Vegas, Baby! Everyone understands the two-word motto to mean that Las Vegas is a place to find excitement and adventure. Although rooms at the swanky resorts like the Bellagio and Caesar’s Palace can go for up to $500 a night, it doesn’t mean you have to go broke. There are plenty of deals online at travel sites in general and CheapoVegas.com in particular. You can select by a variety of factors, such as what part of town you want to see and the type of accommodation you want. There are many ways to stay within your overall budget.
Schedule your visit for off-season
People flock to Vegas in droves for vacations, special occasions, and just because it’s there. During the summer, the streets are mobbed and it’s difficult to even find a slot machine in the packed casinos. The businesses try to accommodate you, setting up fans and sprinklers along the road, but in general terms, it’s beastly hot there during the summer. The best rates are early fall; September, October, or November. The same room will cost 2 – 3 times more during peak season. Of course you can check for shows to make the trip at a special time. Bargains on shows can be found at tix4tonight.com with up to half price off your show ticket when you pick them up the day before. You can also look for a great show on their site by clicking the link for Vegas Shows at the top of the page, then check for half price when you arrive.
Splurge with a Hotel On the Strip
There are a number of themed hotels on the main drag – the Strip – that have affordable prices and are more family oriented. The Excalibur castle is one of the best of these, especially if you are travelling with children. A sample pricing from cheapovegas.com shows prices from $22 to $65 nightly, depending on the hotel complex. These are generally all located on the lower end of the Strip, with the exception of Circus Circus, which is tucked behind other massive casinos. Most fall somewhere between $40-$50 nightly, and each has a specific theme, such as jousting knights at the Excalibur or the pyramid design of Luxor.
Old Vegas Downtown
The old glamour of the Vegas run by the Rat Pack still resounds in the downtown area. While CheapoVegas.com is a good resource, it’s not always the lowest price. A search for a downtown room on Priceline.com yeiled prices almost half that of CheapoVegas, with the Fremont and Four Queens for around $60 nightly. This is the center of the action, much as it was back in the 50s before the gigantic themeded resorts on the strip took over. The Fremont Street Experience is just a step out your front door. With free concerts, a nightly lazar light show, and new zip lines, you are sure to get a full Vegas experience without paying hundreds per night.
Off the Strip
There are many hotels and resorts located off the Strip where you can significantly lower your nightly rate. A search on Trivago.com, using the price slider tool to search for rooms priced at less than $59 within a ten mile radius of the city center – results in many offers as low as $25 per night off the Strip. Of course this would generally necessitate a car rental, but if you’re on a tight budget, the outskirts of town is the place for truly cheap rooms; especially if you plan to hang out at the casino. Although it is the lowest priced, the Palace Station & Casino is charmingly self-contained and an enjoyable casino experience.
Up the road a piece
If you really want to go on the cheap, you can stay in nearby Henderson, which has its own set of casino resorts to choose from. You may find something nicer than the $25 cheap deals within Vegas itself. Rumor has it the slots are looser (you can win more!) and just like the big competition in the city, the drinks are free flowing as long as you’re in the casino gambling. The location might also give you an opportunity to discover travel gems, such as a deserted and forgotten western ghost town.
