Las Vegas Rip-Offs: 8 Things To Avoid Paying For in Vegas

Vegas vacations can get pretty costly if you don’t plan your budget carefully. You might end up paying a lot more than you need to if you’re not aware of the rip-offs that are common on the Las Vegas Strip. That’s why we created this list of 8 things to avoid paying money for on your trip to Vegas.

---

1. Cocktails

What could be more classic Las Vegas than sipping on a martini while playing a game of roulette? But before you shell out big bucks for that cocktail, be aware: drinks are free while gambling in a casino. It sounds almost too good to be true, but it’s one of several free things you can get in Vegas.

Cocktail waitresses walk around the casino floor offering beverages of your choice. Go ahead: order an extravagant drink, because it’s complimentary. Be sure to tip the waitress if you want her to continue serving you – $1-2 per drink is usually enough, but you can consider paying more if you are at a high-limit game.

It’s legal in Las Vegas to walk around in public with an alcoholic beverage, as long as it’s in a plastic container. If you want to really save big on drinks, head to the nearest convenience store or off-strip liquor store and mix your own drinks in your hotel room before heading out for the day.

---

2. Airport Taxis

Taking a taxi from the airport to your hotel is a big no-no when it comes to saving money in Las Vegas. A ride to the Strip in a taxi could cost you up to $40, while rideshare apps normally cost a fraction of that. Even better – compare pricing between different rideshare apps to find the best price for a ride. Sometimes the two apps can show surprisingly different pricing.

As a general rule, getting around Vegas by rideshare is far cheaper than calling a taxi. You’ll also have the added convenience of tracking your ride and dealing with everything in the rideshare app. And don’t forget, there are even cheaper options for getting around the Strip, like the Las Vegas Monorail and The Deuce bus.  

---

3. Your Hotel Minibar

This one takes some real pre-planning, but it’ll keep you from spending an arm and a leg. The minibar in your hotel room is definitely convenient when you can’t be bothered leaving your room in search of drinks and snacks – but your hotel will charge you obscene amounts of money for the items in there.

The trick is to visit an off-strip gas station or convenience store before heading to your hotel to check in. Load up your basket with all the drinks and snacks you might crave during your stay, and keep that supply in your hotel room as your own personal minibar. Don’t give in to that $10 bottle of Coke, and don’t even touch those items, since moving them will trigger a room charge! You should also stay away from hotel gift shops that way over charge for things like water and snacks.

---

4. Parking

You would think that when you’re staying at a hotel, you’d get free parking. Unfortunately, for most Las Vegas hotels, that’s not the case. Take a look at our comprehensive list of hotel parking fees and you might be shocked at the daily parking fee where you’re staying.

There are two ways around paying for hefty parking fees during your stay in Las Vegas. Your first option is to stay at a hotel that offers free parking for its guests. To keep your research to a minimum, we created this list of Vegas hotels with free parking.

Your second option is to do away with the car rental. Which takes us to number 5…

---

5. Renting a Car

Most of the tourist experiences in Vegas, including shows, attractions, and restaurants are located centrally on the Las Vegas Strip or Downtown Vegas, so sometimes renting a car is completely unnecessary. Rideshares, as well as a decent public transit system, can often get you to where you want to go easily and quickly.

Renting a car is perfect if your itinerary includes taking a day trip outside of Vegas such as going hiking at Red Rock Canyon, kayaking at Lake Mead, or visiting the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. However, many tours offer transportation to these destinations, as well as hotel pick-up and drop-off.

---

6. Expensive Meals

Dining on the Las Vegas Strip is definitely worth experiencing – we have world-class restaurants in this city, including amazing celebrity chef restaurants. Things can get pretty expensive, however, when you’re eating at upscale establishments for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day.

One way around this is to explore some of the delectable restaurants outside the Strip. Chinatown is just a 10-minute drive west of the Strip, and offers mouthwatering Asian cuisine, from Korean BBQ spots to Sushi restaurants. You can also find less expensive casual dining at Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile Shops.

If you’re dead set on staying on the Strip, there are a few places you can go to find delicious yet cheap eats on the Strip. Eating at one of Las Vegas’ best buffets should fill you up enough to get through the entire day, and it’s a truly Vegas experience you can’t miss.

Consider booking a hotel room with a kitchen. Having your own kitchen or kitchenette means you can buy reasonably-priced groceries off-strip (or have them delivered) and then prepare all your meals in the comfort of your hotel room.

---

7. Casino ATM Fees

When you’re in the heat of a winning streak at the casino, you’re probably in a hurry to make it to an ATM and get more money out. But beware of the casino ATMs! Their fees to withdraw money are ridiculously high, sometimes $20 or more per transaction.

Instead of visiting an ATM on the casino floor, it’s worth a short walk down to Walgreens or CVS to withdraw money without the absurd fees. Take a look at your banking app – there might be a location nearby where you can withdraw funds with no ATM fees at all.

---

8. Nightclub Entry Fees

Want to experience one of the hottest nightclubs in Vegas? You might end up having to wait in a three-hour-long line to get in, before paying a pricey cover charge. There’s a great workaround for this issue, however. VIP hosts for your club of choice are easy to find on a simple Google search, and they’ll often be able to get you on their guest list to get in for free.