Did you know you can save hundreds, even thousands, of dollars by taking advantage of Vegas freebies, smarter timing, loyalty programs, public transportation, and simple planning habits? Despite its popularity as Sin City, Las Vegas is still one of the few major vacation destinations in North America where budget-conscious travelers can have a great time without spending luxury-resort money every day.
Vegas can still get expensive fast, especially when you add resort fees, parking, food, show tickets, rideshares, drinks, and gambling into the same trip. The trick is knowing where the hidden costs are and which “Vegas hacks” are still actually useful today.
Read on to know how you can save money on the Vegas Strip as well as Downtown Las Vegas. Learn of the 31 proven strategies that tourists and locals have used for decades to get the most affordable fun weekends of their lives.
Vegas Hacks to Save Money on Rooms and Hotel
Before we get started, it is important to remember that proper planning is the first key to saving your money in Vegas, or any trip, for that matter. Especially if you are new in town, it can be easy to get ripped off and overcharged for some services.
Learn these tips beforehand and use them as your holy grail guide before planning your exciting Las Vegas vacation.
1. Off-the Strip destinations
Las Vegas Strip hotels are usually more expensive than those in Downtown Las Vegas and other off-Strip areas. Off-the-Strip and downtown hotels can be cheaper, have lower resort fees, be less crowded, feature cheaper meals, and sometimes still offer free or cheaper parking.
Staying off the Strip can also put you closer to value-focused casino floors, local restaurants, and cheaper table games. Downtown Las Vegas, the Boulder Highway area, the Orleans/Palms/Gold Coast cluster, and some Convention Center hotels can all be useful depending on your itinerary.
However, you should also know you are going to be further away from the Strip where most of the activity is. Also, the environment may be less luxurious, you may spend more on transport, and the amenities may be fewer.
2. Cheap Hotels
If you opt for Strip hotels, then it is a good way to save money if you stick to their cheapest options. Cheap Strip hotels are still more expensive than many off-Strip destinations but have more access to the best of Las Vegas action and amenities. Typical room rates can change dramatically by date, weekday, convention calendar, sports events, and resort demand.
Book a room at Circus Circus for an affordable stay in the home of the world’s largest permanent circus. Other affordable hotels on or near the Strip may include The STRAT, Luxor, Excalibur, Flamingo Las Vegas, Harrah’s, The LINQ, Horseshoe, Sahara, Park MGM, and Treasure Island.
The cheapest hotel is not always the cheapest total stay, so compare the full price after resort fees, parking, taxes, and transportation.
3. No Resort Fees
There are still several hotels in Las Vegas that do not charge resort fees. Most establishments have opted for the resort fee model to offer more services and charge for them. It is a cause for many customer complaints and upcharges when checking out of a hotel.
To avoid the extra fees charged for phone access, pool access, fitness centers, and more, opt to stay in Vegas hotels that do not charge resort fees. However, it is important to keep in mind that not all hotels without resort fees have cheaper rooms.
Some useful current no-resort-fee options include Best Western Plus Casino Royale, Jockey Club, Marriott’s Grand Chateau, Ahern Hotel, Four Queens, Hotel Apache at Binion’s, and several Marriott, Hilton, Wyndham, Hyatt, and IHG select-service hotels away from the main casino-resort core.
Always check the final booking screen, because a hotel can have no resort fee but still charge for parking, housekeeping, deposits, pet fees, breakfast, or other extras.
4. Off-Peak Seasons
The fastest way to lose your money in Vegas, apart from gambling, of course, is to visit during major peak periods. Vegas prices are high already; booking your stay during big events can cost you hundreds of dollars more for the same services you would get during quieter dates.
Vegas room rates often spike during New Year’s Eve, CES, Super Bowl weekend, Formula 1 race week, March Madness, major fight weekends, large conventions, music festivals, and holiday weekends.
Cheaper windows often appear during slow midweek dates, parts of January after New Year’s and CES, summer heat waves, and slower weeks in late November or early December. September through November can still offer deals, but watch out for conventions, race events, and major weekends.
5. Direct Booking with the Hotel
It can be tempting to go for third-party booking sites that promise lots of hotel discounts bundled up with more offers. However, it is a good practice to always compare the hotel’s direct price with third-party booking sites instead of assuming one side is always cheaper.
Hotels prioritize direct bookings since they do not have to pay commissions to third parties. Hence, they may be more likely to offer discounts, room credits, flexible cancellation, member rates, package deals, and direct customer service to guests who opt to book directly.
If you see an offer on a third-party site, feel free to call the hotel and ask for any equivalent offer they may have. You may be surprised to know how many times they can give you the same deal for a more favorable price.
6. Hotel Discounts
Hotel discounts are always in plenty, especially during the off-peak seasons and holiday celebrations. MGM, Caesars, Wynn, Venetian, Boyd, Station Casinos, and other Vegas hotel groups regularly run seasonal offers, loyalty member offers, dining credits, resort credits, free-night packages, and discounted booking promotions.
Hotel discounts may also include more offers like complimentary access to some of the resorts’ main amenities, discounted meals in on-site restaurants, show tickets, spa credits, or parking benefits.
Another great perk of flexible booking is the ability to rebook. Booking directly often allows you a cancellation period, sometimes up to 24 or 72 hours prior to check-in depending on the hotel and rate type. This helps you recheck the hotel’s current discounts so that you can cancel the room you reserved and book a cheaper one if you so wish.
7. Free Parking
There used to be a time when free parking was a standard in Las Vegas. Today, free parking on the Strip is much rarer, and some resorts charge by the hour or day.
Head over to hotels with free parking to save a few bucks. Current useful Strip or near-Strip free self-parking options can include Treasure Island, Sahara Las Vegas, Circus Circus, Resorts World, Fashion Show Mall, and some off-Strip or locals casinos.
Treasure Island still advertises free self-parking for hotel and casino guests, which makes it one of the most useful central-Strip parking choices. Parking rules can change, so verify the current parking page before relying on a free parking stop.
8. Booking Third-Party Site Discounts
Booking your hotel room from third-party sites can be a great way to save in Las Vegas, especially if you are not planning on spending a lot of time in the hotel room. Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, Priceline, Agoda, and other platforms may bundle room bookings with Vegas activities, flights, or transportation at discounted prices.
This is a great way to save on both a room and the money you were going to spend visiting Vegas sights. Other bundled packages may include discounted meals, show tickets, attractions, and tours at lower prices. Take advantage of rebooking policies in case third-party services allow it.
Phone apps from hotels and other sites are great for getting discounts. A good example of this is the myVEGAS app from MGM Resorts.
It is a free-to-play slots and tables smartphone game that grants you reward points that can be redeemed for MGM Rewards-related perks. Free and discounted offerings can include rooms, meals, attractions, and show tickets depending on availability and current redemption rules.
9. Rewards Member
Vegas is full of hotels with loyalty programs that reward its members with promotions, free services, and exclusive access to some perks. MGM Resorts has the MGM Rewards program, and Caesars Entertainment has the Caesars Rewards club – these two are among the most recognized casino loyalty programs.
Fill out an application form to get the rewards card if you do not have one. Proceed to use the card at every gambling game for you to get the highest returns. You can earn points without gambling through hotel stays, dining, shopping, and eligible resort spending, but it is usually much slower.
Use the card when you shop at the resorts while dining and every time you check into the respective hotels. The more points you earn, the more discounts you may get on rooms and other amenities. You can also receive personalized room offers, dining credits, free play, waived fees, or other perks depending on your play, spending, and tier.
10. Avoid Paying for a Full Extra Hotel Night
You may get charged a hefty sum if you extend your stay in the hotel for even a few hours. This can be very expensive, especially if you are just waiting for your flight.
Older Vegas travel guides used to recommend airport sleep rooms, but the airport sleep-room option connected to Zero Level Fitness is no longer a reliable current solution because the facility has closed. Instead, ask your hotel about late checkout, compare day-use hotel rates, use luggage storage, relax in an airport lounge if you have access, or plan your flight time so you do not need to pay for an extra night.
If your departure is late at night, it can be cheaper to store your bags and spend the day at the pool, a free attraction, or a casual restaurant than to pay for another full hotel night.
How Do I Save On Food and Drinks in Vegas?
Hotels are the biggest spenders of your money, but food & drinks may just be the Achilles’ heel if you do not take advantage of these money-saving tips:
11. Yelp Check-In Offers
Yelp is known for its many offers when it comes to the Las Vegas dining scene, particularly its Check-In offers. Several restaurants post-check-in offers on Yelp to attract more customers and give them rewards that can be redeemed when they visit.
Take a look at your favorite restaurant’s review on Yelp, and you may find a check-in offer that can offset the price of your meals. Also check Google Maps, restaurant websites, email clubs, loyalty apps, and social media pages since many restaurants now post specials outside Yelp as well.
12. Dine in Buffets
Buffet restaurants are something Las Vegas is famously known for, but the old cheap Vegas buffet scene is much smaller than it used to be. Many casino buffets closed after 2020 and never reopened, and some remaining buffets are now more of a premium experience than a budget hack.
For the cheapest buffets in Vegas, check current options like The Buffet at Excalibur, Garden Buffet at South Point, Main Street Station’s Garden Court, and the A.Y.C.E. Buffet at Palms. MGM Grand Buffet can be useful only until its confirmed closing date, after which it should not be part of your plans.
Tip: The Buffet at Luxor has closed, and MGM Grand Buffet is scheduled to permanently close after May 31, 2026. Check current buffet hours before planning around any Las Vegas buffet.
13. AYCE offers and AYCD deals
Buffets are open throughout the week, but all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink offers are weekly and sometimes seasonal. AYCD is available at various brunches in Vegas, with bottomless drinks often sold as an add-on for a limited time window.
Visit Umami, Sakana Sushi, Sushi Koma, Umiya, Its Sushi, Yama Sushi, and other current favorites for AYCE sushi in Vegas. AYCE Korean BBQ, hot pot, Brazilian steakhouses, and brunch restaurants can also save money if you are hungry enough to make the fixed price worthwhile.
Always check the current menu before you go because AYCE prices, time limits, leftover rules, drink add-ons, and lunch/dinner differences change often.
14. Cheap Eats in Vegas
Las Vegas is home to some of the cheapest meals, including value breakfasts, food courts, taco shops, pizza slices, casual diners, and grab-and-go restaurants.
Fast food and quick bite diners are some of the best places to feast on cheap meals ranging from burgers to fried chicken and hot dogs. Top cheap eats in Las Vegas include Tacos El Gordo, Viva Las Arepas, BBQ Mexicana, La Salsa Cantina, Ellis Island, In-N-Out, Earl of Sandwich, Pin-Up Pizza, and other quick-service favorites.
Also look for food halls. They are not always “cheap,” but they give you more choices in one place and can help a group avoid wasting money on an expensive sit-down restaurant.
15. Cheap Drinks in Vegas
Vegas is a fun city to get wasted. Ever seen tourists and locals walking around with yard-tall drinks? Or carrying sippy bags filled with some booze? Well, you already know how to get cheap drinks in Vegas from those two.
Yard Drinks from Fat Tuesday can be a fun way to get a big frozen cocktail and then save on refills. Just pay attention to the alcohol level, souvenir-cup price, and refill rules.
Older Vegas money-saving guides often recommended Ocean One’s 3-for-1 drinks, but Ocean One Bar & Grille at Miracle Mile Shops has closed. Instead, look for current happy hours at Miracle Mile Shops, downtown bars, casino lounges, Ellis Island, Stage Door, Blondies, BrewDog, La Salsa Cantina, and Fremont Street bars.
You can also save a lot on drinks by gambling. In Vegas, gambling can still mean complimentary drinks in many casinos, but drinks are not truly free if you are losing money to get them. Tip your cocktail server, play slowly, set a gambling budget, and do not gamble only for the drink.
16. Buy Your Own Drinks
CVS, Walgreens, Target, ABC Stores, Liquor World, and other convenience stores are your go-to places for buying and making your own drinks. You get to buy drinks at regular store prices and drink them on your way along the Strip.
It is generally allowed for adults 21 and over to carry alcoholic drinks while wandering in many Las Vegas tourist areas, provided the open containers are not glass. Use plastic, paper, or aluminum containers and follow posted rules at casinos, restaurants, rideshares, attractions, and the Fremont Street Experience.
17. Cook in Your Room Kitchen
Why stop at buying your own drinks? Buy your own groceries and cook in the kitchen available in your hotel room. Keep in mind that not all hotel rooms include a kitchen section, and this may cost you more than booking a room without one.
If you have a room with a kitchen, kitchenette, microwave, or full refrigerator, it is financially wise to stick with some in-room meals since room deliveries and eating out are more expensive. This works especially well at places like The Signature at MGM Grand, Marriott’s Grand Chateau, Jockey Club, Residence Inn, Club Wyndham properties, Polo Towers, Desert Rose Resort, and other suite-style hotels.
18. Bring Coffee Maker/Make Coffee in your Room
Did you know that a cup of coffee in a Las Vegas hotel or casino can be surprisingly expensive? Casino coffee shops and resort cafés also tend to have long lines in the morning and can derail you from getting to where you want to be in time.
It is a good practice to make use of the in-room coffee makers, bring instant coffee packets, or choose a hotel room with a kitchenette if morning coffee matters to you.
If your room does not have a coffee maker, buy bottled coffee, cold brew, or instant coffee from CVS, Walgreens, Target, or a grocery store instead of paying resort café prices every morning.
Read More:
How Can I Not Spend A Ton of Money on Vegas Travelling/Attractions?
Las Vegas is home to the Fremont Street Experience, known for its mesmerizing Viva Vision light show and the long SlotZilla zipline. Museums are in plenty, on and off the Strip, and incredible architectural marvels envelop the entire city.
You will be glad to know that Vegas has a few free attractions you may love to visit, especially if you are new in town. Here are some of the tips and tricks to save you some money when traveling to visit Vegas attractions.
19. Pick the Best Travel Dates
Like booking a hotel room, travel dates are important when it comes to Vegas attractions. Conventions and sports events in the arenas can make regular sights more expensive and very crowded.
It is also better if you stay clear of the weekends when possible. Weekend prices are higher because of the surge of guests, which in turn leads to a surge in prices. When traveling, stick to weekdays when fewer people come in or go out of the city.
Before booking, check the Las Vegas convention calendar, Allegiant Stadium events, T-Mobile Arena events, Formula 1 dates, major fight weekends, and big festival dates. A “cheap hotel” can become expensive overnight if you accidentally book during a major citywide event.
20. Get a Water Bottle
A reusable water bottle is your savior in the hot, dry weather of the Las Vegas desert. It is also a great tool to save on drinks when moving up and down the Strip.
There are water refill stations in some hotels, gyms, convention areas, and attractions, but they are not always as common as travelers expect. You can also refill from your hotel room, buy a large bottle from a drugstore, or carry electrolyte packets so you do not keep paying inflated convenience-store or casino prices for single bottles of water.
21. Las Vegas Attraction Pass Discounts
Several companies offer attraction passes that bundle multiple Las Vegas activities into one discounted product. The most recognizable current example is Go City Las Vegas, which offers digital passes for dozens of attractions, tours, shows, and activities.
These passes can save money if you plan to visit enough included attractions in a short period. However, they are not automatically a deal for every visitor. Compare the pass price with the individual ticket prices of only the attractions you actually want.
If you only plan to see one or two attractions, you may be better off buying tickets individually.
22. Gamble Off The Strip and In the Morning
An old-time classic tip for saving money in Las Vegas is to avoid gambling. However, in case you want to indulge and have some fun, then you may save more bucks playing at off-the-Strip casinos. Some of the best off-Strip casinos for value-focused gambling include Ellis Island, South Point, Gold Coast, Palms, Orleans, Rio, Palace Station, Red Rock, and Sam’s Town.
Table minimums are often cheaper in the morning and midweek. Craps, blackjack, roulette, and other table games usually get more expensive at night, on weekends, and during major events.
Set a gambling budget before you start. The cheapest gambling session is still expensive if you keep chasing losses.
23. Vegas Freebies
There are many free things to do in Las Vegas. Check out our complete guide on all the best cost-free activities to indulge in while in Vegas: from watching the fountain show at the Bellagio to a visit to the Botanical Gardens, Flamingo Wildlife Habitat, Downtown Container Park, Fremont Street Experience, and free live music downtown.
The Bellagio Fountains still remain one of the best free shows in Las Vegas, and the Fremont Street Experience offers free Viva Vision light shows and live entertainment on many nights.
24. Cheap Attractions
The most expensive attractions and shows in Vegas can become cheaper if you compare multiple ticket sources, look for off-peak dates, use promo codes, or buy same-day and last-minute tickets when inventory is available.
Keep an eye on official venue pages, Vegas.com, Spotlight.Vegas, Tix4, Groupon, Goldstar-style deals, and hotel concierge offers to compare discounted tickets to shows, comedy, magic, tours, and attractions.
Visit the Miracle Mile Shops for cheaper souvenirs, the Grand Canal Shoppes for sightseeing without admission, and free resort attractions when you need a break from paid entertainment. Some old ultra-cheap attractions and arcade prices have changed, so always check the current attraction page before planning around a specific low price.
25. Discounts for Select Individuals
Nevada residents get lots of free offers around Las Vegas, from free parking to discounted access to museums and other attractions. Check in with the management to know of any special offers for select groups, from veterans to military personnel, locals, healthcare workers, teachers, students, seniors, AAA members, first responders, or guests at specific hotels.
Many attractions do not advertise every discount loudly, so ask before you pay.
26. Groupon Deals and Tix4
Vegas.com, Groupon, Spotlight.Vegas, Tix4, and other ticket platforms offer flash sales and discounted prices to the best of Las Vegas shows, including magic shows, comedy, Cirque du Soleil, tours, museums, and family-friendly attractions.
The old Tix4Tonight booth model is no longer the only way to hunt for same-day show deals. Tix4 now operates more like an online ticket-comparison and discount platform, so compare its price with the official box office and other ticket sellers before buying.
27. Public Transportation
The Monorail and RTC buses are two of the most useful public transportation options in Las Vegas. They won’t get you to all the places you want to go, but they won’t break the bank.
The Las Vegas Monorail runs along the east side of the Strip, with paid ticket options including single rides and unlimited multi-day passes. RTC’s Deuce bus route is useful for moving between the Strip and Downtown Las Vegas, while regular RTC routes can help with off-Strip trips.
As of current RTC fares, a Deuce/Strip single ride is $4, a 2-hour pass is $6, a 24-hour pass is $8, and a 3-day pass is $20. Fares can change, so check RTC before your trip.
28. Complimentary Transportation
A nice addition to booking some hotels in Vegas is that you may get access to a complimentary or low-cost shuttle. However, free airport shuttles are much less common among major Strip casino resorts than many travelers expect.
Some off-Strip hotels, select-service hotels, timeshare-style properties, and local shuttles may offer limited transportation to the airport, Strip, or nearby attractions. These shuttles often run on a schedule, require reservations, and stop at only a few select points.
Before booking a hotel because of a shuttle, confirm whether it still runs, whether it goes to the airport, whether it is free, and whether the schedule works for your flight or attraction plan.
29. Avoid Car Rentals at Airports
If you have budgeted for a car rental, you may be interested in knowing that airport rentals can be more expensive because of facility fees, airport surcharges, and taxes. Save money on a rental car by comparing airport pickup with neighborhood pickup locations away from the airport.
Also ask yourself if you need a car at all. If you are staying on the Strip and only visiting the Strip, downtown, and a few nearby attractions, rideshare, walking, the Monorail, buses, or trams may be cheaper than paying for rental days, gas, resort parking, and valet.
30. Use Uber and Lyft instead of Taxis.
Uber and Lyft can be cheaper than taxis in Las Vegas, especially for short trips and off-peak rides. Regardless of where you are going, it is usually smart to compare rideshare prices against taxi fares before getting in.
However, rideshare prices can surge during conventions, concerts, fight nights, stadium events, holidays, and late-night closing times. It is also a good practice to examine how their prices compare; Lyft is often cheaper than Uber, but not always.
For airport rides, follow the posted rideshare pickup signs and compare the final app price before ordering.
31. Free Trams
The Las Vegas free trams are better options for commuting in Las Vegas than walking in the heat. This is a good resort when you have a set plan and are not in a hurry.
Take advantage of the main free tram systems that are currently useful: the ARIA Express Tram, which connects Bellagio/Vdara, ARIA/Crystals, and Park MGM, and the Mandalay Bay Tram, which connects Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay.
The old Mirage–Treasure Island tram closed in 2024 when The Mirage shut down for its transformation into Hard Rock Las Vegas. It is expected to return when Hard Rock Las Vegas opens, but do not plan around it unless current official information confirms it is operating.
Read More: Best Time to Go to Vegas
FAQs
How Much Cash Should You Have in Vegas?
The amount of money you are going to spend in Vegas varies on what you are planning to do while visiting. For a standard vacation, $1,200 for a weekend can still be a workable budget for some travelers, but the total depends heavily on airfare, hotel dates, resort fees, restaurants, shows, transportation, and gambling.
Keep in mind that most of the money will go to transportation and a hotel stay, depending on where you stay, when you book, and whether you fly in.
What Is the Best Way to Carry Money in Vegas?
The best way to carry money in Vegas is by using your credit cards and debit cards for most larger purchases. The cards help you earn several points that can be redeemed not only with your card providers but also with the various hotels and destinations you visit on your way.
It is also recommended you carry spare cash for tipping the waiters, servers, bartenders, valet attendants, housekeeping, bell desk staff, cocktail servers, tour guides, and other service staff on your trip.
$50 Trick Las Vegas/does the $20-Dollar Trick Work in Vegas?
If you are looking to save money in Vegas, then you may have run into the $50/$20-dollar trick. This is how it works: You pass a $20 or $50 tip to the front desk staff so as to get a complimentary upgrade to any available rooms or amenities at the Vegas hotel.
Some think it is a bribe; others call it a tip, but you can call it amateur hour. Vegas staff have seen this move a million times, and it doesn’t work as well as people think.
The reason being; some staff isn’t allowed to take tips, you lose your $20 or $50 if the upgrades aren’t available/staff chooses not to upgrade you, and the fact that you can get the upgrade for free anyway if you cleverly & politely ask for it. Try asking for a free upgrade politely, mention special occasions honestly, and be flexible about room type, view, floor, or check-in time.