If you’re looking for a unique way to experience the beauty of the Grand Canyon, a helicopter tour is the perfect choice.
Whether you’re planning a trip to the South Rim, West Rim, or North Rim, a helicopter flight offers breathtaking aerial views of one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders.
From quick scenic rides to full-day adventures with landings inside the canyon, there’s a tour to suit every interest and budget.
In this guide, we’ll take you through the different options, helping you choose the best helicopter tour for your Grand Canyon visit.
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# All Grand Canyon West Rim Tours
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# Grand Canyon North Rim TourGrand Canyon helicopter tours are in high demand so its best to book as soon as your plans are confirmed.
What’s ahead
Cost of Grand Canyon helicopter tour
If you’re looking for the most affordable way to see the Grand Canyon from the sky, head to Grand Canyon Village. There, you can book a 25-minute helicopter ride over the Southern and Northern Rims for around $269 per person.
The most popular option, though, is to book a day trip by bus from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon’s West Rim, which includes the option to add on a helicopter flight. This full experience costs about $539 per person.
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Best West Rim helicopter tours
Each West Rim helicopter tour offers something different, so you can choose the one that fits your preference.
1. Grand Canyon Deluxe Helicopter Tour with Landing
This tour starts in Las Vegas and takes you on a scenic 45-minute flight each way in a modern, quiet Eco-Star helicopter. The highlight? You will land on a private bluff inside the Grand Canyon for a Champagne toast and some light snacks—all while soaking in those epic canyon views. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, making everything super easy and convenient.
Find Out More2. Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour with Optional Skywalk
This is a great choice if you want to fly below the rim and experience the canyon up close. After landing, you can upgrade your experience with VIP access to the famous Skywalk—a glass bridge that stretches out over the canyon! It also includes a souvenir photo, plus hotel transfers to make your day hassle-free.
Find Out More3. Extended West Rim Air-Only Helicopter Tour
Prefer to stay in the air the whole time? This 90-minute helicopter ride offers the longest flight time from Las Vegas without landing. You will enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the West Rim, the Colorado River, and the surrounding desert landscape. It is a peaceful, photo-worthy journey with no stops—just pure scenery from above.
Find Out More4. Sunset Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour
For something extra special, take this romantic sunset tour. You will fly from Las Vegas to a private landing spot in the canyon, where you will enjoy a Champagne toast with fruit, cheese, and crackers as the sun dips behind the cliffs. The return flight takes you over the Las Vegas Strip as it lights up at night—truly a magical way to end the day.
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Best South Rim helicopter tours
If you plan to explore the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, several amazing helicopter tours give you stunning views of this iconic destination. We list three of our favorites.
1. Bus tour from Vegas with an optional helicopter flight
If you are starting from Las Vegas, this is a great option for those who want to combine a bus ride with exciting helicopter action. You will enjoy a narrated bus tour to the South Rim, where you can upgrade to include an IMAX movie, a Hummer rim tour, or even a helicopter flight for an unforgettable aerial view of the Grand Canyon. Lunch is included, and hotel pickup and drop-off make it all super convenient.
Find Out More2. Helicopter tour over the South & North Rim
This tour is perfect for those who want to see the best of both the South and North Rims. Starting from the South Rim in Tusayan, Arizona, you will hop into a state-of-the-art ECO-Star helicopter and fly over the stunning Dragon Corridor—the widest and deepest part of the Grand Canyon. The flight lasts around 45 minutes, giving you plenty of time to soak in the breathtaking views from the sky.
Find Out More3. Grand Canyon South Rim EcoStar Helicopter Tour
If you are after a shorter, yet equally spectacular experience, this 25-minute flight over the South Rim is a great choice. Take off from Grand Canyon Village and fly over both the North and South Rims, with views of the iconic Dragon Corridor and other breathtaking spots. You can also upgrade to include a Hummer tour for a ground-level view of the canyon.
Find Out MoreGo Social: Instagram captions for helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon
Best North Rim helicopter tour
If you want to explore the North Rim, this 25 to 30-minute helicopter tour is ideal. The flight takes off from Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim aboard a modern Bell Helicopter, offering stunning canyon views. For an even more immersive experience, you can upgrade your tour to include a Hummer tour after the flight, where you’ll visit other key Grand Canyon sights on the ground.
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Things to know before booking your tour
Here is some critical information you must know before booking your Grand Canyon helicopter flight.
- Ticket inclusions
- Helicopter ride in a state-of-the-art, climate-controlled cabin.
- Free inflight narration in English.
- Local taxes and service fees are included in the tour cost.
- Additional inclusions may vary depending on the tour.
- Ticket exclusions
- Gratuities (optional).
- Souvenir photos.
- Fuel surcharge.
- Lunch (except on tours that provide optional lunch).
- Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before for a full refund.
- Tours may be canceled due to poor weather or insufficient passengers. If canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.
- Helicopter tour timings
- Tour departures: Seven days a week, with the first flight at 6:30 am and the last at 6:15 pm.
- Heliports
- Most Grand Canyon helicopter tours take off from Las Vegas. Some take off from the Grand Canyon Village.
- Heliports in Las Vegas include McCarran Airport (10 mins from downtown), Henderson Executive Airport (25 mins from the Strip), Boulder City Airport (30 mins from Vegas)
- You can also board helicopters from Phoenix, Sedona, Flagstaff, Scottsdale, Tusayan, and Laughlin.
- How many people in one helicopter?
- Most helicopters are four-seaters or six-seaters.
- Minimum passengers: Two or four passengers may be required for a tour to be confirmed.
- Weight distribution: Staff will ensure even weight distribution, which may affect your seat but won’t impact safety.
Restrictions strictly followed
- Weight limits apply for safe and comfortable Grand Canyon heli tours. Passengers exceeding the weight limit must purchase an additional seat payable directly to the tour operator on the day of the trip.
- Individual passenger weights, including that of infants, must be advised at time of booking
- A minimum and maximum number of passengers are required on these tours, failing which, they will be canceled.
- Infants and children are allowed onboard, but infants must sit on the caregiver’s lap throughout the flight.
- No personal items such as mobile phones, cameras, backpacks and purses are allowed on the Skywalk.
- Ticket rates apply for all passengers ages 2 years and above.
- A valid passport is required.
- No pets are allowed onboard except service animals.
- Check in at least 30 minutes early.
- Flight times are approximate based on winds, weights, and conditions.
- Seating arrangements may often be in the hands of the tour organizers for a safe and stable flight.
South Rim or West Rim – which helicopter tour to book?
The Grand Canyon is divided into several sections: the West Rim, South Rim, North Rim, and East Rim. Out of these, the South Rim and West Rim are the most popular and offer unique experiences.
If this is your first time visiting the Grand Canyon, we recommend booking a helicopter tour over the South Rim. It is known for its breathtaking beauty and incredible views.
Helicopters can’t fly below this rim or land at the canyon floor, but they fly through the Dragon Corridor, which is the canyon’s widest and deepest section—making it a must-see from the sky.
The West Rim is great for those looking for more adventure, like helicopter tours that land on the canyon floor and boat trips along the Colorado River.
