Planning a trip to Las Vegas can be pretty complicated if you are worried about money. When it comes to this city everything is fast paced and if you aren’t prepared you might end up missing half of what you came to see. If you have big plans for you Vegas trip, but don’t have the budget to back it up then you are in luck. These ten tips will not only help you get the most our of your Las Vegas vacation, but will also ensure that you don’t overspend when you finally reach your destination. Now, you can plan the trip you always dreamed of without having to make as many compromises.

1. Food
Food can be one of the priciest purchases on your trip, so make sure to be cautious when you eat. One of the best deals is buffets. This gives you access to as much food as you could possibly ever want to eat at a decent price. The best thing you can do is plan to go out to eat during lunch time. This will allow you to fill up from morning and afternoon hunger, while eating enough to tide you over to the next day. Buffets are usually a bit cheaper during the lunch hours too, so you won’t end up spending as much. If you don’t have time to locate a buffet then you might find that hotel and casino food courts aren’t too bad when it comes to food prices. This will also allow you to get the most out of your casino time too. If you really want to splurge on a restaurant then you might want to check out the menu before you go into the establishment. This will ensure it won’t be too expensive and will let you decide if it is worth the money. When you do eat out try to order water as much as possible. Soda, bottled water and other drinks can cost almost half of the meal so try to avoid ordering them as much as possible.

2. Transportation
Once you’re in Vegas you might find that transportation is an issue, especially if you have a lot of places you want to see. If you intend on hanging out around the strip then walking is going to be your best bet. Its great exercise and will allow you to see a lot more of the city than you planned on. Of course, if you intend on going a little bit further then you might want try out the monorail or bus system. You can purchase a public transportation pass for the day for a lot than you would thing. This will help you save on taxi fares and gas, so don’t feel uncomfortable about going local for your vacation. If you do intend on not doing a lot of traveling then paying for the occassional taxi might night be a bad deal. Driving can really be a pain in the city, especially when you have to pay for parker everywhere that you go. It is usually best to keep your car in hotel parking and enjoy the city through other means. If you do want to drive then try to avoid buying gas in tourist areas. You will mostly likely find the cheapest prices along the strip or outside of the city.

3. Shows
Las Vegas is all about the shows, so you should try to catch a few while you’re on vacation. You don’t have to choose the pricey stuff though! In fact, it is typically best to avoid shows with a lot of hype behind them as they will generally cost a fortune. If you go online to find tickets you will see a great variety of shows, their description and a significantly reduced price. This is the best way to get tickets for anyone who loves to plan ahead. Of course, if you’re feeling a bit bored then you can always pick up tickets for a show on the day that it plays. A lot of times ticket booths will take off 50% on the tickets so they can help the show sell out. Earlier shows are generally the best if you’re looking to save money and can be less crowded so you will feel more comfortable at the show.

4. Gambling
Gambling is one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Las Vegas, but it is also how many people end up losing a lot of their vacation money. The best thing about Vegas is that so many casino will actually offer your a card. You can put money on this card so you don’t over spend at each location. A lot of cards will even come with free money so you can maximize your game time at each casino that you go to. Slots are usually the worst thing you can play while you’re in a casino. Yes, they cost very little, but by the time you play them for 10 to 15 minutes you could lose more money than you would at a game table. Many casinos will even offer you free drinks and discounted food to help keep you in the casino longer, so make sure to take full advantage of the offer.

5. Hotels
Chances are you won’t be spending a lot of time in your hotel room during your vacation, so don’t go too big when you choose a room. There are a lot of amazing deals on the strip, but you might have to sacrifice space in order to pay less. If you’re planning your trip ahead of time make sure to book earlier so you can take full advantage of the deals when they are available on the site. You might also look for package deals that include parking or airlines to save more money. A lot of hotels have different deals per night, so you might want to check out deals and do some hotel surfing throughout the vacation. A lot of hotels will offer freebies, so make sure you check out all of the services available before you book. Some will provide you with a free breakfast while others will give you a pass to the pool. Whatever you decide to do make sure you check out reviews before you book with any hotel.

6. Airfare
If you need to use an airline to get to Las Vegas then you should always shop as frugally as possible. One of the easiest ways to save money is to do some research online. There are a lot of online sites dedicated to finding you the best deal possible. Of course, if also helps if you book your flight way in advance of the actual trip. Choosing a less popular airline is a great way to keep your flight price down and might even ensure that you will have less people on your flight. There are many travel sites that can give you a deal that includes your airline and hotel, which generally helps save you the most money. One of the most expensive things when it comes to airline tickets is the amount of baggage you bring. If you can bring on one carry on then you will end up spending a lot less on your ticket and will ensure that you have a lot less to look after when you pack up to leave.

7. Check Out the Sights
There are a lot of free things you can do in between shows and gambling while you’re in Las Vegas. For starters, there are a large number of replicas of the World’s Wonders to check out. These hotels are great for families and are totally free to tour inside and outside. You might also want to check out the downtown area where the Rat Pack performed a lot of their shows and hung out during their prime. Along with all the historical sites there are so many different fountains, sculptures and amazing architecture that you won’t see in the same city ever again. So, take some time out of the expensive vacation treats and enjoy some of the things that won’t cost you a dime.

8. Drinks
Las Vegas gets pretty hot in the summer so you will want to make sure you have plenty of water to keep you and your family hydrated. The only problem is bottled water can be expensive in the tourist areas and should actually be avoided as much as possible in hotels and restaurants. If you can, try to go to a store outside of the tourist areas so you will be able to stock up on a pack of water, soda and juice without paying a fortune. If you’re a big coffee drinker than try to avoid going to cafes and other expensive vendors. Most hotels have a coffee maker in the room or in the lobby area so you can enjoy coffee for free if you really need it. Most casinos will give out free drinks, so if you’re looking to drink on your vacation try to frequent the casinos as much as possible.

9. Coupons
You might not think it is possible to use coupons on your vacation, but you really can save a lot with coupons that you find online. Before you go on your vacation try to look up groupons to help make your vacation the most entertaining experience you’ve had in a long time. You can also find plenty of coupons for hotels and restaurants when you search online. This can take a lot of your budget, so you can spend money on more shows and entertainment. If you can, try to purchase discounted gift cards for restaurants you’d like to try before you leave for vacation. A lot of popular chain restaurants send out coupons each week, so if you are looking to eat at cheap places then take your coupons along with you, so you can enjoy food for less.

10. Souvenirs
A lot of people expect you to bring something back for them at the end of your trip. This can be pretty pricey if you end up buying things at hotels, gift stores and the airport. Instead of purchasing from tourist attractions you should always venture into town. There are a lot of outlet stores that sell the same merchandise you can get in the gift shop for a lot less than you would pay there. This will allow you to get the most out of your money and can stretch your souvenir budget even further. If you really don’t want to spend a lot on items then try to get free autographs or take a specific picture that someone might enjoy. There are also many places that give out plenty of freebies, so make sure to check out booths and other areas to enjoy souvenirs for absolutely nothing.

Las Vegas can be a great vacation area if you know how to save money. With these simple tips you will find that saving money is a breeze while you are visiting one of the most loved cities in the country. Vegas doesn’t have to be known for losing money, but can be a great source of fun for you and your family. You will love how much you trip changes when you utilize these tips to maximize savings and encourage exploration of the city.

Author: John Terris