The Las Vegas Grand Canyon South Rim bus is the cheapest way to get to the national park. It’s also comfortable, especially if you’re traveling aboard one of today’s luxury coaches. To get the most out of your trip, here are seven things to consider before you buckle up:
1. It takes 5.5 hours to drive the 270+ miles to the South Rim. Tours include up to three hours on the edge. Travelers return to their Strip hotel around 9:00 pm Conservatively budget 15 hours for this trip.
2. Check to see if your Hoover Dam photo stop includes the new beltway bridge. The new Mike O’Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge opened in October 2010 and is a sight to behold. Even better is to walk through it. The thrill comes from being suspended 900 feet above the Colorado River. And the view of the Hoover Dam is incredible.
3. Make sure your tour includes lunch. This is a long journey. Breakfast will take you all the way to Kingman, AZ (be sure to pick up snacks here). The box lunch you get is ok. I recommend satisfying your hunger at the Bright Angel Lodge restaurant, where the portions are huge and delicious.
4. Dress appropriately. During the summer, bring a hat, sunscreen, plenty of water, and loose clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and pants. A windbreaker also comes in handy. South Rim winters are cold, even when the sun is out. Stay warm by dressing in layers. Bring a hat and/or beanie, scarf, gloves, and a medium-weight jacket. Wear sturdy shoes and get a pair of YakTrakz crampons to beat the ice.
5. Get a copy of “The Guide.” This is a fantastic publication from the Park Service. Updated quarterly, it contains all the information you need about the park’s history, facilities, museums, restaurants, gift shops, and free bus system. Think of it as the “bible” of the park.
6. Not all styles are the same. The best ones are Mather Point, Yaki Point, Yavapai Observation Station, and Hermit’s Rest. See sunrise at Mather and sunset at Hopi Point. The view from the Rim Trail behind Bright Angel Lodge is also good (downstairs you’ll see Indian Gardens and a bit of Phantom Ranch).
7. If you walk into the canyon, make sure you can get back to the top. The South Rim trails are world class. But they are steep. I suggest taking a leisurely walk for 30 minutes and then turning around. During the summer, bring plenty of water and a salty snack like trail mix during the summer. Take plenty of breaks going up. No hurry. Stand to the side to let mule trains pass.
Tea Bus tour of the Grand Canyon South Rim It is a favorite of Las Vegas travelers. And for good reason. It’s cheap, includes lunch and all park entrance fees, and is done in a state-of-the-art luxury bus. It is also a tourist paradise. Along the way, you’ll see Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, the Mojave Desert, the Kaibab Plateau, and the South Rim. If you’re looking for an affordable and fun way to tour the South Rim, this bus tour is absolutely the way to go.