The Best Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours, by What You Want From the Day

1. Grand Canyon helicopter tour from Las Vegas with a canyon-floor landing

Best for: first-time visitors who want the biggest moment of the trip in one afternoon

For most people staying in Las Vegas, this is the tour they already have in mind.

You fly out across the Mojave, usually over Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam, and reach Grand Canyon West about 45 minutes later. There the helicopter descends roughly 3,500 feet below the rim and lands on a private plateau on Hualapai land, a few hundred feet above the Colorado River.

The landing changes the day. Instead of flying over the landscape and turning for home, you get 20 to 30 minutes outside the aircraft with canyon walls a mile high above you. Depending on the operator that stop includes a champagne toast, refreshments or — on the landing and picnic tour with a Vegas Strip flight at $549 — a full picnic. Some Las Vegas routes also return along the Strip.

The Papillon canyon-floor landing tour with Las Vegas transfers is the version most visitors should book: $489, four and a half hours door to door, round-trip hotel pickup from the Strip, and a 4.8 rating from more than 1,800 reviews. Our full breakdown of that flight covers the timings hour by hour.

Why book this type of tour?

Choose a landing tour if:

• this may be your only Grand Canyon visit;
• you are staying in Las Vegas and do not want to spend a day on a coach;
• you specifically want to descend below the rim;
• the experience matters more to you than the lowest price;
• you are marking a birthday, an anniversary or something similar.

The important catch

Canyon-floor landings happen at Grand Canyon West, not at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Landing inside the national park is not permitted for commercial air tours, so no operator anywhere can sell you one.

That distinction is the whole decision. If what you want is the banded red-and-ochre canyon from the famous photographs, a West Rim landing tour is a different trip. Our West Rim vs South Rim guide works through the trade-off in full.

Best choice for: the most complete helicopter experience out of Las Vegas.

2. Air-only Grand Canyon helicopter tour from Las Vegas

Best for: people who mainly want the flight

Not everyone needs to land.

An air-only flight is the better buy when the part you are most looking forward to is seeing the canyon from the aircraft. These tours leave the Las Vegas area and cross the Mojave towards Grand Canyon West, with the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the Colorado River on the way.

Because there is no extended stop on the ground, the day is simpler and the price is lower. The Grand Canyon helicopter air tour with Las Vegas transfers starts at $409 with hotel pickup included, and the Fly Below Rim and Beyond air tour starts at $249 if you make your own way to the terminal. That second one is newly listed, with 46 reviews, so it has a thinner record than the rest of this list.

Air-only vs landing tour

Choose air-only if:

• aerial views are what you came for;
• your time in Las Vegas is short;
• you would rather spend the money on a longer or better flight than on extras on the ground;
• half a day feels like too much to commit.

Choose a landing tour if:

• you want photographs taken from inside the canyon;
• you want the trip to be more than a sightseeing flight;
• this is likely to be your only Grand Canyon experience.

Neither is better in the abstract. The landing is the memorable extra; the flight is still the main attraction.

3. South Rim helicopter tour

Best for: visitors already staying at Grand Canyon National Park

At the South Rim the decision changes completely.

If you are already in the park, a flight from Grand Canyon National Park Airport at Tusayan is the easiest way to add an aerial view without turning the day into an expedition. You drive fifteen minutes, fly, and are back at a viewpoint before lunch.

South Rim flights do not land on the canyon floor. The route is the appeal. Longer flights cross sections of both the South and North Rims and take in the Kaibab National Forest, the Colorado River, the Dragon Corridor and some of the broadest, deepest parts of the canyon. Forty to fifty minutes in the air shows you more than a day of moving between roadside viewpoints.

The South Rim scenic flight at $359 is the fuller route, rated 4.9 from more than 1,900 reviews. The Grand Canyon Village flight, with optional Hummer add-ons is the cheaper 30-minute option at $269 and has the longest review record of anything on this site, more than 3,000 at 4.7. There is also a 25-minute Dancer flight at $329, though with 24 reviews its record is thin.

Who should choose the South Rim?

Book here if:

• you are staying in Grand Canyon Village, Tusayan or nearby;
• Grand Canyon National Park is the point of the trip;
• the scenery matters more to you than a landing;
• you want to pair the flight with viewpoints, trails or a sunset on the rim.

Do not book a South Rim tour expecting to land at the bottom. That is a West Rim product. Our South Rim helicopter tours page lists the flights that depart from Tusayan.

4. Grand Canyon West helicopter + Skywalk tour

Best for: people who want the flight and time on the rim

The Skywalk is at Grand Canyon West, so it pairs naturally with West Rim flights.

Depending on the package you either fly from Las Vegas to the West Rim or combine transport once you arrive. Longer itineraries add time at viewpoints such as Eagle Point and Guano Point, and admission to the glass bridge itself. That makes it the better option than an out-and-back flight if you want to say you spent time at the Grand Canyon, not only saw it through a window.

The Skywalk Express helicopter tour at $609 is the direct version: a flight from Las Vegas, VIP ground transport and expedited Skywalk admission. Note what it is not — it lands at the top of the West Rim, not on the canyon floor.

Is the Skywalk combination worth paying extra for?

It is, when the Skywalk was already on your Las Vegas list.

It is not, when you are adding it because it appeared as an upgrade. The helicopter is the stronger experience for most people, and stacking attractions turns a neat half-day into a long one. Choose the combination for variety, not because you think the Skywalk is what makes the flight worthwhile.

5. Grand Canyon helicopter + Colorado River boat tour

Best for: travellers who want the canyon from above and from below

The most unusual West Rim combination descends by helicopter and then puts you on a boat on the Colorado River.

The appeal is straightforward: two completely different views of the same place. From the air the canyon reads almost like a map. Down by the river the walls tower over you instead.

The Grand Canyon West plane, helicopter and boat tour at $624 is the version this site lists, rated 4.6 from 226 reviews, and the helicopter, boat and Skywalk combination at $829 adds the glass bridge on top. Both suit someone who has already done a conventional scenic flight and wants a full excursion.

The cost is time. Every extra component means another transfer and another queue. If what you want is to be in the helicopter, book a dedicated scenic flight instead.

6. Longer South Rim helicopter flight

Best for: serious sightseeing

When you compare South Rim tours, duration is the variable that matters.

A short flight is still impressive, but the longer routes reach further across the national park and show you how the canyon changes from one section to the next. The 45-minute South Rim scenic route flies above both the South and North Rims, including the Dragon Corridor.

If you have travelled all the way to the South Rim, this is the one place where paying for the longer flight is clearly the right call. You are not buying a landing, a champagne toast or a Skywalk ticket. You are buying airtime over the Grand Canyon, which is what a South Rim helicopter tour does best.

West Rim or South Rim: which is better for a helicopter tour?

This is the decision to settle before you compare individual flights.

Choose Grand Canyon West if…

• you are based in Las Vegas;
• you would rather fly to the canyon than drive for several hours;
• you want a canyon-floor landing;
• you want to add the Skywalk;
• a half-day Grand Canyon trip is what fits your week.

Choose the South Rim if…

• you are already visiting Grand Canyon National Park;
• you want the classic national park landscape;
• aerial sightseeing matters more to you than landing;
• you want to combine the flight with hiking or viewpoints;
• the canyon itself, rather than Las Vegas, is the point of the trip.

For most people that makes it simple. A Las Vegas trip points to West Rim tours. A Grand Canyon National Park trip points to South Rim tours.

Is a canyon-floor landing worth it?

For the right traveller, yes.

A landing is not necessary to appreciate the canyon from a helicopter, but it turns the flight into a more substantial day. You step out, look up at walls a mile high, and spend twenty minutes somewhere that feels a long way from Las Vegas.

It also costs more and takes longer. If you are choosing between a better or longer flight and a cheaper one that happens to include a brief landing, judge the whole itinerary rather than the word “landing”. Ask:

1. How much airtime do I get?
2. Where does the helicopter land?
3. How long is the stop?
4. Is the tour air-only after the landing, or does it add other attractions?
5. What is the total door-to-door time?

Our guide to whether a landing tour is worth the money goes through what the premium buys.

How much do Grand Canyon helicopter tours cost?

Prices move with departure point, flight duration, landing rights, aircraft, season and extras. Across the flights this site lists:

• short South Rim scenic flights are the cheapest, from $269;
• Las Vegas air-only tours cost more because of the distance, from $409;
• canyon-floor landing tours sit higher again, from $489 with transfers;
• multi-activity combinations run from $624 to $829, and private charters go well beyond that.

Do not compare on the headline price alone. A cheaper flight may depart from Boulder City rather than near the Strip, carry less airtime, leave out hotel transfers or skip the landing. The most expensive package is not automatically the best either — you may be paying for activities you did not want. The comparison that helps is price against actual helicopter experience, which our Grand Canyon helicopter tour prices guide sets out band by band.

Las Vegas Strip departure vs Boulder City departure

The departure airport is easy to overlook and it explains a lot of the price spread.

Some Las Vegas tours leave from terminals close to the Strip. Others fly from Boulder City, about 40 minutes south-east by road.

Neither is worse. A Strip-area departure makes the day more convenient and cuts road time. Boulder City departures can price lower, but you need to know how you are getting there and whether the transfer is included — the Papillon landing tour, for example, is a Boulder City departure with Strip pickup built into the fare.

Before booking, check:

• the exact departure airport;
• whether hotel pickup is included;
• how long before the flight that pickup happens;
• the total tour duration;
• whether the return includes a Strip flyover.

That list usually explains why two apparently similar tours are $100 apart.

What will you see on a Grand Canyon helicopter tour from Las Vegas?

Routes vary, but Las Vegas departures commonly take in:

• the Mojave Desert;
• Lake Mead;
• the Hoover Dam;
• the Colorado River;
• Grand Canyon West;
• canyon cliffs and side canyons;
• the Las Vegas skyline or the Strip, on selected return routes.

Do not assume every tour flies the same line. Weather, air-traffic restrictions and operational requirements all move sightseeing routes. If one landmark matters to you, check that it is named in the itinerary before you pay.

What will you see on a South Rim helicopter flight?

South Rim tours concentrate on the national park itself. Depending on the route, that can include:

• the Kaibab National Forest;
• the South Rim;
• the North Rim;
• the Colorado River;
• the Dragon Corridor;
• the confluence area;
• Marble Canyon;
• views towards the Painted Desert.

This is why comparing a South Rim scenic flight against a Las Vegas landing tour is a little misleading. Both are Grand Canyon helicopter rides, and they are built around different days. There is more on both in our guide to what to expect on a Grand Canyon helicopter tour.

How long should your helicopter tour be?

From the South Rim, take the longer route when the price difference is reasonable. Airtime is the experience there.

From Las Vegas, duration is a murkier number, because the advertised time may cover:

• hotel pickup;
• check-in;
• the safety briefing;
• the flight to the canyon;
• time on the ground;
• Skywalk or rim sightseeing;
• a meal or other activities;
• the return transfer.

A five-hour excursion does not mean five hours in a helicopter. On the 4.5-hour Papillon tour, about 75 minutes is airborne and about 30 minutes is spent in the canyon. Look for the stated flight time or airtime when you compare.

So, which Grand Canyon helicopter tour should you book?

It comes down to four situations.

You’re staying in Las Vegas and want the full experience

Book a Grand Canyon West flight with a canyon-floor landing — the Papillon tour with Las Vegas transfers at $489, or the Maverick landing tour with champagne at $499 if you can get yourself to the terminal and want your afternoon back. The second is rated 4.9 from more than 1,100 reviews and is the one with sunset departures.

You’re staying in Las Vegas but mainly want to fly

Book an air-only West Rim flight. The air tour with Las Vegas transfers at $409 keeps the part that matters and drops the ground itinerary.

You’re already at the South Rim

Book the longer South Rim scenic flight from the airport near Grand Canyon Village — the 45-minute route at $359. Do not travel back towards Las Vegas because the Vegas tours come up more often in search results.

You want the Skywalk as well

Choose a West Rim helicopter and Skywalk package such as the Skywalk Express, and check how much of the day is in the helicopter rather than on the ground.

The bottom line

The best Grand Canyon helicopter tour is not the longest or the most expensive. It is the one whose geography matches your trip.

From Las Vegas, Grand Canyon West makes the most sense, and it is the only place that can put you on the canyon floor. From the South Rim, judge flights on duration and route rather than landings.

If two tours look almost identical, the details that separate them are the departure airport, the actual airtime, where the helicopter lands, how long the stop is, whether hotel transfers are included, and whether an extra such as the Skywalk is something you genuinely want. Compare those instead of the headline price and the choice gets much easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of day for a Grand Canyon helicopter tour?

Morning flights have the calmest, clearest air, because desert thermals build through the afternoon and make the ride bumpier. Later flights trade that for lower light across the canyon walls, and on Las Vegas routes a return over the Strip as the lights come on. There is no single best hour: take a morning slot for the smoother ride, a late-afternoon or sunset slot for the photographs. Weather on your day matters more than the hour you pick — our best time guide covers the months too.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Helicopter sightseeing is weather-dependent. Strong winds and poor visibility can change a route or cancel a flight outright, and July through September is monsoon season in northern Arizona, when afternoon thunderstorms are common. Book the flight early in your stay rather than on your last afternoon, so there is room to rebook. Check the cancellation and rescheduling terms before you pay, particularly on a premium landing tour. Every flight listed on this site offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.

Which helicopter seats have the best view?

Everyone wants the front and not everyone gets it. Seats are assigned at check-in partly on passenger weights, because the aircraft has to be balanced, so paying for a tour does not guarantee a front seat unless the product explicitly sells a confirmed upgrade. Sightseeing helicopters are built for visibility, usually with large windows and theatre-style seating, so the more useful question is whether the aircraft gives good visibility from every position. If photography matters to you, check recent reviews for the specific aircraft.

Are there weight restrictions?

Yes. Operators ask for passenger weights because aircraft balance is a safety requirement, and passengers over roughly 275 to 300 pounds are generally required to buy a second seat. The exact threshold differs between operators and aircraft. Give an accurate weight when you book and read the current policy before paying: this is not only a ticketing rule, it decides how passengers are seated and how the aircraft is loaded.

Is a Grand Canyon helicopter tour scary?

For most passengers it feels closer to a scenic flight than to a ride. Modern sightseeing helicopters are enclosed and passengers wear headsets throughout. The sensation is unfamiliar during turns, takeoff and the descent below the West Rim, but if you are comfortable in an aeroplane you will probably find a helicopter easier than you expect, because you are seated inside rather than standing at an exposed viewpoint. If motion sickness is a concern, take an earlier flight, eat lightly beforehand and use your usual precautions.

Helicopter tour vs bus tour from Las Vegas

A coach is dramatically cheaper. A helicopter is dramatically faster and shows you something a coach cannot. Take the bus if budget comes first, you want substantial time walking on the rim, you do not mind a long day on the road and you want several ground stops. Take the helicopter if your Las Vegas time is limited, the flight is part of the point, you would rather not spend the day driving, and you are willing to pay considerably more for the aerial views. They solve different problems.

Helicopter vs airplane tour

Aeroplane sightseeing is a reasonable middle ground: more space, and sometimes lower prices for longer-distance aerial sightseeing. Helicopters are better suited to the low-level perspective most people picture when they imagine a Grand Canyon air tour, and they are the only aircraft that can deliver the West Rim landing experiences. Choose an aeroplane if price and broad aerial sightseeing matter most. Choose a helicopter if manoeuvrability, visibility and the possible canyon landing are what you are paying for.

Check live dates and prices on the Papillon canyon-floor landing tour, or compare every flight on our tours page.

Related reading: which Grand Canyon helicopter tour is right for you · Grand Canyon helicopter tour prices · West Rim vs South Rim · best time to fly