Comparison · Las Vegas vs Palm Springs · United States
Las Vegas vs Palm Springs
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Eric Kilby, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
Choose Las Vegas for The Strip and casinos; choose Palm Springs for mid-century modern architecture, aerial tramway and a milder winter. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 290 km (180 mi) apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 290 km (180 mi)
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Las Vegas
- March–May and October–November
- Best time for Palm Springs
- February–April and November
Plan either trip
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Side by side
| Las Vegas | Palm Springs | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | The Strip, Casinos and Shows and residencies | Mid-century modern architecture, Aerial tramway and Desert palm canyons |
| Best time to visit | March–May and October–November | February–April and November |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | US$200–400 | US$250–400 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 40°C (104°F) | July, 42°C (108°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 14°C (57°F) | December, 20°C (68°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 5 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | LAS | PSP, ONT |
Month by month
Going by our guides' own ratings, the better pick is Las Vegas in May and September–October, and Palm Springs in January–February. Both are at their best in March–April and November.
| Month | Las Vegas | Palm Springs | Better pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C (57°F), 3 rainy days | 21°C (70°F), 4 rainy days · shoulder season | Palm Springs |
| February | 17°C (63°F), 4 rainy days · shoulder season | 23°C (73°F), 4 rainy days · best time | Palm Springs |
| March | 22°C (72°F), 3 rainy days · best time | 27°C (81°F), 2 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| April | 26°C (79°F), 2 rainy days · best time | 31°C (88°F), 1 rainy day · best time | Both at their best |
| May | 32°C (90°F), 1 rainy day · best time | 36°C (97°F), 0 rainy days · shoulder season | Las Vegas |
| June | 38°C (100°F), 1 rainy day | 41°C (106°F), 0 rainy days | No clear pick |
| July | 40°C (104°F), 3 rainy days · best avoided | 42°C (108°F), 1 rainy day · best avoided | Neither: both best avoided |
| August | 39°C (102°F), 3 rainy days · best avoided | 42°C (108°F), 1 rainy day · best avoided | Neither: both best avoided |
| September | 35°C (95°F), 2 rainy days · shoulder season | 39°C (102°F), 1 rainy day | Las Vegas |
| October | 27°C (81°F), 2 rainy days · best time | 33°C (91°F), 1 rainy day · shoulder season | Las Vegas |
| November | 19°C (66°F), 2 rainy days · best time | 25°C (77°F), 1 rainy day · best time | Both at their best |
| December | 14°C (57°F), 3 rainy days · shoulder season | 20°C (68°F), 3 rainy days · shoulder season | Either: shoulder season |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Las Vegas for…
The Strip and casinos. Las Vegas packs giant themed resorts, casinos, shows and restaurants along the 6.8 km Las Vegas Strip, with the older Downtown and Fremont Street a short bus ride north. Beyond the gaming floors, visitors come for Cirque du Soleil and concert residencies…
Choose Palm Springs for…
Mid-century modern architecture, aerial tramway and a milder winter. Palm Springs sits on the floor of the Coachella Valley at the foot of the 3,302-metre San Jacinto Mountains, about 175 km east of Los Angeles. Its walkable downtown along Palm Canyon Drive is lined with mid-century modern banks, motels and shops, and the…
Top sights compared
| # | Las Vegas | Palm Springs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Las Vegas Strip | Palm Springs Aerial Tramway |
| 2 | Fountains of Bellagio | Mount San Jacinto State Park |
| 3 | Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens | Indian Canyons |
| 4 | Sphere | Tahquitz Canyon |
| 5 | Fremont Street Experience | Agua Caliente Cultural Museum |
Food compared
| Las Vegas | Palm Springs |
|---|---|
| Resort buffet | Date shake |
| Shrimp cocktail | Medjool and Deglet Noor dates |
| Steakhouse dinner | Tacos and Mexican plates |
| Chinatown pho, hot pot and dim sum | Tamales |
Which is cheaper?
Las Vegas and Palm Springs cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly US$200–400 in Las Vegas and US$250–400 in Palm Springs (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Las Vegas on a budget.
Las Vegas or Palm Springs from the U.S.
Worked out from time zones and airport coordinates: straight-line distances, not flight routes.
| Las Vegas | Palm Springs | |
|---|---|---|
| Time vs New York | −3 h | −3 h |
| Time vs Los Angeles | Same time | Same time |
| From New York (JFK) | 2,240 mi (3,600 km) | 2,380 mi (3,820 km) |
| From Los Angeles (LAX) | 240 mi (387 km) | 107 mi (172 km) |
| U.S. plugs | U.S. plugs fit | U.S. plugs fit |
From New York, Las Vegas is about 135 miles (218 km) closer than Palm Springs in a straight line.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Las Vegas and Palm Springs are about 290 km (180 mi) apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Las Vegas and 4 in Palm Springs.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Las Vegas or Palm Springs cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about US$200–400 in Las Vegas and US$250–400 in Palm Springs (estimates).
+Is Las Vegas or Palm Springs better for a first trip?
Pick Las Vegas for The Strip and casinos, or Palm Springs for mid-century modern architecture, aerial tramway and a milder winter.
+How far is Las Vegas from Palm Springs?
About 290 km (180 mi) in a straight line.