10 Las Vegas Hacks for Mastering Vegas on a Budget

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Sin City, where the lights are bright, the stakes are high, and the possibilities are endless! Planning a trip to Las Vegas can be exciting, but let’s be honest—it’s easy for costs to spiral if you’re not careful. That’s why I’ve put together this guide packed with Las Vegas hacks to help you experience the city’s glitz and glamour without blowing your budget!

Contrary to what you might think, Vegas doesn’t have to be expensive. From smart ways to save to free and cheap things to do, there are plenty of options for exploring Vegas on a budget. Whether it’s your first time visiting or you’re a Vegas regular looking to cut costs, these tips will help you make the most of your trip while keeping expenses in check.

Epic Las Vegas Hacks

1. Take the Bell Trans Shuttle From the Airport

This may be one of the lesser-known tips for saving money in Vegas. Depending on the time you get to the airport Uber charges could be at a surge. Not to mention the wait times can be ridiculous. I arrived by myself late on a Monday night and my Uber fee was going to be $47! There was no way I was paying that.

The shuttle bus ended up being $15 ($30 round trips) and I only had to wait five minutes for it. It may take you a little longer to get to your Vegas hotel since the tram stops at multiple places to stay in Vegas. Getting to The Venetian Resort took me 20 minutes, but I was the last stop.

Related read: budget travel hacks for how to spend less, and travel more!

2. Don’t Take Pictures With Street Performers (With an Exception)

You’ll encounter tons of people in costumes who’ll try to get you to take photos with them, usually asking for $40-$50 per person for a few posed shots. While it’s not mandatory, they can be pretty persuasive (and persistent).

Don’t fall for it… unless it’s these guys. They were hilarious, took tons of fun pictures, and only asked for $20 if we were happy with the shots. As my friend put it, “Best $20 I’ve ever spent.”

3. Use the Monorail

Vegas is pretty walkable if you’re up for it, and it’s fun to explore the casinos while stopping to check things out along the way! Depending on where you’re staying, though, you might need to rideshare to reach certain spots.

Instead of taking multiple Ubers, consider getting a monorail pass! For just $13, you can grab a 24-hour pass and make the most of your trip while cutting down on transportation costs. We even used it on our last day to get closer to the airport (the final stop is at MGM), saving us money on our last Uber.

Transportation is an expense that can add up quickly, so this is a great alternative if you’re trying to do Vegas on a budget.

4. Stock Up on Drinks for Less

Skipping the pricey resort liquor stores is a great way to save money in Vegas for those wild nights out. While there’s likely one on-site, it’ll cost you way more than what you’d pay at a local CVS or Walgreens.

Fortunately, there’s probably a Walgreens or CVS within a 10-minute walk. Stock up on liquor, beer, or wine there, and grab a drink to enjoy on your way back!

5. Request the Resort Fee to be Waived

If you’re arriving in Vegas late, it’s worth calling your hotel to ask if they’ll waive the resort fee for that night. I arrived after 11 PM and was able to get mine waived at the Venetian. Having status with the hotel (like IHG Rewards or Marriott Bonvoy) or the casinos can also help increase your chances.

Check out my complete guide to travel credit cards to discover how to use the perks for free travel!

This is one of my personal favorite and lesser-known Las Vegas hacks!

6. Get Your Casino Free Play

Most casinos offer free play ranging from $5 to $20 just for signing up for their rewards program. It’s free to join, and you’ll also score perks and discounts. Plus, if you’re staying at a hotel, you can earn points by using your rewards card for dining, activities, and, of course, gambling. Check out this list of sign-up bonuses at each casino!

And if you’re gambling you can get some free drinks while you play! Just make sure to give the cocktail waitresses a tip 🙂

7. Utilize Club Promoters

Especially if you’re a woman in Vegas, you will most likely be getting into the club for free. There are plenty of promoters on the streets that you will encounter telling you they can get you on the guest list at the biggest nightclubs in Vegas.

This is totally legit and can save you a pretty penny in Vegas. We were able to see Medvza for free and had an amazing table with bottle service just from a promoter we met on The Strip!

If you’re a male, you will most likely still have to pay a cover, but it’s discounted (usually about half off). If you want me to put you in contact with the promoter I used, reach out to me on Instagram and I will give you their info!

8. Ask Your Concierge About Discounts

When asking our concierge about activities they recommended, they gave us a buy one get one free coupon for the High Roller— that saved us $30! So make sure to ask if they have any discounts available for reward members.

9. Check Out Groupon

Groupon has some pretty bomb deals for Vegas activities and even restaurants! Skydiving, zip-lining, and ATVing are some of the fun activities you can typically find there for a fraction of the typical price. Make sure to check out the deals there before paying full price for anything.

10. Go During the Week and Plan Ahead

Plan ahead if you can. As hotels fill up, prices tend to rise. I booked over a month in advance and scored my room for less than half the price it was just a week before my trip.

It’s also a smart move to visit during the week. While this is true for most travel, it’s worth noting for Vegas too. You’ll still get the full Vegas experience without the weekend crowds. Even midweek, the nightclubs and pool parties are packed.

I was leaving on a Friday morning and was relieved to miss the massive crowds in the casinos—by noon, they were three times what they were earlier in the week!

Which of these Vegas hacks are you most excited to use first?!

I hope this post shared some Las Vegas hacks you didn’t know about and proved that it’s totally possible to enjoy Vegas on a budget! If you have any other money-saving tips for Vegas, feel free to drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear your secrets!

Be sure to check out some of my other posts, and follow me on Instagram for more travel content @guidedbydestiny 🙂

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