There's no better way to experience the Grand Canyon National Park than from an air tour, however it's also true that these aren't the most inexpensive tours that money can buy. If you want to make your dollar go as far as it can, you'll need some tips to find the cheapest tour packages available.
Book Early
In my experience I have found that booking early is the best way to ensure discounts on your tickets. Purchase your tickets too close to the flight date, and you can guarantee you will pay a premium. Last minute bookings of one or two days before takeoff can be up to 35% more than early bird tickets.
Booking early doesn't just save you money, but it will also mean that you have more freedom to choose your flights. Grand Canyon helicopter tours are incredibly popular, and they can sell out weeks and even months in advance. Booking early ensures that you are able to fly on your own schedule.
Book Online
You can save even more money by booking online. The best deals available are always found online, simply because these bookings require less overhead. There are no booking fees and the process is simpler for both you and the tour operator. You will save significantly when compared to booking at a brick and mortar travel agency.
Air Tours
There are tours available from both the North Rim and the South Rim. North tours leave from Vegas, whereas South tours depart from Tusayan in Arizona. Flights operate all year round, except for Christmas Day. If you're planning to fly during the holiday season you will need to take this into consideration.
One of your decisions when choosing cheap Grand Canyon helicopter tours will be between air only and landing tours. Air tours will fly you over the canyon and back again, which provides for some spectacular views. Even so, there's an even better way to experience the Grand Canyon, and that's with a landing tour package.
Landing tours are available at the North Rim, so if you're flying from Vegas, look for a good deal on one of these. You can even find one with a Champagne picnic at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. And they can be further customized to include a river ride or a walk along the Grand Canyon Skywalk.
South Rim tours unfortunately aren't allowed to land anywhere in the National Park, but there is something to make up for that, and it comes in the form of a 50 minute tour that covers over 75% of the park. If you're on a strict budget there's also a 30 minute tour that will take you from the South Rim, up to the North Rim and back again.
Conclusion
Grand Canyon helicopter tours provide for the kind of experience that can't easily be topped. You could travel anywhere in North America, and even anywhere in the world, and you would be hard pressed to find a natural attraction with as much beauty, grandeur, and history as the Grand Canyon.
Remember, to get the cheapest flights you should book early and book online. In this way you can take an air tour, a landing tour, or an extensive South Rim tour for prices that are significantly more affordable than what traditional booking agents will offer you.
Martin Wynn
