ChrisMarkenson's Blog

Vegas Guide for Newbies on a Budget 2012 Edition

By ChrisMarkenson | View all Posts
Posted Wednesday, August 08, 2012 11:56 AM   10 comments
Hello guys. Just got back a few weeks ago for LV. Thought I would share a few tips for the newbies and people on a budget heading there for their first time. 

Flights and Arrival/Departure: Always try to fly in Sunday. Friday and Saturday nights the hotels are 300-400% more expensive then the rest of the nights. Always try to check in Sunday morning or afternoon, and check out Friday morning. If you do arrive Saturday night, just check in your bags with the bell boys, and stay up all night. Once it's 8AM, just check in early with the hotel. Some charge a fee, but it is very small, usually $10-$20. Usually if you are polite, and ask, they will waive it.

5 nights, 6+ days is always enough time in Vegas. You will find after the 3rd or 4th day, if you are partying a lot, or even just walking around, you will get worn down and the 6th day you can't wait till you get home. Friday and Saturday night do have a lot more people, but not to worry, there will still be plenty of partying to do during the rest of the week. There are always people ready to party in Vegas.

Hotels: Don't ever cheap out too much on hotels. Try to find one close to strip. Don't ever stay at Circus Circus, or even Strat, you will wear yourself out in the heat/walking, or even worse, over spend on cabs. Don't EVER take the local bus in Vegas. Just don't.

Another important reason not to cheap out is you don't want bed bugs, or sheets that are rarely cleaned, or toilet seats not disinfected. It's not worth saving $20 a day, just to spend it on cabs or meds for your bed bugs. The best value hotels are Monte Carlo, and Treasure island. TI has updated rooms, and excellent cleanliness. They also have safe in the room and a fridge. Huge pluses. Monte Carlo does not have a fridge, but they do have a lot of stores/food court and probably the best location on the strip. Pretty much in the middle of everything. Rio is also decent as well, large rooms, but they are off the strip and will require walking or cabbing. So I would stick to MC or TI first trip. Both have free wi fi as well for guests. MGM is also a nice hotel, but its dated, and over crowded. 

Cabs: If you are going to cab, always shout out around you "IS ANYONE GOING... insert your destination" 90% of the time, someone will split a cab with you. Always ask for flat rate, and pay upfront so you have to disputes. Don't let cabbies think it's your first time. Say "Whats the flat rate again too...... it's been a few months since i've been here" etc...

Food: Once you check into hotel, go to the 24 hour grocery/pharmacy, Walgreens or CVS are both on the strip (googlemap it). Buy lots of bottled water, snacks, etc.. to curb your hunger at nights. If your tight for money, budget 20-$25 a day for buffet and eat around 3pm. Have a snack in the morning and one late at night, and pig out at 3pm. It's not the best thing to do long term, but it will tie you over so you don't end up spending $50-$70 a day on food. Don't eat too early or too late, always space it out in the middle of your day so your snacks can hold you over.

Cell: If you are from Canada or another part of the US where you dont have state/national coverage, pickup a trac phone at the pharmacy. It's $20 and gives you 200 local minutes and of course a cheap but decent LG phone. You can use this phone to give out your vegas number to whores, girls, randoms, etc... so you don't give out your real number and as well, don't have a lot of extra roaming fees. The trac phone is available at CVS and Walgreens.

Girls: If you can't find any, just go to backpage or eroticreview and find a local INDEPENDENT girl. Call, ask for price for what you want. Some will try and scam you and say $200, but when they arrive say that is just their fee to show up and charge you more. Go thru everything on phone. Tell them you are here often and if she does a good job, you will use her again. She will call you back at your room to verify you are there. Don't let them know you are new or won't be back often, you will just get a quickie. Remember they will not invest in you if they think you are not coming back. You should find a girl to do everything for $300. Once you have settled on time and place, meet them in lobby to be sure they are who they say they are and you approve. 

Don't EVER use the flyers, they are fake pics and have pimps. DON'T EVER try to pickup on the strip. That is where LV Police do stings. Casino pickups are ok, but again, iron out all details in casino. Be firm and confident. Be the boss. Don't be naive. NEVER take her first offer. Say "You can try to find a fat old slob for $500, or you can spend an hour with me and have a good time for $250" etc... They will always cave around $250-$300. Never pay more then $300.

Good Buffets: Bellagio is pretty much the best. 3pm is a good time too cause you skip the lunch crowd, skip the dinner, and don't pay dinner prices at 4pm. Wynn is overpriced. Paris is also a great choice. Each are $20-$25. 

Massage: If you have luck at the tables, spend $160 and get a massage at the Bellagio. Ceasars is also good, but don't go to Palazzo/Veneitan. Bellagio is the best. Go in, pay the $160 for 60 min. Go 1 hour early, take a shower, warm jacuzzi, put on your robe, and follow the guides. They are worth it. 

10 comments
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bizkilla says:
08/08/12 02:22PM
Nice informative thread. Even though Ive been going annualy for several years now, Ive learned some pointers from your post. Never considered the flat rate cab option, will have to try. If I may add the following;

Theres a 24 hour buffet pass that lets you visit several places for one set price. If you time it just right, you could potentially net yourself 2 days worth of big meals.

Also check out sites such as Groupon/Restaurant.com for dining deals. We purchased several coupons on our last trip. We spent like $3 for $30 worth of food at BB Kings. $15 for $40 worth of Sushi someplace and a pure half off at an Asian fusion place in Manadalay Bay.

Also recommend skipping the local bus. However it is the cheapest bet to get you to the old Vegas downtown.

Stay in the center of the strip. Planet Holloywood is a very good hotel that wont break your bank. Ive even stayed at the Excalibur for under $40 and it was solid. Agree with author to stay away from properties out of the way like Circus/Stratoshere.

You must negotitate for adult service in advance. They will try and hustle you, dont be afraid to walk away.

If you're placing sports wagers be sure to ask if you qualify for free drinks/comps. Or do it the old fashioned way, stick a $20 into a slot machine, wait for waitress, get your drink, cashout and flee.

Ask for a upgrade at checkin. Helps to have a $10-$20 tucked in palm of hand.

There is an abundance of free transportation via shuttles and such. For example you can meet at Paris at a certain time and a small bus will take you to Rio for free. Theres several of these available.

The outlet mall is a great place to shop. Go to the one on the north end I think its the "premium outlets", not the south. That one sucks. Last time I got a great pair of Puma sneakers for $12.

Arrival Times, aim to gain an extra day by making sure you arrive in town early. I travel from Florida so it can me a pain but Ill take the 5am flight out of here and arrive in Vegas at 9:00am. Gaining an extra full day. It is true that Saturday is very expensive.

MLBTracker says:
08/08/12 08:09PM
Another good deal on rooms is to go to vrbo.com and check out the condo/hotel rooms at MGM Signature. Most of the properties listed are actually owned by individuals renting them out. A friend of mine owns 3 there and rents them that way. Usually about 33% less than MGM's pricing and convenient to MGM as well as Planet Hollywood.
theclaw says:
08/08/12 10:19PM
Rent a car is the way to go they are dirt cheap in vegas.

They are many nice hotel rooms they go for dirt cheap money, the key is learning which ones are clean and nice.

I went to vegas every year for 15 straight years to bet the NFL Playoffs.

sports_Network says:
08/10/12 06:34AM
Arizona Charlies on Decatur Blvd, the 'true' LV budget Hotel & Casino with an excellent sportsbook operation, 10 minutes by cab to the strip- they throw very clean, and comfortable rooms at you for $38 to $45 exclusively..a second Arizona Charlies is located on Boulder Highway in Henderson, with compareble rates, also having a vg book
Daddy_Freddie says:
08/10/12 11:46PM
I live here and commend you for this post, the only thing that I take issue with is your suggestion of not taking the local bus...it is not that bad of an option if you can purchase a day pass, most people don't know about this and get gouged out the ass on bus fares, it is only 7 dollars for 24 hours...which is not that much and on the strip the busses are constant every 12 to 15 minutes usually
ShadowWarrior says:
08/11/12 01:29PM
We get package deals with meals, room, baggage and transfers, airfare, all included for a set price.
tom_riddle says:
08/19/12 09:03PM
Hilarious to see how easy it is to criticize the OP but then NOT offer any advice of their own. haters.
TheBigBanger702 says:
08/20/12 02:52AM
I really thought it was better review than most I've read. Also, I've always wanted to go to the Bellagio Buffet, but never been down for the long long long long ass line. Showing up at 3 is a great idea.

As far as hotels go I really don't think you can beat what you get for the price at the... Imperial Palace. Of course that depends on if you are with a girl or just the guys. If you are with a girl, first off consider Hawaii instead. Secondly, if you go to Vegas anyway don't stay at the Imperial Palace. For a bunch of dudes it is great though. Conveniently located across the street from Ceaser's it is not a bad walk to any major strip casino.

Also, I like to go to the shithole bar by ballys next door to Buatista's hole in the wall. It is tradition for my friends to always go eat there one night and  that bar has the cheapest drinks you'll find. It's the one with the big billboard saying their lease is up in 19 years or whatever.

Also, if you are going to a strip club instead of taking a taxi, walk passed the people waiting in line up to one of the limos in front. Ask a driver if they can take you to whichever strip club you want and he will take you there for free. most of the time you can get a few drink tickets from him too. It works with cabs too, but they might try to charge you or take you to some shittier place where they get a kickback. Plus, limos are way cooler.

Don't buy drugs from people on the strip. You are just going to get ripped off. Mail them to yourself at the hotel instead. they will be waiting upon check-in.

That's all I have off the top of my head. Good job Chris.
mrquija27 says:
08/20/12 08:48AM
I cant vouch for hookers, massages, and food ( cause who the fuck eats in vegas?)  But he is spot on with flights, hotels, cabs, etc.  Especially where you stay.  It is not worth saving money because you will have to spend it somehow in travel money.  So stay somewhere nice in the middle of the strip.  And if you cant get laid on your own you are pathetic!!!!
JeromeBender says:
09/03/12 04:28AM


if you cant mail them to your hotel....is there any way to score party favors on the strip without getting completely ripped off?
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User: ChrisMarkenson
Joined: June 2012
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