The Grand Canyon Skywalk is definitely one of Las Vegas' hottest natural attractions. Tour prices are all over the map, and most of them are ridiculously high. But deals exist. Here are some ideas on how to get them cheaply:
1. Take an all-inclusive tour. There are three kinds: Bus, helicopter, and airplane. Bus is the cheapest; helicopter is the most expensive. Airplane tours are in the middle because they can fly up 17 people at once.
2. Don't buy from third parties. You will pay more if you purchase a tour from a travel agent, an online broker (e.g. Viator), or a hotel concierge. In Vegas, be wary of street-side ticket vendors – there’s absolutely no guarantee what you’ll end up getting.
3. Buy direct. You are essentially purchasing wholesale when you buy straight from the tour operator.
4. Book in advance. Several months are best. Try to avoid booking less than two weeks out. Expect to pay dearly for next-day and same-day reservations.
5. Book on the Web. Internet reservations save tour operators a lot of money. The good companies pass a significant portion of these savings to you. The sites I used to book trips are safe and secure, and I’ve never had a mix up with my reservations.
I researched the Internet for the best Las Vegas Grand Canyon Skywalk tours deals. Here are my findings:
Bus
Grand Canyon Coaches led the pack. Its all-inclusive West Rim bus tour with Skywalk costs $129. Travel is aboard a state-of-the-art luxury bus. Includes, professional driver-guide, Skywalk tickets, BBQ lunch, and a tour of Grand Canyon West.
Helicopter
Papillon Helicopters smoked the competition. Its Skywalk tour came in at $375 (regularly $469). That's nearly 20 percent cheaper than what other operators were asking. Includes the deluxe EcoStar 130 helicopter (its cabin size is 25% larger than that of conventional helicopters), BBQ lunch, and rim-top guided tour.
Airplane
Grand Canyon Airlines was the clear winner. Its Skywalk air tour cost $200 (regularly $349) and uses a Vistaliner aircraft, a fully customized fixed-wing aircraft designed precisely for sightseeing. Includes lunch and a guided-tour of the rim.
The Grand Canyon Skywalk, a joint venture between a Las Vegas businessman and the Hualapai Indian Tribe, extends 70 feet over the edge of the rim and lifts you more than 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. The structure can hold 120 people at one time. Its horseshoe-shaped deck is made of 46 Saint-Gobain Diamant low-iron glass panels that cost $250,000 each. Cameras and personal electronics are banned because if dropped they could chip the deck.
If you're visiting Las Vegas, make the Grand Canyon Skywalk a "must-see" attraction. Located just 120 east of town, the Skywalk can be reached by bus, helicopter, and airplane. There's a tour for each budget. To get the right deal, book direct on the tour operator's Internet site where costs are going to be at or near wholesale. Then stand back and prepare yourself for what will be the experience of a lifetime.
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