A budget traveller’s guide to Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Sin City, the entertainment capital of the world, whatever name it goes by one thing is certain; Las Vegas is an expensive city to travel to. Five star hotels and resorts dot the strip while there seems to be a never-ending list of pricey activities to get involved in. But we’re here to tell you that even if you don’t have too much cash to spare, you can still enjoy your trip to Vegas and even get a little practice in beforehand with sites like oddschecker offering some of the best casino bonuses so you can get a real feel for what it’s like to watch those reels spin. In fact, we’ll even go so far as to say you can do it on a tight budget.

So, assuming that you have more than 24 hours in the city, here’s how you can get the most out of Vegas on a tight budget.

Go for the buffet

There are all-you-can-eat buffets everywhere on the strip in Vegas. You may pay a little more than you would for a regular meal at a diner, but you’ll save money in the long run. Ideally you’ll have a massive breakfast, a light lunch, and then a big all-you-can-eat feast at the end of the day. But it’s really entirely up to you. Just remember that there’s great value to be had in Vegas restaurants.

Choose your games carefully

Whatever you do, DO NOT walk in and throw everything on black 13. That’s just fairytale stuff that rarely happens. Actually, we’re going to go right ahead and suggest that you bypass the roulette table and try something different. If you’re a dab hand at poker then you can get involved in some of the low stakes games where, for a small buy-in, you can play a few hands and enjoy then fun. Alternatively, you can try your hand at blackjack but be sure to set yourself a reasonable limit and stick don’t take too many risks.

That said, low stakes poker and blackjack can still end up costing you more than you anticipated. So what’s the best option for a budget traveler looking for some casino action? We’d have to say the slots and contrary to popular belief, slots are actually good value for money.

You can set yourself a budget, get a bucket of pennies and dimes, and play for a couple of hours. They’re relatively simple to play, but if you want to understand how winning lines work then give it a try with an online casino.

Take the Deuce

It’s the double-decker bus that runs the length of the strip. This bus is great as it’s kind of like a sightseeing tour without the guide. There are multiple stops along the strip and if you get a pass for the day, you can hop on and off wherever you like.

The 24-hour pass costs about $8 and it’s well worth the cost. It beats the hell out of taxis and trust us, you’ll better survive the heat when walking down the strip in the midday sun.

But if that $8 fee is still a little much for your budget, then you can hop on the free trams that operate between some of the hotels on the strip. These are nice, air-conditioned trams that rarely get too packed. Perfect for the thrifty traveler.

Stay off the strip

The strip is where all the action is but the cost to stay there can be prohibitive to say the least. We recommend finding a boutique hotel or even a hostel that is just off the strip. The rates will be considerably lower than resort hotels and even budget places on the strip and you’ll only be a short walk from the nightlife.

However, you really want to be careful here with location. Just because it looks close on the map, doesn’t mean it really is. And if you think a 15-minute walk to the strip isn’t too bad, remember that you’ll have to do that in the heat more than a few times a day.

Avoid the holidays

This makes sense no matter where you travel, but we’ll just mention it again all the same. Avoid the holidays and peak seasons as they are the most expensive times of the year. Hotel rates go through the roof as do ticket prices for shows and events.

We’d even recommend avoiding visiting the city if there is a big convention or major event planned during your stay.

Check out all the free sights

There are a ton of interesting things to see in Vegas that don’t cost a penny. You can watch the water fountain show at the Bellagio or check out the blown glass installation at the same hotel.

If you head to the lobby at Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, you can see acrobats and performers put on a show every half hour. You can watch a volcanic eruption at the Mirage at 8pm and 9pm while there’s a live pirate show at Treasure Island at regular times every evening.

And don’t forget, you simply have to get a photo next to the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. You’ll regret it if you don’t. One thing to watch out for is the lookalikes on the street. People dressed as Elvis or Marilyn Monroe might approach you for a photo but you need to pay for each shot. Not ideal for a budget traveler.

Watch music for free

Yes, there’s live music everywhere in Vegas but not all of it is free. Thankfully there are plenty of street musicians that will keep you entertained as you wander the streets. However, if you’re after something a little more organized, then head to the Fremont Street Experience. They host a free concert series where you can just show up and enjoy the show.

As you can see, a trip to Las Vegas doesn’t have to wipe out your life savings. If you’re careful about where you dine out and keep a tight rein on your gaming budget, then your time in Vegas could cost a lot less than you think.