Grand Canyon: Day Trips and Tours from Phoenix

The Grand Canyon is one of the world's seven natural wonder. It's divided into four different rims: North, South, East and West. Each rim offers visitors a unique experience, though the West and South Rims are the most popular.

Nearly 5 million visitors travel to the canyon each year for sightseeing, hiking, rafting, helicopter rides, camping and skydiving. You can also visit the glass-bottom Grand Canyon Skywalk to step out over the ledge.

Continue reading our detailed guide on the Grand Canyon and discover why it's a perfect destination for a day trip from Phoenix!

How to get to the Grand Canyon from Phoenix?

The Grand Canyon sits just over 200 miles north of Phoenix. Many people visit other cities in Arizona like Phoenix, and then add a stop at the canyon to their itinerary.

The canyon is accessible by car or guided tour. Public transportation options exist, but they can be extremely challenging to navigate.

From Phoenix to the Grand Canyon by car

Driving from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon takes approximately 3.5 hours each way. You can take the I-17 N the entire way. You can also take both the I-17 N and AZ-64 N directly to the canyon, depending on where you depart from in Phoenix.

Please keep in mind that both routes require you to take a toll road. You will easily find parking options upon arriving at the canyon.

From Phoenix to the Grand Canyon by bus/public transport

Taking public transportation from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon can be extremely difficult. There are no direct buses, trains or planes. Most forms of transportation will take you to Flagstaff, Arizona, but then you still have to travel almost 80 miles from Flagstaff to the canyon.

While you can take a bus or train, and make multiple transfers to reach the canyon, the journey will take from 14 to 18 hours.

Guided tour to the Grand Canyon from Phoenix

The next closest thing to public transportation is a guided tour! You can book a tour that includes round-trip transportation, a professional guide, a driver and occasionally entrance fees to the park.

Your group will make its way from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon with a guide. You will travel by plane, helicopter, bus or passenger van. Guided tours take out the stress of travel planning, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the canyon!

Grand Canyon ticket prices

Many visitors opt to access the canyon through the Grand Canyon National Park.

Each vehicle must pay $35 by debit or credit card for a vehicle permit that admits up to a 15-passenger van. You can also purchase a motorcycle permit for $30 or an individual permit for $25.

If you book a day tour from Phoenix, your entrance permit may be included in the cost of the tour.

Typical itinerary for Grand Canyon tours from Phoenix

Each day tour from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon follows a slightly different itinerary based on how many stops the tour makes. Most tours depart early in the morning and return to Phoenix in the evening. You can expect to spend anywhere from three to 15 hours on your tour.

The day will begin in Phoenix. Your tour operator will either pick you up at your accommodation directly, or they will tell you to meet the rest of the group at a designated spot in the city.

From there, your group will either head to the canyon or a different city along the way. Common stops include the Sonoran Desert, Flagstaff, Navajo Nation, Sedona or Oak Creek Canyon. Some tours also make additional stops after visiting the Grand Canyon.

Most day trips will take you to the Grand Canyon National Park, so you can visit and explore the South Rim. You will have free time to take in the sights, visit the historic El Tovar Lodge or see Mary Colter’s Hopi House. After visiting the canyon, your group may make additional stops on the way back to Phoenix.

Your tour operator will either drop you off directly at your accommodation or at the same designated spot that you departed from.

The most popular Grand Canyon tours from Phoenix

The Grand Canyon and its surrounding parks are vast areas that boast countless activities. Tour operators have designed many different tours to make sure that there is something for everyone.

You can take a tour by bus or by plane. You can visit Sedona on the way or Route 66. You can take a tour with your own group or with people from all over the world. You can go for a few hours or a few days.

If you don’t find an option that you like, you can even book a tour that allows you to customize your itinerary! While there are many options to choose from, the following list shares information about the most popular ones.

Grand Canyon tours plus Sedona from Phoenix

Arizona is a state known for its natural beauty and scenery. On this Grand Canyon and Sedona tour, you can take in the sights while also exploring the notorious red rock formations. You may even make additional stops along the way at the Sonoran Desert, Oak Creek Canyon, Flagstaff or the Navajo Nation.

These tours typically include round-trip transportation from Phoenix, admission tickets, a professional guide and a driver. You will have plenty of free time to take in the beauty of Arizona!

Guided tours to the Grand Canyon plus Route 66 from Phoenix

As the world-renowned song goes, “Get your kicks on Route 66!”

Route 66 is one of the most famous highways in the country, and it goes through the heart of Arizona. You can book a combination tour from Phoenix to see Route 66 and the Grand Canyon all in one day. You will make your way to the canyon while stopping at small towns along Route 66.

These tours also include round-trip transportation, a driver and guide and typically your entry permit at the canyon.

Private Grand Canyon tour from Phoenix

If you want to experience the canyon and all that it has to offer in a more intimate setting, a private tour from Phoenix is a perfect option for you! Rather than spending the day with visitors from all over the world, your tour will just be limited to the people in your group.

Private tours provide more flexibility and personalization. They typically follow the same itinerary as regular group tours, but you may be able to discuss slightly changing the itinerary with your guide.

Though private tours tend to be more expensive, you typically pay per group. These are cost-effective options for small groups of people.

Grand Canyon aerial tour from Phoenix

Some of the best views of the Grand Canyon come from above. You can take it in from a new perspective on a helicopter experience or on an airplane tour! These tours transport you from Phoenix to the canyon in no time.

While flying through the area, your pilot/guide will provide you with useful information about the history of the canyon. What better way to see it all than from a bird’s-eye view?

Custom Grand Canyon tour

If you want to book a guided tour but haven’t found one with the perfect itinerary, look no further! Multiple tour operators offer customizable tours that allow you to create your own tour. These tours are typically limited to small groups of people, so book accordingly.

Grand Canyon 2-day trip

When visiting the Grand Canyon, one day may not be enough! You can book a 2-day tour that provides you with extra time to explore all that the canyon has to offer. This is a semi-customizable tour, so you can even make additional stops at wineries or ruins along the way.

Prices for Grand Canyon day trips

The cost of each day tour from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon varies based on how many stops the tour makes, what the tour includes, what method of transportation you take and whether or not it is a private tour. You can expect to pay anywhere from $199 to $1,400.

Private tours tend to be more expensive and range from $250 to $1,400. If you want to book a helicopter or airplane tour, you will pay between $405 to $1,000. A 2-day tour to the Grand Canyon costs approximately $1,250.

What can you see and do at the Grand Canyon?

The Grand Canyon boasts many activities and attractions that bring millions of visitors to the area each year. These are tons of outdoor activities that you can take part in, especially during the warmer months.

The canyon offers countless hiking, running and walking trails that you can follow. You can select a trail based on its difficulty and length.

Many people also participate in water activities along the river. You can go rafting, swimming, fishing or boating down the Colorado River. There are even a variety of waterfalls that you can swim under!

On top of water activities, you can also participate in a variety of aerial activities. Many companies offer helicopter and airplane tours, but you can also go skydiving over the canyon. It is the perfect activity for the adrenaline-seekers in your group!

You can even step out on the Grand Canyon Skywalk and hover 4,000 feet above the canyon floor. The skywalk extends 70 feet from the side of the canyon and provides you with an unobstructed view below.

If you have time, you can also make the journey to the iconic Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. Water erosion formed the geological structure of the canyon into the shape of a horseshoe. These two are within driving distance of the Grand Canyon National Park and can easily be added to your day trip.

Is the entire Grand Canyon open throughout the year?

Parts of the Grand Canyon remain open throughout the entire year. Within the Grand Canyon National Park, the North and South Rim are open at different times of the year.

The South Rim is open year-round, but the North Rim is only open for select seasons. For 2024, the season runs from May 15 to October 15.

Grand Canyon opening hours

The South Rim part of the Grand Canyon National Park is open 24 hours a day. The park remains open overnight to accommodate campers. It can be difficult to see the ledge of the canyon when it is dark outside, so proceed with caution.

It's better to visit the area during the daylight so you can take in the scenery and sights.

When is the best time to visit the Grand Canyon?

The best time of the year to visit the Grand Canyon depends on your weather preferences. The area is known for extremely hot summers and relatively cool winters, but most people agree that March through May, and September through November are the best months to visit.

The average temperatures from June to August typically range between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius. You can expect sunny days and minimal precipitation. The canyon frequently sees strong breezes. The weather is typically warmer near the river and cooler near the North Rim.

The temperatures drop to anywhere from 11 to 24 degrees Celsius from September through November. You can expect fewer tourists, but certain areas may close due to inclement weather.

Snow is not rare in the canyon, and temperatures drop to single digits from December to February. The North Rim sees up to 150 inches of snow each year, so it is closed to visitors during the winter.

Temperatures rise from 11 to 21 degrees Celsius from March through May, making it another great time to visit the canyon. The North Rim may still be closed to visitors during these months, but you are unlikely to run into large groups of visitors.

Tours to the Grand Canyon from other cities

Grand Canyon tours depart from several other cities:

• Day trips to the Grand Canyon from Sedona
• Grand Canyon day tours from Las Vegas
• Day tours to the Grand Canyon from Los Angeles
• Grand Canyon day trips from San Francisco

Travel tips

• Bring lots of layers! The canyon may see warm, sunny days with strong breezes.
• If you want to visit the North Rim, plan your visit during the months that the rim is open to visitors.
• Pack sunscreen. Even when it is cool outside, the sun is intense and can cause major sunburns.