Average ticket prices for Vegas shows hit a record high

The average ticket price for a Las Vegas show has broken the $80 barrier for the first time, reversing a decline and indicating tourists' willingness to pay more.

According to The Las Vegas Advisor's annual survey, done in March, the average ticket cost $80.22, including taxes and fees when bought via phone or Ticketmaster, the way many visitors do. That's a $4.78 increase over last year. Most expensive: a meet-the-stars VIP ticket for Donny & Marie at $310.50, up from $294.11.

The shows with the most expensive lowest-tier tickets in the survey (which excluded limited runs), according to Las Vegas Advisor publisher Anthony Curtis:

1. Le Rêve, $123.75

2. Donny & Marie, $121

3. O, $119.30

4. Absinthe, $117.90

5. Peepshow, $91.20

6. Mystère, $90.85

7. David Copperfield, $89.94

8. KÀ, $86.85

9. Zarkana, $86.85

10. Zumanity, $86.85

Interestingly, you can book a seat to see popular Celine Dion at the 4,300-seat Caesars Colosseum for $72, the survey says ($69.50 direct from the box office). And this year's least-expensive ticket is the Riviera Comedy Club at $23.99

Note that it's usually cheaper to buy at the box office (Donny & Marie costs $116.60 that way, including tax, Caesars Entertainment says, and the top VIP package is $306), and even smarter to find discounts via sources such as the Advisor codes, offers noted on LasVegasAdvisor.com and other websites, half-price ticket offices in Vegas, or using coupons or players clubs to get the costs down.