Grand Canyon helicopter tours aren\’t cheap, so if you are on a budget, you\’ll probably want to stick with one of the basic flights that are available from Las Vegas and the South Rim.

What distinguishes basic flights is the type of helicopter they use. In most cases, it will be either a Bell Ranger or an AStar. These aircraft are safe and sturdy and get the job done.

By contrast, deluxe helicopter tours use the superior EcoStar 130, of which the cabin is 25 percent bigger (more personal space). Further, EcoStars boast stadium-style seats and a 180-degree wraparound windshield.

Departure Points

If you are in Las Vegas, most basic tours will depart from nearby Boulder City, which requires a 30-minute shuttle ride from The Strip. Deluxe tours typically leave from The Strip. All South Rim flights leave from Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan, AZ.

In Vegas, basic packages typically include transportation to and from your hotel by shuttle bus. Deluxe trips usually include complimentary limousine service to and from the heliport (which makes them awesome for special occasions).

South Rim helicopter tours require you to provide you\’re own transpiration from Grand Canyon Village, Flagstaff, Sedona, or Phoenix. If you are in Grand Canyon Village and don\’t have a vehicle, there\’s a 24-hour taxi service you can utilize.

Las Vegas

You can take a basic fly over or landing tour from Vegas. Both follow the same flight path, which goes over Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, the Colorado River and the Canyon. The flyover will turn back for town, whereas a landing tour will go to the top or bottom.

My favorite landing tour is the one that goes to the base for a Champagne picnic. It\’s an awesome experience and can be upgraded to include a boat tour down the Colorado River and a VIP pass on the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

By the way, the Skywalk is the glass bridge that lets you walk some 70 feet over the edge until you are standing some 4,000 over the bottom of the Canyon. It\’s an incredible experience and the views are simply spectacular.

South Rim

Helicopters here are not allowed to fly below the rim and land. Thus your options are the 30-minute and 50-minute flights. Only the 30-minute tour has a basic option, and it flies from the South Rim to the North Rim and back.

Personally, I prefer the 50-minute deluxe flight. It does everything the shorter tour does as well as everything up to the Park\’s eastern border. By the time you step off the aircraft, you\’ll have seen up to 75 percent of the National Park!

Conclusion

Basic Grand Canyon helicopter tours are the perfect option for travelers on a budget. They get the job done and show you most of the key sights and landmarks. However, if you can afford to upgrade, I suggest you do because it\’s much more convenient and you get to ride in a better helicopter. Just remember to book in advance and online as these flights sell out weeks in advance.

The author is a Grand Canyon expert and recommends going here for the best South Rim helicopter tours and here for ones that depart from Las Vegas: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopters.org/las-vegas/

The author is a Grand Canyon expert and recommends going here for the best South Rim helicopter tours and here for ones that depart from Las Vegas: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopters.org/las-vegas/

Author Bio: The author is a Grand Canyon expert and recommends going here for the best South Rim helicopter tours and here for ones that depart from Las Vegas: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopters.org/las-vegas/

Category: Travel
Keywords: grand canyon, las vegas, grand canyon helicopters, las vegas helicopters, grand canyon flights