Many Americans consider visiting the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, to be a rite of passage. And there’s no better place to start your journey than Las Vegas. More than 6 million visitors visit each year to witness the awe-inspiring canyons, the 277-mile Colorado River that runs through it, and the 500 species of animals that live there.
The North and South Rims of the national park are open to the public. Most people choose the South Rim since it is the park’s most accessible area, with plenty of spots to pull over and marvel at the dizzying heights that are 7,000 feet above sea level. Of course, both rims are accessible: The Grand Canyon North Rim is 1,000 feet higher than the southern section, but it is more difficult to get and requires a 220-mile trip. If you prefer to walk between the rims, the Kaibab Trails will take you 21 miles through the canyon.
If you’re searching for a weekend getaway or a day trip from Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon is a great option. The Grand Canyon is a four-hour drive or 45-minute flight from Las Vegas and is one of the world’s seven natural wonders.
Taking a tour is the most convenient method to travel. It’s much easier on a guided tour because they take care of everything from logistics to a scenic schedule. There are various ways to get from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon listed below.
By Car from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon
Driving from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon is a simple journey that is almost entirely completed on interstate highways. Although the canyon is only 100 miles away as the crow flies, the journey is about 300 miles long. From Las Vegas, it will take between four and five hours.
You begin near the airport on the Las Vegas Strip and travel east on the I-215 to Henderson. You then go to the I-11 southbound, which will take you to the Arizona state line. As you leave Henderson and enter the Mojave Desert, the road is also US-93, and there are some spectacular views of Lake Mead. You can also visit Hoover Dam or the lake if you take a diversion here.
It’s a short journey through the Arizona desert to the I-40, which you’ll continue east for a few hours until you reach Williams, Arizona. That’s where you’ll exit the freeway and begin your journey down historic Route 66. Stopping at Seligman, Arizona, which promotes its place on the renowned American road, is a lot of fun. After a time, you’ll reach AZ-64, a 50-mile route that leads straight to Grand Canyon National Park. There may be snow in the area and on the roads between Flagstaff and the Canyon during the winter months.
You may drive to Williams, Arizona, and then take the Grand Canyon Railway train from there to the canyon for a bit of fun. There is free parking near the railway station, and you can go about the park via the park shuttle system if you don’t have a car.
Driving to the Grand Canyon is the cheapest method to get there, depending on how many stops you plan to make if you plan to stay overnight in one of the Grand Canyon’s hotels or historic inns, and, of course, how many people you bring.
Touring from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon
Try an organized tour if you want a simple and economical method to get to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas. The Grand Canyon National Park Bus Tour is an all-day excursion that takes you from the Las Vegas Strip to the Grand Canyon by motorcoach with a bathroom onboard.
Most bus trips stop at Hoover Dam, just outside of Las Vegas, and Seligman, Arizona, on Route 66. The trips take you to the South Rim of the canyon, where you’ll see the Mather Point overlook and the famous Bright Angel Lodge.
The adventure begins with a 6 a.m. departure from Las Vegas and concludes at about 10 p.m. During the tour, there is a guide who provides commentary and answers questions. Most big Las Vegas hotels provide round-trip transportation as part of the tour.
Helicopter ride from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon
The helicopter is the quickest and most expensive way to get from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. Helicopter Tour of the Grand Canyon with Optional Excursions The journey to the Below-the-Rim Landing and Skywalk begins with complimentary hotel pickup from your Las Vegas hotel.
Nothing compares to leaving the neon of the Strip and being whisked away to the Grand Canyon in under 90 minutes. By far the most dramatic method of arrival is by helicopter. Both Papillon Helicopters and Maverick Helicopters offer Grand Canyon tours directly from the Strip or Henderson.
You’ll fly over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Fortification Hill, and the Colorado River after departing Las Vegas, offering you an entirely different perspective of these renowned sights. Before arriving at the awe-inspiring spot, you’ll see the natural splendor of the Mojave Desert.
When you get in the Grand Canyon, you will be taken to the West Rim, where you will be able to take in the breathtaking views from the overlooks. Eagle Point is accessible from here. You can enjoy views of the canyon from the Skywalk here, a glass walkway suspended 4,000 feet above the canyon bottom if you upgrade. You can also land on a cliff above the Colorado River, where you can examine the canyon’s numerous strata and gain a greater understanding of this geological marvel.
You’ll be wearing headphones during the flight, and most firms will either narrate your journey live or play a pre-recorded tour to ensure you don’t miss a thing. Choose one of the flights that include a brief night tour of the Las Vegas Strip prior to landing. Then it’s back into the helicopter for the quick flight back to Las Vegas, where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel.
By Bus and Train from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon
Using public transportation, you can go to the Grand Canyon from Vegas by taking two buses or two buses and a train. Begin your journey in Las Vegas at the Greyhound bus terminal, where you will board a bus to Flagstaff, Arizona, which will take around five hours and there are only two stops made. This bus leaves Las Vegas at 6:55 a.m. and arrives in Flagstaff at around 1:30 p.m.
You can then take a shuttle bus directly to the canyon from Flagstaff. Shuttles run from a number of points in Flagstaff to Maswik Lodge or the Tusayan IMAX Theater, both of which are located within the park.
Alternatively, you can spice things up by adding a train ride. You must travel to Williams, Arizona, from Flagstaff. Another bus service is the best alternative. You could also use Uber or Lyft because the distance is only about 30 miles.
After arriving in Williams, ride the renowned Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim, which takes about two hours. The train includes six different grades of service and ticket pricing, as well as several types of rail cars. You can ride in anything from a simple car with bench seats to your own parlor car. The trains leave Williams at 8:30 or 9:30 a.m., depending on the month, and return at 2:30 or 3:30 p.m. from the canyon.