5 Best Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim Tours

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If you are heading to Las Vegas and have a spare day, then consider taking a day tour to the Grand Canyon National Park and be mesmerized at the stunning Arizona landscape. There are tons of Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim tours to choose from. 

Taking a Grand Canyon South Rim tour will make your trip to Las Vegas/Grand Canyon memorable and easy and hence why it is totally WORTH it.  These tours are informative and are perfect if you LOVE learning about the culture and nuances of the people who live here since time immemorial.

So don’t wait, book a Grand Canyon day tour and enjoy the national park for a day.

We will highlight the South rim only in this post, if you are unsure which rim you wish to visit, then take a look at this helpful guide – Grand Canyon North Rim vs South Rim. 

5 Best Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim tours

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Tour Type	What is included
Bus Tour	✔ Hoover Dam, Mather Point, Bright Angel, Route 66 ✔ Lunch ✔ 14-15 hrs	View Here
Bus & Heli Tour	✔Mather Point, Bright Angel ✔ Boxed lunch ✔ 8 hrs	View Here
Helicopter Tour	✔ Hoover Dam, Lake Mead ✔ Fortification Hill, Hualapai, Black Canyon, Colorado River ✔ Champagne ✔ 4.5 hrs ✔ Quick & easy	View Here
Private Tour	✔ Perfect for groups or couples ✔ Luxurious ✔ Route can be customized ✔ 10-14 hrs	View Here
Jeep Tour	✔ South Rim, Desert View Watchtower, Indian Ruin Site ✔ 3 hrs (pick up/drop off not included)	View Here

Why take a Grand Canyon South Rim day tour?

The South Rim of Grand Canyon is operated by the National Park Service and is accessible all year round. The weather is milder as compared to its northern counterpart. It is home to the Grand Canyon Village and some of the Grand Canyon’s most iconic viewpoints.

In a day tour from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, you will not only explore the national park, but also visit the Hoover Dam, and travel via the historic Route 66.

When I was planning a trip to Las Vegas (for the second time), we wanted to cover a little bit more than the Strip and the Fremont Experience. Of course, there are TONS of options for day tours from Las Vegas.

These places include the Death Valley, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, and whatnot. But the sheer joy of seeing the Canyons first hand was what got us. Grand Canyon National Park is ONE of the MOST recognizable natural landmarks from the USA.

We had seen pictures of Grand Canyon when I was in school back in India. And so when we found a day tour option to explore the Canyons, with lunch and pick up and drop off from our hotel, I said, “Sign me up”.

The day tour was smooth. We got time at the Hoover Dam for quick exploration and photos, had an amazing Mexican lunch/buffet, and then spent 3 hours at the Grand Canyon South Rim. We were given ample free time to take a short hike. We strolled a bit to check out all the amazing viewpoints and take pictures.

We visited Grand Canyon in mid-November, there was no snow, but it was definitely chilly.

I really enjoyed the day tour and have fond memories of the national park. It was an easy tour out of Vegas – no hassle, no GPS, no problem. Just another item checked off my travel bucket list.

A day tour is perfect for first-timers traveling to Las Vegas and looking to explore more or if you are traveling with a big group or family.

The distance from most resorts in Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South is fairly decent to cover in a day. And the handpicked day tours recommended below offer a wide range of activities to suit the cautious traveler to the adventurous and the romantic! 

Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim Bus tour

One of the most popular ways to see Grand Canyon from Las Vegas is to take a full day bus tour. This tour lasts 14-15 hours and it starts at the Strip. So you can expect to be picked up from your Las Vegas hotels or a meeting point near your hotel or resort.

This Grand Canyon South Rim tour is also popular because you get to make the MOST of your trip by visiting a few other attractions on the way. So here is what is included in the tour

• Full day tour from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim in a coach
• Time at the Grand Canyon: 3 hours. You have enough time for an easy hike on the south rim. If hiking is not your thing, you can relax at the café or hang out at the various lookout points. They are perfect for photos and breezy to refresh you after the bus ride. 45 minutes time at the Mather Point and interested visitors can opt to take the Bright Angel trail (2 hours)
• Hoover Dam: On your way to the Grand Canyon National Park, you will also explore the Hoover Dam. The Hoover Dam is a stunning architectural marvel. It is an arch-gravity dam, built in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River. It is located on the border of Nevada and Arizona states. 
• Route 66: Your drive will be along the historic Route 66 and admire the cars and store set up from the ’50s and the ’60s
• Light breakfast and lunch is provided
• Pick up and drop off included from Las Vegas and back

Keep in mind that, you will be on the bus almost all day, but you will cover a lot of stops. The buses are comfortable and they have informative videos about the Grand Canyons and Route 66 (I enjoyed the route 66 and the stories about it).

Wear compression socks and carry a neck pillow, so that you can take a nap on your way back to Las Vegas.

Shop compression socks for men and women

Shop for neck pillow 

This popular Grand Canyon tour can be done on the West Rim as well and it is perfect if you wish to add the Skywalk to your itinerary. The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a popular tourist attraction in the West Rim wherein you can experience the beauty of the Canyons by standing on a glass floor. This attraction is open all year round. 

The only thing to keep in mind is that entrance to the SkyWalk is additional and not included in the tour price.

Day tour from Las Vegas to the West Rim Grand Canyon – Skywalk Option

Time: 10 hours

How: Bus/Coach

Food: Lunch and light breakfast

Stops: Hoover Dam, Eagle Point, SkyWalk, Guano Point

This 10 hour Grand Canyon West Rim Tour from Las Vegas is the MOST cost-effective way to see the west rim wonders with lunch and breakfast included.

• Pick up and drop off is included from Las Vegas hotels.
• Entrance fees to the Visitor Centre – West Rim is included when you book the tour.
• The entrance to the Sky Walk is additional.
• View stunning viewpoints from Eagle Point and the Skywalk (extra surcharge).
• See the dwellings of Native Americans and how they lived in olden times
• The tour takes you into Guano Point to see an old mine site
• On your return trip, spend 15-20 minutes at the Hoover Dam
• Lunch and breakfast is included
• Watch informative videos about the Grand Canyons and the Hoover Dam while on the go

Las Vegas to Grand Canyon – Ultimate Explorer Drive and Fly

This is a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter tour over the stunning Grand Canyons. This Grand Canyon Explorer tour includes the best of the drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon and air travel as well. So here is what you can expect from this tour

• Round trip from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon in a coach and then helicopter ride over the Canyons from airport
• The tour starts with the Canyon helicopter tour, which is 40 minutes and then you will arrive at the Grand Canyon Visitor Centre
• At the National Park, you will explore the Mather Point and the Bright Angel trail
• This tour is for 8 hours, so it’s not draining as a full bus tour of 14 hours. Plus the helicopter ride is a GREAT bonus to include in your itinerary.
• Boxed lunch is provided
• Pick up and drop off included from Las Vegas and back

 

Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours (Heli Landing)

This Grand Canyon helicopter tour is PERFECT for those who do not wish to take the full day exploring the Canyons but would still LOVE to see it all and want to do it all. Here is what this super convenient and AWESOME tour has in store

• You will tour the depths of Grand Canyon in style and comfort from a helicopter
• Helicopter flight includes views over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the extinct volcano Fortification Hill
• You will also descend 3500 feet into the Grand Canyon on the Hualapai Indian Reservation. Soak all the stunning views and take a champagne toast whilst admiring the stunning Canyons.
• On your return flight, you will view the Black Canyon and of the Colorado River
• Champagne and refreshments will be provided in the air and at the terminal
• Round trip: Pick up and drop off from Las Vegas hotels to the airport terminal is included
• The total tour time is 4.50 hours. This is SUPER for visitors that are short on time but wish to make the MOST of their trip to Las Vegas.

Private Tour of Grand Canyon from Las Vegas

This private tour from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim is PERFECT for groups of friends, families or even couples who want a personalized experience of the Grand Canyons.

• The full-day tour is customizable and you can choose where you want to spend the most or least time.
• The tour is for 15 hours and there are rest stops along the way.
• The famous Las Vegas Sign is your first stop and you can get those memorable shots taken here.
• Although a meal is not included you will stop at a local café and the guide can suggest other places to stop for lunch
• You will make a stop at the Hoover Dam. Most bus tours are quick stops of 15-20 minutes. But with this private tour, you can prolong your stay here if you like
• Your road trip continues via historic Route 66 to Grand Canyon South Rim
• At the Grand Canyon, you get off at the Visitor Center and explore. Stops include Bright Angel Lodge, Kolb Studio, Lookout Studio, El Tovar, Hopi House and of course the Visitor’s Centre.
• A quick stop at In-N-Out Burger before your return to Las Vegas hotel.
• Your comfort is taken care of in a luxury SUV or minivan with a private tour.

Grand Canyon Tours – Desert View & South Rim by Jeep 3 hours 

One of the coolest things to do in Grand Canyon National Park is to enjoy a jeep tour into the depths of the park minus all the hiking.

This 3 hour pink jeep tour takes you to the easternmost part of the Grand Canyon from the South Rim. They call it the ‘eastern rim’ (but is a part of South Rim’s eastern entrance).

• Tours depart daily between 08:30 am and 04:30 pm
• Pick up and drop off is not included from Las Vegas hotels. But you can use this as an add-on to a Las Vegas to Grand Canyon tour, as the tour departs every hour between 08:30 am and 04:30 pm, you will find a pickup time that suits you.
• Entrance fees are included when you book the tour
• View stunning viewpoints from the comfort of a luxury jeep. The tour takes you into the remotest parts of the Grand Canyon Village
• Discover the secrets and stories of Hopi people at Desert View Watchtower. Be mesmerized by their murals.
• Stop by an ancient Indian ruin site
• Watch the Colorado River flow through the mighty Canyons

So here you go, these are the BEST Grand Canyon South Rim tours to take from Las Vegas for an enjoyable vacation. 

There are other tours available for Grand Canyon as well. Some of these are adventure tours of 2 days which include Kaibab National forest and the Antelope Canyon, Red Rock Canyon including sunset tours. There are scenic Grand Canyon Railway tours available from Sedona, Flagstaff or the West Rim as mentioned above. 

We have included some of the tour options below. BUT if you are looking for day tours from Las Vegas – to Grand Canyon – pick one from the top 5. 

 

Quick Tips for Vegas Grand Canyon South Rim Tours and Excursions

 These travel tips for Grand Canyon will be helpful to plan your trip and be ready to enjoy the beauty of the National Park

• The Grand Canyon South Rim is accessible all year round. Occasionally if the weather (in the winter) is not favorable tours might be canceled. Your tour operator will advise you.
• Entrance fees to the Grand Canyon south rim national park will be included when you purchase your tour. The fee is $20 USD per person to the south rim.  

Packing tips: Tours Grand Canyon

• Whether you go on a short hike or a stroll, wear comfortable hiking shoes to enjoy the tour. Here are our recommended hiking shoes
  • For men: Shop Hiking shoes for men
  • For women: Shop hiking shoes for women 
• Other packing items include
  • Sunglass > Shop my favorite RayBan sunglasses here 
  • Sun protection >  It is a MUST carry item at all times of the year. Buy sun protection here
  • Compression Socks > Shop compression socks for men and women
  • Warm jacket (for winters) > Read the best travel jackets for women

Shop all our travel favorites from the Amazon Shop here 

We hope you enjoyed reading our handpicked tours and reviews to Grand Canyon from Las Vegas. Happy travels!

Additional USA Resources on our website

• Heading to Las Vegas? Read our 3 day Las Vegas Itinerary
• Need a place to stay in Las Vegas? Read the top 10 hotels to stay in Las Vegas
• Prefer a road trip in the West Coast USA with Las Vegas – here is the scoop
• Read the top 20 best places to visit in the USA in winter
• Get the best ways to spend 4 perfect days in San Francisco Itinerary
• Ideas for road trip getaways from San Francisco 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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