Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West in 45 Minutes by Helicopter

Did you know it takes a helicopter 45 minutes to fly from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon? Now, add 10 minutes to that and you could be sipping Champagne on the bottom next to the Colorado River.

The bottom-landing trip is one of the most popular helicopter tours that fly out of Sin City. The part that gets the most kudos is the 4,000-foot descent: It starts by dropping in over the West Rim and canyon-carving past ridiculously large cliffs, spires, and buttes before touching down on a private landing pad. A popular upgrade to this trip is river rafting.

The other wildly popular West Rim helicopter tour includes the Grand Canyon Skywalk. The "Glass Bridge," the deck of which is comprised of 42 glass panels that cost $250,000 each, extends 70 feet past the edge and lifts you 4,000 above the river. The horseshoe-shaped structure offers endless panoramas and fantastic "vertical" views.

Air-only tours that fly from the City to the canyon and back are available, too.

Departures are typically out of Boulder City, NV, or from Henderson, NV. These are satellite cities on the outskirts of Las Vegas and take about 30 minutes to reach from The Strip. Trip duration can range anywhere from four hours to 6.5 hours. Tours include free hotel shuttle service and, depending on the package, include a Champagne picnic, Skywalk tickets, boat ride, and lunch.

The EcoStar 130, a fantastic machine, is what you're likely to fly in. It features 25% more cabin room than ordinary helicopters, as well as wraparound windows and stadium-style seating. Taped narrations of the tour are available in up to eight languages. The onboard communication systems let you talk with the pilot and your fellow passengers.

The flight to and over the canyon is spectacular. First, you fly over Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the U.S., and then navigate above Hoover Dam and the new Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge (also know as the Hoover Dam Bypass), before heading across the stark Mojave Desert and the impressive Grand Cliffs Wash and Grand Canyon West.

I get lots of questions from travelers asking me if they can choose where they sit on the helicopter. The short answer is "no." Seating is determined by weight, which has to be distributed equally about the aircraft. Relatedly, folks ask me about the weigh-in process. Yes, it's mandatory, but the check-in person only sees your weight.

Other popular questions are:

1. When Should I fly? I recommend you take an early morning flight. Visibility is best at this time and flights are smoother.

2. Can I book a sunrise or sunset flight? Yes, but at a premium. Be aware of seasons: Winter sunset is much earlier than summers and vice-versa.

3. Do they video my trip? Yes. Most companies will have on-board video cameras that capture you entire tour experience. This video is not part of your package and will cost you extra.

Las Vegas is famous for deals and helicopter tours are no exception. If you want the best price possible, book online direct from a tour operator. If you are making a small-group booking of 10 or more people, you'll get an extra discount.

Las Vegas helicopter tours to the Grand Canyon make a fantastic day trip. In less than an hour, you can be at the West Rim, and, depending on your interests, you can fly to the bottom of the canyon, take a pontoon boat ride down the Colorado River, or do the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Air-only tours are available, too. Book your tour online directly from the tour operator. It will save you time and money. Once that's underway, get ready to buckle up for the adventure of a lifetime.

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