Viva Las Savings

Viva Las Vegas!!!!!

Vegas has been my favourite vacation spot for many years. It’s an easy, fast and (when you want it to be) cheap holiday. But if you have never been, it can be easy to fall into schemes and spend money that will eventually make you wish you had sprung for the Cayman Islands instead.

To help you avoid some of the most common travel mistakes that I made, I am going to share some tips and tricks I have learned over the years to make your first trip to Las Vegas memorable and cost-effective.

Airport/Airfare/Travel

The flight from Calgary to Las Vegas is a quick 2 hours and 45 minutes (give or take) and most of the airlines (Westjet/AirCanda/Flair) will usually have a deal.

• Summer
  • This is Vegas’s busiest time and will cost you more. But May or September will be cheaper, and you still get beautiful weather that will allow you to sit by the pool.
  • DON’T do Vegas in August… +50 C is awful, and everyone will be miserable. Plus you pay an arm and a leg for flights.
• Halloween/Christmas
  • Worth paying extra for flights and hotels to see the decorations. Las Vegas goes all out for both holidays.
• Las Vegas Airport
  • Has some but not many food options, and the ones they do have, are always lined up and are expensive for what you get. Make sure to eat before you fly out.

Taxis/Buses

• Taxis from the Las Vegas airport are a standard flat fee depending on your hotel. But ranges from $21 – $29. Check this website for a better breakdown. https://lasvegasthenandnow.com/airport-to-hotel-taxi-flat-rates-take-effect-does-it-matter/
• There are group shuttles where you can pay less but will make multiple stops along the way. The fair will include return trips too.
• The Deuce is a double-decker bus that services the Strip to Freemont Street and back. You can purchase a 3-day pass for roughly $20 USD. I did find this to be a valuable investment for those nights when your feet are done, and instead of paying for a cab all the time, it is a cost-effective alternative.

Hotels

Las Vegas is known for the hotels along the Strip, with a mixture of cheap options, to very expensive. Here are my top 3 hotels and why starting with number 3:

3.   The Park MGM

• A little down from being center on the Strip, but has a Deuce bus stop right in front.
• Newly renovated, with a fun Italian theme.
• Fantastic food and beverages.

2.   Caesars Palace

• Located center of the Strip, making it easy to walk pretty much anywhere on the Strip.
• Attached to the Forums Shops, which also include TONS of amazing restaurants. Make sure to check out the animatronic show next to The Cheesecake Factory.
• The pool is gorgeous.
• Rooms have fantastic views of the Strip, some of them look over the Bellagio water show.
• Prices range from average to the high side.

1.   Paris Hotel

• Located center on the Strip it is close enough to walk pretty much anywhere on the Strip.
• Nice large rooms.
• Reasonably priced pool cabanas that can be booked online.

Entertainment/Food/Drinks

Entertainment

Vegas is known for its entertainment, everything from Cirque du Soleil shows to Burlesque. But you don’t have to pay a fortune to see some of the entertainment that Vegas has to offer, there are numerous free shows along the Strip for visitors to see.

• The Bellagio Fountains

This is a must for every new visitor, and it is best watched at night to get the whole experience. A beautifully done water dance with lights, that takes place every 15 minutes after 7 pm.

• The Freemont Experience

Located on the “old Strip”, the Freemont experience includes ziplines and vendors, but the free aspect is the Viva Vision show that runs across a roof top screen that runs the length of Freemont Street. It is a 6-minute music show that runs at the top of the hour every hour after 6:00 pm. It is easy to get there too, the Deuce bus system will take you from the Strip to Freemont Street.

• The Fall of Atlantis

Located in the Forum Shops attached to Caesars Palace, it is a large animatronic show about the Fall of Atlantis, it includes a large aquarium and pyrotechnics. Definitely worth taking a swing by.

Food

There are amazing restaurants in Vegas, and some can cost you an arm and leg, but there are some cost-effective options.

1. The Cheesecake Factory- Forum Shops

• Good prices
• Large portions mean you can share meals
• SOOOOO many cheesecake options

2. Hash House A Go-Go – the Linq Hotel

• HUGE portions
• Good prices
• Fun atmosphere

3. Margaritaville

• Huge portions
• Good price
• Fun atmosphere

Drinks

You can drink anywhere at any time on the Strip. It is crazy, but the drinks can cost more than food at times. The tried and true way to get some free drinks is to gamble a bit. Play a couple of slots (penny slots) and grab a drink from one of the amazing servers working at the casino.

Look for the stations that offer discounts on refills. They will give you a reusable cup and will usually have multiple locations. Make sure to ask where their other locations are!

Hope this helps a bit for your first trip to Vegas! This barely touches all of what Vegas has to offer, one trip down will never let you experience it all. I have been down so many times, and I am still discovering new things every time!

Happy travelling!