Flying from Las Vegas to the South Rim? These days it's Papillon — here's what you get and how to pick the right version
I understand that there are travelers who don't mind spending 10 hours in a car or on a bus to see the Canyon, and if that's you, check out my article on the South Rim bus tour. But I prefer getting there quick, and that's why I always take the plane.
An Update: What Happened to Maverick?
If you read the earlier version of this article, you know I used to favor Maverick for this trip. That's no longer an option. Maverick has stopped selling a Las Vegas to South Rim tour altogether. Its Las Vegas flights now go to Grand Canyon West (the West Rim), and its South Rim flights are helicopter tours that start at the Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan, AZ, right outside the park.
So, as I write this in October 2026, if you want to fly from Las Vegas to the South Rim and tour the National Park in a single day, Papillon is the operator I recommend. The good news is that Papillon has upgraded the package since I first wrote about it. More on that below.
How the Papillon Tour Works
Papillon picks you up at your hotel (complimentary, from a list of hotels on the Strip and Downtown) about 60 to 90 minutes before your flight and drives you to its air terminal in Boulder City, NV. Allow for that drive. It's about 35 minutes from the Strip, so it adds to your day.
From Boulder City you fly to the Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan. Papillon uses either a deHavilland Twin Otter Vistaliner or a Cessna Caravan, depending on how many passengers are booked, the weather and availability. Total flying time is about 2 hours and 20 minutes round trip. These are smaller, high-wing prop planes and they can get "bumpy" on hot summer afternoons, so if you're prone to motion sickness, book the earliest flight you can. The morning air is calmer (and cooler).
Once you land, you board a customized, open-air Hummer for a guided tour of the National Park that runs about 2.5 to 3 hours. Remember the Jeep version I raved about in the first version of this article? The Hummers have replaced the Jeeps, and I like them just as much. Please note that you will NOT go "off road" — that isn't allowed inside the park, so you stay on paved roads. What's great about the Hummer is how quickly you get from one key lookout to the next. Depending on crowds, your stops can include Mather Point, Yavapai Point and its Geology Museum, Grandview Point, Moran Point, Duck on a Rock, Pipe Creek Vista and Grand Canyon Village. Frankly, it's the best way I know to TRULY see the park in a day.
Two Versions: Hummer Only, or Add a Helicopter
Papillon sells this trip two ways:
- Grand Canyon Air Tour Deluxe with Hummer — the flight, the Hummer tour of the park and a box lunch.
- Grand Canyon Deluxe with Helicopter — everything above, plus a 25 to 30 minute helicopter flight over the Canyon with views of both the South Rim and the North Rim.
Is the helicopter worth the extra cost? If this is your one trip to the Grand Canyon, I say yes. Standing at Mather Point is one thing. Flying out over the Canyon and seeing how far it stretches toward the North Rim is something else entirely. If you're on a tighter budget, the Hummer version still gives you a full, well-paced day at the rim. Prices change with the season, so click through below for today's rates.
Canyon in 1 Day!
As noted, this is a full day. Papillon says to plan on about 9.5 hours, and closer to 10.5 hours once you count the hotel transfers, so don't schedule anything tight that evening.
Most travelers do this trip in summer. Even though the South Rim sits at about 7,000 feet, it still gets hot, and the Hummer is open-air. My recommendation: bring a brimmed hat, a lightweight long-sleeved shirt, sunglasses (the Arizona glare can be hard on the eyes) and sunblock.
Which brings me to the issue of food. You will get hungry. Both versions include a box lunch, and I'll be honest, it's basic. Bring a few snacks and a bottle of water.
Traveling with little kids? Arizona law requires a car seat or booster seat for children under 8 or shorter than 57 inches, and that includes the Hummer. Papillon's ground operator provides car and booster seats free of charge, but ONLY if you select them when you book. Don't skip that step.
Already at the South Rim? Maverick Is Still an Option
If you're staying at the South Rim or in Tusayan instead of Las Vegas, you don't need the airplane at all. Maverick flies helicopter tours straight out of the Grand Canyon National Park Airport in its ECO-Star helicopters, which I still think are among the best aircraft for sightseeing, thanks to the wide, wraparound windshield. You have two choices:
- Canyon Dancer — about 25 minutes, over the Kaibab National Forest and into the Dragon Corridor, the deepest and widest part of the Canyon.
- Canyon Spirit — about 45 minutes, nearly twice as long. It adds the Painted Desert, Desert View Watchtower, the confluence of the Little Colorado and Colorado Rivers, Point Imperial and views above the North Rim.
Check in 30 minutes before your flight. For more on flying from the rim itself, see my roundup of the best South Rim helicopter tours.
Conclusion
I hope this article shed some light on the best way to fly from Las Vegas to the South Rim. With Maverick out of this market, Papillon is the company I recommend, and its Hummer tour of the park is a real step up from the old bus. If your budget allows, add the helicopter. If you're already at the rim, Maverick's Canyon Dancer or Canyon Spirit is the way to go. In the end, it's up to you, your budget and your objectives. If you need to discuss, call me at 702-530-8687 and I'll walk you through the options.
Still deciding which side of the Canyon to visit? Read my comparison of the West Rim and the South Rim.
For your convenience, here are links to all tours mentioned in this article. Click for details, pricing & availability.
Papillon (from Las Vegas)
Maverick (from the Grand Canyon National Park Airport)
Travel on!
