Planning a Las Vegas travel budget can be surprisingly difficult because the city can be either relatively affordable or extremely expensive depending on how you travel.
A visitor who stays midweek, enjoys free attractions and eats casually can spend far less than someone booking a luxury Strip resort, celebrity-chef restaurants and premium shows. Hotel prices also change dramatically around weekends, conventions, concerts and major sporting events.
For most travellers, a reasonable starting budget excluding flights is around $120–$200 per person per day for a budget-conscious trip, $200–$350 for a comfortable mid-range trip, and $400 or more for a higher-end Las Vegas experience.
These figures assume some accommodation costs are shared between two people.
If you are planning your first visit, our Las Vegas Travel Guide explains the main attractions and transportation options. Our Where to Stay in Las Vegas guide can also help you choose an area that fits your budget.
Price note: All prices in this article are approximate and were checked at the time of publication. Prices may change.
How Much Does a Trip to Las Vegas Cost?
A useful daily estimate per person, excluding flights, is:
Budget Traveller
Approximately $120–$200 per day
This generally means sharing an inexpensive hotel room, eating mostly casual meals, concentrating on free attractions and using public transportation.
Mid-Range Traveller
Approximately $200–$350 per day
This allows for a comfortable hotel, better restaurants, some rideshares and selected paid attractions or shows.
Higher-End Traveller
$400+ per day
Luxury accommodation, premium restaurants, expensive entertainment, taxis or rideshares and high-end experiences can push daily spending far beyond this figure.
Las Vegas has almost no meaningful upper limit on luxury spending.
Las Vegas Hotel Costs
Accommodation is usually one of the biggest parts of a Las Vegas travel budget.
Hotel prices are extremely dynamic.
A room that appears inexpensive on one night can cost several times more during a major convention, concert, Formula 1 weekend or holiday.
As a broad planning range, expect something like:
Budget accommodation: $60–$130 per room per night
Mid-range accommodation: $130–$250 per room per night
Higher-end accommodation: $250–$500+ per room per night
These are planning ranges rather than fixed prices.
Major events can push rates well beyond them.
Midweek stays often provide better value than Friday and Saturday nights, although large conventions can reverse that pattern.
Do Not Forget Resort Fees
One of the most important Las Vegas budgeting rules is to look beyond the headline room price.
Many major resorts charge a mandatory daily resort fee.
Depending on the property, the fee may include services such as Wi-Fi, fitness-centre access and other amenities.
Taxes may also apply.
This means a room advertised at an attractive nightly rate can cost considerably more by the time you reach the final booking total.
When comparing hotels, compare the complete stay price, including mandatory resort fees and taxes.
Do not choose a property solely because its initial nightly rate appears cheaper.
Where You Stay Affects Other Costs
A cheaper hotel is not always cheaper overall.
Suppose you save $30 per night by staying far from the attractions you want to visit but then spend $20–$40 per day on additional rideshares.
Much of your accommodation saving disappears.
For a short first-time trip, paying slightly more for a convenient Central Strip location can sometimes reduce transportation expenses and save considerable time.
If you have already chosen your dates, compare the different areas in our Where to Stay in Las Vegas guide before booking.
Food Costs in Las Vegas
Las Vegas has food at almost every price level.
Budget Meals
Expect roughly $10–$20 per person for many fast-food, food-court and casual counter-service meals.
Breakfast can be inexpensive if you choose coffee, pastries, sandwiches or food-court options rather than a full restaurant meal.
Mid-Range Meals
A typical sit-down restaurant meal might cost around $20–$50 per person before drinks, tax and tip.
Prices vary significantly according to location.
Restaurants inside luxury Strip resorts can be considerably more expensive than similar meals elsewhere in the city.
Higher-End Dining
Celebrity-chef restaurants, steakhouses and tasting menus can easily cost $75–$150+ per person, particularly once drinks, tax and gratuity are included.
Las Vegas has plenty of restaurants where dinner can cost several hundred dollars per person.
For most visitors, mixing inexpensive breakfasts and lunches with one or two memorable dinners is a sensible strategy.
How Much Should You Budget for Food Each Day?
A useful daily food allowance is approximately:
Budget: $35–$60 per person
Mid-range: $60–$120 per person
Higher-end: $150+ per person
Alcohol can substantially increase these totals.
Cocktails at major Strip resorts and nightlife venues are often much more expensive than drinks away from the main tourist areas.
Las Vegas Transportation Costs
Transportation can remain relatively inexpensive if you choose accommodation carefully.
Walking is free, although Las Vegas distances are deceptive.
Public transportation is particularly useful when moving between different sections of the Strip.
Las Vegas Monorail Prices
The Las Vegas Monorail currently offers discounted online eTickets at approximately:
- Single ride — $5.50
- 24-hour pass — $13.45
- 2-day pass — $23.75
- 3-day pass — $29.95
- 4-day pass — $37
- 5-day pass — $44.50
- 7-day pass — $57.50
Paper tickets purchased at station vending machines cost more for some ticket types.
A multi-day pass can be useful if your accommodation and planned attractions are close to Monorail stations.
However, the Monorail operates along the east side of the Strip and does not serve every attraction directly.
The Deuce Bus
The Deuce provides a useful connection along Las Vegas Boulevard and toward Downtown.
Current visitor-oriented Strip/Downtown fares include approximately:
- 2-hour pass — $6
- 24-hour pass — $8
- 3-day pass — $20
For travellers watching their budget, the Deuce can be one of the most economical ways to travel between the Strip and Downtown.
Taxis and Rideshares
Uber, Lyft and taxis are widely available.
Prices vary according to distance, traffic and demand.
For budgeting purposes, allowing $15–$30 for many ordinary rides around the main tourism areas provides a reasonable starting estimate, although surge pricing and longer journeys can cost considerably more.
Most large resorts have designated rideshare pickup areas.
Airport Transportation
Harry Reid International Airport is very close to the Strip.
Options include:
- Taxi
- Rideshare
- Public transportation
- Shuttle
- Rental car
- Limousine
A taxi or rideshare is generally the simplest option for many first-time visitors, especially when travelling with luggage.
The exact cost depends on your hotel, traffic and demand.
Do You Need a Rental Car?
Not for a typical 3-day Las Vegas trip.
If your itinerary concentrates on the Strip and Downtown, walking, the Monorail, buses and occasional rideshares are usually sufficient.
A rental car becomes more useful if you plan to visit Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam or other destinations outside central Las Vegas.
Remember that the true cost of renting a car includes:
- Daily rental rate
- Taxes and fees
- Fuel
- Hotel parking
- Attraction parking
- Insurance if required
For a short city-focused trip, renting a car can sometimes cost more than simply using rideshares.
Las Vegas Attraction Costs
One of the biggest advantages of Las Vegas is the number of things you can see without buying a ticket.
Free attractions and experiences include:
- Fountains of Bellagio
- Bellagio Conservatory
- Walking the Strip
- Exploring themed resorts
- Fremont Street Experience
- Seeing Sphere’s exterior
- Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign
- Window-shopping
- Public art and architecture
A budget traveller can fill large parts of a 3-day itinerary without paying attraction admission.
Paid experiences vary considerably.
Observation attractions, museums, immersive experiences and thrill rides can generally add anywhere from $20 to $60+ per attraction.
Premium experiences can cost substantially more.
Las Vegas Show Costs
Entertainment is another highly variable expense.
Tickets for smaller productions may sometimes be available for around $40–$80, while major shows, concerts, sporting events and premium seats can cost $100–$300+ per person.
Exceptionally popular events can be much more expensive.
If you have one must-see performance, include it in your budget before booking accommodation.
For everything else, remain flexible.
Gambling Budget
Gambling is completely optional.
If you choose to gamble, treat the money as entertainment spending rather than part of your normal travel budget.
Decide how much you are willing to lose before entering the casino.
For example, you might set aside:
$20–$50 per day for casual entertainment.
Once that amount is gone, stop.
Do not include expected gambling winnings when calculating what you can afford to spend during the trip.
Tipping in Las Vegas
Visitors from countries where tipping is uncommon should include gratuities in their Las Vegas budget.
Tipping is customary for many services in the United States.
Restaurants with table service commonly receive around 18–20% of the pre-tax bill for good service.
You may also want small cash amounts available for:
- Bartenders
- Bell staff
- Valet attendants
- Housekeeping
- Taxi drivers
- Other personal services
These small expenses can add up over several days.
Example Budget for 3 Days in Las Vegas
Here is a rough per-person estimate for a 3-day trip, assuming two travellers share a hotel room.
Budget 3-Day Trip
Accommodation share: $150–$240
Food: $105–$180
Transportation: $25–$60
Attractions: $0–$60
Entertainment: $0–$80
Estimated total: approximately $280–$620 per person, excluding flights and personal shopping.
The lower end requires careful planning and inexpensive accommodation.
Mid-Range 3-Day Trip
Accommodation share: $240–$450
Food: $180–$360
Transportation: $50–$100
Attractions: $50–$150
Entertainment: $80–$250
Estimated total: approximately $600–$1,300 per person, excluding flights.
This is probably the most realistic category for travellers who want a comfortable first visit with some paid attractions and one good show.
Higher-End 3-Day Trip
Accommodation share: $450+
Food: $450+
Transportation: $100+
Attractions: $150+
Entertainment: $300+
A higher-end 3-day Las Vegas trip can easily exceed $1,500 per person, and luxury spending can increase the total dramatically.
For help organising those 3 days efficiently, use our 3 Days in Las Vegas Itinerary.
How to Save Money in Las Vegas
Stay Midweek
Friday and Saturday nights can be expensive.
Compare Sunday-to-Thursday stays whenever your dates are flexible.
Check the Final Hotel Price
Never compare accommodation using only the advertised room rate.
Include mandatory fees and taxes.
Use Free Attractions
Las Vegas has enough free sights to fill significant portions of your itinerary.
Walk Strategically
Walking between nearby resorts saves money, but use transportation when distances become excessive.
Consider Public Transportation
The Deuce and Monorail can reduce rideshare spending.
Eat One Expensive Meal
Instead of paying premium restaurant prices 3 times a day, keep breakfast and lunch simple and spend more on one memorable dinner.
Buy Essentials Away From Resort Shops
Water, snacks and basic supplies can be expensive inside major resort complexes.
Purchase essentials from supermarkets, pharmacies or convenience stores when practical.
Check Your Travel Dates
Moving your trip by only a few days can sometimes reduce hotel costs substantially.
Check our Best Time to Visit Las Vegas guide before finalising your dates.
How Much Cash Should You Carry?
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout Las Vegas.
You do not need to carry your entire travel budget in cash.
However, keeping a modest amount of cash can be useful for tips, small purchases and gambling if you choose to participate.
Avoid carrying unnecessarily large amounts of money.
Is Las Vegas Expensive Compared With Other US Cities?
Las Vegas is unusual because it offers both inexpensive and extremely expensive experiences in the same neighbourhood.
You can watch the Bellagio fountains for free and then walk into a restaurant where dinner costs hundreds of dollars.
Hotel rates can sometimes appear remarkably inexpensive compared with cities such as New York or San Francisco, but resort fees and entertainment spending can quickly change the calculation.
The key is deciding which experiences matter most before you arrive.
A Realistic Daily Las Vegas Budget
For most first-time visitors sharing accommodation, these are useful planning targets:
Budget trip: $120–$200 per person per day
Comfortable mid-range trip: $200–$350 per person per day
Higher-end trip: $400+ per person per day
Flights are not included because airfare varies enormously according to your departure city and travel dates.
Shopping and gambling should also be treated separately.
Final Thoughts
A Las Vegas travel budget is highly flexible.
You do not need a luxury budget to enjoy the city. Many of Las Vegas’ signature experiences—including walking the Strip, seeing the Bellagio fountains, exploring elaborate resorts and experiencing Fremont Street—can be enjoyed without paying admission.
For a budget-conscious trip, concentrate on free attractions, stay midweek when possible, use public transportation and keep restaurant spending under control.
Mid-range travellers can comfortably add a show, several paid attractions and better dining without turning the trip into an extravagant vacation.
Whatever your budget, pay particular attention to accommodation fees and event dates. These two factors can change the total cost of a Las Vegas trip dramatically.
Set your spending priorities before arriving and you can enjoy Las Vegas at almost any budget level.
Explore more places through our destinations page or browse our complete collection of itineraries.