What budget to travel Las Vegas? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings Las Vegas?

At certain times of the year, it's possible to take advantage of discounted ticket prices for Las Vegas attractions. In any case, it's a good idea to check the price conditions on the websites before visiting any of the attractions. You can also take advantage of reduced rates, especially for students and people over 55. However, most companies offer discounts from the age of 65, or even 62 in some cases. We also advise you to check whether these discounts apply to non-residents.

There are kiosks on the Strip, near the Fashion Show Mall for example, offering discounts on shows. Some of these may be worthwhile, while others are clearly not, as they concern minor shows that don't attract the crowds.

The Las Vegas Review Journal or Las Vegas Weekly (you'll find this free magazine just about everywhere in stores and supermarkets) offer coupons or give away good deals. These are often just a few dollars off, but they're always worth it.

It may come as a surprise to some, but there are plenty of free activities in and around Las Vegas. Here's a small selection of things to do where you won't have to pay a cent.

The Aquarium at the Silverton Casino Hotel. This is an ideal attraction for the whole family, where kids can have a blast with real mermaids putting on a show. The 117,000-gallon (450,000-liter) aquarium is filled with tropical fish

Street art in Downtown. In this neighborhood near Fremont Street, more than 30 murals are waiting to be photographed. Some of them were created by internationally renowned artists. Be sure to take a look at the first one on 7th Street. The lighting is 100% solar-powered.

Ethel M Chocolates and its cactus garden. Head to Henderson to visit Ethel M Chocolates and discover its magnificent Cactus Garden. This is Nevada's largest botanical cactus garden. Don't miss it during the holiday season, when it's decorated with over a million lights.

Bird Viewing Preserve. Also located in Henderson, the Bird Viewing Preserve brings together over 270 species of birds in an 80-acre oasis. This bird sanctuary attracts birdwatchers, wildlife photographers and nature lovers from all over the world to discover this network of ponds. The site is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. March to May and September to November; 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. June to August; 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. December to February. Last admission 30 minutes before closing time.

Seven Magic Mountains. Half an hour's drive south of the Las Vegas Strip (towards Los Angeles), you shouldn't miss this work of painted stacked rocks, created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. It's a visually stunning representation of the presence of color and expression in the desert. The work was renovated by the artist in 2021.

The Mirage volcano. Flames, smoke, water and urgent drumbeats combine to form the multiple nocturnal eruptions of the Mirage volcano.

Pinball Hall of Fame. Not far from Mandalay Bay, the Pinball Hall of Fame is a cult venue for pinball fans. Admission is free, just bring lots of coins! Over 200 vintage pinball machines are on display. Each machine costs just 25 to 50 cents, with proceeds going to local charities.

At present, the exchange rate between the dollar and the euro is slightly to Europeans' advantage (US$1 = €1.07). But with high inflation and a higher standard of living and prices, it's not as easy to get a bargain as it was several years ago. So it's not really worth it to buy products such as classic clothing, electronics or computers. It's a different story, however, if you visit the outlets to the north and south of the Strip. With fluctuating exchange rates, the situation can change rapidly. So don't go on a spending spree.

For good deals, some stores like Boot Barn (the cowboy culture specialist; www.bootbarn.com) offer year-round deals with one product bought, the second offered or 50% off the second purchase.

With so many tourists, Las Vegas can quickly become an expensive destination, especially on the Strip. All forms of payment are accepted, and you should never forget thetips, which represent between 15 and 22% of the total bill.

In Nevada, the tax (equivalent to VAT) is set at 8.375% of the total purchase price. For restaurants, remember to calculate the tip on the amount before tax and not on the total amount.

For shows, there are kiosks on the Strip (near the Fashion Show Mall, for example) offering discounts. Some of these may be worthwhile, while others are clearly not, as they concern minor shows that don't attract the crowds.

All forms of payment are accepted for your purchases. Many establishments also offer payment by telephone.

What budget to eat Las Vegas?

The establishments located on the Strip and in the casinos are renowned for their high prices, with bills that can quickly reach $50 per person, excluding taxes and tips. Beware of surprises! Most establishments also offer Food Courts featuring some of the big names. Prices are more modest, but the quality is not always up to scratch. If you want to eat more cheaply, you'll have to move away from the Strip and take advantage of restaurants frequented by locals. As an international city par excellence, you can pay your bill using any means of payment. Please note: some foreign credit cards may not be accepted in certain establishments. This is quite exceptional, but it can happen.

Drinks are subject to the same tax and tipping systems as meals. Expect to pay 15-22% for table service and 1-2 US$ for bar service. In some bars, especially casinos, waiters will take your credit card to validate its imprint. Until you ask for the bill ("check" in English), they will continue to put your drinks on it.

As far asalcoholic beverages are concerned, they are always very expensive, especially when it comes to cocktails. The pint of beer, which holds 42 cl, is the most commonly served at the bar. In reality, a pint contains 47.3 cl, but glasses are never filled to the brim. Beers cost between US$7 and US$10, sometimes much more depending on where you are. On the Strip, prices can sometimes be outrageous, especially in the clubs, where a beer costs US$12. In casinos, you can get free beers if you gamble and tip cocktail waitresses US$1 per beer.

The nextsize down from the pint is the shooner (28.5 cl). Draft beeris more expensive than bottled beer. A glass of wine rarely costs less than US$15. Lastly, cocktails are generally priced between US$12 and US$15, and can go as high as US$20 to US$30.

What is the budget for accommodation Las Vegas?

Accommodation prices, in the U.S. as elsewhere, vary according to the establishment, the period and the occupancy rate. Advertised rates will be higher in high season and during school vacations (Summer break, Christmas). Beware of the Spring Break period, when prices in Las Vegas rise due to the influx of students. Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve should also be taken into account. By the end of 2022, Las Vegas had welcomed over 300,000 visitors for New Year's Eve. After that, it's still possible to find accommodation at any price. On average, you can expect to pay US$170 per night in a casino (excluding state tax and resort fees, which can reach US$40 per night in some establishments). Most forms of payment are accepted, and some websites and newspapers offer discount coupons.

When booking online, taxes and other hotel charges only appear at checkout, not at room selection. Booking on sites such as Hotels.com (www.hotels.com), booking.com (www.booking.com ) or Expedia (www.expedia.com) can in some cases offer better prices than on the hotel's own website.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, many establishments have added cleaning fees.

Las Vegas hotel-casinos offer rates in excess of US$170 (excluding taxes). Some have prices as low as US$29(excluding tax and resort fee). On weekends, these prices can be doubled. For "classic" hotels, the price is around US$120 per night (excluding tax).

In Downtown and around Las Vegas, motels can be a solution, with average rates of around US$50 per night (excluding taxes, of course).

Self-cateringaccommodations, such as those offered online via Airbnb (www.airbnb.com), can also be found at attractive rates, often well below hotel rates.

Travel budget Las Vegas and cost of living

As a result of the current euro exchange rate, the cost of living in the United States has become higher overall than in Europe, not least due to inflation. In recent months, the biggest increases have been in restaurants, hotels and car rentals. Fuel prices, although much higher for diesel than for petrol, remain lower than in France. The minimum budget for a two-week trip to Las Vegas is highly variable, and clearly depends on the type of accommodation. On average, you should expect to pay around US$310 (€295) per day, i.e. US$2,170 (€2,065) for one person and US$4,340 (€4,130) for two.

Esta fees. The cost of an electronic visa for tourist travel is €21 per person. This visa is valid for 2 years, with periods on site of up to 90 consecutive days.

Plane. A one-way flight from Paris to Las Vegas (with a stopover in Atlanta, Detroit, Salt Lake City or Los Angeles) costs around €1,200 per person, depending on the airline and options chosen, with several months' lead time. Cheaper flights are hard to find due to the explosion in air fares.

Vehicle. A comfortable car (SUV type) costs between US$70 and US$90/day. You'll also need to add the cost of parking, which can run as high as US$25-30/day. A Harley-Davidson motorcycle will cost you US$200/day, with all the options required for this type of trip (including zero deductible insurance, roadside assistance, CDW and US$300,000 third-party liability). More attractive rates are available for multi-day packages. For motorhome rental, you can expect to pay between US$150 and US$200/day with rental companies such as Cruise America (www.cruiseamerica. com) and El Monte RV (www.elmonterv.com).

Fuel. This budget is difficult to estimate, as it will depend on where you go in the Las Vegas Valley. However, you can expect to spend between US$100 and US$200 if you count widely.

Accommodation. For a couple, you're looking at an average of US$300 for a double room. Prices vary widely according to the size of the establishment. In casinos, prices rise rapidly due to taxes and the famous resort fee (between US$30 and US$40/day).

Meals. For meals other than fast food, expect to pay US$40 per person for lunch and US$50 per person for dinner, including tax but excluding tips (add 15-22% to the tax-exclusive bill). Please note: an increasing number of establishments do not include breakfast. Please check when booking.

Visits. For visits to national parks such as Red Rock Canyon or Lake Mead, you should expect to pay US$25 per car and US$20 per motorcycle. For a state park such as Valley of Fire, admission is US$10 per car.

Communications. Wi-Fi is often available in motels, hotels, cafés and restaurants. If you don't have a plan with your operator, a prepaid SIM card for the US costs US$50 (T-Mobile, for example) for one month, plus a US$10 fee for the SIM card.

Tipping. With rare exceptions (more than 6 people at a table, for example), gratuities are not included in the bill. But check before you do. It's customary to leave the waiter between 15% and 22% of the total, depending on the quality of service - but never less than 15%. In a bar, you can leave the bartender between US$1 and US$2 per drink. For cabs, 10% to 15% of the total. Hotel staff generally receive US$1 or US$2 per piece of luggage. Valet parking costs between US$3 and US$5. If you pay by credit card, remember to fill in the tip box on the bill yourself. If you leave the tip in cash, write zero or cross it out.

Taxes. There is no general VAT in the United States. Taxes therefore vary from state to state, and some cities also add their own. In Nevada, VAT is set at 8.375%.