The Cheapest Time to Go to Vegas

Weather, events, and tourist patterns all play a role in how cheap or expensive your time in Las Vegas might be. Here are the things to consider when planning your budget-minded trip. 

As with almost any type of travel, going off-season will usually save a lot of money on everything from hotel rooms to flights and sometimes even attractions within the city. Las Vegas is no different, and considering the seasonal prices of things can add up to huge savings. 

The best weather in Las Vegas happens during the fall and spring. There’s this idea that Las Vegas is scorching year-round, but that’s not the case.

Tourists who visit the city during the spring months of late March thru early May benefit from wonderfully sunny and warm weather that’s almost blissful. 

The same happens from September – November when the days are warm but not hot, and evenings might have the slightest cool breeze, but the temps don’t drop so much that you need to lug a jacket around with you.

As you might imagine, these months with the best weather are not the cheapest months for anything in Sin City, especially on the Las Vegas Strip. 

However, you’ll see prices drop during the winter months, after the major holidays of Christmas and New Year’s Eve, up until Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day. Late February through early March usually offers some good deals as well. 

While summer might be the prime tourist season at other destinations around the globe, in Las Vegas, it is HOT! Who really wants to stroll the Las Vegas Strip with sweat dripping down into their eyes? 

While the resort pools and attractions like the Minus5 Ice Bar offer a nice reprieve, Las Vegas in the summer is just too much for most people, so you’ll see prices drop during this time. The exception to this is the 4th of July holiday, Memorial Day weekend, and a few events during that time. 

Flights

Ok, let’s be honest. Flights to Las Vegas are among some of the cheapest flights you can find, at least when direct flights are a possibility.

Airlines know that people are more likely to hop on a weekend flight to Las Vegas if the prices are low, so generally speaking, you’re not going to pay a ton of money for plane tickets. That said, there are a few things to keep in mind to guarantee cheap airfare. 

First, you’ll have better luck finding cheap flights when you can fly right into Harry Reid International Airport. This is the main airport in Las Vegas, and if you can get there in a single direct flight, chances are you’re going to score a great deal on airfare. 

Where you’re starting from matters some, but maybe not as much as you think. For instance, we found cheaper airfare from Chicago to Las Vegas than we did from destinations that are closer to Sin City. In our experience, it’s all about planning ahead and keeping an eye out for a great deal. 

You’re almost always more likely to find cheap airfare if you can book your flight at least a month ahead of time. Those spur-of-the-moment weekend trips to Las Vegas are going to cost more than the cheaper flights you’ll find with a little bit of planning. 

Also, it’s common for airlines to follow the pattern of hotel prices. During peak season, when hotel rates spike, airfare will cost more too. 

Hotels

Las Vegas hotels are all over the spectrum when it comes to cost. There are cheap hotels in the city where you can score a hotel room for less than $50 a night. Then there are hotels, especially on the Las Vegas Strip, where room rates are hundreds of dollars for even a standard hotel room. 

Generally speaking, you can save money and find the best prices on hotels in Downtown Las Vegas compared to those on Las Vegas Blvd, but there are some exceptions.

For example, if there’s a major event happening on Fremont Street, such as the parade for Las Vegas Pride, the room rates are going to jump. 

When finding the best deals on hotel rooms, it’s not only timing but also location that matters. If there’s something major going on at the Las Vegas Convention Center, hotels within a mile vicinity of the Convention Center are going to be in really high demand. While other hotel prices might still be elevated due to the event, you’ll find more affordable rates the further away from the venue you go. 

Planning your Vegas trip for off-season times, when there are fewer conventions, events, and tourists, means you’ll be saving money at just about every turn. A room at the Venetian might cost $100 on a slow day but then jump to $500-$600 during peak times for the very same room.

By choosing the cheapest time (winter and summer) to visit Las Vegas, you can often enjoy luxury accommodations for a fraction of the cost. 

Transportation

If you really want to save money when you visit Las Vegas, we suggest skipping the rental car and using rideshare options, along with buses, shuttles, and trams, to get around this vibrant city. In addition to the cost of rental cars, you also have to deal with parking costs, which can quickly put a dent in your budget. 

However, if you only feel comfortable using a rental car, pay attention to what’s happening around town when planning on visiting Las Vegas.

Business travelers are more likely to want their own transportation to get around the city, so car rentals are going to be in higher demand when the big conferences are in town — plus, rental companies know that their fees are likely going to be written off as a business expense, so those travelers aren’t going to be as concerned about higher than usual prices. 

For example, the CES (Consumer Electronic Show) is huge and brings in tens of thousands of attendees. It typically takes place in early January, right after the New Year. 

You’re not going to find good deals on rental transportation during this time. The ConExpo is held every three years in Las Vegas, usually in March. This is another event that’s going to cause transportation rental prices to skyrocket. 

While times like spring break aren’t cheap in Las Vegas, this is typically a crowd that’s not interested in driving themselves around the city. So, there are higher traffic times in Las Vegas, where you might not pay premium prices for a rental car. 

Attractions

Many people think that if they visit Las Vegas during the off-season, they’ll save money on various attractions around the city. We have some unfortunate news here – admission prices and tickets aren’t often affected by the number of tourists and foot traffic in the city. 

Some who own restaurants may offer special dining deals, and you might be able to find Las Vegas travel packages that include admission to some attractions. Just don’t plan on getting steeply discounted tickets just because there are fewer people in the city. 

The day of the week also plays a huge role in how much you spend on hotels when you visit Las Vegas. For nicer rooms and suites, we’ve found differences of hundreds of dollars just between weekday and weekend prices.

For a budget-friendly room on the Strip, you might pay $60 during the week, but that same room might cost $200+ on the weekend. 

Arriving in Las Vegas on a Sunday or Monday and heading out by Thursday is going to save you on everything from the cost of your hotel room to the cost of the plane ticket, and if you book early, you’re likely to save even more. Even during the cheapest month to visit Las Vegas, you’re still going to find that prices are jacked up on the weekends. 

Sporting Events 

• Formula 1 –  November 16-18, 2023
• NFR (National Finals Rodeo) – Early December
• Las Vegas Bowl – Near Christmas 
• Super Bowl Weekend (especially if the Las Vegas Raiders are playing!) – Early February 
• March Madness 

Holidays 

• New Year’s Eve/Day
• Chinese New Year 
• Valentines Day 
• Labor Day 
• Fourth of July 
• Memorial Day 

Conferences 

• CES (Consumer Electronics Show) – Early January
• Cyber Security Conference   – Early December 
• Hunting & Outdoor Trade Show – Early to Mid January 
• World of Concrete Trade Show – Late January 
• National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) – April 

Festivals & Events 

• Electric Daisy Carnival – Mid May 
• Life is Beautiful Festival – September 
• iHeart Radio Music Festival – Late September
• Billboard Music Awards  – Mid May
• Spring Break  – Varies between Mid-March to May
• Pride Festival – Early October 

Visiting Las Vegas at the most budget-friendly time possible has some advantages. There are also a few disadvantages to consider. 

Pros

Of course, the cost is a huge advantage, but you also enjoy other perks of visiting Las Vegas during off-peak times. For starters, everything is less crowded. This means you have a better chance of getting into that restaurant you’ve dreamed of trying or at least not waiting in such a long line at the buffet. 

Attractions are also less crowded, and for venues like museums and experiential venues, being surrounded by fewer people can definitely elevate the experience. You can also usually get tickets to any show without worrying that the best seats are already sold out. 

Visiting off-season also means there’s less of a party atmosphere. You can go to some of the hottest pools (if they’re open year-round) without concerning yourself with pool parties and overcrowding. 

Cons

So, are there really any cons to visiting Las Vegas on the cheap? Honestly, there are a few that we can think of. The most obvious is that you might not have the same access to attractions and venues as you do during peak seasons. 

For example, many resort pools close from the fall through until the spring. Some are open, but many resort pools have a policy that only guests who are staying at that resort can access the pool. An exception might be if you pay a couple of hundred dollars for a daybed or cabana. 

Also, some shows and residencies may suspend performances during less busy times, which makes sense from a production cost standpoint. 

And, as much as we hate to say it, those who are looking to scam or target tourists might be a little more desperate due to the lack of opportunity, so make sure to be extra aware of your surroundings, especially at night. 

• You can enjoy and visit the ultimate destination of Las Vegas without spending a fortune.
• The Cheapest times to visit Las Vegas is typically during the winter months and the hottest summer months (minus conventions and festivals) when tourism takes an extended break. 
• Weekdays are the best time to visit Las Vegas for cheap airfare and hotel rooms – avoid weekends when possible. 
• Although free parking is scarce, a few hotels do offer free parking for both guests and visitors
• No matter what time of year you travel, look for travel deals and cheap Vegas packages online.