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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Las Vegas budget

45 replies

PickleJelly · 31/07/2025 19:38

Hi all,

I am off to Las Vegas at the end of August for 5 days with 2 friends. I am just trying to work out a realistic sum for spending money, I don't really have a budget that I have to stick to but I don't want to spend huge amounts. I have searched for previous threads and the last one seems to be from a few years ago. Has anyone been recently and would you be willing to advise on how much you spent?
Our flights, accomodation and transfers are all paid for, so this would just be for food, drinks and entertainment.
We haven't booked anything yet and we are fairly open to ideas of things to do, although we are hoping to hire a car and drive to the Grand Canyon.
It would be nice to do a show (maybe circ?), go to a nicer restaurant (Gordon's Beef Wellington looks great).
We aren't really gamblers but I am sure we will have a bit of a go. We also don't fancy going to a club but will make the most of bars.

Thank you 😊

Also, looking for recommendations on must do activities!

OP posts:
MittensTheKittens · 31/07/2025 20:26

Don't try to drive to the Grand Canyon if youre only there for 5 days... its about 5hrs each way. We stopped overnight in Flagstaff.
Death Valley is closer.

PickleJelly · 31/07/2025 20:26

@Coffeeishot I didn't realise that smoking is allowed inside the Casinos!
Also didn't realise about the weed, I take it that means it's legal in Vegas?

OP posts:
boulevardofbrokendreamss · 31/07/2025 20:26

ooh, just remembered we went to the stratosphere revolving restaurant it was pretty new at the time
so no current info but it was brilliant for is sheer oddness. Old school American service, everything brought to the table under silver cloches and them
you played yourself. I am sure there are are much newer places now, so maybe try here for a cocktail 😂

Coffeeishot · 31/07/2025 20:28

PickleJelly · 31/07/2025 20:26

@Coffeeishot I didn't realise that smoking is allowed inside the Casinos!
Also didn't realise about the weed, I take it that means it's legal in Vegas?

It is yes although I didn't smell weed inside just outside.

RandomMess · 31/07/2025 20:28

I am tight and don’t have much money, the helicopter trip over the grand canyon was absolutely worth it.

Welshmiss10 · 31/07/2025 20:29

Are you a group of females? Just we found a lot of day clubs had free entry/drinks/food if entering as a group of women!

Coffeeishot · 31/07/2025 20:30

The sphere wasnt there when we went they were just building it im gutted I didn't see it.

PickleJelly · 31/07/2025 20:32

@Welshmiss10 yes sorry I should have said in my OP. We are a group of 3 women! I love that they offer discounts for women 😂

OP posts:
CoastalCalm · 31/07/2025 20:37

I’d take £1500 preloaded onto a revolut card , it’s expensive even for a bottle of water poolside you’re looking at $10 with tax and tips

notanothersummercold · 31/07/2025 20:39

First time l went l took £200 per day - was a long time ago but was plenty although l think it's more expensive there now

Siddalee · 31/07/2025 20:41

Las Vegas would be my specialist subject!
We’ve just done 4 nights at the Bellagio and are currently flying to a US beach destination for 4 nights. Then we’ll return to Vegas for another couple of nights.

As a rule of thumb, if not eating in a fast food place, you’ll need around $30 for breakfast and $100 for lunch.
if your eating somewhere high end you’d need to double that. Drinks are around $10 for a pint and $20 for a cocktail.

if you’re having breakfast, you won’t need lunch because the portions are massive.

Best value places to eat can be found on the Link promenade or in the area between NYNY and Park MGM. Though you should also try the Peppermill at the other end of the strip. It’s an iconic Vegas diner. Prices are reasonable and the portions are huge

Yesterday we had brunch at Cheri rooftop spot in Paris hotel. It was lovely. If you’re going on a girls trip it’s a great spot. Book in advance and ask for a table with a fountain view.

NYNY is bouncing at night and I love the Party atmosphere in there in the evenings. If you want something on the other end of the spectrum, try Wynn. That’s where we’re stopping next it’s our favourite. The restaurants are very pricey there though, so we don’t eat there very often. There’s a cocktail bar called Aft which overlooks the Lake of Dreams. During the evening it shows these amazing animations and puppet shows - it’s hard to describe but amazing to watch.

Youll also find cheap places to eat downtown - but I wouldn’t plan to stay there long as it can get a bit hairy. Try Whisky Liquor up bar. There’s a great revolving bar where you can sit and watch the craziness of downtown. Victory burger at Circa downtown is also really good but you only need one side of fries or onion rings between 2

Ubers are a good shout - most places have signposted pick up areas (they call it rideshare) But don’t book until you get there as the Ubers arrive really quickly.
The only time it’s best to get a taxi is from the airport as they are a fixed rate whilst Ubers can vary.

Take comfy shoes as you can easily walk 20 000 steps a day (everything is much further away than it looks)

The best show I’ve seen is Absinth - it hilarious but very, very rude. So not for anyone easily offended.

Sorry for the long post, I could talk about Vegas all day 😃😎

Coffeeishot · 31/07/2025 20:41

Oh god Water go to wallgreens,cvs or target and stock up.im sure i was $10 on a bottle of water from the hotel vending machine the night we arrived ×

Coffeeishot · 31/07/2025 20:44

@siddalee sounds like.it is a specialist subject. I agree about downtown we just went once during the day and I didn't stay long it had an "atmosphere "

PickleJelly · 31/07/2025 20:47

@Siddalee thanks so much! I hope you are having a fab holiday, it sounds amazing!
How's the weather?
Would you say $1500 dollars would be about right? I can add more to it if necessary, I just wanted to have a rough amount in my head before I go!
Also just googled Absinth 😂 I will suggest it to my friends!

OP posts:
Siddalee · 31/07/2025 20:47

This guy does some great Vegas Vlogs. He goes to some great bars and restaurants and always shows the prices.

Him & his wife do do a fair bit of gambling, but you can fast forward through those bits

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrCXLlcjYJDG0Lid1IvATHZGU0qcoEtDD&si=XUBp7tFkJVOiajtK

Siddalee · 31/07/2025 20:59

Nicky Furmage

Dont know if that YouTube link worked, I’m on my phone on a plane! So I’ve just done it again.

Coffeeishot is right about water. Get a bottle at the airport ready for when you get off the plane. Then take a walk on the strip to the nearest Walgreens or CVS and stock up on some bottles to keep in your room.

To quote Robin Williams ‘It’s hot,damn hot” in Vegas right now. It was 43• yesterday. But you’re well located to avoid being out in the sun too much. If you cross from NYNY to Excalibur, you can then access a free tram that stops at Luxor and Mandalay bay. If you cross the other way to Park MGM you can access a free tram to Aria and Bellagio.

If you criss directly opposite you can access the monorail from MGM Grand- though you have to pay for that and if there’s three of you sharing the cost, Ubers might be cheaper

Before you continue to YouTube

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrCXLlcjYJDG0Lid1IvATHZGU0qcoEtDD&si=XUBp7tFkJVOiajtK

Siddalee · 31/07/2025 21:08

Final bits from me as we’re coming in to land soon

sign up for a loyalty card in each casino. They often give you free play so you can have a quick gamble at no cost. Plus as you’re stopping in an MGM resort, get their loyalty card and use it on all the MGM resorts when you pay for anything. I think you get 5% off and you get points that can be redeemed against your final bill at checkout.
if there’s three of you - just use one card at MGM so combine points.
We charge everything back to our room, no matter which MGM property and just had $250 knocked off our at checkout this morning. But we do gamble

Finally, - the pool at NYNY isn’t the best MGM one, but I think you can access all MGM pools. Check that out and if you can, the best ones are Mandalay Bay, Bellagio and MGM Grand.

Siddalee · 31/07/2025 21:09

Oh! And ask for a room away from the Roller coaster. It operates from early till late and riders scream a lot!

Coffeeishot · 31/07/2025 21:16

Enjoy the rest of your holiday @Siddalee

bookwormcrazy · 31/07/2025 21:19

I go to Vegas regularly. It used to be 2 or 3 times a year pre Covid but now it’s once a year. I tend to take $300 cash per day and put big meals etc on a credit card but I do like a little gamble on the slots which also gives me free drinks when I’m gambling. I am a low roller so rarely gamble more than a dollar per spin but it does go quickly if you’re not lucky.

Penn & Tellar is amazing. I loved seeing them in Vegas. And definitely sign up to casino rewards like MGM if you plan to go back. I generally get comped hotels as well as resort cash and free play for my trips now because o am part of the rewards program.

NY NY casino is my favourite Casino and usually where I end up at the end of the night. It’s such a great vibe and not too crazy big.

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