subject: Selecting The Best Grand Canyon Bus Trips [print this page] When you look at brochures of Las Vegas, you'll see the prices of different Grand Canyon bus tours. Most of the bus tours offer complete packages that provide all your needs during the trip. Be leery of buying a tour that only provides you with a bus seat.
It is a good idea to understand what is usually included in a tour so you can tell what operators are good and which ones you should avoid. For one thing, the company should provide all the transportation you'll need throughout your entire tour. Opting for a luxury bus is recommended to so you can relax in comfort. Be sure to find out about pullouts or comfort breaks on the itinerary. Plus, you will want to have plenty of time allowed to explore once you reach the National Park. Food such as snacks or meals should be available too.
Some tour operators are a little vague when it comes to the details, so be sure to select one that says they will pick you up at your hotel and bring you back there when the tour is over. This important service isn't trivial as it can make a big difference in how much you enjoy your tour experience. Imagine how awful it would be to get stranded without a ride back to your hotel!
There are several factors to consider about the buses themselves. The best coach trips are on the newer buses that have luxury options. Old motor coaches can be undependable. Quality is really important, because you'll ride over ten miles of dirt road on your way to the West Rim of the canyon. It is a pretty long bus ride too; it takes 2 1/2 hours each way to the West Rim and about 5 1/2 hours each way to the South Rim. You will get awfully tired of sitting if your bus is not designed for comfort.
No matter which of the rims you choose to visit, you will pass by Hoover Dam. Most busses stop so you can get out and take pictures of the immense structure. Other buses may only drive over the new bridge and not stop at all. So be sure and check; you won't want to miss the opportunity to stop and gaze at the massive Hoover Dam.
If you don't check the itinerary closely, you may end up on a bus that doesn't stop at the dam. That would be too bad, because then the only view you would get is through your window as you drive past it. So make sure you get a great view of the dam by choosing a tour that actually stops there. You'll also need some comfort stops if you're going to the South Rim because it's a five-hour trip.
Most of the motor coaches will stop at the rim for around three hours, so there is no need to settle for less time than that. The longer your stay, the more you can see, so try to stay as long as you can. For example, while you're at the South Rim you'll want to see Yavapai Point, Grand Canyon Village and Mather Point. If you go to the West Rim, be sure to visit Eagle Point, Guano Point, and take a walk on the thrilling Grand Canyon Skywalk that is made of glass.
Remember to pick a tour package that offers meals. Some tours may not offer any meals at all. Don't book a tour that doesn't include the park's admission fee, either. That means you will have to pay extra when you get there, and that could be a unfair surprise. You can avoid problems by researching tours online and comparing what they offer. That will help you find the best tours for your money, and it will help you save on the cost too, thanks to online discounts that may apply.
