Grand Canyon tours: first pick the rim
Before you compare Grand Canyon tours, decide which part of the canyon you want to see. The South Rim is the classic national park view, with the long panoramas you know from photos. Grand Canyon West, often called the West Rim, lies outside the national park on Hualapai tribal land and is home to the glass Skywalk. The North Rim is higher, quieter and only open in summer.
The rim you choose decides almost everything else: how long you sit in a bus, which fees apply and whether a helicopter can land below the rim. Our short answer: if you have a full day or more, see the South Rim. If you are short on time in Las Vegas, the West Rim is the closer option.
South Rim, West Rim and North Rim compared
Status and fees as of October 2026. Check the current situation on nps.gov before you travel.
| Rim | Managed by | Fees | Season | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Rim | National Park Service | $35 per vehicle (7 days), plus $100 per non-US resident aged 16+ | Year-round; snow possible in winter at about 2,100 m | First visits, classic viewpoints, the train from Williams |
| West Rim (Grand Canyon West) | Hualapai Tribe, outside the national park | Own tickets; park passes not valid | Year-round | Day trips from Las Vegas, the Skywalk, helicopter landings |
| North Rim | National Park Service | Same park fees as the South Rim | About mid-May to mid-October; reopened 15 May 2026 without in-park lodging or drinking water | Self-drivers who want quiet; few tours go here |
The South Rim is also under stage 4 water restrictions in autumn 2026, and overnight stays inside the park were suspended. Day visits continue, but check the NPS alerts before you go.
Our picks: Grand Canyon tours
One tour for each of the most common choices: the West Rim from Las Vegas, the South Rim from Las Vegas and a helicopter flight at the South Rim.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
South Rim scenic helicopter flight
Takes off from Tusayan, just outside the South Rim entrance. Flights here don't land in the canyon. Landing tours leave from Las Vegas to the West Rim.
Check availability →Grand Canyon South Rim day trip from Las Vegas
The classic national park views on a long day from Las Vegas, with lunch. Visitors from outside the US should check whether the $100 surcharge is included.
Check availability →
Grand Canyon West and Hoover Dam from Las Vegas
The closest rim to Las Vegas, with breakfast, a barbecue lunch and an optional Skywalk ticket. Grand Canyon West is outside the national park, so the park fees don't apply.
Check availability →Compare Grand Canyon tours
Day trips to the South Rim and West Rim, helicopter and plane tours, train trips and rafting, with live prices and availability.
Grand Canyon tour types compared
Relative price levels as listed on the big booking platforms in October 2026. Exact prices change with the season and the departure city.
| Tour type | What you get | Typical length | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus day trip | Coach from Las Vegas, Phoenix or Sedona with a few hours at the rim | Full day, very long from Las Vegas | $ | Budget travellers without a car |
| Small-group tour | Van or SUV, guide, more viewpoints and flexible stops | Full day | $$ | Couples, photographers |
| Helicopter | Flight over the canyon from Tusayan, or from Las Vegas to the West Rim | 25–50 min from Tusayan, half day from Las Vegas | $$$ | The view from above |
| Plane | Small aircraft from Boulder City near Las Vegas to the South Rim, then a ground tour | About 1 h 10 min each way, full day overall | $$$ | South Rim from Las Vegas without the long drive |
| Train from Williams | Historic railway to Grand Canyon Village, about 3 hours at the rim | 2 h 15 min each way | $$ | Families, a relaxed day |
| Rafting | Calm float below Glen Canyon Dam near Page, one-day whitewater at the West Rim, or multi-day trips through the park | Half day to two weeks or more | $$–$$$$ | Adventure, seeing the canyon from the river |
Where Grand Canyon tours start
Road distances to the South Rim from the National Park Service. Drive times are approximate and without stops.
Las Vegas
The biggest choice of tours. The South Rim is 278 miles away, about 4.5 hours each way. Grand Canyon West is roughly 125 miles, about 2 to 2.5 hours. Helicopter and plane tours save the most time from here.
Tours from Las Vegas →Phoenix
231 miles to the South Rim via Flagstaff and Williams, roughly 3.5 to 4 hours. Day tours often stop in Sedona on the way, which makes for a long but varied day.
Sedona
About 2 to 2.5 hours to the South Rim. Popular for small-group day trips if you are already staying among the red rocks.
Things to do in Sedona →Flagstaff
81 miles, about 1.5 hours. The closest larger town with plenty of hotels, a good base if lodging inside the park is not available.
Williams
63 miles, about an hour by car. The Grand Canyon Railway leaves here every morning and returns in the evening.
Entrance fees: what tours include and what they don't
Since 1 January 2026, every non-US resident aged 16 and over pays a $100 nonresident fee on top of the regular entrance fee when entering Grand Canyon National Park. That affects most international visitors. The America the Beautiful annual pass for nonresidents costs $250 (as of 2026) and covers entry and the nonresident fee for everyone in a private vehicle.
When a South Rim or North Rim tour says "entrance fee included", check whether that means the $100 nonresident fee as well. Some operators include it, others collect it separately or leave it to you. Before you book, look for these points:
- Fees: is the park entrance included, and does it cover the nonresident fee?
- Time at the rim: a 14-hour day with two hours at the canyon is not the same as a tour with several viewpoints.
- Which rim: "Grand Canyon" in a title can mean the South Rim or Grand Canyon West. The Skywalk is only at the West Rim. See our Skywalk guide.
- Add-ons: Skywalk entry, helicopter rides and meals are often optional extras.
Want to fly? Our Grand Canyon helicopter guide explains the routes and flight rules. For the best months to go, see the best time to visit Arizona.
Combine the Grand Canyon with more of Arizona
Most visitors add at least one of these to their trip.
Grand Canyon from Las Vegas
Bus, plane or helicopter: how to reach the West Rim or South Rim from the Strip in one day.
Helicopter tours
Short flights from Tusayan or landing tours from Las Vegas, and the rules behind the routes.
Antelope Canyon
The famous slot canyons near Page, only open on guided tours with Navajo guides.
Horseshoe Bend
The Colorado River's U-turn near Page, a short walk from the parking lot.
Sedona
Red rock trails, jeep tours and viewpoints, about two hours from the South Rim.
Arizona road trip
Itineraries for 7, 10 and 14 days that link the Grand Canyon, Page and Monument Valley.
Grand Canyon tours: frequently asked questions
Which is better, the South Rim or the West Rim?
For the classic Grand Canyon views, the South Rim. It is the national park side with many viewpoints. The West Rim is closer to Las Vegas and has the Skywalk, but it is a separate, tribally run attraction with its own tickets.
How much is the Grand Canyon entrance fee for foreign visitors?
As of 2026, $35 per private vehicle for seven days, plus $100 per non-US resident aged 16 and over. The $250 nonresident annual pass covers both for a private vehicle.
Is the North Rim open in 2026?
Yes, seasonally. It reopened on 15 May 2026 after the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire, but without lodging or drinking water in the park. The season usually runs from about mid-May to mid-October.
Can I do a Grand Canyon tour in one day?
Yes. From Las Vegas, Phoenix, Sedona, Flagstaff and Williams, day tours are the norm. From Las Vegas, the South Rim makes for a very long day by bus, so a plane or the closer West Rim is worth considering.
Do I need a reservation to enter Grand Canyon National Park?
No. There is no reservation or timed entry system. You only need it for lodging, campsites and certain tours.