If you want to take a break from all the fun, entertainment, and grandeur in Las Vegas and want to spend a quiet, tranquil time in nature, then you should head your way to The Grand Canyon. Take the chance to visit one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World while in Las Vegas and explore the vast beauty of the Grand Canyon. Keep on reading and find out how far is the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas Strip and the several options on how to get there.
How to get to The Grand Canyon from Las Vegas Strip
The question of how far is the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas Strip is a little vague. This is because the distance from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon depends on which rims of the canyon you want to visit. The Grand Canyon has three rims: the West Rim, the South Rim, and the North Rim. The rim closest to Las Vegas Strip is the West Rim, with a distance of 130 miles. On the other hand, the North and South Rims are located more than 270 miles from the Las Vegas Strip. There are several ways to get there from Las Vegas. So, buckle up and find out which one is perfect for you when you visit the Grand Canyon.
1. By flight
There are at least two airports in Arizona that can take you to the Grand Canyon. One is the airport in Tusayan, Arizona, and the second is in Flagstaff, which is the nearest to the Grand Canyon between the two. Flights from either the McCarran International Airport or the Boulder City Municipal Airport to Flagstaff will take around one hour and a half and would cost from $50 to $250 depending on the time and season. Another option is to use a helicopter, the fastest and the most expensive option to get to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas. It only takes approximately 40 minutes to get to the destination by helicopter. The Grand Canyon West Rim Luxury Helicopter Tour will take you above the canyon to see the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and Black Canyon. The helicopter will then go into the canyon itself to enjoy a spectacular flight over the Colorado River.
2. By tour
This is an easy and inexpensive way to get to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas. You can get an all-day experience with an organized tour where you’ll board on an air-conditioned coach with a restroom from the Las Vegas Strip to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Like the Grand Canyon West Rim Bus Tour, some tours even offer a short helicopter ride where you can enjoy the aerial view of the canyon. Usually, the departure starts at 6 am from Las Vegas and gets you back there at about 9 to 10 pm.
3. By bus and train
Another way to get to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas is by public transportation. You can hop on a bus at the Greyhound bus terminal, then take another bus to Flagstaff, Arizona. The bus trip usually takes around five hours (the bus departs at 6:55 am and reaches Flagstaff around 1:30 pm) with two stops. From Flagstaff, you can take a shuttle bus that will take you directly to the canyon. Another alternative is a train ride. You need to get to Williams, Arizona, from Flagstaff (around 30 miles or 48 kilometers) by either a bus, Uber, or Lyft. When you reach Williams, take the Grand Canyon Railway, which will take you to the South Rim in two hours. You can choose from the six different classes of services and ticket prices for the train ride – from basic cars with bench seats to riding your private parlor car.
>> Enjoy your nature walk with a pair of comfortable hiking boots.
4. By car
Asking how far is the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas Strip by car? The answer is almost 300 miles, which means around a four to five-hour drive from Las Vegas. If you start from the Las Vegas Strip near the airport, head to I-215 east to Henderson. Then, head your way to the I-11 southbound, take you to the Arizona border, then begin to get into the Mojave Desert. From there, drive through the Arizona desert via I-40, then take that east route for a few hours until you get to Williams, Arizona. Get off the interstate and start on the historic Route 66, then take the AZ-64, a 50-mile road that will lead you directly to the Grand Canyon.
Things to do in the Grand Canyon
The things and activities you can do when you visit the Grand Canyon are countless. When you are bound to the South Rim, visitors enjoy the spectacular views from Mather Point, Yavapai Point, Hopi Point, and Bright Angel Lodge, all accessible by a free shuttle provided by the National Park Service. On the North Rim, don’t miss seeing Bright Angel Point and popular hike trails like the Bright Angel Point Trail and Cape Royal Trail.
At the Grand Canyon West, the main attraction is the horse-shoe-shaped glass platform Skywalk extending 70 feet from the canyon’s edge. Visitors can also zip line, go white-water rafting, or take a helicopter or boat ride. On the other hand, the Grand Canyon East’s most famous spots are the Little Colorado River Tribal Park, Horseshoe Bend, the 5000-foot-tall Tower Butte, and Lake Powell.
Conclusion
Planning your next adventure vacation with your family or friends in the Grand Canyon is now easier since you now know how far is the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas Strip and the different ways to get there. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your essentials and head to Arizona, and explore the wonders and beauty of nature. Whether you go there by car, bus, train, or flight, that trip will be worth it and a memorable one.