Are you looking for the closest airport to Grand Canyon? Here we are going to talk about Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport, and Harry Reid International Airport.
We will discuss the address, height, department, and nearby tourist attractions. There are different facilities, destinations, and airlines in these airports.
In this article, we are going to discuss the closest airport to Grand Canyon.
Quick Overview of the Grand Canyon Regions
The Grand Canyon has three areas: the West Rim, the North Rim, and the South Rim. These areas are known for their accessibility and wonderful environment. On the South Rim, you will find different activities and houses.
The North Rim is higher than the South Rim. It is located far away and is free from pollution. Grand Canyon Skywalk is available on the West Rim, where tribal people live. It is important to know about the closest airport to Grand Canyon.
Table of Contents
Main Airports Near the Grand Canyon
1. Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) – The Closest Regional Option
Address: 6200 S Pulliam Dr, Flagstaff, AZ 86005, United States
Height: 2138 m.
Department: Arizona Department of Public Safety, Northern Air Rescue
Nearby Tourist Attraction:
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Sedona’s Red Rocks
- Wapatki National Monument
- Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
- Walnut Canyon National Monument
- Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
- Arizona Snowball
- Lowell Observatory
Facilities
The facilities of Flagstaff Pulliam Airport , which is the closest airport to Grand Canyon consist of the following:
- The name of this airport came from Clarence T. Maggie Pulliam. She was an ex- Flagstaff City Manager and the duration of her service was 44 years.
- This airport had a single runway of 3/21.
- 763 acres is the area of the airport with a height of 2138 m or 7014 ft.
- The length and width of this airport is 8800 ft and 150 ft, respectively.
- The total number of operations of this airport as of 2017 December 31 is 43527.
- It means 119 daily flights on average.
- In terms of percentage, general aviation is 67 per cent, air taxi is 25 per cent, military is 2 per cent, and airline is 5 per cent.
At this airport, there are 115 aircrafts. Among them, we observed the following:
- Single-engine is 88 per cent.
- Multi-engine is 5 per cent.
- Jet is 3 per cent.
- Helicopter is 3 per cent.
- Ultralight is 2 per cent.
Destinations and Airlines
American Eagles is the airline whose destinations are Dallas or Fort Worth (21760 passengers), Phoenix Sky Harbour (54580 passengers) and Los Angeles (30 passengers).
The domestic destinations of American Eagle are Los Angeles, California with 30 passenger. One can reach Phoenix, Arizona using American Eagle (based on the data of November 2023 to October 2024). .
2. Grand Canyon National Park Airport (GCN) – The Local Gateway
Address: 1542 Liberator Dr, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, United States.
Height: 2014 m.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
The nearby tourist attractions are as follows:
- Hermit Trail
- Grand Canyon Village
- Grand Canyon Railway
- Antelope Canyon
- Havasu Falls
- Mooney Falls
Facilities
The facilities of Grand Canyon National Park Airport are as follows:
- 859 acres is the area of the airport.
- There is a single runway and the surface is made of asphalt with a length and breadth 8999 ft and 150 ft respectively.
- The total number of aircraft operations is 41161 as per the record of December 31, 2021, which is 113 flights daily.
- The percentage of air travel is 85%.
- The percentage of general aviation is 14%.
- Finally, the military is 1%.
- The visitors can rent a car.
- There are gift shops and restrooms for the travellers.
- The travellers can get a shuttle bus service.
- There are skydiving and helicopter riding services.
- The guests can get parking facilities.
3. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) – Major Hub Option
Location: 3400 Sky Harbour Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85034, United States
Height: 346 m
Nearby Tourist Attraction:
The local tourist attractions of the closest airport to Grand Canyon are as follows:
- Heard Museum
- Phoenix Airport Museum
- Phoenix Art Museum
- Phoenix Zoo
- Desert Botanical Garden
- Phoenix Zoo
- Camelback Mountain
- Square Sphinx
- Farm at South Mountain
- Liberty Wildlife
Facilities
There are different types of facilities are as follows:
- Lounges of the airport are on terminals 3 and 4.
- On terminals 3 and 4, the visitors can smoke.
- There is a station at 24th Street and a rental car station.
- On terminal 4, the active members of the family can use the lounge.
- There are facilities for wheelchairs in the parking zone.
- The visitors can see the regional artists presenting their performance on terminals 4 and 3.
- On terminal 4, you will get a fitness centre and alternatives to healthy food.
4. Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) – A Scenic Route Option
Location: 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119, United States
Height: 665 m
Nearby Tourist Attractions
The nearby tourist attractions are as follows:
- Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign
- LINQ promenade
- Las Vegas Strip
- Pinball Hall of Fame
- High Roller Las Vegas
- Aviation Museum
- Cirque du Soleil Shows
- Grand Canyon
Facilities
The facilities of the closest airport to Grand Canyon are as follows:
- The terminal is available for general and private flights.
- There are several terminals.
- The visitor will get dining and shopping at the airport.
- The wifi is completely free, and there are charging stations.
- The lounges are available, like the United Club, the Club at LAS, the Centurion Lounge, etc.
- Electric buses are available for a comfortable and eco-friendly journey.
- The guests can enjoy gaming on the slot machines.
- Tourists can get help with mobility.
- The car is available for rent.
- There are two alternatives for parking, long-term and short-term.
- Wifi is free.
- There is a currency exchange and an ATM.
- There is a screening for security using TSA PreCheck.
Comparing Airport Options
1. Distance from the Grand Canyon
Distance between Flagstaff Pulliam Airport and Grand Canyon: 97 miles and the distance by road is 84.6 miles or 136.15 km, and this is the closest airport to Grand Canyon.
Distance between Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport and Grand Canyon: 227.9 miles or 366.8 km, and it is the closest airport to Grand Canyon.
Distance between Harry Reid International Airport and Grand Canyon: 168.5 miles or 271.2 km. Therefore, this is the closest airport to Grand Canyon.
Distance between Grand Canyon National Park Airport and Grand Canyon: 3.4 miles or 5.47 km.
2. Transportation Options from Each Airport
Flagstaff Pulliam Airport: There are different ways of transportation from Flagstaff Pulliam Airport. It consists of Lyft, Uber, the Mountain Line bus system, and rental cars. There are other ways of transportation, Greyhound, Amtrak and Mountain Line GO.
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport: You will find innovative ways of transportation from Phoenix Harbor International Airport. It includes a shuttle, a ride-sharing service, a rental car and taxi.
Harry Reid International Airport: It offers various modes of transport and they are rental, taxi, airport shuttle, public bus, etc. Uber and Lyft are the ride-sharing services.
Grand Canyon National Park Airport: Travellers can rent a personal car, take a shuttle, or take a taxi from Grand Canyon National Park Airport.
3. Flight Availability and Airline Services
Flagstaff Pulliam Airport:
American airlines conduct regular flights towards Dallas/fort worth and Phoenix. There are Qatar Airways and Alaska Airlines which fly from Flagstaff Pulliam Airport.
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport: It offers regular flights in over 140 destinations, which includes international and domestic flights. The major airlines are Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. There are other airlines like United Airlines and Delta Airlines. It is one of the closest airport to Grand Canyon.
Harry Reid International Airport: From Harry Reid International Airport, you can go to other continents like North America, Europe and Asia. There are renowned airlines in this airport and they are Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, JSX, Spirit Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. You will also find other airlines like JetBlue, United, Delta and American Airlines.
Grand Canyon National Park Airport: Grand Canyon National Park Airport provides different services of airline like Scenic Airlines, which present direct flights towards Las Vegas. Papillon Airlines presents flights straightaway towards Page. American Airlines works on flights directly This is from Flagstaff and to different areas.
4. Accessibility and Special Needs Travel
- Airport Accessibility Services
People using wheelchairs can go to the Grand Canyon National Park Airport. This is the basic point of getting the trip of flightseeing. Those who use the shuttle service can explore using a wheelchair. South Rims Visitor Centre offers the rental of wheelchairs.
- Grand Canyon Access for Disabled Travellers
The disabled travellers can access the campground, restroom, food service and accessible trails. The campgrounds of North Rim and Mather can be accessed through wheelchair. The physically challenged person can take the food service as it has been arranged for them. There is special arrangement in restrooms and a physically challenged person can get wheelchair accessibility.
Choosing the Best Airport Based on Your Itinerary
- For South Rim Visitors:
For the south rim of Grand Canyon, Flagstaff Pulliam is the closest airport. This is located in Flagstaff, Arizona. It takes 90 minutes to reach the gate of the South Rim. Grand Canyon National Park Airport is another way, and it offers charter flights and scenic tours.
- For North Rim Adventurers:
For the explorers of North Rim, they need to visit Harry Reid International Airport. One has to go by Motorcoach and car. If you want to explore North Rim, you can go between 15th May and 15th October. One has to drive via car for 5 hours from Las Vegas to reach North Rim. It has been regarded as one of the closest airport to Grand Canyon.
- For Grand Canyon West (Skywalk):
You will go to Grand Canyon National Airport by flight. Then you are going to reach Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. You will move towards the southern direction through helicopter or car.
Driving Distances and Travel Times
- Driving from Flagstaff :
The time taken to drive from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon National Park Airport vary between 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hour 5 minutes. The distance is 79 miles.
- Driving from Phoenix:
The distance from Phoenix Sky Harbour to FLG or Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is 232 km or 144 miles. The time taken is 2 hours and 7 minutes approximately by car. The time taken by bus is 5 hours 30 minutes approximately.
- Driving from Las Vegas:
The distance from Las Vegas to Phoenix sky harbour international airport is 295.6 miles. The time taken by car is 4 hours and 39 minutes approximately. The time taken by bus is 6 hours 19 minutes approximately.
Booking Tips and Travel Hacks
- How to Score Cheap Flights
In order to get cheap flights, we need to book a cheap flight about 40 days before. We can create alert on price which will assist in understanding the rise and fall in the prices of flight. We have to be flexible with our dates.Generally we choose Flagstaff Pulliam Airport.
We can make a comparison with American Airlines. It is good to book on Sunday as it is quite cheap.
- When to Book for the Best Deals
We need to book about 40 days before. It is advisable to travel during February and January. It is great to visit between September and November.
March to June is another great season for travelling. If you choose one way flights, it will be cheaper in comparison to round trip tickets. We have to know the right deals for the closest airport to Grand Canyon.
Alternatives for Budget Travelers
- Road Trips and RV Travel
RV travel and road trips are cost effective ways of travelling. The visitor can use the road trips through rentals of cars and bicycles. They can get shuttle buses completely free within the park.
They can choose bus tours with a guide. The various ways of RV travel includes the RV campgrounds, creating booking, and creative way of lodging like small town close to the park.
- Bus and Shuttle Services
The Grand Canyon has bus and shuttle services. In the South Rim shuttle buses, we have National Park Service season is an important factor in the shuttle routes. Groome Transportation presents regular bus service goes to Williams, Flagstaff, Phoenix towards our south rim. The Trans-Canyon Shuttle links the north and south rims. One Day Tours is an example of a personal shuttle service.
Must-Know Travel Tips After Landing
- Rental Car Information
Those who need rental car service in Grand Canyon, they have to be minimum 21 years old. There is a strict guideline on the form of the vehicle. Those who are renters below 25 years old, there are additional charges.
Proof of age, photo and drivers license is mandatory. The companies of car rental service are Enterprise, National and Hertz. It is important to know the rental car of the closest airport to Grand Canyon.
Final Recommendations
- Best Overall Airport
Harry Reid International Airport is the best airport because it is the place for landing private and general flights. A large number of terminals are available.
After landing, the visitors can shop and land easily. Anybody can charge their phones because there is free wifi facility. The visitors can get amazing lounges like the United Club close to the airport.
There is mobility arrangement for the travellers. The visitors can get ATM and currency exchange. TSA PreCheck is used for security screening. Therefore, we should know the closest airport to Grand Canyon.
- Top Tips for Smooth Travel
Those who want to travel Grand Canyon smoothly, they need to come early, use the process of shuttle, drink plenty of water, dress in the right way, use sunglass and sunscreen for protection against the sun, take care of the altitude, examine the weather, watch wild animals from a safe distance.
Conclusion
As we explore the closest airport to the Grand Canyon, we find that the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is the nearest one as it is 136.15 km away. The airport having a number of tourist attractions is Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport. Here you are getting two museums, two zoos, two mountains, two natural parks, etc. The visitor can get a wheelchair, lounge, rental car station, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the closest airport to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon?
Ans. The closest airport of South Rim is Flagstaff Airport. It takes 92 minutes to reach the airport.
Q2. Can I fly directly into the Grand Canyon?
Ans Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is the place where the travellers to Grand Canyon come. This is close to our South Rim and it is approximately 3.5 hours by car.
Q3. What airport is best for visiting the Skywalk?
Ans. For visiting the skywalk, Las Vegas McCarran International Airport is the best.
Q4. How far is Flagstaff from the Grand Canyon?
Ans. Flagstaff is 79 miles away from Grand Canyon South Rim. By car, you need to drive for 1 hour and 30 minutes. From Flagstaff to Grand Canyon East Rim, the distance is 124 miles and the time taken is 2 hour 5 minutes by car.
Q5. Is it better to fly into Phoenix or Las Vegas?
Ans. Those who want to explore the South Rim of Grand Canyon, they must go to Phoenix. There are two reasons. The first reason is the proximity and the second reason is that the route is direct.
