Think about it for just one second – is there ever a bad time to be in Las Vegas? Honestly, I think not.
Vegas is one of those very few destinations around the world that can be visited year-round and would still be an incredible source of entertainment.
But that doesn’t come without a price. Gone is the time where Las Vegas was once known as a budget-friendly destination where people went to have cheap vacations.
Now Las Vegas has seen a significant increase in its prices, and the mega resorts have taken over.
That doesn’t mean that all hope is lost, however. If you want to know when is the best time to visit Vegas to save money along the way, then you’ve come to the right place.
You will be able to turn your Las Vegas trip into a low-cost one only if you agree to do things just a little bit differently.
After all, whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas except your sense of regret for all the money you spent in the span of a week.
Peak Season and Best Time to Go
The best time to visit Las Vegas is:
- From the months of March to May.
- From the months of September to November.
These are the shoulder seasons where you’ll find: milder weather, cheaper prices altogether and fair deals.
Peak season: The winter months and New Year’s Eve are some of the most expensive times to visit. Tourists keep packing the city up until April.
Off-season: You’ll find incredible deals during the summer, however, the temperatures exceed 100 degrees and are usually very uncomfortable to be outdoors.
So why are prices that low?
- July is the monsoon season.
- August is unbearably hot.
- There are fewer conventions.
It is, however, a great time to enjoy great hikes, chill by the pool or spend most of your time in air-conditioned places.
If you’re looking for bargains….
If you’re looking for the cheapest possible rates: mid-July through August will be your best bets. Those months keep most visitors away, so naturally, there are plenty of discounts, deals, and lower rates.
You’ll also find that there are almost close to no conventions.
How to save money on your trip to Las Vegas.
The right time to travel to Las Vegas completely depends on you. It depends on your personality, your preferences, your likes and dislikes and whether or not you’re going for a specific event.
Figure out the type of trip you want.
The first step you need to do is to figure out the type of trip you want to have. Are you going solely for the nightlife? Is this a golfing retreat? Do you want to gamble your life away?
That’s on you!
Choose a time where room prices are at their lowest.
Unlike most countries in the world, room rates in Las Vegas go down when the weather is hot. So basically, the hotter the weather, the cheaper the prices. July and August see very low room prices.
However, weekends are always more expensive. That’s why I recommend trying to fit your holiday between Monday and Thursday.
Don’t book your room before three months in advance.
Most travelers think that the earlier you book, the better. While usually, that is true, most hotels don’t start offering their discounts on the rooms until 3 months out.
Pro-tip: Book a hotel room that is fully refundable as early as possible (if you can get a good rate) then keep your eye out on price decreases.
Think about the weather.
Would you rather spend less but be constantly hot? One thing you have to your advantage is the fact that most hotels have pools. So you get to pay a lower price during hotter days and you can cool down in the pools.
December is surprisingly inexpensive.
December is inexpensive and the week right before Christmas is also great for incredible bargains.
Check if there are any conventions or major festivals.
No matter the time of year, conventions are the leading reason for rising room and flight prices in Vegas. You will need to check if there will be a con around the time you’re visiting because trust me, they will wreak havoc on your bank account.
You have to know what you’re up against, so always always always check for conventions before booking.
Avoid three holiday weekends.
Three-day holidays are very expensive in Las Vegas. A little trick is to book the days that are right after the holiday for great deals. Trust me – the weekend is bound to be brutal on your budget.
Keep an eye on resort fees.
Some resorts charge up to $30 per night on “resort fees” which is a hidden fee and is usually not included when you’re booking. Make sure your hotel has no hidden fees when booking.
Events to avoid if you’re looking to save money in Las Vegas.
It’s impossible to get good rates during those events, so I recommend avoiding them altogether unless you’re planning on attending any of them:
- Nascar
- Superbowl weekend
- Consumer Electronics Show
- Conexpoe
- Magic International
- Surfaces
Pro-tip: Actively compare the calendars for different hotels that reflect the current, past and future room rates. This will help you choose the cheapest time to visit.
When booking accommodation, stay off the strip.
As much as the Strip is the best place in Vegas to hang out in, try to stay as far away as possible from it when it comes to accommodation. You’ll get to save a few hundred dollars by booking a hotel without a resort fee.
Bundle and save on activities.
Get the Las Vegas Card which will save you about 60% by bundling up 30 popular attractions in one card.
Check out the freebies.
Las Vegas teems with free entertainment at every corner. Check out:
- The Bellagio Fountain Show
- The Mirage Volcano Eruption Show
- Walk around casinos and check for free shows
- The Bellagio Conservatory
- The Mirage Aquarium and Atrium
- The Venetian paintings
- The Fall of Atlantis Show
Go to Tix4Tonight for discounts.
This popular booth offers incredible discounts (up to 60%) on some of the top attractions in Vegas.
How to save on flights to Las Vegas.
Book your flights 14 days in advance.
This is the best time to book flights to Las Vegas with prices dramatically decreasing. You could very well see yourself saving up to $200.
Book your flight on a Wednesday.
This is the cheapest day to book a flight. Do not book on Saturdays!
Try to fly to Las Vegas on a Sunday.
You will be able to save from $50-80 on your flight by flying on a Sunday instead of on the weekend.
Return on a Tuesday.
By returning on a Tuesday, you’ll be able to save from $40 – 54 on your flight ticket.
August or October are your best bets.
The cheapest months to travel to Las Vegas are September and October. Come July and August and you’ll find that the flights become just a bit more expensive due to the number of people trying to celebrate summer at the hotel parties. Traveling in June instead of July can save you from $250-300 if you’re a family!
No matter when you visit Las Vegas, you’re guaranteed to have an incredible experience. So you don’t need to worry about visiting at the wrong time, because there is no such thing. It’s all about saving money, which can easily be done by some careful planning and budgeting.
