If you have never been to Las Vegas before let me start by saying that every penny spent is worth it and with any luck you’ll earn a free vacation at the poker tables. However, I have realized over my trip to Las Vegas that there are plenty of scams out there that you need to watch out for. Well there more rip-offs and poker cheats compared to scams, but nonetheless you’ll notice some things in Vegas cost much more then they do where you’re from. We’re going to look at some of the rip-offs you need to try and avoid in Las Vegas as much as possible.

Taxis

* Taxi Cabs in Las Vegas cost more then almost every other city in the United States apart from New York and Los Angeles. They have big charges for riding in the cab plus the drivers will often try and take advantage of tourists. Try avoiding cabs while in Vegas as much as possible, you can rent a car or take shuttle buses around most places.

* Almost all of the casino hotels in Las Vegas cost a fair amount to stay in which is reasonable because many tourists visit the city. The only problem I have is the hotel fees which they don’t tell you about until you’re checking out of the hotel. This is the worst time to present extra fees because the vacation is now over, I feel if they’re going to charge fees then they should tell you every fee when you check-in the hotel.

* With taxis costing a lot in Las Vegas the car rental companies also charge a lot. I think it’s cheaper to rent a car if you plan on driving everyday, but if not taxis might be cheaper. The most cost effective way to travel in Las Vegas is through shuttle buses which are present at most hotels on the strip. You simply pay a flat rate and you can use the shuttle buses as much as you’d like.

* The cost of food and beverages around this casino gambling city is a complete rip-off. You should do shopping at a local grocery store for your drinks and snack food so that you don’t get stuck paying $5-$10 for a bottle of water on the strip. Always make sure you look at the pricing of drinks before going to anything as well, because often places suck you in with cheap food, but then they hit you up for expensive drinks.

* If you’re going to be taking your bank card to take money out instead of bringing cash then make sure you use a bank to withdraw money. The hotels and casinos have insane charges for taking money out using there ATM’s and if you use them a few times you’ll see how quickly the charges add up. Take the time to find a bank and you’ll save yourself at least $20 depending on how often you need to use the ATM.

Las Vegas is a great place to visit, but beware of the rip-offs that are sure to surround you on your vacation and take care of your money. No point wasting money while on your vacation so think smart and you should save a couple hundred bucks which can be used elsewhere. You may just be better off staying home and playing poker online.