If you're going to Las Vegas, NV, take a Grand Canyon helicopter tour. Flights depart daily and go to the West Rim, which is just 120 minutes from town!

Choose from two kinds of tours: Aerial and landing. The cheapest option is air-only. Landing tours cost more but come with more side trips (e.g. boat rides & Skywalk tickets).

Air-only tours take about 3 hours while landing tours can last as long as 7 hours. Times include FREE hotel shuttle service to and from the airport.

Prices include all taxes, fees, fuel surcharges and lunch (excludes air tours). In other words, what you pay online is fixed.

Of all the tours out there, these are my all-time favorites:

#1

Helicopter Landing Tour (Most Popular!) The all-time, #1 champ of Grand Canyon helicopter tours. Flies above Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam before making a dramatic 4,000-foot descent to the canyon's floor. Guests enjoy a Champagne toast amid one of the world's most unique settings. Explore surrounding area and Colorado River. Comes with complimentary hotel pick up and drop off at all major Vegas Strip hotels. Trip duration: 4 hours. Click Here for Prices & Flight Times

#2

Helicopter, Boat & Skywalk Tour The mega-tour that lets you see the canyon from the ground up. Land at the bottom. Take boat ride on legendary Colorado River. Ascend to the top of canyon. Walk the Grand Skywalk 70 feet past the edge (4,000 feet below is the bottom!). Includes free hotel pick up/drop off, lunch, VIP Skywalk tickets and a professional guide. This is the trip Indian Jones wishes he could take. Total tour time: 6.5 hours. Click Here for Prices & Flight Times

#3

Helicopter Tour (Air Only!) No time to spare? Take this canyon helicopter ride. This air-only adventure includes Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam. Enter Grand Canyon airspace and see the West Rim, Colorado River, Guano Point, Eagle Point and the Skywalk. This flight is the ultimate canyon sampler. Plus it's quick and totally satisfying. Includes complimentary hotel shuttle service. Trip time: 3.5 hours! Click Here for Prices & Flight Times

Seating

I get a lot of readers asking me if they can reserve a front seat. You can, but it's not guaranteed. This is because helicopter seating is based on the total weight of all passengers. This is known just before you get on the aircraft. Front seats can be reserved on the online booking form. If you get them, you'll be charged at check-in in Las Vegas.

Weight Surcharge

Helicopters only hold six people so every seat is a premium spot. It's also why tour operators charge extra for travelers that exceed a certain weight limit that ranges between 275 and 300 pounds. If you exceed that, you will be asked to pay a weight surcharge, which can range between $100 and $200 depending on the flight. The surcharge is collected at check in.

Reservations Required

Helicopter tours are very popular. That's why I recommend that you purchase yours at least a week in advance. During summer, I recommend two weeks in advance. Don't purchase your tickets within 24 hours of departure. Two things will happen: 1) You won't get a seat; or 2) you'll pay a premium rate. Further, Many travelers think that it's cheaper to buy their tickets in Las Vegas. Not true. If you want the best deal, always buy in advance and on the Internet. It's really that easy.

Best Time to Fly

In the morning, which is when you get the best visibility and the smoothest air. This time of day, however, is the most popular. Thus these departures to sell out first. They are also the most expensive. The easiest way to avoid all this is to book in advance. Do this and you'll not only get that morning flight but you'll get it at a fair price.

Conclusion

Grand Canyon helicopter tours are essential to the Las Vegas experience. Why? Because the canyon is so close. In just 45 minutes, you could be flying over the best of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Equally important is that the West Rim is the only place in the National Park where you can fly below the rim and land at the bottom! If you want the trip of lifetime, I'm confident you'll find it on one of these helicopter tours.

Cheers!

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