Las Vegas How to Travel on a Budget (Things to do in Las Vegas – Tips & Tricks)

The City of Las Vegas and its Las Vegas Strip of Casinos full of Slots, Blackjack, Poker, and so much more is a fun place to travel. I’m sharing my tips and tricks for how to score cheap or FREE Las Vegas Shows and Restaurants tickets, as well as, all the fun things to do in Las Vegas. Viva Las Vegas!

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TIP #1 – Only gamble at local Casinos

Where to Gamble and NOT to while in Vegas?  Local casinos may not have all the glitz and glamor of the “Touristy” ones, but they have better winning odds, comps and pay outs that are worth the small sacrifice. Most of these are located off of the main Las Vegas strip or a short distance from it.  Of course, the bigger you bet the more you win and vice versa the harder you will fall if you lose.

The Term “Loose” in Vegas can be a good thing. Casinos posting “Loose Slots” aim to keep players engaged. Pay outs are usually more frequent, in smaller denominations each time. You may pay on $20 for ONE Hour at Local Casino and drink a few cocktails! What a CHEAP and FUN Night not to mention if you actually hit something and WIN! 

Also, I encourage movement. If a machine is not paying after a few spins, cash out and try another one.

One of my other Favorite games is BLACKJACK. In Vegas the Rules change a little allowing for some more strategic plays, to include surrendering and various types of Blackjack. My personal favorite is FREE BET Blackjack!

Ellis Island Casino & Brewery would be my #1 Vote for BEST CASINO IN LAS VEGAS. BUT The FREE Bet Blackjack can be found at the BEST WESTERN PLUS Casino Royale and several other casinos around the City of Las Vegas.


TIP #2 – Never pay for drinks (including alcohol)

Drinks from sodas, coffee, sparkling water and alcoholic beverages are ALL FREE as long as you are Gambling. Gambling depends on your definition except when sitting at the bar. Usually bartenders are instructed to watch play time and bet wagers, so I would steer clear of the bars (in most cases). Slot machines and table games will get you a FREE drink with no hassle.

ALWAYS TIP the cocktail waitress. Usually $3-5 is a GREAT TIP and will keep them coming back with unlimited coffee, water, just about any beverage you can think of.

Never chug your drinks, they are meant to be enjoyed and are FREE! Plus you can find to go cups at almost any casino exit.

If ordering alcohol, stick with wine, beer, or straight shots. Mixed drinks potency and ingredients along with their levels taste questionable. 


TIP #3 – Look for food & drink happy hour specials

Many Las Vegas restaurants offer some type of happy hour in the early evening or late night after the dinner rush. I’ve seen happy hours as early as 2pm and as late as 2am. Days and times vary for every participating restaurant. I would suggest calling to verify any specials you find.

If you want to score some luxurious grub from world famous chefs like Gordon Ramsay at half the price, always ask restaurants if they offer any food or drink specials for happy hour.

Ellis Island Casino & Brewery has the best deal in Las Vegas for both Steak and BBQ. Steak, sides, and a drink for under $10 any day and BBQ only served limited hours makes for some amazing deals with plenty of food to carry home.

Take food home! Most hotels have ice makers some even offer fridges upon request.  If you stay in a hotel with FREE breakfast they usually have microwaves accessible 24/7.


TIP #4 – Always sign up for players club rewards

Many hotels, restaurants, and casinos offer rewards programs for their loyal customers. When stepping foot in a new casino head to the players club area or a table game to get a players card. If you play tables, presenting a valid photo ID in most casinos will get a visit from the pit boss and players card. Best of all, you get to start the fun and don’t have to wait in line for a card.

Complimentary Rewards can vary from free play, hotel rooms, meals and drinks, even event tickets, plane fare for transportation is also a possibility. I’ve scored a Coach wallet, stemless wine glass set, free attraction tickets, and tons of FREE food, as well as, hotel stays.

A few tips if you are thinking about purchasing tickets for events held on a hotel’s property or attractions they offer. Checking the players club for box office for information on discounts is worth the savings. I once went to the top of the Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for free and got a make-up bag just for signing up for their rewards program.

Another great tip if you travel with a significant other or friend is to both play on one player’s card when possible. The points will rack up quicker and plus most of the rewards you get can be used on two people, so it is a win win. The table games may not let you do this but the slot machine doesn’t know human beings. Plus, people play two machines at a time alone in Vegas on a regular so nothing out of the norm!


TIP #5 – Never pay full price for event or attraction tickets

The #1 Rule in Vegas is never pay FULL price for anything! Everyone is wiling to bargain and tips will get you a long way.

Half price event tickets can be found online or around town the day of or fairly close to an event day. As mentioned before, the player’s rewards club are a great place to start. Groupon and a Google search may also help find you a discount. Call and check online for more information from the venues themselves or follow them on social media.

Another great way to score FREE almost anything in Las Vegas is to attend a Time Share spill. About 90 minutes they say but I would error on the side of 2 hours with transportation and all. Get your game face on and don’t get suckered into buying a schemed vacation rental. You are only going for the FREE swag!


TIP #6 – Use public transportation or walk avoid Taxi Cabs

Shuttle Services

Vegas has several options for getting around which is ever evolving with tons of new pop up shuttle services. There is a 24/7 shuttle service that operates on and off the strip and stops close to almost anywhere you need to go. Plus these vehicles are air conditioned which makes for a refreshing ride in the HOT dessert sun. Best of all this is paid per person and usually runs under $10 a day for 24 hours worth of ride time.

Some hotels offer FREE shuttle services to the airport or between their properties and some have house cars depending on where you stay.

Also, the airport itself offers a shuttle service to hotels for a decently cheap one time fee. It use to be about $10 a person when I took it a few years ago.

Rental Cars

Rental cars are fairly reasonable as long as you remember to fill up for gas before returning the car and decline the insurance if you already have insurance coverage. Some credit cards like American Express offer travel insurance and other incidentals for inconveniences occurred while using their credit card to make a purchase.

ALL rental cars at off site locations not adjacent to the airport. You must shuttle over to the rental car agencies via the shuttles at the airport. (They are FREE) I would suggest doing some research to find a car before getting the Vegas in order to get the best deal and know where you are going once you land in the city of Las Vegas.

If you decide to rent a car, know that parking is FREE either self parking or valet at almost every casino and hotel in Vegas. Just remember to tip the valet! There is an exception downtown near Fremont Street where you can tell it is city ran by all the parking meters and pay to park signs. Expect to pay $5-10 for parking each day if you are hanging out downtown.

Taxi Cabs vs Uber / Lyft

I haven’t tried Lyft in Vegas only Uber. But, the main difference between wither option verses a taxi ride is price!  Keep in mind Taxi cabs in Las Vegas charge by the head (aka # of riders). Uber charges its standard rates and offers all of the normal options (UberX, UberXL, Black car etc…)

Uber is great to use from your phone and they do not charge by the number of riders. Also, no physical cash ever exchanges hands between you and the driver so no worries you can count on your Credit Card for any discrepancies in charges. And, they don’t charge you extra for paying with a card. The Taxis can add a Credit card fee to your bill if you aren’t aware of their pricing schemes.

When taking these pick up services make sure you are being efficient with money aka time on your ride. Immediately tell your drivers “NO SCENIC ROUTE” please. That means they will take you the fastest way to your destinations away from the traffic and flashy lights of the Las Vegas strip. There are many side streets that run parallel to the main Las Vegas Strip. And, trust me there is always lots of action going on everywhere in Las Vegas on and off the strip so you wont miss anything out of the ordinary.


Las Vegas Restaurants I tend to indulge in…

Ellis Island Casino & Brewery – They have some amazing food and drink specials, as well as, a cozy welcoming feel to their casino. It is a local joint but the dealers dress up and it is a FUN PLACE to relax and have fun on a budget in Vegas!

TAO –  Asian Bistro, Nightclub, and Beach. The prices aren’t cheap but the food is AMAZING! And, if you eat at the restaurant you get FREE access to the upstairs club. This is a late night spot and FYI they always have celebrity performers coming through to perform on stage!

Hash House A Go Go  – This is a pricey place but the portion sizes are enough to feed you for a few days. The bacon is cooked into the waffles while the BLT Bloody Mary is an all-in-one appetizer and drink. They like to use the term Twisted Farm food. I would go back here just for the experience.

Sin City Cupcakes – Alcohol-Infused Cupcakes and FREE Delivery!

Señor Frog’s Restaurant & Bar at TI – Daily/Nightly entertainment and contest add for a good time. (I won a FREE trip to Cancun for 4 people just by entering a $25 raffle. – No Joke!)


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If we haven’t officially met, Hey I’m Blogging Brandi An EX-Corporate Kool-Aid Drinker, born to be Creator, Female Digital Nomad & Entrepreneur who LOVES RV Living! (oh and Sharing My Advice On YouTube!) Plus, I’m the creator of RVersity, my university for RVers & the name of my other YouTube channel! I’ve also been a licensed cosmetologist for over 17+ years and Graduated From College as a Finance Major… But I decided to quit my job, sell everything to start my own business (and if you’ve seen my story then ya know why I live in an RV aka how I ended up becoming a digital nomad or should I say a “nomadic entrepreneur”)! Now I help others who want to follow in my footsteps…

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This video was originally published on my old Bloggin Brandi YouTube channel and is part of my deleted scenes series.