Why is Vegas Cheap During the Week?
Visiting Las Vegas between Sunday evening and Friday morning can save you upwards of 50% on hotel rates and other travel costs compared to crowded weekends. As an avid Vegas gambler and entertainment buff, I always plan my Sin City trips during the week to capitalize on cheaper prices, better gaming odds, and a less hectic atmosphere.
Dramatically Lower Hotel Rates
The average nightly rate for Las Vegas hotels during peak seasons is $176 from Sunday night to Thursday versus $329 on Friday and Saturday nights – an increase of over 85%! Nearly every resort on the Strip and downtown offer much lower prices during the week when occupancy dips below 90% versus jam-packed weekends. They deeply discount room rates to attract guests and run endless promotions for shows, attractions, spas, clubs and more to drive business from Sunday afternoon through Friday morning.
Average Vegas Hotel Rates Based on Days of Week
| Day of Week | Average Rate for Two |
|---|---|
| Sunday | $172 |
| Monday | $168 |
| Tuesday | $160 |
| Wednesday | $165 |
| Thursday | $190 |
| Friday | $310 |
| Saturday | $348 |
Capitalizing on Midweek Gaming Perks
As a passionate slot player and blackjack fan, I‘ve learned the art of maximizing freebies from casino hosts and getting better odds during slower weeknights. Here are some of my top tips:
- Play slots weeknights to increase payout percentages by 2-3% more than weekends
- Negotiate double or triple the free room offers by staying Sunday-Friday
- Find blackjack tables with $5 minimums weekdays versus $25 on weekends
- Score better seats for shows early in the week before they sell out
Being there when the crowds are smaller means more bargaining power through to leverage VIP treatment at hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and more.
Drive-Market Effect on Weekends
One factor that dramatically drives up Vegas weekend rates and crowds is the influx of drive-market visitors pouring in from Southern California. The city draws over 1.5 million people each month from SoCal who opt to drive rather than fly. These regional tourists flood Las Vegas on quick weekend getaways, jamming highways, hotels and attractions while suburban Nevadans avoid the tourist zones. This is why weekdays have less crowds and traffic.
Quieter Weekday Vibe in Vegas
I‘m the type who comes to Vegas for the world-class cuisine, entertainment and casino gaming more so than nightlife parties. During my weeknight trips, I‘ve found a completely different vibe around town than jam-packed weekends. Resort pools have plenty of lounge chairs, casino tables have open seats, restaurants have minimal waits if any, and bars/clubs don‘t reach capacity. This makes for a much more relaxed Vegas vacation soaking up all the amenities without fighting swarms of fellow tourists.
Future Midweek Travel Deals
While inflation and geopolitical issues have challenged tourism industry profits in 2022-2023, I predict Vegas hotels will continue offering deep discounts Sunday through Thursday indefinitely until occupancy levels can support rate increases. Some experts I‘ve spoken with even foresee properties like Caesars Palace, MGM Grand and The Cosmopolitan testing out dynamic pricing for the first time – meaning rates booked just a few days in advance for midweek stays could be even cheaper by 20-40% or more. Of course, last-minute weekend deals are less likely due to already peak occupancy from drive-market guests.
Project Vegas Weeknight v. Weekend Rate Difference
| Year | Weeknight Avg | Weekend Avg | % Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $170 | $340 | 50% |
| 2024 | $195 | $385 | 49% |
| 2025 | $225 | $425 | 47% |
No matter when you decide to plan that dream trip to Las Vegas, always aim to arrive by Sunday night and depart by Friday morning to maximize what you can experience on a budget. With insider expertise like mine, I‘m happy to share exactly how to unlock exclusive deals, cheaper prices and better gambling odds during the week on my blog all year round!
