One of the trickiest thing about a trip to Las Vegas is knowing how much money you need to budget. The truth is, you could spend hundreds, thousands or millions of dollars quite easily in Vegas, it depends on how much money you want to spend (or win) in a casino.
Gambling aside (it's hard to predict that one), we've taken a look at how real travellers spend in Vegas and created this guide. We hope you find it useful.
This reflects what everyday travellers tend to spend in Vegas. Think mid-range – most of the major attractions, a few cab rides, maybe a big night out, and a bit of shopping on the side. It doesn’t include the cost of hotels or car hire as these are often booked in advance.
Entertainment - $100 per day
Eating Out: $35 average transaction
Shopping - €68 average transaction
Transport – $37 per day
Want to see where it all goes? Read on!
Real traveller, average daily spend: $100
You’ve got to remember that you're visiting the Entertainment Capital of the World. You will never, ever be bored in Las Vegas and the list of things to do and see is endless. You must also accept that you're going to burn some cash - free drinks in casinos or not.
The most common activity amongst travellers using the WeSwap card is the Stratosphere Sky Jump! If taking scream-inducing, open-air leap from the 829 feet above the Strip is your idea of fun then this incredible experience will set you back $120 – don’t forget to get the photo!
The rollarcoaster at ~New York, New York is a firm favourite with travellers
Continuing the adrenaline theme but on the cheaper end of the scale, the rollercoaster at New York New York remains as popular as ever – try and avoid the middle of the day when the queues are at their longest.
It is often forgotten that Las Vegas sits on the doorstep of the Grand Canyon National Park and a visit to the UNESCO world heritage site provides a perfect respite from the spills and thrills of the city. The best way to visit is by helicopter and there truly is nothing quite like landing in the middle of the canyon for an idyllic lunch and glass of champagne. Make sure you arrange for the helicopter to take a fly-by over the Strip on the way home so you can get bird's eye view of all the famous hotels.
Whether you're a gambler or not, it's a rite of passage to have a flutter in one of the hotel casinos. It is hard to comprehend the scale of the casino floors and even if a gamble doesn’t take your fancy they are worth visiting just to do a spot of people watching. If you are feeling lucky then the craps table is a great communal experience - just make sure you ask the croupier to explain the rules.
Vegas is as well known for its shows and live acts as it is for gambling these days. All genres and tastes are catered for – whether it be Calvin Harris at the MGM Grand or the Cirque de Soleil’s performance of the Beatles’ Love at the Mirage – there truly is something for everyone. Ticket prices vary depending on demand but expect to pay between $50-150 per person.
Natural, tranquil and everything that Vegas is not. A rejuvenating day trip to the Grand Canyon.
Fremont Street used to be dominated by classic but less popular casinos that seemed past their prime. But now, this section of downtown Las Vegas is once again ready to compete with the Strip for visitors' attention. The Fremont Street Experience — occupying, several blocks of Fremont Street near the Mob Museum — dazzles visitors with an immense LED canopy and 555,000-watt sound system that provide six-minute intervals of entertainment every hour on the hour between 6 and 11 p.m. Best of all, it is absolutely free.
Helpful things to remember:
Real Traveller Average Daily Spend: $60
Food
Vegas is fast becoming the culinary hub of the US with at least one restaurant dedicated to nearly all the world's celebrity chefs - from Wolfgang Buck to Gordon Ramsey. Food costs vary massively and every cuisine and budget is catered for. For the high-end restaurants, it is worth booking a table in advance of your trip or through concierge, especially at the weekend.
Try to get a seat outside at Mon Ami Gabi, a great place to watch the crazy Vegas world go by
Mon Ami Gabi is an American-french restaurant found in the Paris Hotel. This is the perfect halfway between the expensive Vegas and more budget Vegas. Sitting outside on the patio is awesome so if there is a little wait then do wait. The steak and the service are arguably the best in town which is high praise in a place where service is everything.
Drink
Each hotel will contain a number of drinking of establishments, from the sports bar or the English pub to high-end cocktail bar. Drink costs vary greatly from hotel to hotel, you can expect to pay $10-15 for a drink in the smarter casinos on the Strip.
For a drink with a view, try a cocktail at the swanky Foundation Room at the Mandalay Bay – it's one of the best views of Las Vegas Boulevard. Be warned there is a cover charge on some nights.
Helpful things to remember:
Real Traveller Average Daily Spend:
Public transport is limited in Las Vegas and most tourists end up taking taxis to travel around - they're everywhere.
The monorail is a good option for travelling from casino to casino whilst walking is also a great way to see the Strip, especially at night.
WeSwap Staff tip
Real Traveller Average Daily Spend: $100 (although you wouldn't go shopping every single day)
Most popular shop & average transaction - Abercrombie & Fitch ($40)
Largest transaction in a clothes shop - Hermes $499
It is possible to spend money in almost any way imaginable in Las Vegas, but the best way to actually leave with what you paid for is to hit the shops. We consider it one of your better options in terms of having something to show for your empty wallet.
If you have expensive tastes, you will want to schedule in some serious time at the luxury shops of Crystals and Via Bellagio. They are even within walking distance of each other if you are feeling lazy.
The Fashion Show mall is home to all of the high street brands that you will be familiar with and the Abercrombie & Fitch outlet there proved to be WeSwappers' most popular shop of choice.
For charming little shops paired with a Vegas-only experience to match, head off the Strip to the Downtown Container Park. It's made from up-cycled shipping containers, and is home to lots of hip, artsy boutiques, galleries, restaurants, live music and even a play area for kids.
Made from up-cycled shipping continers, the container park shows off an arty side to the city.
Last checked and updated: 15.03.2017. All travel, accommodation and entertainment costs are taken from the provider’s official website – but don’t forget to double check yourself first before you head off.
_
If you’re planning a trip to Vegas, then you might consider WeSwap for your US dollars. Our peer-to-peer platform makes travel money up to 90% cheaper for travellers. You’ll also join a 200,000+ community swapping travelling tips and wisdom as well as travel money.
