Las Vegas helicopter tours explained: the complete guide
What is a Las Vegas helicopter tour?
It is a sightseeing flight in a light helicopter — usually an EC130 or A-Star with wide wrap-around windows — that takes off from a private helipad near Las Vegas Boulevard. The shortest trips circle the Strip; the longest fly 130 miles east to the Grand Canyon, land on the canyon floor or the West Rim, and fly back. Most include hotel pickup, and the pilot doubles as your guide over the headset.
Where do Las Vegas helicopter tours go?
- The Strip — a low loop over the casinos, dazzling after dark. See Strip helicopter tours.
- The Grand Canyon — the headline trip, landing deep in the canyon with champagne. See Grand Canyon tours.
- The Skywalk & West Rim — the glass bridge over the canyon edge. See the Skywalk tour.
- Hoover Dam & Lake Mead — the great dam and the blue reservoir from above. See Hoover Dam tours.
- Red Rock Canyon — the red sandstone escarpment minutes from the Strip. See Red Rock tours.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
A Strip night flight starts around $99 and is back on the ground inside an hour with pickup. A Grand Canyon landing tour runs about $479–$559 and fills roughly four hours door to door. The Skywalk and longer combos go higher again. More on what a Las Vegas helicopter tour costs.
Book the bucket-list Grand Canyon landing
The flight people remember for life is the Grand Canyon Helicopter Landing Tour — fly the Mojave, drop below the rim, and toast with champagne on the canyon floor. Hotel pickup included.
Do you need to book ahead?
In peak season, yes. The best-rated Grand Canyon landings and the cheapest Strip night slots sell out days ahead in spring and autumn and over holiday weekends. Booking online locks in your seat and the price; all the flights we link offer free cancellation, so there is no reason to wait. Before you book, it is worth a look at the restrictions, rules & safety — weight, age, ID and what you can bring.
Night or day?
The Strip is unbeatable after dark, when the casinos blaze. The Grand Canyon is a daytime trip — you need the light to see the rock. We weigh it up in night or day?
Which tour is best?
For most first-timers the answer is the Grand Canyon landing for the day or the Strip night flight for the budget. Read the best Las Vegas helicopter tour, or compare the Grand Canyon vs the Strip.
Bucket list
Best value
Skywalk
Hoover DamFrequently asked questions
What is a Las Vegas helicopter tour?
A guided sightseeing flight from a helipad near the Strip. The shortest trips loop over the casinos in 12–15 minutes; the longest fly 130 miles to the Grand Canyon, land on the canyon floor and fly back over about four hours. Most include hotel pickup.
How much is a Las Vegas helicopter tour?
A Strip night flight starts around $99 per person. A Grand Canyon landing tour runs about $479–$559, and Skywalk or combo flights cost more again.
Do you need to book a Las Vegas helicopter tour in advance?
In peak season and over holiday weekends the best-rated flights sell out days ahead, so booking online is wise. The flights we link offer free cancellation, so there is no risk in booking early.
What is the best Las Vegas helicopter tour?
For the bucket-list day, the Grand Canyon Helicopter Landing Tour. For a quick, affordable thrill, the Strip night flight. The right one depends on your time and budget.
Are Las Vegas helicopter tours safe?
Operators fly modern EC130 and A-Star helicopters under strict FAA rules with experienced commercial pilots. Tours run in good weather and are suitable for first-time flyers and families.