Las Vegas is a superb location from which to stage a day journey to the Grand Canyon. South Rim bus tours are by far the most affordable way to get there. To help sort through the numerous tours offered, here's a explanation of the kinds of coach deals available and what you can expect.
The South Rim of the National Park is a lot more than 270 miles from Sin City. This equates to a 5.5-hour drive. Comprehensive round-trip drive time is 11 hours. Mix that with up to 3 hours of exploration within the Park and you're looking at a full-day trip.
Lots of people are under the impression they will get back to Sin city soon enough for dinner or a show. I do not recommend it. These tour bus trips depart at 7 a.m. and return at 9 p.m. That's a long day by anyone's count, and I'm sure most will look forward to relaxing in the hotel room.
Currently, you will find two types of bus excursions:
- South Rim bus. Takes you direct to the National Park.
- South Rim tour bus with Heli. Incorporates a chopper ride from Grand Canyon Airport. This rim-to-rim air travel is 30 minutes and takes you to the North Rim and back, whereupon you'll rejoin your group for the ground tour section of the trip.
Most all of these coach journeys are all-inclusive. This means they come with complimentary hotel pick up as well as drop off, a grab-and-go breakfast, box lunch (including vegetarian!), specialist driver-guide and park access fees.
The route to the canyon crosses the Colorado River through the Hoover Dam Bypass. The good trip deals includes a Hoover Dam photo stop on the Arizona side of the dam. You'll also get adequate smoke and rest breaks along the way also.
Time within the Park varies between two and three hours. In all likelihood, you'll go to Mather Point, the most famous lookout at South Rim. Other popular viewpoints include Yaki Point, Yavapai Observation Station and Hopi Point.
Tours wind down at Grand Canyon Village, the canyon's commercial hub. Here you will find coffee shops, gift shops, museums, restaurants, hotels (ensure that you have a look at El Tovar) and the mule barn. Nearby, is the Bright Angel Trail, which will take you underneath the rim and into the canyon.
Obtaining a great deal is simple. Just follow this 3-step process: Reserve up to one-week ahead of time; reserve your tour bus trip on the internet; and complete your deal on the website
Commit procedure number three to memory. Too many people give up and use an agent to book their trip. Using these people increases the price. These travel websites are safe, secure and extremely simple to use. Once you're completed your booking, you'll get a confirmation-receipt with all the details. In case you have questions at this stage, by all means, contact customer support.
Grand Canyon coach tours are an excellent option with regards to visiting the National Park. They're comparatively cheap, are all-inclusive and are perfect for large groups and families. As you plan your Vegas getaway, include a day trip to the South Rim. It will be the highlight of your holiday.
Martin Wynn
