Grand Canyon Skywalk's Real Cost of Admission

If you are visiting Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon Skywalk is a must-see attraction. Tickets to the Glass Bridge average about $25 per person. However, depending on how you get to the Bridge, there are additional costs you’ll want to be aware of. Here are the most common:
Parking Fee
Las Vegas is just 120 east of the West Rim, making this a 2.5 hour trip by car. The last 15 miles are on dirt road, and can be rough and rocky. If you rent a car, it’s advised you end up picking an SUV (sports utility vehicle) with high clearance. There’s a parking lot at the end of the road, and all-day parking will run you $20.
Park Entrance Fee
The Hualapai Indians own the land on which the Skywalk was built. To go in, it is necessary to purchase a permit called a Legacy Pass:
Adults: $43.05
Kids (3-11 years): $35.03
Senior/Military: $39.85
The Pass includes unlimited shuttle bus use, which stops at the Skywalk, Eagle Point, Guano Point, and Hualapai Ranch.
Grand Canyon Skywalk Tickets
Currently, tickets to the Skywalk are:
Adults: $29.95
Kids (3-11 years): $22.46
Senior/Military: $39.85
This entitles you to unlimited one-day access to the Bridge.
Photos
You are not allowed to bring any personal electronics onto the Skywalk, including digital cameras, mobile phones, and digital video recorders. Professional photographers are on the scene to snap photos of you. Cost per photo is $30. Quality? Professional.
Lockers
Secure lockers for your personal belongings are $3.
Fuel Surcharges
Fee was implemented by Las Vegas tour companies to cover the cost of fuel, which spiked in 2008. Most operators have discontinued the fee. Read the agreement of your tour before purchase.
The Real Cost
It doesn’t matter how you slice it, your base cost to visit Grand Canyon Skywalk as an adult is:
Park Entrance Fee: $43.05
Skywalk Ticket: $29.95
Total: $73
If you rent a car, add the following costs:
Rental Car (one day, Sport Utility Vehicle): $60
Gas (full tank): $50
Parking: $20
Total: $130
Many people opt to take a bus or helicopter tour from Las Vegas to the Skywalk. Bus tours start at $95 (includes lunch, park entrance fee) and require you to only pay for your Skywalk ticket. Helicopter tours begin at $350 and include VIP admission to the Bridge and park entrance fee. Bus tours take a full day; helicopters require half a day. Most of these tours can be upgraded to include, amongst other things, a helicopter ride to the bottom of the Grand Canyon or a pontoon boat cruise on the Colorado River.
More than a million people have experienced the Glass Bridge since it opened in 2007. The structure extends 70 feet beyond the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, suspending the visitor some 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. The Bridge can support more than 800 people at one time, but maximum occupancy is 120 people. Buying a ticket to this fabulous attraction is pretty much a straightforward proposition. It’s how you choose to get to the Glass Bridge where you have to do your homework. Using a rental car has its own set of unique costs (car rental, gas, parking, etc.). Same goes for taking a bus or helicopter tour from Las Vegas. Pick the one that fits your travel budget the best. Then make your way to the Grand Canyon Skywalk, one of Las Vegas’ most popular day trips and attractions.