Grand Canyon Village: Helicopter Tour & Hummer Tour Options
About This Experience
The cheapest way into the air over Grand Canyon National Park, and the most-reviewed helicopter tour on this site by a wide margin. It is a 25-30 minute flight from Grand Canyon Airport at Tusayan, over the Kaibab National Forest and across the widest part of the South Rim toward the North Rim.
The route runs through the Dragon Corridor past named formations including the Tower of Ra, with the Colorado River far below. Thirty minutes is short, but it covers the section of canyon that photographs best, and the price reflects that you are buying flight time rather than transfers.
The reason to look at this one twice is the Hummer add-on. For a supplement you get a ground tour in a customised open-air Hummer with a driver-guide who stops at rim viewpoints and talks through the canyon's geology, history and wildlife. Booked at sunset it turns a half-hour flight into most of an afternoon.
Highlights
- The most-reviewed Grand Canyon helicopter tour on this site, with over 3,000 ratings
- Fly the Dragon Corridor past the Tower of Ra and the Vishnu Schist
- Cross the Kaibab National Forest and the widest part of the South Rim
- Optional open-air Hummer tour of the rim, by day or at sunset
- Live guide and pilot narration in a choice of languages
What's Included
- ✓ 25-30 minute helicopter flight over Grand Canyon National Park
- ✓ Views of the South Rim, the North Rim and the Colorado River
- ✓ Flight through the Dragon Corridor past the Tower of Ra
- ✓ Optional guided Hummer rim tour, day or sunset, if that upgrade is selected
Not Included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Grand Canyon National Park entrance fee
What to Bring
- Passport or government-issued photo ID
- A camera
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Closed-toe shoes
Good to Know & Caveats
- This is a scenic flight - helicopters may not land inside Grand Canyon National Park.
- Total duration runs from 30 minutes for the flight alone to about 3.5 hours with the sunset Hummer upgrade.
- The helicopter carries up to 6 passengers, and seating is set by weight and balance.
- Passengers weighing 300 lb or more must buy an additional seat, payable to the operator.
- Children aged 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult; under-2s fly free on a parent's lap with proof of age.
- With the Hummer upgrade, children aged 5 and under are given a car seat or booster.
- Narration is available in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.
- Non-U.S. residents aged 16 and over pay a $100 National Park Service nonresident fee on top of the standard Grand Canyon entrance fee (in force since 1 January 2026). It does not apply at Grand Canyon West, which is Hualapai tribal land rather than national park.
Not Suitable For
- Unaccompanied minors
- Travellers prone to motion sickness
Meeting Point
Papillon's terminal at Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan, Arizona, just south of Grand Canyon Village. The exact meeting point depends on whether you add the Hummer tour - your voucher confirms it.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.7/5 by 3,018 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
It's an amazing experience. It's impressive to see the canyon from the sky. It's the best way to appreciate its magnitude. It's not cheap at all, but it's a fantastic 30 minutes.
— Pau, Septemb
Simply an incredible experience!!! Seeing the Grand Canyon from above is pure emotion... it takes your breath away and leaves you speechless. Johnata, the pilot, was very good and friendly. We took the long tour to the West Rim. It's absolutely worth it. Highly recommended. New helicopters and super friendly Papillon staff
— Daniele, Septemb
An absolute dream experience. It was really worth the money!
— Thomas, August
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this tour so much cheaper than the Las Vegas flights?
Because you are buying flight time only. The Las Vegas tours include several hours of road transfers, a canyon-floor landing and catering; this one starts at Grand Canyon Airport and puts you straight in the air for 25-30 minutes.
Is the Hummer upgrade worth adding?
If you have the afternoon, yes - it is the difference between a half-hour flight and a proper day at the rim. A driver-guide takes you to several viewpoints in a customised open-air Hummer and covers the canyon's geology and history. The sunset departure is the one to book.
Does the helicopter land in the canyon?
No. Landing inside Grand Canyon National Park is not permitted for air tours. Only the Grand Canyon West tours, which operate over Hualapai tribal land, land on the canyon floor.
Is the park entrance fee included?
No. Grand Canyon National Park charges its own entrance fee on top of this tour. Since 1 January 2026 the National Park Service has also charged non-U.S. residents aged 16 and over an additional $100 per person, and it applies on commercial tours as well as private visits. If you are visiting several US national parks, the $250 America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass covers the pass holder plus three other adults and works out cheaper. Verify the current rate before you travel.
What languages is the narration available in?
English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Select your language when you book.
