Is Las Vegas Becoming Too Expensive for Travelers?

In recent years, many visitors have noticed that a Vegas vacation doesn’t feel as cheap as it once was. Las Vegas has earned a reputation for nickel-and-diming guests, as prices for everything from hotel rooms to drinks have skyrocketed.

These rising costs are prompting travelers to ask whether Sin City is still a good deal, or if a trip to Vegas now comes at too high a price.

Hotels: Rising Room Rates

Las Vegas hotel prices are unquestionably higher than in the past. 2023 saw record-high room rates, with the Strip’s average nightly rate around $200 – roughly a 12% jump from the year before.

During big events, rates can spike even further (November 2023’s Formula 1 weekend pushed the citywide average to an all-time high of about $249 per night ). In decades past, Vegas casinos were willing to offer very cheap rooms to fill beds and get gamblers in the door. Not anymore.

As one hospitality professor notes, the old strategy of “cheap to get there and stay there” has faded – today casinos rely less on gambling and more on hotel, food, and event revenues to make money.

In fact, Vegas operators are comfortable keeping some rooms empty if they can charge higher prices for the rest. The result? If you’re planning a Vegas trip, sticker shock is now common when browsing hotel rates.

One reason behind the price hikes is simple demand: Las Vegas recovered strongly after pandemic lockdowns, and visitation surged in 2022-2023. Big-ticket events (sports, concerts, conventions) draw crowds willing to pay premium rates. But lately, there are signs that travelers are getting price fatigue.

Through the first half of 2025, visitor numbers slumped about 7% , and hotel occupancy in Las Vegas actually dropped sharply at the start of summer. Some tourists say they’re thinking twice: “When a weekend in Vegas is the same price as a week in Rome, maybe I’ll go elsewhere,” as one online commenter quipped.

The once famously “bargain” vacation in Vegas is becoming anything but. One local tour operator put it bluntly: “Las Vegas is no longer a bargain vacation.”

To be fair, not every hotel in town is pricey – Vegas still offers a huge range of options. The CEO of Las Vegas’s tourism authority points out that with 150,000 hotel rooms in the region, on any given night you can find everything from a basic $9 motel room to a luxury $600 suite.

Midweek or off-strip properties often cost far less than the headline-making Strip resorts. In mid-2025, some hotels even began dropping rates or running promotions to lure price-sensitive travelers, as a tourism slowdown forced a mini price correction. Still, the overall trend is clear: staying in Vegas now costs more, and travelers need to budget accordingly.

Resort Fees and Extra Charges

Room rates tell only part of the story. These days, the price you see for a hotel in Las Vegas is usually not the price you pay. Nearly every major resort tacks on a mandatory “resort fee” – a fixed daily surcharge for amenities that can add $30, $40, or even over $50 per night to your bill.

These fees, often not included in the initial booking price, have been climbing steadily. In late 2024, MGM Resorts (which owns Bellagio, MGM Grand, and many others) hiked its resort fees twice in one year , pushing some nightly fees into the $45–$55 range at high-end properties.

For example, Caesars Palace now charges about $55 per night in resort fees on top of the room rate. Over a longer stay, these add-ons really pile up – one traveler recounts that a four-night stay at the Cosmopolitan came with $249 in resort fees and taxes alone. Many visitors feel blindsided and frustrated by these hidden costs.

It’s not just resort fees. Las Vegas hotels have rolled out a slew of extra charges for things that used to be free. Want to park your car at the hotel? On the Strip, that often incurs a daily parking fee (most casinos stopped free parking in the mid-2010s).

Arriving early and hoping to check in a bit before official check-in time? Some hotels will now gladly let you – for an extra $30–$60 “early check-in” fee. Even basic amenities can feel like a gouge.

Guests have gone online to vent about “$26 bottles of water” in hotel rooms and minibars charging $12 for a can of soda. It’s no wonder longtime Vegas expert Anthony Curtis calls the relentless markups and surcharges “the gouge.”

Such add-on fees have become a sore point, especially for value-conscious travelers. One fed-up Reddit user joked, “This is why we just sleep in the car,” after seeing yet another increase in resort fees.

The prevailing feeling is that Vegas resorts are constantly looking for ways to squeeze a bit more cash from each guest. All these little fees – on top of already higher room prices – can leave visitors feeling nickel-and-dimed and less enthusiastic about a return trip.

The industry is aware of the grumbling, but as long as people keep paying, the fees persist. “As long as folks are willing to pay those higher resort fees, casinos will feel entitled to keep grabbing,” Curtis observes, adding, “It’s hard to feel sorry for the people who continue to feed it.” In other words, unless travelers push back by choosing fee-free alternatives, the add-on charges are here to stay.

Food and Drinks

Las Vegas once lured visitors with cheap eats and free drinks; now, the food and beverage prices can be as breathtaking as the casino lights. Inflation and the shift toward upscale dining have driven costs up across the board.

Tourists are often shocked at what a simple meal or drink costs on the Strip these days. “I was surprised to pay $9 for a coffee,” said one visitor from the UK – a price that’s nearly double what he’d pay back home.

Casual lunch spots that might charge $12 elsewhere could be $20+ in the Vegas resort corridor. And those legendary all-you-can-eat buffets are no longer the bargains they once were.

The most lavish Vegas buffets now run around $65–$80 per person (before tax and tip) for dinner , and can creep close to $100 on weekends or with add-ons. (Caesars Palace’s Bacchanal Buffet, for instance, has exceeded $75 per person on peak nights, and special event brunches at certain resorts have hit the $100 mark.)

In fact, an in-depth buffet tour by Eater found two people paying $139 total at one Strip buffet and $150 at another – roughly $70–$75 each for the experience. Clearly, the era of the cheap $9.99 buffet is long gone.

Restaurant dining on the Strip often comes with steep menu prices as well as sneaky surcharges. It’s not uncommon for tourist-focused restaurants to tack on a 4–5% “concession fee” or similar charge to your bill – essentially a hidden upcharge for the privilege of dining in a Strip location.

And then there’s the drink menu: Vegas is famous for its nightlife, but be prepared to pay for those margaritas and mojitos. At many casino bars and clubs, a basic cocktail can easily cost $15–$25.

A recent menu photo from a Caesars Palace lobby bar showed the cheapest mixed drink was about $22 (before tax and tip), with most cocktails running $25 or more. Paying $30 for a single drink after tip is a reality that has stunned some visitors. “Why are we charging New York City prices for drinks in Vegas? I have no idea,” admitted one local hospitality professor, noting that a night out in Vegas now rivals the cost of other expensive cities.

Even “free” drinks in the casino while you gamble are harder to come by unless you’re actively betting – a far cry from the days when casinos kept the booze flowing liberally to keep gamblers seated.

There are still affordable eats if you know where to look. For example, off-Strip casinos and old-school diners around town still advertise steak-and-eggs specials under $10 or prime rib dinners under $20.

In early 2025, Station Casinos (a local casino chain) even ran a buzzed-about promo offering a classic cheeseburger and fries for just $5.99 – a deal so out of character for modern Vegas that it led one newsletter to joke, “Has hell frozen over?”. That promo was limited to a few local joints, but it shows that savvy travelers willing to venture beyond the tourist hotspots can still eat cheaply.

Also, downtown Vegas and off-strip areas tend to have lower menu prices than the Strip’s glitzy restaurants. Overall though, if you plan to dine and drink on the Strip, budget extra – the days of the dirt-cheap buffet or $0.99 shrimp cocktail have largely given way to $100 steak dinners and $25 margaritas.

Shows and Entertainment Costs

Entertainment is a huge part of the Vegas allure – from Cirque du Soleil spectaculars to A-list concerts and sporting events. But as Vegas has positioned itself as a world-class entertainment capital, ticket prices have climbed to world-class levels too.

Big-name residencies and tours in Vegas often command eye-watering prices. Case in point: tickets to see Adele’s recent residency at Caesars Palace reportedly hovered around $1,000 on average for decent seats.

On secondary markets, some of her tickets went for $1,500+ each , making it one of the priciest concert shows in the U.S.

Other headline acts aren’t far behind – a coveted seat at a superstar’s Vegas show will often set you back a few hundred dollars per person, easily. Even production shows and mid-tier entertainers have edged up in price.

It’s common now for popular Cirque du Soleil or magic show tickets to be in the $100–$150 range (especially after fees), whereas a decade ago many shows could be found for under $75.

Major sporting events and new attractions have embraced luxury pricing too. When Formula 1 racing debuted on the Strip in 2023, the exclusive Paddock Club experience was priced around $25,000 per person for the weekend – essentially targeting VIP high-rollers.

And Las Vegas’s NFL team, the Raiders, has some of the highest ticket prices in the league for their games , routinely a few hundred dollars for even average seats. Simply put, Vegas knows people will pay a premium for “once-in-a-lifetime” experiences, and it prices accordingly.

Not everything is sky-high. Many smaller shows, comedy acts, or off-Strip entertainment options remain reasonably priced (and often heavily discounted on deal sites or at same-day ticket kiosks). For example, the hit cabaret “Absinthe” on the Strip has VIP seats around $200, but savvy showgoers can find limited deals closer to $50.

And free entertainment hasn’t vanished entirely – the famous Bellagio fountain show is still free, and downtown on Fremont Street you can catch live music without an entry fee most nights. Those on a budget can also seek out the free circus acts at Circus Circus or simply people-watch along the always-entertaining Strip sidewalks.

Still, the marquee Vegas experiences – the big concerts, the Cirque du Soleil productions, the nightclub performances by celebrity DJs – will demand top dollar. Travelers who recall when Vegas shows were an affordable add-on might be stunned at how much of your budget a single show can now consume.

Nightlife

Las Vegas nightlife is legendary, from thumping EDM megaclubs to stylish cocktail lounges. Yet partying in Vegas nowadays often requires a big bankroll. The trend of expensive clubbing that started in the 2010s has only intensified.

Most major nightclubs on the Strip charge cover fees that can range from about $20–$30 for women and $30–$50 for men on typical nights. Popular DJ or holiday weekend? Those covers can jump even higher (sometimes $100+ for men on big New Year’s Eve or fight-night events).

Yes, many clubs offer guest list deals that let some people in free – but conditions apply (often women free, men only if with an even female ratio, etc.). If you don’t plan ahead, don’t be surprised to pay at the door just to get inside the hottest venues.

Once you’re in, prepare for steep drink prices at the bars. A beer might run you $10+, and any kind of mixed drink or cocktail is likely in the $15–$25 range at clubs and pool parties. For example, at Wynn’s popular night swim party, standard bar cocktails cost around $18-$20, and even a simple vodka-soda can be $15.

These prices are fairly standard across Vegas clubs – comparable to upscale clubs in New York or LA. “It can be easy to drop a big sum,” one nightlife guide warns, once you factor in cover, a couple of $20 drinks, maybe a tip to the bartender, etc..

And that’s not even touching VIP table service, which in Vegas can easily run hundreds to thousands for a group (though some “entry-level” table packages start around $600+ for a small group). In short, a night of dancing and drinking on the Strip can burn through cash fast.

That said, not every night out in Vegas has to break the bank. There are a few lower-cost clubs and bars (often older venues or those off-strip) where drink specials and low/no cover for ladies keep things affordable. Many resorts also have relaxed casino bars or lounges with no cover charge, where you can enjoy live music or DJs without the full nightclub expense.

And of course, if you’re gambling at a casino bar, you might score comped drinks (a free drink for active players), though casinos have tightened those policies in recent years. Smart partiers often pre-game with cheaper drinks elsewhere (for example, grabbing a $4 beer at a nearby bar) before entering a club where the same beer would cost triple.

But overall, anyone planning to partake in Vegas’s famous club scene should be aware it’s priced as a luxury experience – one more area where Vegas can drain your wallet faster than you expect.

Is Vegas Still a Good Value?

With all these rising expenses – hotel rates, fees, food, entertainment – travelers are justified in wondering if Las Vegas is losing its value proposition. The answer really depends on what kind of traveler you are, and how you prefer to experience Vegas.

For budget-conscious visitors, there is still value to be found in Vegas, but it requires more effort than before. Staying in a budget hotel off the Strip or downtown, for example, can save a lot. Downtown Fremont Street hotels often have no (or low) resort fees and free parking , making them an attractive alternative.

Fremont Street also offers free nightly light shows and concerts , and generally cheaper dining and drinking options – all of which appeal to travelers trying to avoid “the gouge.” It’s no coincidence that while overall Vegas visitation is down, visits to downtown Fremont Street actually rose by 6% in 2025.

Clearly, many are seeking out the “Old Vegas” value vibe. If you’re a traveler willing to forego some Strip luxuries, Vegas can still be done on a moderate budget – you can find $5 blackjack downtown instead of $25 minimums on the Strip, $3 beer in a dive bar instead of $15 craft brews, and decent motel rates that won’t require a second mortgage.

For the mid-range traveler who wants the full Strip experience without totally blowing the budget, Vegas is a more delicate balancing act now. You might have to be strategic – maybe you shorten your trip by a day to save on hotel costs, pick one splurge meal or show and keep other meals casual, and actively look for promotions (such as package deals that include free show tickets or using a hotel’s loyalty program for perks).

It’s definitely possible to have fun in Vegas without overspending, but it’s easier than before to accidentally spend a small fortune if you’re not careful. This is where doing some homework pays off: for instance, knowing that Uber or Lyft might be cheaper than a $40 taxi from the airport, or that you can buy a monorail pass instead of shelling out for valet parking.

Travelers have become more price-sensitive, and Vegas businesses have started responding with some deals – especially as the city faces a bit of a slowdown. As of mid-2025, several resorts launched special offers (like a couple of free buffets or show tickets with a 2-night stay) to entice visitors. So value can be found, but it’s not as effortless as dropping into Vegas in years past.

For high-end travelers or big spenders, Las Vegas can still be worth every penny – because frankly, it’s designed for those who can pay. The city now boasts an incredible array of luxury experiences: Michelin-starred restaurants, suites larger than houses, VIP nightclub service, exclusive sports experiences, you name it.

If you have the budget to indulge, Vegas will happily cater to you with a premium, seamless experience (and you might not even notice the $50 resort fee on your $500/night room). In fact, industry analysts note that the top tier of the Vegas market – think luxury resorts and fine dining – is doing exceptionally well; it’s the middle class visitor that feels the pinch most.

The danger for Vegas is if too many regular travelers begin to feel priced out or “not special” compared to other destinations. Why choose Vegas if it costs as much as New York or Cancun but with extra hassles? This is a question being raised more often. “If a trip to Vegas is going to run you the same as a vacation to New York or San Francisco, you might think twice,” as one Business Insider report mused.

Conclusion

Las Vegas has become more expensive for the average traveler – there’s really no denying that. Room bargains and cheap buffets have given way to high fees and premium pricing.

However, Vegas still offers a unique mix of entertainment and excitement that’s hard to find elsewhere. Many visitors are willing to pay a premium for the “Only in Vegas” experience of dazzling casinos, world-class shows, and 24/7 thrills.

And for those on a tighter budget, Vegas hasn’t forgotten you, but you’ll need to seek out the value pockets (downtown, off-peak travel times, package deals) and maybe adjust expectations from champagne and limos to beer and the bus.

Vegas can still be done affordably, especially if you skip the priciest temptations, but it’s no longer the budget playground it once was for most travelers.

In a sense, Las Vegas is reinventing itself for a higher-end era and it’s up to each traveler to decide if the legendary Vegas magic is worth the new premium price of admission.