It\’s no secret that Grand Canyon helicopter tours are popular. What folks don\’t know is how often these flights sell out. If you have your heart set on taking one of these tours, my advice is to most definitely book them ahead of time.

RSVP

My rule of thumb is to RSVP helicopter tours at least a week in advance, especially if you are departing from Las Vegas, NV. Same goes for South Rim departures except in certain instances you can get away with 72 hours advance notice.

There are a number of reasons why helicopter tours sell out. The number one reason is space. Helicopters can only hold up to 6 passengers including the pilot. This really comes into play when you are booking a group of four or more people. If you\’re group is larger than this, you\’ll split between helicopters.

If you are unable to get a helicopter booking, I suggest you try to get an airplane tour. Indeed, airplanes are not as exciting as helicopters, but they do get you to the canyon in comfort and style. Further, there are a number of really great side trips you can add to an airplane package.

Departure Points

Helicopter tours depart from two places: Las Vegas and Tusayan, AZ, the gateway to the South Rim. Vegas travelers will fly to the West Rim; if you want to do the South Rim, you\’ll have to take an airplane over first and then transfers to a heli. Tusayan visitors will go over the South Rim. There are no connecting flights between the rims.

If you are departing from Las Vegas, you can choose between aerial and landing trips. Air-only flights are your cheapest option and let you go over Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon West. I for one, however, prefer the landing packages. My favorite is the one that lands at the bottom for a Champagne picnic. Another is one that goes to the base and includes a boat ride down the Colorado River.

Please note that the West Rim is the only place in the National Park where you can fly to the bottom (such trips are banned at the South Rim by the National Park Service and the Federal Aviation Administration).

South Rim

Tusayan visitors get to pick between 30-minute and 50-minute flights. The shorter one goes from the South Rim to the North Rim and back. En route, you\’ll fly through the amazing Dragoon Corridor, which is the widest and deepest section of the canyon! The longer flight does the same thing while also including all of the Park up to the eastern boundary. By the time you step off the aircraft, you\’ll have seen up to 75 percent of the National Park.

In addition to booking ahead of time, I also recommend that you buy your tickets on the Internet. Not only is it more convenient but it\’s cheaper. That said, you need to know where to look. Of course, each of us only has so much time in a day to shop, which is why I recommend limiting your search to 3 sources and going with the one that bests meets your needs. That way you don\’t go bonkers trying to save a nickel here and a dime there.

Conclusion

I can\’t stress enough how important it is to book your helicopter tour in advance. Play it safe and try to do it a week ahead of time. If in a pinch, try to keep it within 72 hours (just know that you\’re pushing it). If you are departing from Vegas, I strongly recommend considering a landing package. If you are taking off from Tusayan, I\’m a firm believer in the 50-minute tour. With all that said, I hope you get airborne over the canyon. It\’s one heck of an adventure!

Travel editor Keith Kravitz is an expert on Grand Canyon helicopter tours. When he researches options, he first downloads this free report. Then he goes here for deals: http://www.grandcanyonhelicoptertourreviews.com/grand-canyon-helicopter-tour-deals.html

Travel editor Keith Kravitz is an expert on Grand Canyon helicopter tours. When it comes to getting great deals on these flights, he starts here: http://www.grandcanyonhelicoptertourreviews.com/grand-canyon-helicopter-tour-deals.html

Author Bio: Travel editor Keith Kravitz is an expert on Grand Canyon helicopter tours. When he researches options, he first downloads this free report. Then he goes here for deals: http://www.grandcanyonhelicoptertourreviews.com/grand-canyon-helicopter-tour-deals.html

Category: Travel
Keywords: grand canyon, grand canyon tours, grand canyon helicopters, las vegas helicopters, grand canyon flig