The two places where you can take a Grand Canyon helicopter tour is at the West Rim and the South Rim. Both are incredible destinations. So how do you know which one to visit? By using my rim-by-rim breakdown.

The West Rim

The West Rim is 120 miles west of Las Vegas on Hualapai Indian tribal lands. It takes a helicopter 45 minutes to get there, making it a great day trip for those who are tight on time and can only spare half a day. It's also well-known for this: The Grand Canyon Skywalk and helicopter tours that land at the bottom.

The "glass bridge" is made up of 44 imported glass panels that cost $250,000 each. This glass deck extends 70 feet past the edge and suspends you 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. An engineering marvel, the bridge is able to withstand magnitude 8 earthquakes and winds in excess of 100 miles per hour. Cameras and other personal electronics are prohibited; photographers are available to take your picture. Tip: Make sure the Skywalk is bundled into your helicopter package at time of purchase. It's cheaper.

The helicopter ride to the bottom is intense. The 15-minute descent puts you face to face with the canyon's sheer walls, buttes, and spires. The exposed rock represents four eras of geological time, making it the oldest exposed material on the Earth's surface. Helicopters land on private landing pads. Now, you'll exit the helicopter and make a Champagne toast under a real Indian Ramada. After that, go and check out the surrounding area and the nearby Colorado River.

The market for West Rim helicopter tours is competitive - shop for best prices. If you book using the Internet, expect to save up to 40 percent. Total round-trip time is four hours and includes hotel pick up and drop off and lunch. Other activities that you can bundle into your package include horseback riding, ATV trail riding, kayaking, and Hummer off-road tours. Total trip time four hours. Packages start between $235 and $335.

The South Rim

All helicopter flights originate from Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan, a town 10 minutes from the Park's main entrance. From Phoenix and Sedona, it's a two-hour and four-hour drive, respectively. From Las Vegas, you must book an air-ground package, which is done aboard a fixed-wing Vistaliner aircraft and takes 45 minutes.

At the rim, you'll deplane and board a helicopter, which will fly over Kaibab National Forest before entering the Dragoon Corridor, the widest and deepest part of the canyon. Other landmarks include Temple Butte, the Zuni Corridor, the North Rim, and the Painted Desert. The Las Vegas package also includes ground transfer to the South Rim, where you'll spend several hours exploring the Park, including the restaurants and gift shops at Grand Canyon Village.

The South Rim is where the most famous pictures and images of the canyon are shot. Helicopter tours last up to 40 minutes. Total Las Vegas trip time, including helicopter flight and bus transfer to Grand Canyon Village, is six hours, and includes hotel pick up and drop off and lunch. South Rim helicopter trips begin at $135 a person. The Las Vegas trip costs $360 per person.

Summary

The Grand Canyon is 190 miles long and encompasses more than 1,900 square miles. On foot, you will see 45 miles of canyon - flying, 140 miles (even more if you fly from Las Vegas to the South Rim). If you really want to experience the canyon, flying is option number one. Next up: Picking between the West Rim and the South Rim. The West rim has the most attractions and activities, and it's also closest to Las Vegas. The South Rim has the best views, walking trails, and traveler amenities. The three top tour operators - Papillon, Maverick, and Sundance - offer helicopter and air-helicopter-ground trips to both rims, ranging in price from $135 per person to $360 per person. For the best deals, always book online. Now, with this information in hand, you are cleared for take off.