confusedtraveller

Hi

We're a couple in our late 20's and are planning a trip to the US in late August. We want to go the the GC but are a bit overwhelmed with the options available. We would like to visit the South Rim and are planning on flying into Phoenix from New York and hiring a car to drive there. We have heard that the drive takes about 4 hours? We then want to overnight at GC. Is it best to try and stay in the National Park or somewhere outside? If outside then where is best? We then want to drive from South Rim to Las Vegas, how long will this take? We want to do this over 2-3 days. Is that enough time?

Our other alternative is to do a helicopter trip from Las Vegas to the West Rim but we have heard the South Rim has more impressive views. But we're still not sure if it would be better to drive the South Rim or fly over West Rim? I'm sure they both have incredible views but based on what we've heard nothing compares to driving the South Rim and looking down into the canyon.

Any advice or alternatives would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

emalloy

Check on costs of both air fare and auto rental from New York to both Las Vegas and Phoenix. The time for driving there is only a bit longer from Vegas and costs may be much less.

Do go to the south rim, not west rim.

Try to get lodging in the park. If they tell you that everything is full, call and keep calling as people make reservations a year in advance and then cancel as time gets close.

qwovadis

I have done this a few years back carrentals.com out of Sky Harbor airport after my southwest.com flight in. Scottsdale Phonecian then visitsedona.com Hyatt up the Mogollon rim to GC. El Tovar at the rim of the canyon was great. Venetian in Vegas for me last got great deals bidding priceline.com. Took
me the better part of a week to do this I would not rush.
Had a wonderful time. classic.mapquest.com directions and distances and travel times think you may have underestimated by half.

Have fun!

Myer

How much time do you have?
Where do you live. The reason I'm asking is that you don't live in NY so you have to determine what the chances are that you will be returning the this part of the country within a reasonable time.

There are other more impressive sights in the area.

If you have the time you could do a Las Vegas Loop that includes GC, Pag, AZ, Bryce Canyon and Zion.

Now that would be something to remember!!!

confusedtraveller

Myer - would love to do that but we don't have much time and GC always been on our bucket list. We live in London so this is kind of a once in a lifetime thing.

Thanks everyone for the advice, seems like flying into Phoenix is a lot cheaper so will prob go with that option.

Please give some thoughts on whether driving is better than flying over the canyon?

Thank you!

Tomsd

Check out www.carrentals.com - which gives you all the rental car companies.

Years ago - we loved flying over the Grand Canyon - in a fixed wing aircraft, but now - the regulations don't let you get as close. A helicopter ride might be worth it also.

Staying on the South Rim is great - and they have a hop on-off type bus system where you can head as far west as you like and maybe catch the sunset - and/or get up early to catch the sunset the other bus route toward the east.

Suggest you consider a lodge right on the rim - such as Bright Angel or the more upscale Tovar is it? From there - it's fun to walk along the ridge - and maybe even hike a bit down the path that goes all the way down to the River.

There is also a good IMAX film at the southern entrance to the park.

If you arrive early enough in the day - you might want to drive through Sedona on the way to the GC - to see some incredible red rock formations, or maybe even spend your first night there. http://www.visitsedona.com/

Tomsd

Err - that's catch the sunrise from one of the eastern spots.

And here is the lodging reservation site - the only one.

http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/?gc...FQlnhwodGk-cuQ

Bill_H

We have heard that the drive (Phoenix - Grand Canyon) takes about 4 hours?

Yes, a bit less than four hours ... drive I-17 to Flagstaff, I-40 to Williams, then to Grand Canyon for fastest route.

We then want to overnight at GC. Is it best to try and stay in the National Park or somewhere outside?

Best inside, either on the rim or just a few hundred yards away.

If outside then where is best?

Tusayan is best place outside the park because it's very close to the south entrance, just a few hundred yards. Cameron is probably 2nd best but should be no problem getting rooms inside the park or at Tusayan.

We then want to drive from South Rim to Las Vegas, how long will this take?

About 4:30 per Mapquest.

We want to do this over 2-3 days. Is that enough time?

Yes, barely.

But we're still not sure if it would be better to drive the South Rim or fly over West Rim?

Much much better to drive to south rim. "West rim" isn't even in the National Park.

Myer

I'm not giving up on something you'll remember for a lifetime.

How much time do you have? Maybe we can work something out.

Mary8727

I would certainly stay in the Park. Just sitting at the rim taking it all in is amazing. Also, if you are planning to stay at all in Phoenix, do NOT miss the Heard museum. Absolutely wonderful! I too would suggest a stop in Sedona and be sure to check out the cliff dwellings: http://www.nps.gov/moca/index.htm

Enjoy and Welcome to American!

confusedtraveller

Thank you all! Will be back soon for more advice for the rest of our trip! Cannot wait!