The Cost of Visiting Vegas

[vegasrocks]

I know many of you have vacationed in Vegas before, some of you probably several times. I was wondering about how much it costs to vacation in Vegas.

If I were to go, it would probably be my husband and myself. I know you couldn't figure expenses such as airplane costs or gambling costs but about how much does the rest cost you on a trip for a couple of days?

This way, I have a ballpark figure of what I need to save for a trip out there.

[VegasLuvsMe]

For two people and five days, think about bringing at least a couple grand for rooms and meals. If you feel like gambling a lot or shopping, bring double that. So, to be safe, I think about 5 grand will do the trick for a Vegas vacation. You may be able to do it for a lessor amount, but you can always do it for more.

Vegas is a gambling city full of fun. You will want to bring a lot of credits with you to enjoy yourself.
Be sure to set a limit to your gambling, because it will drain the bank quickly.

Anyone else have a set amount they use when going to Vegas?
Just a rounded out number. All I know is when I'm down to a few hundred in the bank, I pretty much quit my gambling.

[vegasnut]

Well.....count on at least $25 to $50 a meal for the 2 of you...
could be more or less depends on where you eat. could go as high as $100 for 2.

the last time we were there....me and hubby....it averaged out to $50 a meal for the 2 of us. Now...breakfasts and lunches are usually cheaper..but if you figure $50 per meal...then you can slurge on that fancy dinner one night, and just get muffins and coffee for breakfast..LOL

Another thing to think about as for costs.... cab fair to and from airport.
I always use the shuttle services, $25 (usually between 10 and 12$ per person round trip) and purchase the round trips, it saves a couple of dollars. And you have your return shuttle paid for...so you dont' have to worry about that for rest of week.

Also, Tips...bring at least $100 for misc. tips....for maids, cab (or shuttle) etc...

and a cost savings tip....you will drink lots of water there...since it's sooo dry... when we arrive in vegas, we make a trip to the grocery store or convience store, to get some jug's of water, and a few snacks for the room. We even bring instant coffee, and hot water pot, cause I hate to even leave room without a cup of coffee, and most hotels in vegas Don't have coffee pots.

[dominique]

Wow, you guys are the big spenders!

You can do Vegas for very cheap. You can get Hotel rooms for $30 a day of you like, and you can get decent meals for $10. You have a ton of totally free entertainment and sight seeing.

It all depends on how you want to do it.

Two people can get by on $100 day if you stay and eat away from the strip and just come in to see the sights.

Gambling is also your own budget. I was sitting next to a lady who was playing penny slots - one line per spin, one coin a line. She was tickled to death like everyone else when she hit something. She put in 5 bucks and when I walked by hours later she was still there, I assume playing the same 5 bucks.

So it all depends on how you want to do it. I think to be comfy, for 2, plan 100 a day plus gambling money.

From there you can go up and spend just as much as you like, lol.

[vegasrocks]

Thanks for all the great tips. I think I would have to stay off of the strip in order to be able to afford it from what you guys said. Right now, even a $5,000 vacation is unthinkable lol.

[VegasLuvsMe]

I may have gotten a bit carried away on my numbers. I think a couple thousand will make due, and less if you find the right discounts and use comp points.

Many of the casinos have free money you can use for gambling, and you can get lucky enough to make extra cash from it to use for the next couple days too.

[winbig]

Also, if you're close to a casino where you live, check and see if they have any properties in Vegas. If you play enough at the local casino, chances are that you may be able to get (at least) your room comped while you're in Vegas. The key is to get a player's card and use it every time you sit down at a slot machine or table game...

If you don't have any casinos close or they're not in Vegas, then be sure to consolidate your play as much as you can to the same casino/group of casinos (such as the Harrah's group) while you're in Vegas. If you play a lot while you're there, you might have a shot at getting all, or part of, your room bill comped. Again, be sure to use your players card, and when you're ready to leave, ask to talk with a Casino Host before you check out; and see if they can cut you any deals. Basically, the more you play, the better chance you'll have for comps.

and don't quote me on this, but if you win a good chunk of money while you're there, they might be even more inclined to comp your room. Why? Because they want you to come back again and give their money back! :D

I've been to Vegas 4 times since the Summer of '07, and I've never paid one penny for my room there. I'm lucky enough to be 2.5 hours away from Atlantic City, so I get quite a bit of play in...and I get all kinds of invitations to come to Vegas....at least once a month...lol

[dominique]

Also, if you stay in an inexpensive hotel/motel off the strip the first time you go, you can still pick a casino you want to stay in next time and get a player's card there. Bally's for instance is rather inexpensive, and there are some that are even way more economical than that.

After you find (online, try expedia et al) which casinos on the strip offer the most economical rooms, and have your player card there, do all your playing there, always using the card.

Even if you don't drop all that much money, you have a good chance of getting a comp invitation to stay there on your next trip.

If you like and plan to go regularly, you can work your way up to the Casino/hotel resort of your dreams, by repeating this strategy.

In the long run the player cards will assure you of the most economical and luxurious accomodations you can get. But to get this started on a budget, you will likely have to stay off the strip for at least the first time.

Like I said elsewhere, this can be done for $100 a day for two people, plus gambling budget.