Image source: https://paradisefoundtours.com/images/080112_0088_grand_canyon_south_rim_mather_point_photo.jpg
Seeing the Grand Canyon doesn't have to break the bank. If you choose to take a tour bus, it's quite affordable. From Las Vegas, for example, trips to the South Rim can run from $80 to $180 per person. Is there a reason for such a price discrepancy? No. It all depends where you book online.
Las Vegas is home to a host of quality tour bus operators. For the most part, the experience is the same. Buses are modern. Drivers are courteous and knowledgeable. The on-board food is good. The Grand Canyon...that goes without saying.
It all really boils down to price. Why do some operators sell you a trip for $180? Because they can. Believe it or not, a lot of people buy at that rate. Don't be one of them. Do your homework.
To help you get the best all-inclusive deal, here are a few things you need to consider:
1. Is there a fuel charge? This is a "hidden" cost that was tacked on the price of oil surged earlier this year. Fuel prices have since dropped. You'd think the charge would be dropped. Think again.
2. Is there a fee to enter Grand Canyon National Park? Believe it or not, some operators will add this cost into the price of your tour, either upfront or at the park!
3. Is there a terminal check-in fees? This is a surcharge for checking in to a terminal where you board your tour bus. This is a red flag. The good tours pick you up and drop you off at your hotel free of charge.
4. Is there a trip cancellation fee? You have to really hunt down operators and tour brokers who won't slap you with this one. But they exist. The rule of thumb is to ask. If they do, consider your second choice, time permitting, of course.
5. Is there an extra cost for meals? Expect to get a pre-packed breakfast and lunch.
6. How long will the bus stop at the South Rim? The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and 18 miles across. An hour or two off bus is insufficient to take in the Seventh Wonder of the World. In this case, the longer the better.
There are a ton of tour bus operators in Las Vegas. Take your time. Shop around. But bear in mind this one key piece of advice: The best deals are always offered not by brokers but by tour operators (or tour suppliers as they are know in the industry).
Tour operators are the companies that own the buses, pay the drivers, provide customer service, and make sure you get the trip you purchased. They have a vested interest in making sure you are satisfied. Brokers, on the other hand, will sell you a tour at whatever price they think you'll pay, which is always more than the tour operator's price.
The Grand Canyon is a "must-do" when you visit Las Vegas. Especially the South Rim, the part of the National Park that's world-famous for its scenery. Bus tours are the most economical way to visit this rim. But do your homework. Pricing is all over the map. My suggestion is to start shopping tour operator websites, as in all likelihood they will have the lowest prices. Then climb aboard your deluxe luxury bus and prepare yourself for this incredible natural wonder.
