How Much Cash Should You Bring to Vegas? (Updated for 2025)
- Sergio Barbasso
- Aug 6
- 10 min read
Updated: Aug 8
Budget breakdowns, cash tips, and how to avoid unnecessary ATM fees in Sin City.
Introduction:
When Vegas Teaches You a $20 Lesson
During our tours around the stunning American Southwest or even during our city tours here in Las Vegas, one of the questions we get most often from tourists—no matter where they come from—is:
“How much cash do I actually need in Vegas? ’Cause we still haven’t figured it out…”
And I get it—because when I first came here on vacation from Italy back in 2012, I also expected (based on everything I’d read online) a country fully reliant on credit cards, where physical cash was just a movie cliché—long gone and mostly decorative.
I quickly learned the hard way that carrying cash was still very much a thing when, having no clue where my friends had disappeared to, a guide demanded cash I didn’t have—
And I ended up, to his clear disappointment, tipping nothing at all.
I’ve always thought of myself as a smart traveler. I had prepared well, brought several credit cards, and made sure I had access to emergency funds.
But that time? I felt like a total rookie.
The biggest mistake most people make here isn’t overspending on a luxury suite or going overboard at the tables. It’s not realizing how cash-reliant this city still is—and showing up without a solid, realistic daily cash budget.
If you're heading to Las Vegas in 2025—whether for a weekend blowout or a quiet couples' trip—let me help you figure out:
How much cash you actually need
Where not to get it
What Vegas expenses you should never pay for with a card.
Cash or Card:
What Really Works in Vegas?
Las Vegas might look high-tech with robot bartenders, QR codes on every restaurant table, and mobile check-ins everywhere, but trust me—it still runs on cash in a lot of ways.
Sure, you can easily pay for restaurants, bars, and Ubers with your card. And honestly, it’s often the fastest, smoothest option, especially for ride-sharing services. Once you’ve linked your card, all you need to do is choose your destination and show up—no cash necessary.
But when it comes to tipping, gambling, street performers, and entry fees at clubs, CASH IS KING.
For example, many casino table games still require you to exchange cash for chips. And lots of clubs—especially if you’re going through a promoter—only take cash for cover charges.
Even tipping a bartender or valet with a card can feel awkward or delayed. You’ll move smoothly through this city if you’ve got plenty of small bills ready to hand out—fast and friendly.
Realistic Cash Budgets
Based on Your Travel Style
Although Anna and I live in Vegas and help travelers almost every day, it’s hard to create a one-size-fits-all budget in a city with 40 million visitors a year—each with wildly different travel styles and priorities.
How much cash you need per day totally depends on the kind of Vegas experience you’re here for.
Are you strolling hand-in-hand with your partner?
Club-hopping with your friends?
Or navigating the Strip with three kids who need snacks every two hours?
Let’s look at what a realistic daily cash budget looks like in 2025:
• Budget Travelers (Bring ~$30–$50/day in cash)
If you're eating at food trucks, walking or using the Monorail, skipping the tables, and tipping modestly, you can get by with light cash use. Expect to use it for tips, one or two meals, bottled water, or the occasional coffee stop.
• Couples on a Romantic Getaway (Bring ~$75–$150/day in cash)
Dinner at a nice place, show tickets (many are digital, but tips aren’t), valet parking, and maybe a spa treatment. These things add up. Bring enough cash to tip generously and to pay any street performers or vendors you interact with and like .
Romantic moments in Vegas can get expensive fast here...
• Party Weekends / Bachelor-Bachelorette Trips (Bring $150–$250/day in cash)
This is where cash is absolutely essential. Club covers, tipping promoters, bottle service extras, grabbing food from trucks after midnight—it’s nonstop spending.ATMs inside clubs charge outrageous fees, so you’ll want to show up preloaded before the sun goes down.
• Families with Kids (Bring $50–$100/day in cash)
Even if most attractions accept cards, cash still comes in handy for tips, snacks, souvenirs, and occasional transportation. Theme parks like the Adventuredome, aquariums, and magic shows might have snack vendors or performers that are cash-only.
Avoiding ATM Fees:
What No One Tells You
Here’s something you’ll wish you knew before landing: ATMs inside casinos, clubs, and hotels are some of the most expensive in the country.
It’s totally normal to get charged $9–$15 just to withdraw a couple hundred dollars—and sometimes you’re limited to $200 per transaction, so you end up withdrawing multiple times… and paying multiple fees.
To avoid getting burned:
Withdraw your cash in advance—if you're coming from abroad, Wise.com usually offers great exchange rates.
Use bank-branded ATMs at places like CVS or Walgreens off the Strip—much lower fees.
Consider cards like Wise, Charles Schwab, SoFi, or Revolut, which refund ATM fees.
Don’t wait until last minute (like me, at 1 a.m.)—get your cash during the day when you have better options.
The Tipping Culture in Vegas:
Bring Small Bills
Tipping is part of the culture here—and it’s not just about generosity; it’s about respect and speed.
From the moment you check into your hotel, you’ll need to tip:
bellhops for your bags, valet drivers, housekeeping staff, bartenders, and more. If you’re playing at a casino, cocktail servers expect a couple of dollars per drink—even if the drink is “free.”
Important note if you're not familiar with U.S. cash:
All dollar bills are the same size, and often the same color. So double-check what you're handing over when tipping or paying in cash—you might easily be leaving a $20 when you meant to give $5 (we did).
💡 Smart Tip: Have a dedicated pouch or wallet slot like THIS ONE for tipping bills—lots of $1s and $5s. You’ll need them constantly and shouldn’t have to fumble around for change.
Gambling:
Set Your Cash Limits in Advance
Gambling is personal. Some people treat it like entertainment; others treat it like investing. Either way, setting a limit is essential.
For casual players, $100–$200 total for your entire trip is enough for a few rounds of blackjack or some fun at the slots. More serious gamblers often bring $300–$500 per day. And if you're a high-roller? You already know how much cash to bring.
Pro tip: Use envelopes or money clips like THIS ONE to separate your daily gambling cash and resist the urge to “just take out a little more.”
There are so many better things you can do with the money you save—like seeing one of the many incredible shows in town (read about the Cirque du Soleil shows available in 2025).
We locals book them using the same promo banner below—check it out here:
Vegas Nightlife:
When Cash is the Only Entry Ticket
Nightclubs and pool parties are a huge part of Vegas—but they’re also where most people get caught without enough cash.
Even if your ticket was prepaid or you’re on a guest list, entry tips for promoters or security are expected. Once inside, tips at the bar and for restrooms are also done in cash. Trust me, you don’t want to be the person holding up the line because you only brought your card.
If you plan on partying at places like XS, Marquee, or Encore Beach Club, have at least $100 in cash set aside each night just for covers, tips, and surprise charges.
Want to skip the hassle? Pre-book club crawls or pool party entries via GetYourGuide, many include VIP perks or drink tickets.
Transportation:
Cards Are Fine, But Cash Still Matters
You’ll likely use Uber or Lyft for most of your rides—those are card-based apps. But if you’re catching a cab from the airport or along the Strip, cash is often preferred (and sometimes even required).
Also, while the Monorail accepts cards, you’ll still need cash for things like bus fares, tips for shuttle drivers Downtown, and valet parking gratuities.
And yes, this actually happened to us—we tried to board The Deuce on the street, and the card machine wasn’t working. Only cash.
Result? No ride.
Don’t let it happen to you.
Guided or DIY Tours:
Cash is Key!
Planning a day trip to Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam, or the Grand Canyon? Renting a car is often cheaper and more efficient than relying on multiple rideshares. Just don’t forget to carry some cash for gas station snacks, parking meters, or small purchases along the way.
And if you go with guided tours, don’t skimp on tips—unless your guide was truly rude (and in our experience, that’s super rare). Tour guides spend several hours with you, keep things fun, answer all your questions, and often double as personal photographers.
Another thing to know: Some tours that enter Native American lands require cash only for entry fees.
Also, if you visit places like Grand Canyon West Rim and want to buy handmade jewelry or crafts from Hualapai vendors, cash is essential—that’s how they support their communities.
📌 Most reliable tour operators like the ones featured below will clearly tell you in advance what needs to be paid in cash:
And now, intermission…
Loose Change!
Coins are one of the main reasons your wallet feels bulkier and more attractive to pickpockets, and your butt feels sore after sitting for a while with that thing in your back pocket.
Especially if you're visiting from outside the U.S., you’ll be amazed at how fast you collect a handful of change just by paying in cash and getting coins back at every store.
For years, I found them so confusing to figure out, because the dime (10¢) is smaller than the nickel (5¢) and even the penny (1¢)!
I used to end up flying home with little bags full of coins I told myself I’d use on my “next U.S. trip,”…but they always end up becoming junk-drawer souvenirs I never brought back.
You can do better than I. Thanks to these tips, you’ll use your cash smarter and wrap up your trip with as few coins as possible.
💡 Smart tip: If you’re having trouble telling the coins apart, don’t hesitate to ask the cashier to help. I did it for years—and everyone’s always willing to assist here.
And if you can’t get rid of them? We strongly encourage you to give them to someone in need. You might be holding $3–$5 in change that means little to you… But it could mean a meal or bus fare to someone else.
When to Use Cash vs. Card in Las Vegas
(2025 Guide)
Here’s a quick breakdown to help you navigate which payment method works best in different situations in Las Vegas:
🟢 Use your CARD for:
Restaurants & bars
Ride-sharing apps like Uber & Lyft
Online reservations (clubs, tours, shows)
Convenience stores & larger shops
Digital ticketing for events
💵 Use CASH for:
Tipping (valets, housekeeping, guides, bartenders)
Table games & slot machines
Buying from street vendors or food trucks
Club entry tips or spontaneous purchases
Buses, local tips, and shuttle gratuities
Small souvenir stands or tribal markets
⚠️ Pro tip: Always carry small bills ($1s, $5s, $10s) for flexibility and to avoid awkward payment situations.
How Much Cash to Exchange at Home vs. in the U.S.
If your home currency isn’t U.S. dollars, it’s a smart move to exchange some cash before your trip at your bank or credit union—fees are usually better than those you’ll find at U.S. airports or Strip ATMs.
💡 FYI: You can legally bring up to $10,000 in cash per person into the U.S. without needing to declare it. Just don’t blow it all on gambling!
Our rule of thumb (after 15 years of travel) :
Bring enough cash to cover:
Your first three nights of hotel stays
Your first six meals
The total cost of your rental car (if you’re renting one)
Why? If your cards fail, get lost, or are frozen for fraud protection, that buffer gives you peace of mind and enough time to sort it out. It always worked great for us.
For hotel bookings, we’ve been using Booking.com for the past 15 years, and for car rentals, we rely on RentalCars . Both platforms allow us to know the exact cost of each reservation and what we’ll need to pay on-site, as well as offering free cancellation in case any issues arise before arrival.
And don’t forget: Ask for smaller bills like $10s and $20s—not just $100s. Many small businesses won’t want to break a $100 bill for a $6 purchase.
Sergio’s Packing Tips for
Carrying Cash Safely
Every Vegas trip should come with a small money strategy. Here’s how I carry and protect my cash:
Use a thin RFID-blocking wallet (available on Amazon)
Bring a money belt or a zippered pouch for tips
Keep some cash in your hotel safe or luggage lockbox
Pack your cash in daily envelopes—great for controlling spending
Never carry it all at once. Vegas is fast and distracting. Be smarter.
Vegas is generally safe, but just like in any busy city, pickpockets exist.
If you’re reading this blog, you clearly want to travel smarter—so protect your budget with a few simple habits.
Final Thoughts:
Spend Smart, Stay Ahead
Las Vegas doesn’t try to hide its prices—it just distracts you from them.
From ATM surprises to tipping traps, it’s easy to watch your cash vanish if you’re unprepared.
But when you know what to expect, bring the right bills, and set a clear daily limit—you unlock a different kind of Vegas experience.
One that’s free of panic, full of spontaneity, and grounded in smarter choices.
So, tip generously, and budget wisely.
And don’t fall for every flashy gimmick. The best Vegas trips aren’t the ones where you spend the most… but the ones where you come back richer in stories.
✨ At Getawayk™, we help you travel smarter and live deeper—even in the world’s most over-the-top city.
FAQs: How Much Cash Should You Bring to Las Vegas?
1. Is Las Vegas still a cash city in 2025?
Yes. While cards are accepted everywhere, cash is still king for tipping, gambling, and spontaneous spending.
2. How much cash should I bring for a 3-day trip?
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Budget traveler: $150–$200
Couples getaway: $300–$450
Party weekend: $600–$900
Family trip: $200–$300
3. What’s the best way to avoid ATM fees in Vegas?
Use bank-branded ATMs at CVS, Walgreens, or off-Strip gas stations. Use Wise, Schwab, SoFi, or Revolut debit cards that refund ATM fees.
4. Should I carry small bills like $1s and $5s?
Absolutely. Tipping in Vegas happens constantly, and small bills are essential.
5. Can I use foreign currency like Euros or Pesos?
No. You’ll need U.S. dollars for everything. Exchange before arriving or use Wise.com for fair rates and debit access.
6. Can I rely only on cards during my trip?
No. Many situations—like bus fares, club tips, or street vendors—are cash-only. Don’t get caught unprepared.
7. What’s a safe way to carry my cash around Vegas?
Split it into daily envelopes, use a belt bag or money clip, and leave backup cash in your hotel safe.
