Las Vegas Tours: The Qualities of a Great Grand Canyon Bus Tour

The price of a Grand Canyon bus tour from Las Vegas is a moving target. The reason behind this is the way operators market trips as all-inclusive. Some are comprehensive, while others are bare bones. Let's get you the right deal. That starts by understanding what makes up the standard bus trip. Here are the basics:

1. Round-trip transport
2. Luxury buses
3. Side-trips & rest stops
4. Food
5. Time spent at the Park

Now let's separate the wheat from the chafe...

Tour operators play fast and loose with the term "round trip." In your case, it means to and from the canyon as well as free hotel pick up and drop off. This may seem like "dickering" over the details. However, the last thing you want to do after spending a day at the Canyon is determining how to get from Resort "X" to your room several miles down The Strip. Insist that your package have free hotel shuttle service.

Motor coaches come in all shapes and sizes. Almost all Vegas tour companies are operating new fleets that come with all the features like plush seats, individual climate-control units, and plasma TVs. However, some operate blended fleets of new and older models, and others are driving "gently worn" ones. Quality makes a difference, especially when it comes to tackling the final 10 miles of dirt road to Grand Canyon West or putting in nine hours of road time to the South Rim. Trust your instincts: Book a trip with a company that drives the newer models.

Getting there is half the journey. The road to the Rims starts out the same: Take Highway 93 South, past Lake Mead and over Hoover Dam, where you driver should stop and let you sightsee the Dam. Not every tour does this. It is advisable to book a tour that does, as looking at the Dam from a bus window won't do it justice. Also, if you are bound for the South Rim, rest stops matter - drive time each way is five hours.

The Grand Canyon is a magical experience: You'll want to spend as much time there as possible. Most tours give you two hours. The best ones give you three hours. Take the later, especially if you are going to the South Rim, which features some terrific lookouts and a handful of great gift shops.

Those are your basics. Now comes a series of upsells that I call "gotchas..."

1. Meals - Mandatory for South Rim tours. Some tour companies make lunch optional in order to offer their tour at the lowest price and then upsell it to you at the Park.

2. Park Entrance Fees - Both Rims have an entrance fee. The best companies include it in the price of your tour. The so-so ones pass it on to you.

3. Fuel Surcharge - This was added into the package during the 2009 gas crisis. Gas is no longer $5 a gallon. The surcharge should be dropped. If the fee is still being charged, it's extra profit for the tour company.

The best Las Vegas bus tour companies let you buy your tour on the Internet. I highly recommend that you book through the Web. Shopping on the Web can save you up to 35 percent. I've booked tours with the key players and can attest that they're sites are secure, safe, and efficient - after your transaction you'll receive a trip voucher in your inbox in a matter of minutes.

Getting to the Grand Canyon by bus, be it the West or the South Rim, is a snap from Las Vegas. It's also an incredible value. Play it smart, though. Read the tour descriptions. Consider what you want out of the tour. Then buy it on the Internet and use the money you've saved at a canyon gift shop, a Vegas show, or at a nice restaurant.