Which are the Best Grand Canyon South Rim Helicopter Tours?

If you have limited time and want to see as much of the Grand Canyon as possible, take a South Rim helicopter tour. These flights totally under-promise and over-deliver. But only if you know which ones to fly. To help you find the trip of your dreams, I put together this Top 3 list of the best flights now playing at the National Park in Arizona. Give it a look. I'm confident you'll find a trip that meets your needs.

#1	Papillon Helicopters (Best Seller!) Papillon's North Canyon tour is the one that started it all. This rim-to-rim extravaganza takes you into the heart of the Dragoon Corridor, the widest, deepest part of the National Park. I calculate that what you see in 30 minutes is equal to a couple of days on the ground. More information

#2	Grand Canyon Helicopters GCH's The Grand Kingdom tour flies the same route as the Papillon's but you get up to 20 minutes more airtime! That's huge, especially if you want to spend more time strafing the North Rim or hovering over the Colorado River and Phantom Ranch! More information

#3	Maverick Helicopters (Luxury!) Maverick's Canyon Spirit Tour offers up to 50 minutes of airtime over some of the South Rim's most iconic landmarks. Maverick is also your luxury option. The company flies only state-of-the-art EcoStar 130 aircraft and their customer service is unparalleled. More information

Below the Rim?

Helicopters are prohibited from going below the rim of the canyon. This is due to FAA and EPA restrictions. If you want a bottom-landing flight, you must take a West Rim helicopter ride, all of which originate from Las Vegas. FYI: There are no round-trip tours/flights to the West Rim at this time.

Is There Free Shuttle Service?

No. Most South Rim visitors take their own car to the National Park. Xanterra South Rim operates a taxi service between Grand Canyon Airport, the hotels and businesses in Tusayan, AZ and Grand Canyon Village. Their phone number is 928-638-2822. I recommend arriving at the terminal at 45 minutes before take off.

Where is Grand Canyon Airport

The airport is located in the town of Tusayan, which is 10 minutes from the front entrance of the National Park. Here are coordinates for your GPS: 35°57'08?N 112°08'49?W If you are lodging in Tusayan, the airport is on the south-end of town on SR 64. From inside the Park, hop on SR 64 South - the facility will be on your right-hand side. Papillon, Maverick, and Grand Canyon Helicopters all have easy-to-find heliports inside the airport's boundaries.

What Time of Day Should I Fly?

Earlier in the morning the better. This is the time when air is smooth and visibility is clear. There are multiple flight times throughout the day. For a premium, you can book a sunset or sunrise flight. I strongly recommend that you reserve your flight at least a week in advance. Helicopter tours are very popular and sell out frequently during spring and summer months.

How Do I Get a Great Deal?

Book your trip online. It's no secret that the best deals are on the Web, and Papillon Helicopters is the one company I've noticed that's the most aggressive about slashing prices. I've recently been able to save up to 20 percent on their EcoStar 130 upgrade package. These travel sites are safe, secure and easy to use. Plus you get a confirmation email after the transaction that itemizes your tour and what you paid.

Fly the South Rim?

So there you have it. My top 3 South Rim helicopter tours. I've taken them all and have had incredible experiences on each. There are subtle differences between the three, with the main points of differentiation being price, type of helicopter and airtime. Feel free to peruse each company. I'm sure you'll find something that fits your needs exactly.

Have a Grand Day,

P.S. Still unsure? Go here for my Grand Canyon helicopter tour reviews.