Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

SW trip - better to start in Vegas or Phoenix?

SW trip - better to start in Vegas or Phoenix?

Old Oct 17th, 2004, 06:11 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,633
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
SW trip - better to start in Vegas or Phoenix?

I am planning a trip for our familiy of 5. We want to see the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Parks, and then to end up at the JW Marriott north of Vegas. Would it be better to fly into Vegas for a night or two and then drive to Grand Canyon, or to start in Phoenix?

Here's what I'm thinking:
Fly to Vegas or Phoenix; spend 1 or 2 nights.

Drive to Grand Canyon; spend 2 nights (Angel Lodge?)

Drive to Bryce, then Zion; spend 3 nights (Desert Pearl)

Drive to N. Vegas; spend 3 nights in JW Marriott.

So would it be better/easier to start in Vegas or Phoenix?

Also, is it feasible to drive from Grand Canyon, visit Bryce, and then continue on to Desert Pearl to spend night?

Thanks.
Samsaf is offline  
Old Oct 17th, 2004, 06:14 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,738
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think I would end the trip with Vegas..it will be such a change from the parks and all that nature, the contrast might be a fun way to end your trip.
Scarlett is offline  
Old Oct 17th, 2004, 06:18 AM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,633
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well, either way we are planning to end with Vegas, but we didn't know whether to also start there or start in Phoenix. I think both of these places are about 5 hours away from Grand Canyon.
Samsaf is offline  
Old Oct 17th, 2004, 06:33 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,738
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Duh
Sorry, I got so excited about sending you to Vegas LOL
I would save Vegas and start in Phoenix ... used to live in Az and never went to LV at that time, but I still like the idea of doing all the parks first and ending the trip with Vegas and all its glitter ~
Scarlett is offline  
Old Oct 17th, 2004, 06:36 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,633
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks, Scarlett. That's sort of what I'm thinking. Our kids will be ages 21, 18 and 16 (not really kids, right?). We've done lots of traveling with them but have never seen the Grand Canyon, and I feel like we need to go while they're still going on vacations with us.

Since you used to live in Arizona, here's another question for you. What about flying into Phoenix and driving to Sedona for the first couple of nights? Is it a long drive, and would it be worth it?

Thanks very much.
Sherry
Samsaf is offline  
Old Oct 17th, 2004, 07:22 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,484
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you intend to go to Vegas regardless of where you fly into, I would recommend flying into and out of Vegas. You will save money on your car rental when you pick up and return it at the same location and you will save a negligable amount on your plane ticket.

Sedona is an incredible experience, but if you are going to Bryce and Zion, you might get 'zoned out' on red rocky land formations. Just an observation.

Not knowing the time of year you are going, but looking at your 'places of interest', I suggest you consider this route/these destinations: fly into Vegas, then to Zion, Bryce, GC NORTH RIM (instead of South) and back to Vegas. Valley of Fire north of Vegas is also a nice 'drive through' destination enroute to Zion.
pollyvw is offline  
Old Oct 17th, 2004, 07:29 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I was not charged a drop-off fee for my rental car (Enterprise) when I piked it up in Phoenix and dropped it off in Vegas. And that was the best way to do the trip. We drove right to the GC from Phoenix (four hours), spent one night there, drove to Sedona (less than two hours) and spent three nights, then drove to LV (five hours) and spent three nights.
Postal is offline  
Old Oct 17th, 2004, 11:50 AM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,633
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We plan to go the first week or so of June. We'll be using frequent flier miles, so the airfare will be free either way we decide.

My husband and I went to the Valley of Fire on a day trip from Vegas, and we loved it. I would love to take the kids there.
Samsaf is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Golfgirl424
Travel Tips & Trip Ideas
4
Jul 6th, 2011 07:44 AM
DavidTH
United States
12
Jun 5th, 2011 05:25 PM
DLYeager
United States
6
Feb 28th, 2007 05:18 AM
Ziana
United States
14
Aug 5th, 2005 07:25 AM
HMC
United States
7
Jun 11th, 2005 06:43 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -