Grand Canyon is Open. South Rim hotels in Tusayan are open for business.
Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim Flights
Trade a three-and-a-half-hour I-17 drive for a ~1 hour flight that climbs out of the Sonoran Desert and over the high country to land one mile from the National Park's south entrance. Depart Phoenix in the morning, spend the day on the rim — Mather Point, Grand Canyon Village, the classic viewpoints — and fly home the same evening.
See the day tripDrive Versus Fly
The math, side by side. Round-trip from Phoenix.
Drive It
- Out ~3h 30mPhoenix → I-17 north → Flagstaff → AZ-64 → South Rim
- Return ~3h 30mSame long haul in reverse
- Notes Rental car · interstate climb to 7,000 ft · a full day on the road
Fly It
- To DVT variesPhoenix Deer Valley, in the north Valley (Scottsdale pickup on request)
- DVT → GCN ~1 hrHigh-wing Vistaliner over the high country & the San Francisco Peaks
- GCN → DVT ~1 hrThe Grand Canyon, the Peaks, and the Sonoran Desert, in reverse
How The Day Lays Out
A charter day trip — morning out, the day on the rim, home that evening.
Outbound · DVT → GCN
Return · GCN → DVT
Getting Back To Phoenix
The return is the second half of the same day trip — the canyon and the high country, in reverse.
The return is the second half of the same day trip: you fly Grand Canyon (GCN) → Phoenix Deer Valley in the afternoon, about an hour back over the high country and the Sonoran Desert, seen from the opposite angle.
There is no scheduled commercial service between Phoenix and Grand Canyon National Park Airport, so the way back to the Valley is the Grand Canyon → Deer Valley charter, then a short transfer or rideshare to your hotel or to Sky Harbor for an onward flight.
Return leg · GCN → DVT
Tour Packages
Arranged as a charter day trip from Phoenix — flight, ground tour, and transfers.
What You See From The Cabin
High-wing Vistaliner — every seat next to a window. Multilingual narration.
The Sonoran Desert
Saguaro-studded desert and the north Phoenix valley drop away as the Vistaliner climbs toward the high country.
The Verde Valley
The green Verde River basin — vineyards, Cottonwood, and old Jerome on its hillside — spreads out below as the land begins to rise.
The San Francisco Peaks
Arizona's highest mountains — Humphreys Peak tops out at 12,633 ft — rise over Flagstaff, often snow-capped well into spring.
The South Rim
Ponderosa forest of the Kaibab Plateau gives way to the great chasm of the Grand Canyon as the Vistaliner descends into GCN.
The Drive Alternative, Leg by Leg
If you're committed to the wheel — here's the route, mile by mile.
Phoenix → Grand Canyon South Rim (by car)
The Two Airports
Your departure & arrival, side by side.
One of the busiest general-aviation airports in the country, in the north Phoenix valley — a quick, uncongested departure point compared with Sky Harbor. Scottsdale (SDL) pickup can be arranged on request. The charter departs here; a short transfer or rideshare connects from Sky Harbor (PHX) and Valley hotels.
The closest airport to the South Rim — 1 mile from the National Park's south entrance and about 8 miles from Grand Canyon Village and the main viewpoints. State-of-Arizona owned; ground transport carries you from the apron to the rim. No scheduled major-airline service — Part 135 scenic and air-taxi operators only.
What's At The South Rim When You Land
A guide takes you to the park's signature viewpoints — about six hours on the rim.
The South Rim is within Grand Canyon National Park, administered by the National Park Service. A park entrance fee applies (currently $35 per vehicle, valid 7 days; the America the Beautiful pass is accepted) and is collected at the gate unless your tour includes it. The rim is unfenced in many places — stay on marked trails and behind railings, and pack out what you bring in. It sits at about 7,000 feet, so it's cooler than Phoenix — bring a layer.
What Sets Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines Apart
Heritage, fleet, and the credentials behind the flight.
Frequently Asked
Tap any question to expand.
Ready to skip the I-17 drive?
A charter day trip from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon's South Rim — flight, guided rim tour, and transfers. Reservations daily 6 AM – 10 PM.