Las Vegas Grand Canyon Tour: “Waitin’ for the Bus” or “Gimme a Ticket for an Aeroplane?”

Good morning travelers. Las Vegas Grand Canyon tours seem to be the “Topic of the Week” on the Grand Canyon travel forums and our friends from “Down Under” are heading up the herd. Today’s TripAdvisor forum thread debates whether to tour from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim by bus or plane. PinkStarz77 from Melbourne writes:

We are coming to Las Vegas for the first time in September. We would like to do a one day Las Vegas Grand Canyon tour to the South Rim as we are limited for time. We can’t decide if we should do a plane or bus tour though. I’m thinking 5+ hours there and back in a bus might be too long, but then again I would also be a bit unsure about going on a small plane there and it seems we don’t get any longer in the Grand Canyon if we go by plane.  I thought catching a plane there would give us more time at the canyon but it seems we still only get 2 – 3 hours once we are there and they just arrive back earlier? Are these small planes safe? I have never been on one before!

Forum contributor ‘Bryan S’ immediately addressed the safety issue and suggested a well-established Las Vegas Grand Canyon tour company these folks might travel with:

If you choose a Las Vegas Grand Canyon tour by airplane, Scenic Airlines has been in business for awhile offering tours to Grand Canyon. As far as safety of small planes I can assure you that they are very safe. I have a commercial pilot license with hundreds of hours flying small aircraft. There is a big misconception about small planes being more dangerous than airliners when really the airplanes are just as safe. Operations like Scenic Airlines have strict safety and maintenance standards they must follow in order to keep their FAA certificate.  So statiscally you’re safer flying to the Grand Canyon than driving yourself or taking a bus tour.

Right on ‘Bryan S!’ However, the majority of TripAdvisor contributors would like to see these folks do their Las Vegas Grand Canyon tour as a self-drive. ‘pepperwhitemini’ suggests:

Rent a car, drive there.  Leave at 4.00am. Spend as long as you can. You should be able to manage about 6 hours at the Grand Canyon hopefully. However, this is still nowhere near enough. All you will be able to say is that you saw the place albeit briefly. When you get there you will see why many recommend spending at least one night there. You can look at all the high definition photos and videos of this great chasm but none will give you the feeling of awe that you get when you see it with your own eyes. A few of us who are not locals have been there many many times and the Grand Canyon never ceases to amaze. If you like this sort of thing it is well worth trading a day in Las Vegas for.

In my own response, I attempted to, as Don Henley said, “get down to the heart of the matter:”

Once you arrive at Grand Canyon South Rim, whether you get there by bus oe plane, it’s a case of “6 of one, half a dozen of the other” as far as your experience.  You get about the same amount of time at the Grand Canyon, and see and do the same things.  Something that might help regarding the “plane vs. bus” debate: the Las Vegas Grand Canyon South Rim bus tour may be priced right certainly, but it is a LLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOONNNNGGGGGGGGG day. Typical pickup time at Las Vegas hotels is between 5.45-6.15 AM and typical return time is about 11 PM. I’m actually in the tourism industry myself and of all the Las Vegas Grand Canyon tours I sell, that one tends to get the most complaints back after the fact, most having to do with the length of the trip, but we also hear about surly drivers who’ve made the run too many times for it to be fun anymore. Traveling to Grand Canyon by airplane gives you the option to still get an early start to the day, yet get back to Las Vegas by a semi-decent hour.

The Las Vegas Grand Canyon Deluxe Tour to Grand Canyon South Rim typically has 2-3 daily departures. By choosing the earliest one, you not only get better light and less wind for your Las Vegas Grand Canyon flight, but you might even make it back to Las Vegas by early afternoon – enough time to freshen up and make it to dinner before the show crowds.

If the Las Vegas Grand Canyon Deluxe plane tour is still somewhat cost-prohibitive, yet you still wince at the idea of riding on a bus with 40+ other people, perhaps a good compromise is to upgrade to the “Platinum” Service for your Las Vegas Grand Canyon ground tour. For a few dollars more, you can enjoy your Las Vegas Grand Canyon South Rim tour in a van or mini-coach with a group of 9-13 people. Your touring vehicle will have such features as in-trip entertainment, and padded seats with more legroom. Plus with a much smaller group to “wrangle,” your driver/guide will have more time and inclination to answer your particular questions on a one-on-one basis. Platinum Service upgrade is also available on Las Vegas Grand Canyon West tours. For more information on Platinum Service upgrades click here.

Watch this video to learn more about all of your options for Las Vegas Grand Canyon tours:

Make this day “grand” friends and we hope to talk to you soon!

Make your Grand Canyon Vacation a “Brain-cation” Friday August 3rd

Good morning travelers. Yesterday fellow Grand Canyon blogger and colleague Sandy added a new word to the Grand Canyon vacation planning lexicon: “brain-cation!” That basically means making your Grand Canyon vacation a learning experience. A multi-day white water rafting would certainly be the ultimate example of that, but those of you who will actually be at the Grand Canyon tomorrow, Friday August 3rd, also have a most unique opportunity: to take part in Grand Canyon National Park’s first “living history” event, “Echoes from the Canyon.”

From the Grand Canyon National Park Service press release:

Travel back in time and meet eight of Grand Canyon National Park’s most influential people during “Echoes from the Canyon”, the park’s first living history event on Friday, August 3, 2012.

“When most people think of the Grand Canyon, they are focused on the spectacular geologic landscape,” says Judy Hellmich-Bryan, the park’s Chief of Interpretation, “but the Grand Canyon has a rich human history, as well. From Native Americans to conservationists, explorers and businessmen to families and trend-setting architects, people just like you and me built the foundation of today’s Grand Canyon Village.”

Rangers participating in “Echoes from the Canyon” will bring to life some of the historic figures who made Grand Canyon National Park what it is today. Visitors will meet these characters as they walk from Verkamp’s Visitor Center to Kolb Studio through the historic Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim.

Tours will depart from Verkamp’s at 8:00, 8:20, 8:40 and 9:00 p.m. Tickets are required, but are free of charge and will be available first-come first-served at Verkamp’s Visitor Center beginning at 7:30 p.m. on the day of the event. Each tour can accommodate up to 60 people.

For more on “Echoes from the Canyon”, please contact Interpretive Ranger Erin Whittaker at 928-638-7789. For information on Grand Canyon National Park and how to plan your Grand Canyon adventure, visit us on the web at www.nps.gov/grca or call our information line at 928-638-7888.  (Shannan Marcak)

Knowing what I know about Grand Canyon history, I’ll bet some of those characters in the photo above include Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter, one of America’s first prominent female architects and designer of many Grand Canyon buildings; Fred Harvey, Grand Canyon National Park’s premier hotelier; John Wesley Powell, the first Anglo-American to raft the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon; as for the rest? Well… if you’re gonna be at the Grand Canyon tomorrow, join this unique tour and find out! This is apparently a one-time deal where you can be amongst the first Grand Canyon visitors ever to partake of such an experience. And it’s free, how cool is that?

For more information on “Echoes from the Canyon” visit the Grand Canyon National Park Service website or inquire at your Grand Canyon hotel about making your Grand Canyon vacation a Grand Canyon “brain-cation.”

Grand Canyon Tours from Williams AZ

Good morning travelers. My, this week has certainly been an educational one for yours truly. First I learned that Robert Ripley, of “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” fame, was the first person to give the first ever live radio broadcast from the Grand Canyon. And today I learned something a bit new about options for Grand Canyon tours from Williams AZ, courtesy of TripAdvisor of course. :)

OP (and what does that mean boys and girls? That’s right “original poster!”) ‘Florence J’ asks:

I will be staying in Williams without a car. Do you know an helicopter tour company that picks up from Williams AZ?

To which Destination Expert DetroitTigerFan replies:

I’m not aware of any organized Grand Canyon from Williams AZ but I would think that you would be able to arrange a private tour that combines transportation from Williams to the airport in Tusayan for the helicopter ride and then onto the National Park at the South Rim. It might be easier and certainly cheaper to rent a car in Williams and drive yourself to Tusayan. The yellow pages does list one car rental agency in Williams.

A couple of elements of this statement caught my eye and compelled me to respond. Firstly, there are in fact several excellent Grand Canyon tours from Williams AZ. The one that would most suit ‘Florence J’s’ particular desires would be our Ultimate Grand Canyon Tour. This comprehensive Grand Canyon South Rim Tour package takes you to all the best views and lets you do all the best stuff, including the IMAX Movie presentation “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets” and the “Majestic” Helicopter Tour, a 30-minute flight over the Grand Canyon’s Dragon Corridor. Take a look at this video ->:
But what really intrigued me about DTF’s response was the statement that “the Yellow Pages does list a rental car agency out of Williams.” Really? For years, common knowledge has been that there were no rental car agencies in Williams. In the past, there used to be a car rental counter at the Grand Canyon airport, but it closed down years ago. As far as we at GrandCanyon.com knew, the nearest place to the Grand Canyon where one could rent a car was Flagstaff, Arizona, about 90 miles from the park.

So I did a little searching, and sure enough did find a car rental agency based in Williams called “I-40 Fleet Services.” They not only rent sedans and mini-vans, but forklifts, backhoes,  and even kayaks. They also do RV and truck repair. They’re based near downtown Williams and even provide 24-hour roadside assistance according to the message on their voicemail.

So, for those of you who prefer to drive and make your own Grand Canyon tours from Williams AZ apparently you now have another option. Grant you, this company seems to be quite new (the content on their website was dated 2012). As a result, we have no first hand reports of the quality of their service, employees, etc.  That’s where you guys come in. For more information visit www.i40fleet.com or call 928-635-9199 and let us know how it goes.

’til next time, make this day as “grand” as you can! :)

 

Grand Canyon Tours: 100% necessary?

It’s been a lively morning on the TripAdvisor Grand Canyon forums, where a poster from the UK asks if taking guided Grand Canyon tours is 100% necessary. Truth be told (and the truth is what you’ll always be told by GrandCanyon.com), no.

Hold the wire, aren’t Grand Canyon tours our bread and butter? Yes, but the fact is that Grand Canyon National Park is one of the easiest parks ever to tour by oneself. As contributor Esty666 states:

Just drive into Grand Canyon South Rim, then park and use the free shuttle bus to get around. You can walk along the rim from, say Mather or Yavapai point to the rim lodges or beyond along Hermit’s Rest Road. You don’t need to take a tour. When you enter the park you get a park newspaper with all the ncessary information. There’s also a tourist center, and there are rangers along the rim who’ll provide information and answer questions. Grand Canyon National Park South Rim is a “Do it Yourself” place for visitors.

And she’s right. The majority of Grand Canyon park overlooks, particularly those on the Desert View/East Rim Drive, are open to private vehicles. Those that aren’t, namely the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive, are served by a super easy-to-use and free shuttle system.

Video that talks about the “basic must sees” at Grand Canyon South Rim:

And the free shuttle service that goes around Grand Canyon Village and the Hermit’s Rest Road:

So what about our Grand Canyon tours? Where they come in is to help you experience the Grand Canyon area in ways that can’t easily be replicated by self-touring. Grand Canyon air tours are a prime example. Airplanes and helicopters get you above the Grand Canyon and enable you to see down into areas that even hikers would be hard-pressed to get to.

Another function Grand Canyon tours serve, oddly enough, is to help you “expand your horizons” beyond the Grand Canyon. After all, the Grand Canyon is only the “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to scenic beauty in the American Southwest. Grand Canyon tours like our Canyon River Adventure will not only show you the Grand Canyon (by plane) but some of the visual treasures in the area of Page and Lake Powell such as Antelope Slot Canyon and Glen Canyon. The Inner Grand Canyon Jeep Tour will show you the Grand Canyon from the bottom up, using the only road that actually goes to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, the Diamond Creek Road. You wouldn’t want to drive this road in your rental car, so here’s where a Grand Canyon tour can help you accomplish your goals in a way that’s most easy on you.  These two Grand Canyon tours are just a small sampling of what we have to offer.

‘Til next time, make it a “grand” day!

Grand Canyon Tours from Tucson AZ

Grand Canyon tours from Tucson AZ. Frankie Valli described it best: “so close and yet so far!”

I was presented with this particular challenge by a caller the other day. She was staying in Tucson, had one free day and wanted to tour Grand Canyon. But here was the problem: she wouldn’t have access to the family car. If memory serves, her hubby needed it so he could go check out University of Arizona with one of the kids. So the question was, could she still accomplish her goal of touring the Grand Canyon even though she was staying in Tucson?

Turns out that very question was making the rounds on TripAdvisor a couple of weeks back. A young lady who had come all the way from Bangladesh to check out U of A was in a similar situation. She posed the question to the TripAdvisor panel, and we basically all told her she couldn’t, or more appropriately, shouldn’t attempt it, the main reason being that the driving distance from Tucson Arizona to Grand Canyon National Park is about 6 hours, one way. So if a day is all you have to work with, that’s going to mean a LONG day behind the wheel. That’s why there are virtually no Grand Canyon tours whatsoever that depart out of Tucson Arizona. Tours from Phoenix or Scottsdale to the Grand Canyon are readily available, but that still leaves the question of how do you get there from Tucson if you don’t have a car? Which leads to yet another problem (a constant challenge for first-time visitors to the Southwest US): mass transit, or lack thereof.  Busses, trains, etc. are almost non-existent out here. What is available can be hard to use due to awkward arrival/departures times, layovers that are too short or too long, etc.

After a whole lot of nay-saying, prodding and cajoling, this very determined young lady found a way to make her goal of a Grand Canyon tour from Tucson happen! Here’s how she did it:

The plan I did was really a hectic one. But due to time constraint we had no other choice. The plan was as follows:

1. To take Arizona Shuttle Service up to Phoenix (www.arizonashuttle.com) early in the morning 1:30 am or 2:30am which arrives at phoenix airport at around 4:45 or 6:15am respectively.

2.Took public bus to drop off at any of the hotel where you will be picked for the Grand Canyon tour.

3. Then to take the tour bus that departs 7:00 am using Platinum Grand Canyon & Sedona Tour from Phoenix which takes 13 hrs.  So it arrives at around 9 pm to Phoenix.

4. Using the same Arizona Shuttle Service back to University of Arizona at around 1:30 am.

The things to remember are:  you need to book everything in advance. The last and first service that departs Tucson Arizona for Phoenix are 8 pm and 1:30 am respectively, and the last service that leaves Phoenix for Tuscon is 11 pm.

You need to have a credit card to book Grand Canyon Tours which requires a print out in paper format what we found was the most difficult for a conference visitor like myself. I hope this whole plan might help if any young fit student visitor do have a dream of visiting Grand Canyon from Tucson Arizona in a day.

So with a little determination – and probably a lot of coffee – touring Grand Canyon from Tucson can be done. Those with a little – OK a lot – more money to spend might consider an air charter. Tucson Aeroservice Center, based at the Marana Airport just on the outskirts of town, can fly you up to Grand Canyon, let you hang out for the day, then fly you back in an 8-seater turbo-prop aircraft.

For those who wish to stay on solid ground, here is the 411 on the services used by our very determined and energetic friend from Bangladesh to make her Grand Canyon tour happen:

  • From Tucson AZ to Phoenix AZ:  Arizona Shuttle Service www.arizonashuttle.com or call 800-888-2749  Phoenix drop off at Sky Harbor Airport
  • From Phoenix Sky Harbor to pickup location for Phoenix Grand Canyon Tour: public transit such as Valley Metro, taxi or Super Shuttle.
  • Phoenix Grand Canyon Tour: GrandCanyon.com recommends Detours’ Platinum Sedona Grand Canyon Tour, which can also be upgraded with a 30-minute helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon! Duration: about 13 hours. Cost for advance booking (basic package) $155 person, includes lunch.
  • From Phoenix AZ back to Tucson: Arizona Shuttle Service

So there you have it! Tiring? Yes? Expensive? Slightly. Unforgettable? You bet! But that’s the Grand Canyon for ya :)

 

The Grand Canyon Train: the “right track” for your Grand Canyon vacation?

Good morning travelers. Well, it’s been almost 25 years since the Grand Canyon Train (formally known as the Grand Canyon Railway) rebounded from a 20-year dormancy. I was there to witness its rebirth, but that’s a story for another time. Today, in this age of hybrid cars and phones that fire up with a click instead of a crank, a mystique still surrounds the Grand Canyon’s old iron horse. Every year, passengers of all ages line up by the thousands to experience this fascinating piece of Grand Canyon history. Of those thousands, unfortunately a small percentage of them come back a bit disappointed. For us here at GrandCanyon.com, even a small percentage is too big a percentage.

So why would this happen? It all comes down to one word: “misinformation.” A lot of it still pervades the public image of Grand Canyon Train Tours. We’re talking about it on TripAdvisor.com right now.

TripAdvisor.com: Flagstaff to Williams Hotel 

Original Poster “Carol P” states:

“I am told the Grand Canyon Train also has activities on the train along with a guide explaining what to look for and see. And if we upgrade we can get a glass dome enclosure where we can see all the way around for pictures. It also stops at the rim of the Grand Canyon where I believe I would head for anyway.”

To which Destination Expert “RedRox” replies:

“You are being subjected to aggressive marketing by the Grand Canyon Train. The views you’ll have from the train will be the same boring high desert views that you’ll get from the car, except the train will take 3 hours whereas your car will only take an hour. That’s time that you could better spend at Grand Canyon National Park on the rim, exeriencing the canyon.”

It’s readily apparent to the TripAdvisor panel that Carol P is under the impression that she’ll see the Grand Canyon from the train. The truth: that is NOT the case. The Grand Canyon Railway departs daily from Williams, Arizona, which is 60 miles due South of Grand Canyon Village.


View Larger Map

Therefore you do not see the Grand Canyon while riding the Grand Canyon Train. You will not see the Grand Canyon at all, until you get to the park and get off the train. You then have the option of exploring the Grand Canyon Village Historic District and Rim Trail on your own, or taking part in a 90-minute guided motorcoach tour.

Another potential disadvantage to using the Grand Canyon Train to get to the South Rim is time: the Grand Canyon Railway is pulled by an antique diesel engine, so it takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to make a journey that would take you just 1 hour by car. Once at the park, you only have 3 hours or so to explore the Grand Canyon before you have to re-board the train for the trip back to Williams. So it gives you enough time to get a small sampling of the views that await you at the Grand Canyon, but you only touch the “tip of the iceberg.” There are even more beautiful Grand Canyon views on the East Rim drive, but the layover provided by the Grand Canyon Train doesn’t give you enough time to get there. And forget about trying to squeeze in another activity such as a Grand Canyon helicopter flight or airplane tour. The logistics of getting out to the airport and back will not only eat up your time on the rim, it may even risk delaying your arrival back in the park for the departure of the train. If you’re late, it will cost you a very expensive taxi ride. Don’t try it!

Whether or not to make the Grand Canyon Train a part of your Grand Canyon vacation is a question that has been asked and answered many times here at GrandCanyon.com. So, we made a video about it! Watch it for more detailed answers to the “train vs. drive” debate.

Are you a real person?

April 27, 2012 – conversation with a Visitor to GrandCanyon.com:

(16:20:13)  Visitor –  Are you a real person?
(16:20:27)  Rita – Yes I am.  How can I help you?
(16:22:54)  Visitor – We are looking at visiting the Grand Canyon this July. We will have 6 people and would like to fly in somewhere, rent a large vehicle and drive around the Grand Canyon, see the Hoover dam and any other things that are fun to see in the area. Can a package be put together for a reasonable price?
(16:23:45)  Rita – We offer 1 day tours in the Grand Canyon area. But you can easily rent a large vehicle in Las Vegas, drive to Hoover Dam, and then explore the Grand Canyon.
(16:27:38)  Visitor – OK, so that is all you do is day tours? We will have my mother in law with us and she is 84 and can get aroung pretty good. She does not need a wheelchair but cannot walk more than a quarter mile without resting. Do you have any suggestions that are reasonably priced?
(16:28:28)  Rita – Yes. If you would like a day tour from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon:http://grandcanyon.com/las-vegas-tours.html
(16:29:09)  Rita – If you are traveling to the Grand Canyon South Rim: http://grandcanyon.com/gcntours.html
(16:31:05)  Visitor – OK, I will check those out. We would like to try to do 2-3 adventure type things. Do you have something with renting some ATVs and riding into the Grand Canyon? (At this time, ATV Tours do not exist to the bottom of the Grand Canyon…however, we do recommend you look at the Inner Canyon Jeep Tour.)
(16:31:36)  Rita – I’m sorry, no ATV’s
(16:36:46)  Visitor loaded the Grand Canyon Maps page: http://grandcanyon.com/maps.html

I am planing a tour with my mom and my son to the Grand Canyon.

April 10, 2012

(19:33:21)  Visitor – Yes, Hi...I am planing a tour with my mom and my son to the Grand Canyon. I am looking at your best deals.
(19:33:56)  Visitor – I am planning in spending the night in Williams, Arizona and go to the canyon the next morning.
(19:33:57)  Alley – Are you looking for hotels, tours, both?
(19:34:19)  Visitor – Yeah, I heard Williams is cheaper.
(19:34:20)  Alley – Williams has reasonably priced hotels. Then you can drive yourself to the park if you wish.
(19:34:42)  Alley – Cost is $25 to enter the park, the Entrance Fee is good for 1 week’s time.
(19:35:10)  Visitor – How long of a drive is it from Williams to Grand canyon?
(19:35:20)  Alley – Williams to the Grand Canyon is approximately a 1 hour drive going North on Highway 64.
(19:35:36)  Alley – Did you want info specifically on tours out of Williams or other locations too?
(19:35:44)  Visitor – Do you think we can see it all in one day?
(19:36:22)  Alley – It’s impossible to see the entire Grand Canyon – it’s huge. But you can accomplish a lot in one day driving yourself to the various viewpoints. The best way to see a lot of the canyon in a short amount of time is to fly over it.
(19:37:01)  Visitor – How much does it cost the helicopter ride?
(19:37:14)  Visitor – Info in tours will be great
(19:37:19)  Alley – Prices start at $160 per person and go up from there
(19:37:31)  Visitor – Jeep?
(19:38:05)  Visitor – I would like to get some info about touristic places in the Canyon and Williams, as well.
(19:38:38)  Alley – There are two kinds of jeep tours: Rimside and Inner Canyon. The latter go to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
(19:39:00)  Visitor – That will be nice. My son will love that!
(19:39:10)  Alley – Inner Canyon Jeep Tours?
(19:39:18)  Visitor – How about train?
(19:39:36)  Visitor – Yes
(19:40:10)  Alley – Prices on the Grand Canyon Railway range from $92 per person to $220 per person depending on class of service. Children under 16 are not allowed on the Luxury Parlor Car or Observation Dome; all ages are welcome on Coach and First Class.
(19:40:20)  Alley - Inner Canyon Jeep Tours from Williams are $229 per person
(19:40:50)  Visitor-  Ok. Thx…I have to look at my budget.
(19:41:09)  Visitor – So, to enter the park is $25 per person?
(19:41:38)  Alley – Actually it’s $25 per vehicle (if you drive yourself) and it’s good for 1 week’s time.
(19:41:51)  Visitor – One car?
(19:42:03)  Visitor – I am driving my own car with my son and my mom
(19:42:06)  Alley – Yes, one car and everyone in it.
(19:42:27)  Visitor -So, it’s 25 for the 3 of us?
(19:42:32)  Alley – Yep :)
(19:43:01)  Visitor – Cool.
(19:43:10)  Visitor – Thanks again.
(19:43:18)  Visitor – have a good day
(19:43:21)  Alley – You’re welcome, please let us know if we can help with anything else.
(19:43:44)  Visitor -Yes, I will!