0 Grand Canyon Bus Tours Can Add an Exciting Twist to Your Vegas Vacation

An excursion to the Grand Canyon is an exciting twist on any Las Vegas vacation, and bus tours give you a great way to experience this glorious region. More than five million people are drawn to the National Park annually, and many of them don't like to fly or are on a limited budget. Fortunately, these travelers can take one of the many coach trips that are available.

The fabulous Vegas Strip is the starting point for most Grand Canyon motor coach tours. Typically, they offer complimentary pickup and drop-off service for passengers staying at the Vegas Strip hotels. This is a terrific perk, because traffic can get nasty in Vegas and letting someone else drive can prevent a lot of stress. Don't worry if your hotel isn't on the Strip - you can always take a cab to the designated pickup spot.

You'll see some amazing sights during your Grand Canyon motor coach tour. The closest rim to Las Vegas is the West Rim, about 120 miles away. There you'll have wonderful views of the Colorado River, Eagle Point and Guano Point, among other highlights. The Grand Canyon Skywalk (the "Glass Bridge") is also at the West Rim and gives canyon visitors the opportunity to walk 70 feet out beyond the rim. If you want to experience this unique thrill, add a Skywalk pass to your tour package. You'll save money by including your pass in your tour instead of buying it after you arrive at the park.

Grand Canyon coaches can also take you to the South Rim, more than 275 miles from Vegas. The drive takes 5 ½ hours each way, but it's time well spent. You'll see the same views of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead that you'd see on a West Rim tour, but then you'll head off to the Kaibab Plateau of Northern Arizona. After you reach the park, you'll see Grand Canyon Village (the location of El Tovar Hotel and the Bright Angel Lodge) along with several key lookouts like Mather Point.

Personally, I think one of the best things about Grand Canyon bus tours is that they're all-inclusive - they include everything you'll need to truly enjoy the experience. In addition to the Strip hotel pickup and drop-off service I mentioned earlier, your bus tour will include lunch. If you'd rather eat at one of the West or South Rim restaurants or snack bars, the prices are reasonable.

Your tour will last all day, no matter which rim you visit. The drive from Las Vegas to the West Rim takes 2 ½ hours. To the South Rim, the drive is 5 ½ hours and you won't get back to the Strip until 9:00 p.m. Don't make any show or dinner reservations for that evening. You'll be too tired to do much even if you get back in time. Believe me - you'll sleep like a rock after this trip!

Grand Canyon coaches give you a great way to see the canyon with your friends and family. Choppers only seat 6, and airplanes 19, but you probably won't know everyone on the aircraft. Grand Canyon coaches are different - they can handle large groups of people traveling together. They're comfortable, too. These are deluxe motor coaches with reclining seats, personal climate controls, plasma televisions, food trays and an onboard restroom. If that sounds good, I'll see you on the drive from Vegas to the canyon, because bus tours are the way to go!

Grand Canyon tours are travel reviewer Ione Mahler's area of expertise. So when it involves canyon bus tours, she highly recommends this website: http://www.grandcanyonbustours.org/

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0 The Virtues of Being Selective While Shopping for Grand Canyon Bus Tours

Covering about 1.2 million acres, Grand Canyon National Park is a huge expanse of untouched wilderness. Part of this 270-mile gash in the Earth's surface is located on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, while another portion is located in Kaibab National Forest. It's one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and every Las Vegas visitor should see it. I recommend booking a bus tour if a day trip like this sounds appealing, but you might want to read the following tips first.

Grand Canyon bus tours are all-day events. Most of them are all-inclusive, meaning the price includes a continental breakfast (coffee, juice and a pastry) and a simple lunch. Dinner isn't included, but you'll be able to duck into a restaurant, snack bar or convenience store for that. If you're choosy about your food, bring something that will satisfy your taste buds. Bring some of your favorite snacks, too.

How old the motor coaches used by a tour company is important. You'll be on the bus for a long time, and you'll want to make sure it's safe and comfortable. Unfortunately, some tour companies cut corners, and one of the first places they try to save money involves the quality of their buses. Look for buses that have tinted windows, comfortable seats, individual air conditioning units, and pull-down window blinds. You'll also want clean restrooms, plenty of personal space and big windows for sightseeing.

Be sure to pick one of the Grand Canyon bus deals that stops at Hoover Dam to let you take photos. Don't book one of the bus tours that drive over the Hoover Dam Bypass and continue on straight to the Grand Canyon. The best tours drive over the bridge and then double back to the dam on the Arizona side, because that particular view is best for photos. Your bus will stop there in the morning because you'll be heading back to your Vegas Strip hotel late in the day.

Most Grand Canyon bus tours give you more than 3 hours at the canyon itself. Anything less than two just isn't enough because there's so much to see and do. You'll be happier with your tour if you book one that gives you the longest possible time at the canyon. Some of the points of interest you'll want to see at the West Rim are the Grand Canyon Skywalk, Eagle Point, Guano Point, the Indian Cultural Center and Hualapai Ranch. Grand Canyon Village, Yaki Point and Mather Point are must-sees at the South Rim.

If possible, reserve your bus tour before you arrive in Sin City and at least 3 days in advance. There are a few reasons for doing this. First and foremost, these tours are very popular and tickets sell out fast. Also, you probably don't want to be arranging things while you're on holiday- book ahead so you can enjoy yourself instead. Plus, you'll pay more if you buy your tickets in Las Vegas, especially if you buy them through your hotel tour desk or at a booth along the Strip.

Keep a watchful eye on fees. Some of the more common ones I see are ones related to fuel and park fees, as well as the most ridiculous one wherein the company requires travelers to pay for their meals. You should also remember the old saying: "All that glitters is not gold." If you see any unbelievably cheap Grand Canyon bus deals, they're probably too good to be true. Avoid them because they're probably loaded with extra fees. They may also have onerous cancellation policies that require you to notify the tour company you're cancelling a full day before your tour in order to receive all your money back.

Travel writer Ione Mahler is one of EzineArticles' experts on Grand Canyon tours. For the best canyon bus tours from Las Vegas, she recommends visiting this page: http://www.grandcanyonbusdeals.com/grand-canyon-bus-deals.html

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