well.

The Griffin | Fremont
When: Monday-Friday from 5-6pm and 10-11pm

This dimly-lit bar in Fremont features two indoor fireplaces, a jukebox, DJs on the weekends, and dark, rustic vibes. And their happy hour deals ain’t bad either! With $5 drafts and $4 well drinks twice a day, The Griffin makes a cozy drink stop on your DIY Vegas bar crawl!

Blondies | The Strip
Happy Hour: Monday – Friday from 3 – 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.

If you’re looking for a lively sports bar on The Strip where you can get the most bang (err.. drank!) for your buck, Blondies might just take the cake. During their twice daily happy hour (Monday – Friday), you can order all-you-can-drink well cocktails and domestic drafts for just $20. Just don’t get sloppy! 

Foundation Room | The Strip
Happy Hour: Daily from 5 – 8 p.m.

This cocktail lounge on the 63rd floor of the Mandalay Bay has a daily rooftop happy hour that you won’t want to miss if it’s views you’re after. Their small plates are priced between $8 – $10 and select beer, wine and Ketel One cocktails are just $6. It’ll be hard to beat those prices in this type of atmosphere!

Herbs and Rye | east of The Strip
Happy Hour: Monday – Saturday | 5 – 8 p.m. and midnight – close

Known as one of the best craft cocktail lounges in Las Vegas, this speakeasy-style lounge turns up the good deals during their epic happy hour which even includes a half-price steak, if you’re feeling rather ravenous.

21. Beer is usually cheaper!

If you’re a fan of beer, you’re in luck because a brew won’t set you back quite as much as a cocktail or glass of wine. However, you might be surprised by some of the prices on The Strip. We’ve done the research for you and found some of the cheapest places to get beer in Las Vegas!

• No matter what time of day, head to O’Sheas for famously cheap beers (the cheapest you’ll find on The Strip!).
• Bird Bar (at the Flamingo) has a daily happy hour from 5 – 6 p.m. where beer is just 50 cents! Yes, you read that right! And if you happen to get there towards the end, don’t worry, because there are still specials until 7 p.m.
• And if you’re in the Arts District, ReBAR has great prices on beer as well.
• Breweries: Or get some higher quality beer at a craft brewery like local favorites, Able Baker Brewing and Banger Brewing, where prices are reasonable. Plus, they both offer free brewery tours! (You can find more info on timing and make a booking by following the respective links above.)

22. Drink for free while gambling

Drink for free while (slowly) playing penny shots. These won’t be strong and fancy cocktails, but if you’re down for a rum and coke or vodka soda in a small plastic cup for the grand total of $0, then head to any slot machine in the city (they’re not hard to find), and grab the attention of a cocktail waitress.

Just don’t forget to tip your cocktail waitress, or she’ll mysteriously disappear. Oh, and be careful about how much you’re putting into that slot, otherwise your “free” drinks might quickly turn into expensive drinks…

23. Get on the list for a club

You won’t have to walk far on The Strip to get pestered by club promoters. And it’s annoying, we know. We’re kind of wired to just ignore anyone vying for the attention of passers by on the street.

But if you are looking to have a night out while in Vegas (and I mean you should, it’s VEGAS!), get yourself on a list (or two). Sometimes they’ll even include a free drink with entry.

24. BYOB!

And for the cheapest possible drinks, buy beverages at one of the many liquor stores near the strip (or even the CVS). Enjoy them in your hotel room, or bring ‘em on the go.

That’s right — you can walk with open drinks on The Strip, so take advantage if you want to save some cash.

Get outside of Las Vegas

If you drove to Las Vegas (or have a rental car), there is plenty to do and see just outside of town.

Plus, there are even some great campsites if you really want to save money. If you’re looking for a place to park your home on wheels near Sin City for a great price, check out RoverPass. This website is kind of like the “Kayak” of campgrounds and makes it easy to reserve a campsite in Las Vegas or other destinations along your road trip. 

Looking for an epic day trip from Las Vegas? Just 2 hours west, you’ll find yourself in the other-worldly landscapes of Death Valley National Park.

25. Go for a hike outside of Vegas

If the bass-bumping music and neon lights of the strip are making your head spin, get some quality time in nature for an instant refresh.

Red Rocks Canyon is just a 30-minute drive outside of town and the hikes are pretty epic. It costs $7 per vehicle, but if you’re looking for an escape from the city, the fee will be well worthwhile.

Check out our complete guide to hiking Las Vegas including more off-the-beaten-path Red Rocks Canyon hikes, or try some of the most popular trails below.

Calico Tanks Trail

A popular 2.2 mile out-and-back trail that is a good easy-moderate intro hike to the Red Rock Canyon. It’s only a 407 ft elevation gain but there is some scrambling near the end with a great view of Las Vegas in the distance. 

Calico Tanks Trail Notes

Ice Box Canyon Trail

This 2.3-mile out-and-back is fairly easy but becomes more of a scramble near the end. You’ll be rewarded with a nice waterfall, which flow more after a rain. 

Ice Box Canyon Trail Notes

White Rock Hills Loop Trail

If you want a long hike with variety of terrain, this 6.1-mile loop trail is for you. Features include wild flowers and a forest of juniper trees on the west side of the mountain, which is a stark contrast to the barren east side.

White Rock Hills Loop Trail Notes

26. Gold Strike Hot Springs

If the desert isn’t hot enough for you (or you’re visiting in the cooler winter months), raise your body temp in a nearby hot spring. This 4.5-mile hike is only for the truly adventurous, and the trail is only open from September until May.

Be prepared to traverse large boulders and use fixed ropes with steep climbs. Despite all the challenges, Gold Strike Hot Springs is said to be epic, and it costs nothing to enjoy!

27. See the Hoover Dam on a budget

If you venture out to this iconic feat of engineering, be sure to leave early to avoid crowds.

Parking in the nearest lot costs $10 per vehicle, entrance to the Visitor’s Center is $10 per person, and those damn tours (Griswold Vegas Vacation, anyone?!) cost $15 per adult. It’s all pretty cool to see if it fits in your budget and you’re interested in this kind of thing.

However, you don’t have to shell out $25 per person and $10 for parking… If you simply want to see the Hoover Dam and don’t care about the Visitor’s Center or tour, listen up…

Hot Tip: Parking on the Arizona side (after you cross the dam) is free. You can walk over to the dam and view it free of charge.

Plan out in advance what portions you’d like to do. All of it? Or just park and take in the sights for free?

Road trip after visiting Las Vegas

While we don’t recommend driving around Vegas too much — we speak from experience (driving our campervan on The Strip was no fun and parking is a nightmare!) However, combining Vegas with a road trip around the Southwest would be a great way to see some awesome sights around the Southwestern part of the United States.

You could make your way to Zion and check out all the other incredible National Parks in Utah. Or, you could head the opposite direction and explore the California coast, head into Death Valley, or hit up Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park. The options really are endless!

Wanna give #VanLife a try?!

If you want to get the most out of your road trip, we’d recommend trying out a campervan! We’re obsessed with #vanlife, but if you don’t have the time (or interest!) in building your own conversion but you still want to give van life a test drive, we’ve tons of ideas for you! Check out our list of top companies for USA Campervan Rentals, from budget to bougie, we even included some exclusive discounts for our readers! 

One company we’d recommend looking into is Escape Campervans. They have 12 different locations across North America and come fully loaded with all the gear you need for an epic road trip. Plus, their rates are fair and affordable.

BONUS: We’ve partnered with Escape to give you a 10% off discount when you use our link!

You might also like…

• Hiking Las Vegas: The Best Trails Near Sin City
• Las Vegas to Death Valley: The Ultimate Day Trip Guide
• 50 Cool Things to Do in Las Vegas (besides gambling!)
• Fun Day Trips from Las Vegas

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We want to hear from you!

Have you ever been to Las Vegas? What did you think? Do you have any tips to stay on a budget in Sin City? Share in the comments below!