Some Facts About Grand Canyon Airplanes
You have a couple of options when it comes to taking tours on Grand Canyon airplanes.
One set of tours fly out of Las Vegas, NV; the other tours leave from Grand Canyon National Park Airport (GCN) at Tusayan, AZ.
Tusayan is just outside the main gates of the South Rim and only 10 minutes from Grand Canyon Village.
Your budget and where you'll be starting from will have a big influence over your choice.
Air Tours from Vegas The flight to the West Rim only takes about half an hour.
Along the way you'll fly over Hoover Dam and scenic Lake Mead.
Depending on the specific tour you choose, you'll either fly over the canyon or land at the rim's top.
If you choose a landing tour, you'll be able to take a chopper flight that lands on the canyon floor (an optional extension adds a fun float trip down the Colorado!) or stay up top and explore.
Landing flights can also include VIP access to the amazing Grand Canyon Skywalk.
Vegas Grand Canyon airplanes also do the scenic South Rim.
In fact, some of the most popular Vegas air tours are the ones that fly to the South Rim.
The flight there takes under 60 minutes.
Compare that to a 5 ½-hour motor coach ride! These tours include a 2 ½-hour bus tour inside the National Park.
You can add an exciting rim-to-rim helicopter flight if you want to go all out! Flights from GCN The main air tour here is a 50-minute flight that visits the South Rim, the North Rim and the Park's eastern boundary.
By the time the tour's finished, passengers have seen ¾ of the entire National Park! Another terrific tour includes a smooth-water rafting tour down the Colorado.
These flights take off daily from GCN.
They land at Page, AZ and include an exciting 4x4 tour that takes you to Antelope Canyon.
After you see Antelope Canyon's famous "slot canyons," you'll be driven to the foot of Glen Canyon Dam.
That's where you'll hop into your motorized pontoon raft (it holds up to 19 passengers).
You'll float down the calm waters of the Colorado River until you arrive at historic Lee's Ferry.
The water's so smooth that kids 4 and up are allowed to participate.
Booking and Discounts These air tours are incredibly popular, and I urge you to book at least a week ahead of time.
You might sneak in if you wait a little longer, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
Booking in advance also means you'll have more choices as to tour packages and flight times.
It's cheapest and easiest to book Grand Canyon airplanes online.
Booking through a hotel concierge or at a street kiosk is probably the worst mistake you could make.
And stay away from the middleman's commission you'll need to pay if you book through a travel broker like Expedia, Orbitz or Priceline.
The tour companies offer the best discounts, so book your flight right on the company's website.
Wrapping Up...
I hope this info is helpful.
Before you do anything, decide on your departure point and which rim you want to see.
Then, decide whether you want a landing tour or an air-only flight.
Buy in advance and do it online, direct with the tour company.
If you complete the transaction online, you'll benefit from a terrific Internet discount!
One set of tours fly out of Las Vegas, NV; the other tours leave from Grand Canyon National Park Airport (GCN) at Tusayan, AZ.
Tusayan is just outside the main gates of the South Rim and only 10 minutes from Grand Canyon Village.
Your budget and where you'll be starting from will have a big influence over your choice.
Air Tours from Vegas The flight to the West Rim only takes about half an hour.
Along the way you'll fly over Hoover Dam and scenic Lake Mead.
Depending on the specific tour you choose, you'll either fly over the canyon or land at the rim's top.
If you choose a landing tour, you'll be able to take a chopper flight that lands on the canyon floor (an optional extension adds a fun float trip down the Colorado!) or stay up top and explore.
Landing flights can also include VIP access to the amazing Grand Canyon Skywalk.
Vegas Grand Canyon airplanes also do the scenic South Rim.
In fact, some of the most popular Vegas air tours are the ones that fly to the South Rim.
The flight there takes under 60 minutes.
Compare that to a 5 ½-hour motor coach ride! These tours include a 2 ½-hour bus tour inside the National Park.
You can add an exciting rim-to-rim helicopter flight if you want to go all out! Flights from GCN The main air tour here is a 50-minute flight that visits the South Rim, the North Rim and the Park's eastern boundary.
By the time the tour's finished, passengers have seen ¾ of the entire National Park! Another terrific tour includes a smooth-water rafting tour down the Colorado.
These flights take off daily from GCN.
They land at Page, AZ and include an exciting 4x4 tour that takes you to Antelope Canyon.
After you see Antelope Canyon's famous "slot canyons," you'll be driven to the foot of Glen Canyon Dam.
That's where you'll hop into your motorized pontoon raft (it holds up to 19 passengers).
You'll float down the calm waters of the Colorado River until you arrive at historic Lee's Ferry.
The water's so smooth that kids 4 and up are allowed to participate.
Booking and Discounts These air tours are incredibly popular, and I urge you to book at least a week ahead of time.
You might sneak in if you wait a little longer, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
Booking in advance also means you'll have more choices as to tour packages and flight times.
It's cheapest and easiest to book Grand Canyon airplanes online.
Booking through a hotel concierge or at a street kiosk is probably the worst mistake you could make.
And stay away from the middleman's commission you'll need to pay if you book through a travel broker like Expedia, Orbitz or Priceline.
The tour companies offer the best discounts, so book your flight right on the company's website.
Wrapping Up...
I hope this info is helpful.
Before you do anything, decide on your departure point and which rim you want to see.
Then, decide whether you want a landing tour or an air-only flight.
Buy in advance and do it online, direct with the tour company.
If you complete the transaction online, you'll benefit from a terrific Internet discount!
Source...