Like I have mentioned in previous blogs, I have been to Vegas several times. I have learned a few things over my last few trips to save a bit of money. Here are some simple tips or pointers for saving money during your trip to Vegas.

                Shop around – Use the internet to investigate the best deals on hotels and flights. There are many online travel arrangers out there. Some are hotels.com, Travelocity and Expedia. Try all of these in a side by side comparison on your complete package. Sometimes mixing and matching works too. Sometimes going direct to an airline or hotel is just as good. Try a local travel agent, they just might get you a better deal or may know a lot about the secrets to cheap Las Vegas travel.

                Go without – Compare your trip cost by going without a rental car. Driving the Las Vegas strip may be something you had in mind. Trust me, it is just as good walking the strip and sometimes less stressful than driving it. Taxi cabs are plentiful. However, make sure you know a general idea of how and where you are going. You may want to consider how much you actually will use the rental car. Everything in Las Vegas is pretty accessible by foot or even public transport. Use the monorail! But, make sure you buy the right type of fare. If you know you are going to use it a lot in a 24 hour period by the all day pass since it gives you 24 hours to use it.

                Weekday travel – If you are thinking about a weekend trip you may want to compare the savings of going during the week. Sometimes the weekday rates of the big hotels are rather attractive. You may get a better or more convenient room for the money.

                Stay off strip - Shop hotels and casinos that are off the main Las Vegas strip. Be sure you read the reviews of any off strip hotel though. Check the off strip hotel’s location on a map to see how convenient it is to getting to the main strip or transportation. Read my previous post on the Tuscany Inn & Suites.

                Comps – Look for comps. There can be some good deals with comps on meals and gambling.

                Meals – Shop around on the restaurants too. Some hotels have great deals on food. Again, read the reviews prior to choosing. Make a list of several spots to try. Look for the “all day” prices on the buffets. For example you can buy an all day buffet at hotels from $24-$38 or a little more. Trust me if this is your first trip to Vegas you are going to eat so that you have enough energy to walk or you’re going to eat because you walked so much!

                Flying – Shop around on your flights. Try the travel sites and even going direct to the airlines. Plan ahead and book your flights early. The earlier you book your flight can usually save you quite a bit of money. Just a note Southwest Airlines has good internet rates most of the time if you plan ahead. Try a 1 stop or more flight. Compare several flight times. Comparing these two things can save you a lot.

I hope this gives you some good ideas or even starting points. Remember shop around and compare. You just might get the deal of a lifetime. Just think, if you do you can brag to all your family and friends about the money you saved. Or you can keep that to yourself and pretend you spent a fortune on your trip.