Keith Speaks: Grand Canyon Tour Advice

Travel writer Keith Kravitz on picking the right Grand Canyon tour – what to fly, when to go, what to wear, and the mistakes that catch people out.

Choosing a tour

Helicopter or Airplane? How to Decide – the big differences between the two, and why the choice is easier than it looks.
Air-Only vs. Landing Helicopter Tours – the types of air-only and landing tours available from Las Vegas and the South Rim.
5 Tips for Better Grand Canyon Tours – Keith's five key tips to use when buying any Grand Canyon tour.
Grand Canyon Airplane Tours: 5 Key Tips – five things you must know before purchasing an airplane tour.
Maverick or Papillon for the South Rim Airplane Tour? – how to pick between the two operators for the Las Vegas to South Rim flight.
Las Vegas to South Rim Airplane Tour Options – the 60-minute flight and the two options to choose from.
A West Rim Helicopter Tour for Self-Drivers – if you're driving yourself from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West.
Tours That Let You Decide On Arrival – trips where side trips like the Skywalk stay optional until you're there.
Grand Canyon Jeep Tours – how to find an affordable jeep tour, and why Keith prefers them to shuttle buses.
1-Day Smooth Water Float Tours – smooth-water rafting on the Colorado from Las Vegas and the South Rim.
Sunset Helicopter Tours – taking a sunset flight from Las Vegas, and what the light does to the canyon.

Time Zones and Daylight Saving – Arizona doesn't change its clocks, and it catches Las Vegas visitors out every year.
Sunrise & Sunset: Best Times and Places – when and where to watch, from Las Vegas or the South Rim.
Driving to the South Rim in Winter – Keith's own drive through fog, snow and a blizzard, and what he'd do differently.
Skywalk Reality Check – set realistic expectations and you'll enjoy it far more.
Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam in One Day? – why the tour everyone asks for doesn't really exist.

Booking by Phone or Online – which is better, and a word on payment security.
Why Booking Ahead Pays – how planning ahead keeps you on the better rate.
When Las Vegas Got Hot for Helicopter Tours – what a busy summer taught Keith about booking windows.
Tours for Special Occasions – in Las Vegas to celebrate something? Start here.

Airplane Tours Over the Christmas Holidays – flying from Las Vegas during the busiest fortnight of the year.
Beating the Veteran's Day Rush – booking before the long weekend fills up.
Winter Conventions Spike Tour Bookings – how the Las Vegas events calendar affects tour availability.
New Year's Eve in Las Vegas – planning tips for the busiest night on the Strip.
New Airplane Tours from Las Vegas – flights giving travelers more control over what they see.
Keith's Top 3 Tours – the three that sold best, and why they keep selling.

Looking for more planning help? See the full Grand Canyon tour information index for helicopter, airplane, bus and rafting reviews, or the Spotlight reader Q&A.