Vegas still offers fun for the budget conscious

GETTING AROUND: Getting up and down the Las Vegas Strip on the cheap is easy — especially if you're willing to walk a little bit.

Free trams run along the Strip 24/7 between Mandalay Bay and Excalibur, and between The Mirage and Treasure Island. Harrah's runs another free shuttle for customers between its casinos, running every 30 minutes from Caesars Palace, the Rio, Harrah's Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas.

For $2 a ride or a $5 all-day pass, the round-the-clock bus service known as the Deuce could be the cheapest way to travel along the entire Strip without walking, all the way to downtown, http://tinyurl.com/6kowne.

The monorail that runs from the Sahara Hotel & Casino to the MGM Grand is $5 one way, so especially if you're with a group, it's cheaper and faster to split a cab.

A little-known bonus for big-time savings (though it'll take a long time): When you leave the airport terminal, catch the free shuttle to the airport's rental car center. From there, you can catch the Deuce across the street and ride to your Strip hotel. The reverse works when you want to go back to the airport, too.

Not too shabby, considering cabs charge $1.80 on top of any regular fares just to pick passengers up from the airport.

If you're adventurous (and use good judgment), there's always another option as you deplane, wait for bags or stand in the long, winding taxi line: ask if anyone nearby is heading to the same destination, then split the fare. Cabs charge the same whether there's one rider or five.

ROOMS: As with any resort destination, the best deals are midweek and offseason nights. Expect to pay more on weekends.

Check with the hotels, as they often offer the lowest rates themselves, especially in direct-mail offers to customers belonging to loyalty programs.

Overall, average daily room rates were down 9.2 percent for the first nine months of 2008 compared with the same time period last year, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Officials at MGM Mirage, which owns 10 hotel-casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, say the company's resorts guarantee the lowest rates when booking online through the individual properties. Some examples from now through March include: $64 per night at the MGM Grand, 800-929-1111, http://www.mgmgrand.com, or $45 per night at the Monte Carlo, two-night minimum, 866-919-1960, http://www.montecarlo.com.

Like other companies, Harrah's Entertainment — http://www.harrahs.com — uses an elaborate formula to price rooms at its casinos, and gives many away to customers through its loyalty program, Total Rewards.

Slide show Vegas then and now See Las Vegas images, past and present, that make the city "fabulous." more photos

That means that prices can range wildly — even day-to-day — as casinos operate under the assumption that they can't make any money if a room isn't occupied.

For example, the same suite at the Rio costs $65 on Wednesday, Feb. 25, but $135 the next night and $290 that Saturday, according to the company's Web site.

FOOD AND DRINKS: Buffets are a decent option. The Luxor dinner buffet costs $19.99; breakfast and lunch are less.

But a couple off-menu specials at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino might be worth a trip slightly off the Strip (a free shuttle runs there from the Fashion Show Mall). Ask for the steak and shrimp special, which includes an 8-ounce New York sirloin, three jumbo shrimp, a salad and garlic mashed potatoes for $7.77. Or, if you're really hungry, the $9.99 prime rib special includes a salad, mashed potatoes and steamed veggies, along with all the meat you can handle.

At most clubs you'll pay cover fees and premium prices for drinks — though if you're among a group of young women, you may be able to talk your way in for free.

But casinos are filled with bars, and many offer lounge or club-like atmospheres without long lines or covers. Some notables include the eyecandy sound lounge & bar in Mandalay Bay, which has DJs spinning every night, and Napoleon's in Paris Las Vegas, with its dueling pianos.

Don't miss these Travel stories from msnbc.com   World’s weirdest travel gadgets Welcome to the world’s friendliest countries Airlines want your money, but not your cash Fewer travelers seen taking flight over holidays Caribbean high season deals: The latest and greatest

MORE FROM DEALS

Deals Section Front

United extends holiday sale   Grand-opening rates at a new Chicago hotel   Argentina, air/8 nights, from $1,659 Hawaii air/cruise, 7 nights, from $1,189 Europe tours from $1,079 Santa Fe, New Mexico, from $199 a night Revel in the French Quarter this Christmas Las Vegas hotel package from $129/night Vancouver, B.C., air/4 nights, from $545 La Romana, D.R., air/4 nights, from $785 Deals Section Front   Add Deals headlines to your news reader: