Cost of a Trip to Las Vegas (Weekend & 3-Day Budget Breakdown)

Rosita Martinez
7 Min Read

Planning a getaway to Las Vegas can be surprisingly affordable—or shockingly expensive—depending on when you go and how you travel. Unlike many US cities, Las Vegas uses dynamic pricing across hotels, flights, shows, and even food, which means the cost of a trip to Las Vegas varies dramatically between weekdays and weekends.

This guide provides a clear, realistic Las Vegas travel budget for leisure travelers and couples, with a special focus on weekend and 3-day trips. We break down flights, hotels, food, local transportation, and attractions, and finish with a transparent budget vs mid-range vs luxury comparison so you can plan confidently.


Total Cost of a Trip to Las Vegas (Quick Summary)

Below are realistic averages per person, excluding gambling losses and shopping.

Las Vegas Trip Cost Summary (Per Person)

Trip TypeBudgetMid-RangeLuxury
Weekend (2 nights)$650 – $900$1,000 – $1,400$2,200+
3 Days / 2 Nights$750 – $1,050$1,200 – $1,650$2,600+
3 Days / 3 Nights$900 – $1,250$1,450 – $2,000$3,200+

Key takeaway: Hotels and entertainment dominate the Vegas trip cost, while food and transport are comparatively flexible.


Flight Costs to Las Vegas

Las Vegas is one of the best-connected cities in the US, keeping airfare competitive year-round.

Domestic Flight Costs

Round-trip economy fares to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS):

FromTypical Round-Trip
Los Angeles$80 – $180
San Francisco$100 – $220
Chicago$150 – $300
Dallas$130 – $280
New York City$220 – $400

Low-cost carriers frequently undercut major airlines, especially midweek.

International Flight Costs

  • Canada: $250 – $450
  • Europe: $650 – $1,100
  • Asia: $900 – $1,400

How to Find Cheap Flights to Vegas

  • Fly Tuesday–Wednesday for the lowest fares
  • Avoid Friday arrivals and Sunday departures
  • Book 4–8 weeks in advance for domestic trips

Hotel Costs in Las Vegas

Hotels are the biggest variable in any weekend Vegas cost calculation.

Budget Hotels

  • $60 – $120 per night (before resort fees)
  • Often older Strip properties or Off-Strip hotels
  • Resort fees: $35 – $50 per night (almost unavoidable)

Mid-Range Strip Hotels

  • $150 – $280 per night
  • Prime Strip locations, modern rooms, large casinos

Luxury Hotels & Resorts

  • $400 – $700+ per night
  • Premium rooms, top-tier pools, fine dining on site

Hotel Costs for Couples

A typical couple pays $40–$80 more per night for upgraded rooms or Strip views.

Vegas Hotel Cost Comparison

CategoryAvg Nightly Cost (All-In)
Budget$110 – $160
Mid-Range$200 – $330
Luxury$480 – $750

Food Costs in Las Vegas

Las Vegas dining ranges from food-court bargains to celebrity-chef splurges.

Budget Food Options

  • Food courts, fast casual, cheap eats
  • $12 – $20 per meal

Mid-Range Dining

  • Casual sit-down restaurants
  • $25 – $45 per meal

Fine Dining & Luxury Experiences

  • Steakhouses, tasting menus
  • $80 – $150+ per person

Daily Food Budget (Per Person)

  • Budget: $40 – $60
  • Mid-range: $70 – $100
  • Luxury: $150+

Local Transportation Costs in Las Vegas

Walking the Strip

Vegas is walkable, but distances are deceptive. Expect 20–30 minutes between major resorts.

Monorail & Public Transport

  • Monorail single ride: $5
  • 1-day pass: $13
  • Bus day pass: $8

Taxis, Uber & Airport Transfers

  • Airport to Strip: $20 – $35
  • Strip ride (short distance): $12 – $25

Transportation costs are relatively low compared to hotels and entertainment.


Attractions & Activities Costs in Las Vegas

  • Major shows: $60 – $150
  • Observation decks: $25 – $40
  • Pool parties & experiences: $30 – $75

Nightlife Costs

  • Club entry (men): $30 – $60
  • Drinks: $15 – $25

Free & Low-Cost Things to Do

  • Bellagio Fountains
  • Fremont Street Experience
  • Hotel hopping on the Strip

Budget vs Mid-Range vs Luxury Las Vegas Trip Comparison

3-Day / 2-Night Vegas Trip (Per Person)

ExpenseBudgetMid-RangeLuxury
Flights$150$220$400
Hotels$300$600$1,400
Food$120$240$450
Transport$60$90$150
Attractions$120$250$500
Total$750$1,400$2,900+

Sample Las Vegas Travel Budgets

Budget Weekend (Couple)

  • Total: $1,400 – $1,700
  • Off-Strip hotel, food courts, free attractions

Comfortable Mid-Range Trip

  • Total: $2,400 – $2,800
  • Central Strip hotel, shows, sit-down dining

Luxury Weekend Getaway

  • Total: $5,000+
  • Premium resort, fine dining, top shows

How Much Does a Weekend in Las Vegas Cost?

  • Budget travelers: $650 – $900 per person
  • Mid-range travelers: $1,000 – $1,400 per person
  • Luxury travelers: $2,200+ per person

Weekdays can reduce hotel costs by 40–60% compared to weekends.


Ways to Save Money on a Vegas Trip

  • Travel Sunday–Thursday for cheaper hotels
  • Factor resort fees into comparisons
  • Buy show tickets last-minute or via hotel concierges
  • Eat breakfast off the Strip

FAQs – Cost of a Trip to Las Vegas

Is Las Vegas expensive for couples?
It can be affordable with mid-range hotels and selective entertainment.

Is Vegas cheaper on weekdays?
Yes. Hotel prices drop significantly Monday–Thursday.

Can you do Vegas on $200 a day?
Yes, excluding gambling, with budget hotels and limited paid shows.

What are hidden costs in Vegas hotels?
Resort fees, parking fees, and premium Wi-Fi charges.


Final Thoughts – Is Las Vegas Worth the Cost?

For short trips, few destinations offer better value than Las Vegas. With competitive flights, flexible dining, and abundant free attractions, the cost of a trip to Las Vegas can be tailored to almost any budget—especially for couples seeking a high-energy weekend escape.

For broader planning, compare Vegas spending with national benchmarks in our guides on how much it costs to travel in the USA and the average daily travel cost in the United States.

Use Trip Cost Guide to plan smarter, compare realistically, and build a Vegas budget that actually fits your travel style.

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