West Rim vs South Rim by helicopter
Where the flights start, where they land and what you can add at each end of the canyon.
The short answer
Pick the West Rim if you are staying in Las Vegas or want to land: the flights from Las Vegas go to the western canyon, and every landing on this site is there. Pick the South Rim if you are already staying at the national park: the flights start in Tusayan, last 25 to 50 minutes and do not land.
See which flights still have places on your dates
The two ends compared
| West Rim | South Rim | |
|---|---|---|
| Land | Hualapai land at Grand Canyon West | Grand Canyon National Park |
| Take-off | Las Vegas or Boulder City; on site at Grand Canyon West and the Western Ranch | Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan, outside the park |
| Length | About 1.5 to 4.5 hours from Las Vegas, 20 to 40 minutes on site | About 25 to 50 minutes in the air |
| Landing | Canyon floor, West Rim or Western Ranch, depending on the tour | None |
| Hotel pickup | With Papillon and 5 Star from Las Vegas | No |
| To add | Skywalk at Eagle Point, Guano Point, Hualapai Village, sunset departures | 2-hour Hummer tour along the rim (Papillon) |
West Rim from Las Vegas
On the way from Las Vegas the helicopters cross Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam before they reach the canyon. The landing tours set down near the Colorado River or at the rim, the Skywalk tours land at Eagle Point and the air tours stay airborne. If you are already at Grand Canyon West, the short flights from the West Rim start right there.
South Rim from Tusayan
The South Rim flights cross the Kaibab National Forest, fly toward the North Rim and return through the Dragon Corridor, the widest and deepest part of the canyon. The longer ones reach the confluence with the Little Colorado River. Check-in at the airport is 30 minutes before take-off.
FAQ
Can I fly from Las Vegas to the South Rim by helicopter?
Not on the tours on this site. Helicopter tours from Las Vegas go to the western canyon; the South Rim flights start at Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan.
Where is the Skywalk, West Rim or South Rim?
West Rim. It stands at Eagle Point, Grand Canyon West, on Hualapai land.
Staying at the South Rim?
The flights from Tusayan with their length and current price.
See South Rim flights