How Much Does It Cost to Take a Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour?

Keith Kravitz on a Grand Canyon helicopter tourIt really depends on the kind of helicopter you want to do. But in a nutshell, you'll pay more for tours that land, or depart from the Las Vegas Strip or use the EcoStar 130 chopper.

Tours that land ONLY depart from Las Vegas AND Boulder City, a suburb of Vegas, and go ONLY to the West Rim (the South Rim is too far from Vegas and if you want to go there you'll have to go by plane).

Naturally, tours that land are more involved and of course cost more money. How much? You're looking at prices ranging from US$ 390 up to US$ 600. By contrast, air-only tours cost around US$ 300.

Landing Tours

By far, the landing tour with Champagne picnic is the most popular and that's the one that will start around US$ 390. Personally, I find it to be a great value. In addition to the meal, you fly over the Colorado River and Grand Cliff's Wash before landing at the bottom.

The landing tour above departs from Boulder City. If you depart from the Vegas Strip, you're paying more as the prices starts around US$ 430. Even though it's more expensive, it's worth it as the package includes hotel transfers by limo and an extended flight over the Vegas Strip. There's even a sunset version, which starts around US$ 460.

(FYI - the sunset landing tour is super limited because it leaves once a day and there are only a fixed number of helicopters dedicated to it. Rule of thumb: if you want this tour, book it at least 2 weeks in advance).

Special Helicopters

Tours that use the EcoStar helicopter also tend to drive the price up. Is it worth it? Absolutely YES! This particular chopper is the newest one in the air today and it was designed specifically for air tourism.

For example, the ECO 130 is 20% bigger than the older, conventional helicopters. It's also equipped with comfortable, forward-facing stadium-style bucket seats (some older helis come with rear-facing bench seats). The climate control on these "birds" is incredible, and this matters especially in the summer when temps at the West Rim break 110 degrees.

The EcoStar, which is also extremely quiet and smooth, is available primarily on tours that depart from the Vegas Strip. But our fleet is being modified daily and EcoStars are starting to dominate what's available from Boulder City.

South Rim

The same can be said for the South Rim, which is located in northern Arizona 1 hour from Flagstaff and Williams and 2.5 hours from Sedona. Again, if it's an ECOSTAR, expect to pay more for the tour. For example, the 50-minute tour, which I strongly recommend, exclusively uses the ECO and starts around USD$ 299. The deluxe 30-minute ECO costs USD $249. By contrast, the 30-minute basic uses the older more conventional heli and starts at USD$ 199 per person.

I do want to point out that there are NO landing tours at the South Rim as landing flights are banned by the National Park Service (the West Rim is owned and operated by the Hualapai Indian Tribe). That said, there are some terrific air-ground tours that include 30-minute basic heli with Jeep tour, prices for which start around USD $320.

Seasonal Influence

Prices referenced in this article are averages and are subject to change. Further, prices go up based on demand. And they go up more in the summer months, which is peak Grand Canyon travel season. Prices tend to drop in fall-winter but go up a week or two prior to such holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Remember, there are flights from Vegas or the South Rim on Christmas Day.

In addition, prices are always cheaper if booked online (and in advance...if you try to book same-day or a week ahead of time you'll pay more). If you are booking outside the US, no problem as you can use your local currency booking via the website. Sure, phone bookings can be made and are welcome, but they typically cost more. It's up to you but the savings can be quite significant if you are booking for two or more people (helicopters hold 6 people).

Try a Tour?

Have a great flight!

Keith Kravitz
Grand Canyon Helicopters
(702) 530-8687
grandcanyonkeith@gmail.com


What Affects the Cost of a Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour?

Grand Canyon helicopter tour pricing varies based on several factors that are worth understanding before you book. The range across available tours is significant, and the differences in cost generally reflect real differences in experience — not just marketing.

Landing vs. Air-Only Tours

The single biggest pricing factor is whether the tour includes a landing at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Bottom-landing tours are substantially more expensive than air-only tours for a straightforward reason: the canyon floor landing adds significant time (20–30 minutes on the ground), requires coordination with the Hualapai Tribe (which controls the landing zone), and limits the number of passengers who can do the experience on any given day. Air-only tours — which circle or fly over the canyon without landing — are shorter and less operationally complex, and priced accordingly.

If the bottom-landing experience is what you're after, budget for a landing tour from the start. Air-only tours are excellent in their own right, but they are a genuinely different experience.

Departure Point

Tours departing from the Las Vegas Strip cost more than equivalent tours departing from Boulder City (approximately 25 miles southeast of Las Vegas). The price difference reflects the additional flight time to and from the Strip — which also means more time in the air and a longer scenic route over Lake Mead and Hoover Dam. Boulder City departures are a shorter flight, a smaller price, and the same canyon experience once you're over the West Rim.

For budget-conscious travelers who don't need the Strip flyover or limo pickup, Boulder City departures represent solid value. For travelers who want the full Las Vegas experience integrated into their tour, the Strip departure adds meaningful components.

Add-Ons That Affect Total Cost

Limousine hotel pickup, Las Vegas Strip flyovers, champagne picnics, boat rides on the Colorado River, Grand Canyon Skywalk access, and sunset timing all add to the base tour cost individually or in combination. Deluxe tours that bundle several of these together are higher in total cost but often represent better value than buying additions separately. The 4-in-1 tour (helicopter + landing + boat + Skywalk + meal + hotel transfers) is an example of a tour where the bundled total is less than the sum of individual activities.

Season and Timing

Peak season (June–August and major holidays) generally sees higher demand and tighter availability rather than significantly different pricing in most cases. However, early-morning departures — particularly the first flight of the day — are often priced lower than mid-morning and sunset equivalents for the same tour. If timing flexibility is available to you, the earliest departure can be the most cost-effective way to access a premium tour type.

Is a More Expensive Tour Worth It?

The honest answer: the bottom-landing premium is consistently described by guests as worthwhile. The most common regret among Grand Canyon helicopter guests is booking an air-only tour and wishing they had done the landing. The reverse — guests who did the bottom landing and wished they had saved the money on an air-only tour — is far less common in the reviews. If the budget allows for a landing tour, it is the experience most guests describe as the highlight of their entire Las Vegas trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there such a wide price range for seemingly similar tours?
The range reflects real differences: landing vs. air-only, departure point, inclusions (limo, champagne, Skywalk), aircraft type (EcoStar 130 vs. A-Star), and tour duration. A basic Boulder City air-only tour and a Strip-departure deluxe landing tour with limo and sunset are both "Grand Canyon helicopter tours" but are meaningfully different products.

Are there discounts or coupons available?
Discounts are occasionally offered through booking partners, travel packages, and hotel concierge arrangements. Early booking doesn't typically generate discounts, but last-minute availability can sometimes be found at reduced rates in off-peak periods. Confirming directly with the tour operator about current offers is the most reliable approach.

Does the aircraft type affect the price?
Yes, typically. The EcoStar 130 — the wide-body touring helicopter with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows — is the premium aircraft in the market and generally commands a higher price than tours on the A-Star or similar conventional helicopters. Maverick Helicopters flies exclusively EcoStars. Papillon offers both; the EcoStar option costs more than the A-Star equivalent.

Do children cost less than adults?
Children's pricing varies by operator and tour. Weight is a practical factor in helicopter tours because of balance and capacity, and some operators charge by weight rather than age category. Confirm children's specific pricing when booking.