How to Select the Best Helicopter Tours in Las Vegas

While the common perception of Las Vegas helicopter tours often involves soaring over the Strip, numerous travelers are unaware that they can also embark on helicopter journeys from Las Vegas to explore destinations like Red Rock Canyon, the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and even Bryce Canyon. With over 50 tour choices available, deciding can be daunting. Fear not, as we simplify your decision-making process by presenting the finest helicopter tour options for each destination below.

Surrounded by a vast desert landscape, many visitors to Las Vegas often find themselves short on time to venture to the seemingly “close” national parks and landmarks. To illustrate, driving to the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, or Antelope Canyon from the Strip takes approximately 4½ hours each. In contrast, helicopter flights to the Grand Canyon’s West Rim clock in at less than 40 minutes. In essence, opting for helicopter transport is the sole means to seamlessly incorporate certain experiences into a Las Vegas itinerary, bridging the gap between Point A and B.

Helicopter Tours in Las Vegas > Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity

When it comes to once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, flying over the Las Vegas Strip at night is one of the most awe-inspiring experiences anyone can have by air. With the abundance of helicopter tours in Las Vegas, the Strip, and the dramatic landscapes, the city is one of the best places in the world to choose a helicopter tour.

Compare the 11 tours using the cheat sheet below. It will help you determine which tour makes the most sense for you.

When you select one of the helicopter tours in Las Vegas, you are likely to fly over the Strip, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Bowl of Fire, and more. Furthermore, many of the tours include hotel pickup and drop off and taking passengers to the helicopter terminals at Harry Reid International Airport.

Most importantly, reserve your tour well in advance, especially for weekends, and pick a highly experienced tour operator. There’s little doubt that Maverick and Papillon are the best helicopter operators in Las Vegas.

Papillon vs Maverick – Which One to Pick

When it comes to picking between Papillon and Maverick helicopter tours there are a few significant differences.

1. All of Maverick’s tours depart from the Las Vegas Strip, just across the street from the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign.” Papillon, on the other hand, has two distinct terminals, one on the Las Vegas Strip just behind the Tropicana Hotel & Casino, and the other in Boulder City, about 30 minutes southeast by car.
2. Maverick’s Grand Canyon flights depart Las Vegas while Papillon’s depart from Boulder City.
3. Helicopter flights to the Grand Canyon will cost more through Maverick because they fly directly from the Strip. Taking off from Boulder City adds about one hour (roundtrip) by car.
4. Maverick’s safety record is impeccable.
5. Papillon is known for its value while Maverick is known for its first-class service.

How to Get the Best Price

Compare prices between Maverick Helicopters, Las Vegas’ number one 5-star luxury helicopter tour operator, and Papillon Helicopters, Las Vegas’ number one value helicopter tour operator.

Also, Vegas.com, the city’s number-one wholesaler for tours, attractions, and show tickets occasionally offers helicopter flight deals. For this reason, be sure to visit Vegas.com before finalizing reservations, especially for night flights over the Vegas Strip.

Are Las Vegas Helicopter Tours Safe?

Yes, and pleasurable too! With well over 100 flights occurring daily, complications are extremely rare. Most of the flights take place on Airbus H130s (formerly EC130s), which are considered to be the safest in the world. Some flights even operate without doors for an extra thrill. Maverick Helicopters, in particular, have some of the most experienced pilots in the industry.

Picking the Best Helicopter Tours in Las Vegas

Maverick and Papillon are the two best helicopter tour operators in Las Vegas. Also, both offer a wide range of tours ranging from flying over the Strip, the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, or Red Rock Canyon. Below are their most popular tours currently available sorted from cheapest to most expensive—prices are per person. Pick the one that fits your budget and your preferred destination.

Las Vegas Strip – $109 pp

By far the most popular helicopter flight in Las Vegas is the 15-minute journey over the Strip and downtown Las Vegas. Passengers fly high above all of the iconic buildings and attractions along Las Vegas Boulevard. Without a doubt, evenings are the best time to take to the air—that’s when the city comes alive and sparkles with light.

🚁 Maverick Vegas View Flight – Check Availability

Maverick offers a Strip Highlights Night Flight for $119, while Maverick offers a similar flight, Vegas Views for $109. These are the two cheapest helicopter flights in Las Vegas.

🚁 Papillon Strip Highlights Flight – Check Availability

Red Rock Canyon – $239 pp

The second most affordable destination to fly to is the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, about 15 miles west of Las Vegas. Visiting the canyon is one of the most popular activities for tourists, however, must see it by automobile. Few get to enjoy it like a VIP on a quick flight from the Strip.

Mavericks offers the Neon & Nature tour which includes views of the Strip, and Red Rock Canyon, and even lands on a private picnic area 2,900 feet above Sin City. Celebrate the views with a complimentary champagne toast!

🚁 Neon & Nature Tour – Check Availability

Grand Canyon Skywalk Experience – $384 pp

For those travelers looking to explore the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, there is no cheaper alternative than Papillon’s Grand Canyon Skywalk Experience for $384. Passengers fly on a sightseeing airplane to the West Rim of the Grand Canyon where they ride a hop-on/hop-off shuttle service to explore Eagle Point, Guano Point, and Skywalk.

🚁 Grand Canyon Skywalk Experience – Check Availability

Like all other flights to the Grand Canyon, passengers fly past Lake Las Vegas, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, the Mojave Desert, and the Colorado River. Papillon’s VIP at the Rim Helicopter Tour follows the identical flight path, except on a helicopter instead of a plane.

🚁 VIP at the Rim Tour – Check Availability

Maverick’s Western Journey Tour is the comparable version of Papillon’s VIP at the Rim Helicopter Tour. Except, Maverick departs from the Strip, not Boulder City.

🚁 Western Journey Tour – Check Availability

Golden Eagle – $429 pp

Fly non-stop from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon and back—roundtrip airtime in about 70 minutes. Papillon’s Golden Eagle Air Tour provides the easiest, fastest, and cheapest way to view the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas in a helicopter. Unfortunately, Maverick does not have a comparable tour to this one.

🚁 Golden Eagle Tour – Check Availability

Grand Celebration – $499

Papillon’s Grand Celebration Tour enhances its Golden Eagle Tour by adding a 3,200-foot descent below the rim of the Grand Canyon. Upon landing, passengers are treated to a light picnic, including champagne!

🚁 Grand Celebration Tour – Check Availability

Maverick’s Wind Dancer Tour is comparable to Papillon’s Grand Celebration tour except that it departs directly from the Strip while Papillon departs from Boulder City. Also, Maverick descends 3,500 feet below the rim while serving snacks and champagne. Finally, the Grand Celebration and Wind Dancer excursions are the two most popular helicopter tours to the Grand Canyon available—be sure to make reservations weeks or months ahead of time.

🚁 Wind Dancer Tour – Check Availability

Grand Voyager Rim to River – $579 pp

It’s possible to take a helicopter to the Grand Canyon and go on a boat cruise down the Colorado River. Wow! Papillon’s Grand Voyager Rim to River Tour is known to be the most comprehensive excursion to the West Rim available.

From Boulder City,  passenger board a sightseeing plane and land at Grand Canyon West Airport. From there, passengers board a helicopter and descend into the Grand Canyon. Then, guests transition from the helicopter to a boat for a cruise down the Colorado River.

After the boat cruise, passengers fly back up to the rim of the canyon and board a shuttle bus to visit Eagle Point, Guano Point, and Skywalk.

🚁 Grand Voyager Rim to Rim Tour – Check Availability

Below-the-Rim With Las Vegas Strip – $629 pp

Papillon’s Grand Celebration and Maverick’s Wind Dancer tours (listed above) have set aside two specific tours for going below the rim and returning to view the Strip at sunset when it’s all lit up! Papillon’s is the Grand Celebration With Las Vegas Strip and Maverick’s is the Wind Dancer Sunset Tour.

🚁 Grand Celebration With Las Vegas Strip – Check Availability

Both tours include champagne and snacks below the rim, cost the same amount, and both depart the Grand Canyon right around sunset. Of course, the highlight is flying above the Strip at the most magical time of day with the sun setting and the neon lights glowing. Finally, if you’re looking to propose marriage or celebrate an anniversary or birthday then the Wind Dancer Sunset Tour is the perfect excursion to pick.

🛩️ Wind Dancer Sunset Tour – Check Availability

Bryce or Antelope Canyon Tours – $699

Take a sightseeing plane to Bryce Canyon National Park or Antelope Canyon to tour the parks and natural attractions. Papillon’s Bryce Canyon Day Tour includes a one-way flight and a 3½ hour-guided tour of the park. Afterward, the return to Las Vegas is completed in a motorcoach.

🛩️ Bryce Canyon Day Tour – Check Availability

Papillon’s Antelope Canyon Expedition visits Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon by sightseeing plane. Moreover, the flight path includes flying over Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Vermilion Cliffs, and Glen Canyon.

🛩️ Antelope Canyon Expedition Tour – Check Availability

Indian Territory – $739

Maverick’s Indian Territory Tour includes two landings, one below the rim and the other at Grand Canyon West Airport. First, passengers are flown from the Strip to the bottom of the Grand Canyon to enjoy snacks and champagne.

Next, passengers are transferred from 3,500 below the rim to Grand Canyon West in a matter of minutes. Then, guests are chauffeured to see the best West Rim viewpoints and Skywalk. Finally, on the way back to Las Vegas passengers are flown over the Strip and Allegiant Stadium.

🚁 Indian Territory Tour – Check Availability

Grand Canyon Deluxe With Helicopter – $829

There’s only one helicopter tour from Las Vegas that takes passengers within the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park—Papillon’s Grand Canyon Deluxe With Helicopter Tour.

First, passengers are flown in a sightseeing plane from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park Airport. Next, passengers take a helicopter tour of both the North and South Rims. Afterward, board a custom Hummer to take a guided tour of the park and its most scenic viewpoints. In short, this is the ultimate tour of Grand Canyon National Park.

🛩️🚁🚙 Grand Canyon Deluxe With Helicopter – Check Availability

Hopefully, the tips and tours listed above will help you in picking from one of the many helicopter tours in Las Vegas. With an abundance of tour options, skilled pilots, and a wide range of prices there’s a unique and fun Las Vegas helicopter flight waiting for you.

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