Las Vegas is the most popular starting point for a Grand Canyon visit — and the most confusing. Tours advertised as “Grand Canyon” go to two very different places, by road, plane or helicopter, from four hours to three days. Here is how to choose.
First decision: which canyon?
- Grand Canyon West (about 2.5 hours by road): on the Hualapai Reservation, home of the Skywalk. Shorter, cheaper day trips, often with a Hoover Dam stop. Helicopters can land on the canyon floor here.
- South Rim (about 4.5 hours by road): the national park, with the classic views, the historic village and far more to see. Day trips are long (13–17 hours); an overnight trip is better.
If you have one day and want the easy option, go West. If the Grand Canyon is the reason for your trip, go to the South Rim — ideally staying a night. Our full comparison goes deeper.
The best tours from Las Vegas
Coach day tour from US$99 Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam View, Lunch/Skywalk Options, WiFi
The most-reviewed Grand Canyon tour on GetYourGuide, with more than six thousand reviews. It visits Grand Canyon West on the Hualapai Reservation — the closest part of the canyon to Las Vegas — with a photo stop for Hoover Dam. The Skywalk is an add-on: choose it when booking if you want to walk the glass bridge.
- Early arrival at Grand Canyon West, often ahead of the crowds
- Hoover Dam photo stop
- Optional lunch and Skywalk
Coach day tour from US$99 Vegas: Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Skywalk Option, & Two Meals
A hugely popular, light-hearted West Rim day trip with breakfast and a barbecue lunch, more than four thousand reviews and a 4.8 rating. You stand at the edge of the canyon at Eagle Point; the Skywalk itself is optional.
- Breakfast and BBQ lunch included
- Photo stop for Hoover Dam at the bypass bridge
- Eagle Point, home of the Skywalk (optional)
Coach day tour from US$124 Vegas: Grand Canyon National Park South w/Lunch, Free WiFi
A good-value way to see the national-park South Rim — the Grand Canyon of the postcards — on a day trip from Las Vegas. It is a long day of driving, but you get roughly three hours at the canyon with the park fee and lunch included.
- About three hours of free time at the South Rim
- Park entry fees and lunch included
- Grand Canyon Village: El Tovar, Hopi House, Kolb Studio, Bright Angel Trailhead
Coach day tour from US$398 Las Vegas: Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend
Three of the Southwest’s most famous sights in one very long day from Las Vegas, with over two thousand reviews and a 4.8 rating. Expect a pre-dawn start and a late return; the reward is the South Rim, a guided walk through Antelope Canyon and the view over Horseshoe Bend.
- Grand Canyon South Rim
- Antelope Canyon with a Navajo guide
- Horseshoe Bend overlook
Overnight tour from US$350 Vegas: Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, & Zion
Two days give these places the time they deserve. This highly rated overnight tour covers the South Rim, Lower Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Zion, with the hotel and park fees included — far less rushed than the one-day versions.
- Grand Canyon South Rim
- Lower Antelope Canyon with a Navajo guide and Horseshoe Bend
- Zion National Park and a stretch of Route 66
Coach day tour from US$109 Grand Canyon West, Hoover Dam, Lunch & Skywalk Options, w/Wi-Fi
A polished West Rim coach tour with a guide who talks you through the Mojave Desert on the way, a Hoover Dam stop and priority entry at Grand Canyon West. Close to a thousand reviews at 4.8.
- Air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi, water and snacks
- Hoover Dam stop
- VIP access at the West Rim without waiting at the visitor centre
Small-group day tour from US$249 Small Group Grand Canyon West Rim, Skywalk & Hoover Dam Tour
The West Rim and Hoover Dam in a small group, with a 4.9 rating. Smaller groups move faster through stops and leave more time at the viewpoints. Check whether the Skywalk is included in the option you choose.
- Small group instead of a large coach
- Grand Canyon West Rim and Hoover Dam
- Skywalk in the title — check what your option includes
Coach day tour from US$132 Las Vegas: Grand Canyon West & Hoover Dam Tour + Breakfast
A long-running West Rim day trip with a strong record: Hoover Dam on the way, then Eagle Point and Guano Point, where a short trail leads to views of the Colorado River. Upgrade if you want the Skywalk.
- Hoover Dam and bypass bridge photo stop
- Eagle Point and Guano Point
- Optional Skywalk upgrade
Multi-day small-group tour from US$650 Vegas: 3-Day Ultimate Southwest Bucket List Small Group Tour
Three days covering the big national parks of the Southwest — Zion, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon — plus the Navajo tribal parks of Lower Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley. A good alternative to a self-drive road trip.
- Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon
- Lower Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley
- Small group
Flight and ground tour from US$624 Grand Canyon South by Airplane & Hummer Tour from Las Vegas
Swap the long drive for a flight: fly from Las Vegas to the South Rim, then tour the viewpoints by open-air Hummer. Expensive, and reviews are more mixed than for most tours here, but it is the fastest way to see the national-park rim from Vegas.
- Flight from Las Vegas with views of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead
- Open-air Hummer tour of South Rim viewpoints
- South Rim in a day without the long drive
By bus: the classic day trip
Coach and minibus tours are the cheapest way. A West Rim day takes about 10–12 hours, including Hoover Dam photo stops and a drive through Joshua tree forest; the Skywalk is usually an upgrade. A South Rim day is 14 hours or more, but several tours include the park fee and lunch. The longest days add Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend near Page.
By plane or helicopter
Flying saves hours and adds the view from above. Fixed-wing flights are cheaper; helicopters are more dramatic and, at Grand Canyon West, can land on the canyon floor for a champagne picnic beside the Colorado River. Some flights return over the Strip. See our helicopter guide.
Overnight and multi-day tours
Two days from Las Vegas transform the trip: sunset and sunrise at the South Rim, plus Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend or Zion. Three-day tours add Bryce Canyon and Monument Valley. If you prefer independence, take a one-way shuttle to the South Rim and stay a night or two in the park or Tusayan — see where to stay.
Driving yourself
With a rental car, Grand Canyon West is an easy day trip, and the South Rim a long one — better split with a night in Williams, Tusayan or the park. Remember that Arizona does not use daylight saving time: in winter, Arizona is one hour ahead of Las Vegas, which matters for sunset and ticket times. Fill up before you leave Kingman or Williams.
Tips
- Book helicopter tours and small-group tours a few days ahead, more in peak season and on holiday weekends.
- Most tours pick up from Strip hotels very early — check your pickup time the night before.
- Check what is included: park or Hualapai entry, Skywalk, meals and gratuities vary between tours.
- In summer, bring a hat and water; the West Rim viewpoints have little shade.
