A deep gorge carved by the Colorado River and other natural forces over a period of 6 billion years, the Grand Canyon is amongst the world’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. The vividly colored landscape along with its play of light and shadows, especially during sunset and sunrise, presents an unmatched view and experience. Situated just 4 hours away from Las Vegas, Grand Canyon bus tours from Vegas offer the easiest way to explore the wonders of the region. In this guide, we will take a look at all there is to know about Grand Canyon bus tours from Vegas and how you can make the most of your trip to the Grand Canyon region. With pick and drop facilities from hotels across Vegas and a guide who’s well versed with the history of the place, one can easily explore the vastness of the Grand Canyon with these bus tours.
Choosing Where To Visit
If you're visiting Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, then West Rim and the South Rim are your closest options. Both the East and North Rims will be way further and harder to get to. For this reason, all, if not most Grand Canyon bus tours from Vegas visit the West and South Rims. While the South Rim is known for its exceptional views of the canyon and day hikes, the West Rim is the closest option for visitors traveling from Las Vegas and along with stunning views, it is also home to the popular Grand Canyon attraction - the Skywalk.
South Rim
The Grand Canyon South Rim is the most popular region of the Grand Canyon. With its vast and expansive views of the canyon, the South Rim is often considered the “true Grand Canyon" - typical of the photos you see in magazines and on TV. The South Rim can be easily reached from Las Vegas and is popular not only for its panoramas, but also a plethora of visitor services available at the South Rim Visitor Center.
From Vegas: ~270 miles via US-93 S and I-40 E
If you wish to visit the South Rim, then check out our Grand Canyon South Rim Guide.
West Rim
Due to its proximity to Las Vegas, the West Rim is the most accessible area of the Grand Canyon. The West Rim has become increasingly popular among visitors with the opening of the Skywalk in 2007. The Skywalk is U-shaped cantilever glass-bottomed bridge that juts out 70 feet from the canyon’s edge and gives guests the chance to stand 4,000 feet in the air.
From Vegas: ~120 miles via US-93 S
Check out our Grand Canyon West Rim Guide and discover some of the best tours to explore this rugged section of the Grand Canyon.
Best Grand Canyon Bus Tours From Vegas
1. Grand Canyon South Rim Bus Tour
• The 14-hour tour starts early in the morning with a pick up from your hotel.
• The route taken is as mesmerizing as the destination and you will be exploring Williams or Seligman on Route 66 and the Hoover Dam from the Arizona side.
• Once you reach the Visitor's Center of the Grand Canyon, you can satiate your hiking bug by hiking the 2.5-mile trail from Mather Point to Grand Canyon Village while ogling the panoramic views of the Canyon, Colorado River, and the Phantom Ranch.
• Breath in the distinct fragrance of juniper and pinion pines, witness the emblazoned play of the sun, observe the picturesque effect of erosion and the subsequent patterns.
• The tour includes nutrition and wholesome meals to keep you energy up all day.
Good for
Family, Adventure Enthusiasts, Budget Travellers
Includes
• Narrated Bus Tour
• 2.5 Mile Walking Tour
• Meal Included
• Hotel Transfers Included
Headout Price
per person
Get up to 5% cashback when you book this tour
2. Grand Canyon West Rim Bus Tour with optional Skywalk
• The 11-hour tour includes hotel pick up, a light morning snack, lunch and an option to visit the world-famous West Rim Skywalk.
• During transit, you will be taken through the Joshua Tree Forest and the Hoover Dam lookout spot from the Arizona side.
• Once you reach the West Rim, hiking enthusiasts can climb up to Guano Point, one of the most dramatic viewpoints in all the Grand Canyon.From this vantage point, you can discover the serpentine flow of the Colorado River amidst the multi-hued rocks that unveil shades red, orange, brown on the top and shades of violet and blue at its base.
• Notably, the West Rim tour ticket also provides the option to walk on the West Rim Skywalk - a U-shaped glass bridge with the canyon floor more than a 1,000 feet below.
Good for
Family, Friends, Adventure Enthusiasts
Includes
• A light morning snack, with some juice
• Narrated bus tour
• Option Skywalk
• Lunch at one of 3 locations
• Hotel transfers
Headout Price
per person (35% off)
Get up to 5% cashback when you book this tour
3. Grand Canyon South Rim Bus & Helicopter Tour
• The 14-hour tour will start with a hotel pick-up in an air-conditioned bus. Your driver will also act your guide and provide informative commentary as you make your way to the Grand Canyon South Rim.
• The bus will stop at observation points along the way in the Grand Canyon National Park to allow you to explore the region and takes some photos.
• At the canyon, you will visit the Bright Angel Lodge - a log and stone cabin built in 1935 - to absorb the history of the region.
• While you might have already lost a piece of your heart here, you’ll earn a different perspective and appreciation for the canyon during the 25-minute helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon’s Dragon Corridor.
Good for
Family, Friends, Couples, Adventure Enthusiasts
Includes
• Narrated bus tour
• Lunch at the attraction
• 25 minute tour on a helicopter
• Hotel transfers
Headout Price
per person (13% off)
Get up to 5% cashback when you book this tour
Other Bus Tours To The Grand Canyon Region - Hoover Dam & Lake Mead
The region surrounding the Grand Canyon, especially the part that falls on the way from Vegas, is home to some amazing natural landmarks and man-made structures that are tourist attractions in their own right. The most popular among them is the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead behind it. While most Grand Canyon bus tours from Vegas stop here for a brief photoshoot on the way to the canyon, there are many bus tours that cater to tourists wishing to only visit Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.
1. Hoover Dam Tour
• On this 6 hour tour, you will be picked up from your hotel and driven to Hoover Dam in either a bus or an SUV.
• Bus Tours are available from Mon-Thu at 7:15 AM and 11:15 AM. SUV tours are available from Fri-Sun at 8:30 AM.
• Head into the inner sanctums of the dam and marvel at the giant generators that provide power to several parts of California, Nevada, and Arizona.
• Discover sculptures from Oskar Hansen around the dam. You can see Hansen's memorial dedicated to the workers who lost their lives during the construction of the dam.
Includes
• Hotel transfers from Vegas in a coach/SUV
• Visit to the Arizona Spillway and Arizona Look Out of the Hoover Dam
• Guided tour
• Unlimited supply of bottled water
Headout Price
per person (13% off)
Get up to 5% cashback when you book this tour
2. Hoover Dam Tour & Lake Mead Cruise
• On this 6 hour tour, you will discover the Hoover Dam on a tour and take a cruise in Lake Mead aboard a unique traditional Mississippi-style paddlewheeler.
• Explore the Hoover Dam on a guided tour before you head for your cuise on Lake Mead.
• Enjoy a hearty lunch or dinner aboard the Desert Princess, a paddlewheeler that cruises the lake.
• Discover sculptures from Oskar Hansen around the dam. You can see Hansen's memorial dedicated to the workers who lost their lives during the construction of the dam.
Includes
• Hotel transfers from Vegas
• Hoover Dam Tour
• Lake Mead Cruise aboard the Desert Princess
• Lunch/Dinner on your cruise
Headout Price
per person (23% off)
Get up to 5% cashback when you book this tour
Comparing Bus Tours of Grand Canyon & Helicopter Tours
Helicopter Tours and bus tours are the two most popular ways to experience the Grand Canyon. Though helicopter tours have their obvious merits in terms of time taken to get to the canyon, bird's eye view of the landscapes and an overall thrilling experience, bus tours hold their own in terms of affordability and freedom.
Cost-benefit and savings
While embracing the enthralling views of the Grand Canyon from a helicopter is a lucrative offer, it can surely break your vow for budgeted travelling. In comparison the bus tour is quite an budget friendly option. Though the heli ride indeed offers a marginally better bird’s eye view of the canyon, the bus ride cover some additional pit stops such as the Hoover Dam from the Arizona side. The bus tour in all biasness poses as a comparatively cost beneficial deal.
Sights & stops along the way
With helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon, you'll be flying directly from the airport in Vegas to a heli landing pad in the canyon. Though this is a much faster way of getting to the Grand Canyon, you miss out on the many picturesque stops along the way. Some of the most popular stops on they when you drive to Grand Canyon from Las Vegas are Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.
Freedom to explore on foot when at the canyon
While only a few helicopter tours land at the canyon, most of them simply fly over the canyon. However, on a bus tour, you will be able to get down at the visitor center and enjoy a couple hours worth of hike to some of the most jaw-dropping vantage points in Grand Canyon.
Visiting The Grand Canyon - Practical Information
Grand Canyon Hours
The Grand Canyon is open every day of the year. The Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim) is open 24 hours a day.
Grand Canyon West is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, October through March, and from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, April through September.
What to Bring
No matter when you visit, be sure to bring lots water per person, sunscreen, sunglasses and layers, in case the weather changes.
Driving to the Grand Canyon
1. From Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West - 2.5 hours
1. Take US-95/US-93 South towards Kingman, AZ
2. Turn left and take Pierce Ferry Road
3. Turn right onto Diamond Bar Road and stay on this road
4. Continue on to Buck and Doe Rd
5. Turn Right onto Airport Service Road to Grand Canyon West Airport for shuttles to the rim and Skywalk
2. From Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South - 5 hours
1. Take US-95/US-93 South towards Kingman, AZ
2. From Kingman, take I-40 east to Williams, AZ
3. From Williams, take Highway 65 north to the South Rim
2. From Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South - 4.5 hours
1. Drive north on I-15, just past St. George, UT to Rt 9
2. Drive east on Rt 9 to Rt 59
3. Continue east on Rt 59 (at the Utah/Arizona state line, the highway changes to Rt 389)
4. Continue east on Rt 389 to the junction with US 89a
5. Continue east on US 89a to the junction with Rt 67
6. Drive south on Rt 67 directly to the North Rim
Tips For Visiting The Grand Canyon
Best time to Visit
Summer has scorching heat, late fall and winter has cooler temperatures and the possibility of snow; so the ideal time to visit the Grand Canyon is Spring or early Fall. Moreover, the hoards of tourist during these season is comparatively lesser than that of summer.
What to wear
First and foremost sensible and comfortable shoes that are well- broken in for walking and hiking. Hiking boots, sneakers are strongly recommended. Layer yourself well if its a winter visit, during a summer visit, try and wear light- weight cotton clothes, mostly covered to avoid scrapes.
Self Care
The heat, the climb and the subsequent walk could easily lead to dehydration. Make sure to drink ample amount of water before, during and after the tour.
Do not Hurry
The rim are located on high altitudes, so you might experience shortness of breath and altitude sickness. To avoid any such situations maintain a slow pace and hydrate yourself regularly.
Look out for Flora and Fauna
The Grand Canyon national park has over 650 types of wildflowers including yellow ragweed, red Indian paintbrush, and purple Rocky Mountain iris among others. Equally rich in fauna you can spot a great horned owl, or observe a mule deer or hear a coyote howl.
Grand Canyon Tour Guides
For more guides and tours in the Grand Canyon information, here are some helpful quick links!
