Cheapest Denver to Vegas Flights: Expert Guide to Finding Deals

Finding affordable flights from Denver to Las Vegas doesn’t require luck—it requires strategy, timing, and knowledge of the travel market. This popular route connects Colorado’s Mile High City with Sin City’s glittering entertainment scene, attracting business travelers, weekend adventurers, and families seeking desert entertainment. Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or a longer Vegas vacation, understanding how to navigate airfare pricing can save you hundreds of dollars on your next trip.

The Denver to Las Vegas route is one of the busiest regional corridors in the western United States, with multiple airlines competing for passengers daily. This competition creates opportunities for savvy travelers willing to be flexible with their booking strategies. With the right approach—including knowing when to book, which airlines offer the best value, and how to leverage loyalty programs—you can consistently find tickets for significantly less than the standard published fares.

This comprehensive guide draws from industry insights, pricing data analysis, and real traveler experiences to provide you with actionable tactics for securing the cheapest possible fares on this route. We’ll explore everything from optimal booking windows to airline-specific deals, seasonal variations, and alternative airports that might offer better prices.

Optimal Booking Timing & Windows

Understanding when to book your Denver to Las Vegas flight is crucial for finding the lowest prices. Industry data consistently shows that booking 1-3 months in advance typically yields the best fares for this domestic route. However, this isn’t a rigid rule—flexibility and market monitoring can reveal even better deals.

The 45-60 day window represents the sweet spot for most Denver-Vegas flights. Airlines release their schedules and initial pricing roughly 6-8 months in advance, but prices tend to stabilize and drop around the 45-60 day mark as airlines adjust inventory. During this window, you’ll often see the lowest baseline prices before demand-driven increases occur.

For last-minute travelers, don’t assume you’ve missed the deal window. While seats closer to departure dates typically command premium prices, airlines occasionally release discounted inventory 7-14 days before departure to fill empty seats. Setting up price alerts through Google Flights, Hopper, or Kayak can help you catch these flash sales. However, relying on last-minute deals is risky if your travel dates are fixed.

The day of the week you book matters significantly. Tuesday through Thursday mornings typically show lower prices than Friday afternoon or Sunday evening bookings. Airlines often adjust pricing based on competitor actions and demand patterns, with Tuesday morning representing the most common window for price drops. Set your price alerts and check fares consistently during these windows.

Avoid booking on Sundays, Mondays, and especially Friday afternoons when demand spikes and airlines raise prices accordingly. Weekend travelers booking for weekend trips create predictable pricing surges that savvy bookers can avoid by being strategic about when they purchase tickets.

Airlines & Price Comparison

Multiple carriers service the Denver-Las Vegas route, each offering different value propositions. Southwest Airlines dominates this route with frequent daily departures and a reputation for competitive pricing. Southwest’s model—two free checked bags, no change fees, and open seating—provides excellent value compared to legacy carriers, even when base fares appear comparable.

United Airlines and Delta Air Lines also offer regular service on this route, with United typically providing more flexibility on connections through Denver International Airport. Both carriers offer premium cabin options for travelers seeking upgrade opportunities. Budget carriers like Frontier Airlines occasionally offer deeply discounted base fares, though ancillary fees (seat selection, checked baggage, carry-on bags) can quickly erode apparent savings.

For consistent value, Southwest’s transparent pricing model eliminates surprise fees. A Southwest ticket at $120 includes two free checked bags and no change penalties, making the true cost-per-seat considerably lower than a competitor offering a $99 base fare with $30-40 in baggage fees and change restrictions.

When comparing prices, use Kayak, Google Flights, or Skyscanner to view all available options simultaneously. These metasearch engines display fares from multiple airlines and booking platforms, allowing you to identify genuine deals. Filter results by airline, departure time, and stops to compare apples-to-apples pricing.

Consider our guide to best airlines for frequent flyers if you’re planning multiple Denver-Vegas trips. Accumulating miles with a single carrier can unlock upgrade opportunities and complimentary flights that reduce your long-term travel costs significantly.

Seasonal Price Patterns

Las Vegas attracts different traveler demographics throughout the year, creating predictable seasonal pricing patterns. Understanding these patterns helps you time your travel for maximum savings.

January through early March represents one of the cheapest periods for Denver-Vegas flights. Post-holiday travel demand drops significantly, and Las Vegas experiences its winter season with fewer conventions and events. This window offers some of the year’s lowest fares, with tickets regularly available in the $80-130 range for economy seats.

Spring Break (mid-March through early April) sees dramatic price increases as college students and families flock to Vegas for week-long celebrations. Expect prices to double or triple during this two-week period. If possible, travel the week before or week after Spring Break to avoid peak pricing.

Summer (May-August) brings moderately high prices due to vacation season, though Las Vegas’s scorching heat (100°F+ regularly) deters some leisure travelers. Weekday flights during summer are typically cheaper than weekends, and flying mid-week can save 20-30% compared to Friday-Sunday departures.

Fall (September-November) offers excellent pricing opportunities, particularly in September-October when heat remains intense but school schedules limit family travel. This shoulder season provides a sweet spot of lower prices and pleasant weather for Vegas exploration.

Holiday periods (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s) see the year’s highest prices as families gather and New Year’s Eve celebrations drive massive demand. These periods should be avoided if cost is your primary concern. Prices during Christmas week and New Year’s Eve week often exceed $300-400 for basic economy seats.

Advanced Booking Strategies

Beyond basic timing and airline selection, sophisticated booking strategies can reveal additional savings opportunities.

Incognito browsing is your first tactical advantage. Airlines and booking platforms use cookies to track your search behavior and sometimes increase prices for repeat searches. Open your browser’s private/incognito window before each flight search to avoid personalized price inflation. Some booking sites adjust prices based on search history, device type, and location—incognito mode eliminates these variables.

Price alert automation removes the guesswork from deal hunting. Set up alerts on Google Flights, Hopper, and Kayak for your preferred Denver-Vegas dates with flexible date ranges (±3 days). These tools send notifications when prices drop below your specified threshold, allowing you to book immediately when deals appear.

Flexible date searching often reveals surprising savings. If your travel dates are somewhat flexible, use the calendar view on Google Flights or Kayak to identify the cheapest days in your desired week or month. Sometimes flying Tuesday instead of Friday saves $50-100 per ticket. For families, this small schedule adjustment multiplies into substantial total savings.

Clearing cookies and browser data before booking is an additional safeguard. Even with incognito browsing, completely clearing your browser cache eliminates any residual tracking. Some travelers report that airline websites show higher prices when they detect repeat visits, making a clean browser state advantageous.

Booking directly with airlines versus third-party sites presents a strategic choice. While third-party booking sites (Expedia, Orbitz, Priceline) sometimes offer slightly lower prices, booking directly with United, Delta, or Southwest provides better customer service, easier rebooking if flights are cancelled, and immediate loyalty program credit. The small price difference (usually $5-15) is worth the security of direct booking.

Email price alerts from airlines put you first in line for flash sales and promotional pricing. Southwest, United, and Delta regularly email subscribers about limited-time deals on specific routes. These emails often contain exclusive discount codes or early access to sales, giving subscribers a competitive advantage.

Alternative Airports & Routes

Denver International Airport (DEN) is the obvious departure point for Denver-area travelers, but considering alternative airports can occasionally reveal better fares.

Colorado Springs Airport (COS) sits approximately 1 hour south of Denver and occasionally offers cheaper flights to Las Vegas. The trade-off involves driving time and parking costs, but for significant savings (often $30-50 per ticket), this alternative merits consideration. Factor in gas, parking, and the extra hour of travel when calculating true savings.

Book direct from DEN in most cases, as Denver International’s hub status with United Airlines typically ensures competitive pricing. The convenience of departing from your home airport usually outweighs minimal savings from alternative airports, especially when considering additional transportation costs.

Las Vegas airport selection also matters. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS, formerly McCarran) is the primary commercial airport and offers the most flights. North Las Vegas Airport (VGT) and Henderson Executive Airport (HHH) handle some traffic but lack the flight frequency and competitive pricing of LAS. Always default to LAS for the best selection and pricing.

Loyalty Programs & Rewards

Frequent flyers should leverage airline loyalty programs to reduce effective ticket costs through miles, points, and elite benefits.

Southwest Rapid Rewards offers straightforward mile accumulation—you earn miles equal to your ticket price. The Denver-Vegas route typically costs 5,000-7,500 miles one-way with a Southwest credit card signup bonus often providing 40,000-50,000 bonus miles. This translates to 5-10 free round-trip flights from that single bonus alone.

United MileagePlus provides variable mile pricing on this route, typically requiring 12,000-20,000 miles one-way depending on demand. The United Club Card ($525 annually) includes four free United Club passes annually, which provide lounge access during Vegas trips—a perk worth $60-80 per visit.

Delta SkyMiles operates similarly to United, with this route typically requiring 12,000-18,000 miles one-way. Delta’s Amex card ($250 annually) includes a free checked bag and priority boarding, benefits that add value beyond miles accumulation.

Even if you don’t fly frequently, airline credit cards with signup bonuses often provide better value than paying cash for tickets. A card offering 40,000 bonus miles can generate $400-600 in free travel value, easily offsetting annual fees for travelers making 2-3 trips yearly.

Review our comprehensive guide on airline flight delay compensation to understand your rights when issues occur—loyalty status often provides additional compensation and rebooking priority.

FAQ

What’s the absolute cheapest month to fly Denver to Las Vegas?

January through early March consistently offers the cheapest fares, with tickets regularly available for $80-130 one-way. September-October provides excellent secondary savings opportunities due to fewer families traveling during school months.

How far in advance should I book Denver-Vegas flights?

The optimal window is 45-60 days before departure. Booking earlier (6+ months) or later (less than 14 days) typically results in higher prices, though last-minute flash sales can occasionally offer deals for flexible travelers.

Can I save money flying on specific days of the week?

Yes. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday flights are typically cheaper than Friday-Sunday departures. Weekday flights to Las Vegas are generally $20-50 cheaper per ticket than weekend flights, particularly for leisure travelers.

Is Southwest always cheapest on this route?

Southwest frequently offers competitive pricing and superior value due to included baggage and no change fees. However, Frontier occasionally offers lower base fares, though ancillary fees can eliminate savings. Always compare total cost including baggage fees.

What if flights are more expensive than expected?

Set price alerts and wait for prices to drop—they typically do within 2-3 weeks. If prices remain high, consider adjusting travel dates by a few days or evaluating alternative airports. Avoid booking out of frustration; patience usually rewards cheaper travelers.

Should I book a round-trip or two one-way tickets?

Round-trip tickets are almost always cheaper than purchasing two separate one-way tickets on this route. Airlines discount round-trip fares to attract customers, making them the default choice for most travelers.

How can I find flights from Denver to Las Vegas cheaply as a frequent traveler?

Enroll in an airline loyalty program and apply for the corresponding credit card. Earning miles on every flight and credit card purchase quickly accumulates free tickets. Our guide to best airlines for frequent flyers provides detailed program comparisons.

Are there hidden fees I should know about?

Budget carriers like Frontier charge for carry-on bags, seat selection, and checked baggage. Always review airline baggage policies and seat selection fees before booking. Southwest includes two free checked bags and free seat selection, eliminating surprise fees.

What about booking on the airline website versus Expedia or Kayak?

Booking directly with airlines often provides better customer service and easier rebooking if disruptions occur. Third-party sites sometimes show slightly lower prices, but the difference rarely exceeds $10-15. Direct booking is worth the minimal price premium.

Can I use points from credit card rewards for Denver-Vegas flights?

Many travel credit cards allow point redemption for flights directly, though airline miles typically offer better value. If your card allows airline transfer, accumulating miles through airline partners usually provides superior redemption rates compared to fixed-value point transfers.