If you're planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, be sure to buy your tickets online. You will save money, have a better selection, and enjoy the convenience.

Sometimes Cheaper Really Is Better

So, why can you get cheaper tour prices online? It's because the tour operator saves money by selling tickets online as compared to selling them over the phone. It's simple, really-the tour operator has to pay the phone rep a commission along with their salary and benefits. That cost is passed on to people who book their tours through the operator.

When you buy your tour online, you completely bypass the phone rep. Another great benefit is you can see all the available tours on the operator's website so you can look for ones with seats that are discounted because they need to be filled on particular tours.

You'll want to be on the safe side and read the terms associated with discounted tickets you buy. Some last-minute deals might have certain restrictions you need to be aware of. For instance, the low price may only apply to tours that begin on a certain time of day and it may not be your first choice in times. You want to be very careful about buying non-refundable tickets too.

Book Early

When you get your tickets early, you have a much better chance of getting a good deal. Getting them two weeks ahead of time is a good idea. If the chopper tour you want to take is full already, look for a similar tour on a plane because they have more seats and it is easier to find available ones. If you need last minute tickets, you may have luck with a Grand Canyon bus tour as these seats are often available up to 72 hours in advance. Don't push your luck too far, though.

Canyon Tours

When it comes to a fun Grand Canyon tour, you can choose one by raft, chopper, plane, or bus. You can depart from Vegas near the West Rim or Tusayan, Arizona by the South Rim. The choppers in Las Vegas will only take you to the West Rim, but you can take a plane from Vegas to the South Rim or the West Rim. The flights out of Tusayan, both airplane and chopper, just cover the South Rim area. Las Vegas bus tours do either rim, but all South Rim buses stay there. Both rims offer exciting one-day rafting tours, departing from Vegas and Tusayan, respectively.

The raft trip that takes off from Las Vegas and goes to the West Rim includes a thrilling helicopter ride down to the floor of the canyon so you can get to the base of the Hoover Dam. The float trip along the Colorado River begins at the Hoover Dam. The South Rim floating tour starts at the base of a dam too, this time it is Glen Canyon Dam near Page, AZ where you board the raft that takes you to Lee's Ferry where the trip ends with a bus ride back to the South Rim. These fun rafting excursions are very popular with travelers, so you definitely want to get your tour booked early.

Book Online

You'll save money on all tours and activities at the Grand Canyon when you book online. If you need to talk to a customer service rep, just buy your ticket online then call and ask your questions. Since your tour will be paid for already, you won't have to worry about extra fees because you talk to a sales rep over the phone. Save your email confirmation on your phone and be sure to print it and bring it with you on the day of your tour. No matter which tour type you choose, you will have a fantastic time touring one of the most beautiful sights in America.