Grand Canyon is Open. South Rim hotels in Tusayan are open for business.
Phoenix to Grand Canyon West Flights
Trade a four-and-a-half-hour drive for a ~1 hour 15 minute flight that climbs out of the Sonoran Desert and across the high desert to the Hualapai rim of the western Grand Canyon — home of the glass Skywalk. Depart Phoenix in the morning, spend the day at Eagle Point and Guano Point, and fly home the same evening.
See the day tripDrive Versus Fly
The math, side by side. Round-trip from Phoenix.
Drive It
- Out ~4h 30mPhoenix → US-93 NW → Kingman → Pierce Ferry → Diamond Bar Rd
- Return ~4h 30mSame long haul in reverse
- Notes Rental car · two-lane high desert · the last miles are remote
Fly It
- To DVT variesPhoenix Deer Valley, in the north Valley (Scottsdale pickup on request)
- DVT → GCW ~1h 15mHigh-wing Vistaliner across the high desert to the Hualapai rim
- GCW → DVT ~1h 15mThe western canyon 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 → GCW
Return · GCW → DVT
Getting Back To Phoenix
The return is the second half of the same day trip — the western canyon and the high desert, in reverse.
The return is the second half of the same day trip: you fly Grand Canyon West (GCW) → Phoenix Deer Valley in the afternoon, about 1 hour 15 minutes back across the high desert and the Sonoran Desert, seen from the opposite angle.
There is no scheduled commercial service between Phoenix and Grand Canyon West, so the way back to the Valley is the Grand Canyon West → Deer Valley charter, then a short transfer or rideshare to your hotel or to Sky Harbor for an onward flight.
Return leg · GCW → 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 High Desert
Saguaro gives way to open basin-and-range country along the US-93 corridor toward Wickenburg and Wikieup.
Joshua-Tree Country
The route crosses the Joshua-tree flats and the high Mojave-edge desert north of Kingman — wide, empty, and stark.
The Western Grand Canyon
The canyon's western reach and the Colorado River come up as the Vistaliner descends to the Hualapai rim and Grand Canyon West.
The Drive Alternative, Leg by Leg
If you're committed to the wheel — here's the route, mile by mile.
Phoenix → Grand Canyon West (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.
On Hualapai tribal land, directly inside the Grand Canyon West visitor area. The runway parallels the rim and the terminal opens onto the Hualapai shuttle stop — so you step off the flight a short ride from Eagle Point, the Skywalk, and Guano Point. No major-airline service — Part 135 scenic and air-taxi operators only.
What's At The West Rim When You Land
Step off the apron onto the Hualapai shuttle — the Skywalk and rim points are minutes away.
Grand Canyon West is administered by the Hualapai Tribe; Scenic operates here under permit. A tribal entry fee or tour package is required to visit the rim and is collected at the GCW terminal. Personal cameras and phones are not allowed on the Skywalk itself beyond the entry kiosk. Follow posted rules and staff instructions on the rim.
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 US-93 drive?
A charter day trip from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon West Rim — flight, Skywalk & guided rim tour, and transfers. Reservations daily 6 AM – 10 PM.