Grand Canyon Experience

The Grand Canyon Experience is Papillon’s airplane trip to Grand Canyon West with free time on the rim. The plane leaves Papillon’s air terminal in Boulder City and takes about 35 minutes each way, over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, the Colorado River and the Mojave Desert.

At the West Rim you go at your own pace on a hop-on, hop-off shuttle. Eagle Point has the Skywalk glass bridge and a Native American cultural village with exhibits; Guano Point is a high bluff with the canyon walls on every side. Skywalk entry is an add-on that comes with a meal; otherwise you can buy food there.

Count about 7 to 8 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, 3½ to 4 of them at the rim. Hotel transport from the Strip is offered, or you can drive to the Boulder City terminal yourself.

Everyone 18 and over needs an original REAL ID-compliant license or a passport; without one, Papillon refuses check-in and refunds no one in the booking.

Check in 45 minutes before flight time, or the booking is cancelled as a no-show. Changes are free until 72 hours before departure. Cancelling by then gets you a credit voucher for the full price, good for a year, not a refund; inside 72 hours, no changes or refunds. Reconfirm by phone a day or two ahead.

Phones and cameras are allowed on the Skywalk, and free lockers in the building take bags you’d rather not carry.

During Formula 1 race week, Las Vegas Boulevard and the Koval Lane and Flamingo Road crossing close, and hotel pickups move to Excalibur, Resorts World, Westgate and the Golden Nugget. If you drive, leave extra time.

Passengers of 300 pounds or more pay for an extra comfort seat at check-in. Children 2 to 11 have their own fare, under-2s fly free on a lap, and everyone 12 and up pays the adult fare.