Vegas, Baby! But wait, isn’t it supposed to be CHEAP?

Who doesn’t love Las Vegas? 

 Even those that don’t are aware of Vegas…the city that never sleeps.  As someone who lived there for several years, I can attest to the never sleep part, although that could also be due to the fact that we had twins when we lived there and didn’t sleep in general.  I always found it amusing that upon getting gas, I could see people playing video poker in the convenience store…and what is a better way to end a trip to the grocery store than playing a little poker?  Gambling was everywhere, in every place.  Yet Vegas is a very friendly place, not mean, or intimidating.
  
  The problem that I run into with being in the travel planning business in regards to Vegas is that Vegas, despite the history of being inexpensive, is far from a cheap place to visit.  Traditionally, Las Vegas was a city you could visit for low cost and have a blast.  The blast is still there, but at a much higher cost, and it is hard for visitors to wrap their minds around spending so much to visit a city that essentially is a huge party.
$5 Lobster?  $15 per night rooms?  $100 round trip flights?  GONE.  In its place?  $350 per night rooms, $400 flights, and $65 lobster accompanied by a fancy $13 martini.  I have clients constantly asking for a “great deal” in Vegas, wanting to spend $500 for flights and a stay at the Bellagio.  I’m here to say, 99% of the time that is not going to happen.

There are some less expensive choices.  You can choose a resort like the old school Riviera Casino, with inexpensive rooms and an old Vegas feel.  Some of the newer casinos, while magnificent in architecture and appearance are too SHINY for the “real” Vegas.  The real Vegas is walking into one of the older casinos, seeing the advertisements for the topless revue shows, watching people walk around with buckets of real coins and not slips of paper, and drinking free drinks.

Of course, people don’t want to stay there…they want to stay at the glitzy Mandalay Bay, or Venetian, or the Wynn.  But they don’t want to pay for it…they want to pay Circus Circus prices for a water view at the Bellagio.  They want that cheap buffet, but they want champagne and lobster included.  I have found that in recent years, most people are not realistic when it comes to vacationing in Vegas.

Fact is, there are many ways to experience Vegas, and on a budget, you can still have a lot of fun.  There are still a handful of shows that are under $50 per ticket.  You can find decent hotel deals at hotels such as Luxor, where I’ve had clients for as low as $75 per night.  There ARE cheap buffets, but lobster will most likely not be involved.  And you can gamble cheaply…one of the times I’ve had most enjoyment gambling is at a little hole on the strip called Slots of Fun.  It didn’t smell like roses, but it has $0.25 roulette that can keep you entertained on $40 for a couple of hours.

Expectations need to be more realistic though.  You cannot stay at The Paris, fly round trip from St. Louis, and see Cirque’s LOVE for $500 each.  NOT HAPPENING.  And no, that helicopter flight that goes from Vegas to the Grand Canyon and then over the Luxor light?  Nope, not included either.

So, what can you really expect to pay when you visit Vegas?  I’ve included a few trip examples of “good” prices in four different ranges, and that might help people to have more realistic expectations.

These prices are based on departing from St. Louis, for two people for four nights.

1.  The “We don’t care where we stay, we only want to be in Vegas,  REALLY Tight budget” Budget

Stay at Circus Circus, round trip flights (not nonstop), 2 Day Vegas Power Pass which includes admission to many places of interest including the Dolphin Habitat at Mirage, and round trip airport transfers, all for $1015.89.

1. The “Vegas was cheap, let’s keep it cheap!”   Tight Budget Trip

Stay at Luxor, round trip nonstop flights, 2 Day Vegas Power Pass, airport transfers, and free tickets to a show, choices which include three different Cirque du Soleil shows and Disney’s Lion King.  $1250.07

 

1. The “We don’t want to spend a lot, but want something nice”  Moderate Budget Trip

Stay at Mandalay Bay, round trip nonstop flights, 2 Day Vegas Power Pass, free tickets to a show, and round trip airport transfers: $1383.40

1. The “Time to splurge…Vegas is the city of excess, after all”  Big Budget Trip

Stay at the Bellagio, with a 3 Day Power Pass, Richard Petty Driving Experience, Limo airport transfers and tickets to Cirque’s “O”: $2594.19.

                                                                      




Bottom line…is Vegas as cheap as it used to be?  Not really.  Can you stay Champagne on a Beer Budget?  Maybe, with a lot of luck (and luck is handy in Las Vegas).  Just be realistic when planning a trip to Vegas, and that way, you’ll have a blast without being disappointed.  Vegas is different now, and travelers need to recognize that so they can get the most out of what Vegas offers without breaking the bank!