The Grand Canyon National Park is easily accessible from Las Vegas, so if you're planning to be in the city for your next vacation, a bus tour would provide the perfect sightseeing experience. Because there's some confusion out there when it comes to choosing the best tour, I've put together these top 5 tips that will help you to book the best adventure.
Tour Tip #1 Make Your Booking Online
Booking online is the best way to purchase your tour tickets. The biggest benefit is that you will enjoy discounted rates, as you won't have to go through a travel agent or any other third party. Booking online also means that you will know for sure that your tickets are confirmed, just remember to complete the booking process with your credit card so that everything is locked in.
Tour Tip #2 Book in Advance
Besides booking online, make sure that you book in advance. Las Vegas is a hugely popular tourist destination, and these bus tours are some of the most in-demand tours that originate from the city. I recommend booking at least two weeks before you're planning to be in Vegas. To make things easier, just remember to book your bus tour as soon as your hotel accommodation is confirmed. Booking early will also save you money, and one thing you should never do is book within 48 hours of your trip, because last minute bookings come with an increased fare.
Tour Tip #3 Go Deluxe
You will be able to choose from basic or deluxe tours. It's always my preference to go deluxe, because you will enjoy a more personal experience. Basic tours use a large coach which seats up to 50 people. This is great for large groups, but you miss out on some of the deluxe bonuses, like having the flexibility to choose different lookout points and rest spots. Deluxe tours use a custom sprinter van, and because there are less people on the tour, there's more time spent actually sightseeing, rather than waiting at each stop for the bus to empty and fill again.
Tour Tip #4 Add a Side Tour
Your bus tour will take you to the Grand Canyon hotspots, whether you choose the South or West Rim. Because you'll have plenty of time to explore, you should also consider adding on some extras. At the South Rim, you could take an extended helicopter tour to the North Rim and eastern boundary. At the West Rim, you could check out the Grand Canyon Skywalk, or take a helicopter to the bottom of the Canyon for a Champagne picnic.
Tour Tip #5 Allocate a Full Day
When traveling by bus, it takes just over five hours to make it out to the South Rim, or two and a half hours to reach the closer West Rim. Whichever you choose, the whole tour will take up a full day. This allows time for rest stops, and of course the sightseeing at the Canyon. Keep the whole day free, and avoid booking any entertainment for the evening after your tour, as you will likely need time to rest and relax after such an exciting day.
Conclusion
Hopefully you've now been able to answer most of your questions about taking a bus tour to the Grand Canyon. If you still have further questions, or you just want some general information, you can head over to my website. I'm available for chat during daytime hours (MST), and can provide you with expert advice for any Grand Canyon adventure. Remember to book soon, and take advantage of these bus tours that get you right inside one of the most beautiful National Parks in the United States.
Martin Wynn
