1

You could take the AMTRAK to Flagstaff... The hostel near the train station has tours... Overnight at a South Rim Lodge... Return to LA...you do not have time for Las Vegas unless you fly... LA-fixed wing, to South rim-return Vegas-return LA...carracar

2

Here's the train schedule between LA and Flagstaff.
http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/750/317/Southwest-Chief-Schedule-050712.pdf
Arrive in Flagstaff sometime between 4:30 and 6:30 AM. (Train schedules are notoriously 'flexible')

Then jump on a local shuttle bus which leaves from the train station at 7:45 AM.
http://www.arizonashuttle.com/flagstaff-grandcanyon
Amtrak may be able to book this for you(?)
Arrive at GC, head for your reserved room, and take a well deserved nap!

As Carracar says, getting to/from Vegas with public transport (in a timely manner) will be hard.

If you must see Vegas, renting a car from LA is the most flexible way to do so.
Zip to Vegas for a day or so before heading out to GC for at least one night.

3

Simple solution: fly to Vegas, rent a car.

Rental cars are usually much cheaper than people imagine (probably compares favorably to a tour) and allows for flexibility.

4

If you go to Vegas, you can get a helicopter into the Grand Canyon. Just did it a month ago, you will land in the canyon near the colarado river, we had some champagne and snacks, then flew back to Vegas, it was approx $375US. It suited us as we didn't fancy driving hour after hour through desert.

5

#4: While you technically flew into the Grand Canyon, you did not go anywhere near Grand Canyon National Park, and missed the deepest and most colorful portions of the gorge. That $375 would pay for a rental car, park entrance and a couple nights hotel at the South Rim. I mean, if that was what the OP wanted - i.e. to spend a bit of time in the National Park and see a few things.

You have several basic itinerary options that might work. If you're more interested in Vegas and see Grand Canyon as quick diversion, then getting to Vegas via plane or bus and taking a trip similar to #4's suggestion would work, easily. If you're mainly interested in GC and willing to pass up Vegas, take the train to Flagstaff and shuttle from there. Or, if flexibility is more important, rent a car in LA, and drive straight to GC on interstate 40. Detour to Vegas, or not, along the way. You'll have a hard time doing much in Vegas or GC if you try to see them both with only 4 days out of LA.

Since you're an Aussie arriving via Guatemala, keep in mind that it can be COLD at Flagstaff and Grand Canyon in January. highs in 40s F are typical, with lows in the teens F - although it can easily be 20 degrees colder than that if you get a cold snap. Snow is common, and can come in buckets at times. Or, it can be crisp and clear and beautiful. But be aware that decidedly non-tropical weather will be the norm.

6

Flagstaff to Las Vegas: Greyhound bus, 5 1/2 hours with no change of bus, or about 3 hours flying on a scheduled airline, with a change of planes in Phoenix (Expedia showed US Airways as cheapest). Amtrak shows train to Kingman and then bus to Vegas, but gets to LV at 3 a.m. (not that Vegas would be dead at that hour).

I'd certainly put a priority on the GC and definitely go to the park, not just a chopper ride to the West Rim area. Idea of flying to Las Vegas and then driving to the GC, either South Rim or North Rim, is a good idea.

7

We had a very tight time frame a few years back so flew to Vegas, then did a one day tour to the GC with Scenic Airlines. We picked this trip because it landed near to the rim, then out us on a bus, and gave us a few hours seeing the GC, before flying back to Vegas, avoiding the 5 hour drive each way, but giving us an aerial view, and the up close view from the lookouts. You could combine this with an actual day in Vegas on a 2 day trip. However this is not cheap - you're up for an air fare to vegas, then $200-$300 for the GC day trip. This would then allow you another day or 2 in LA.

8

You'll have to go to AZ to see the GC. Can't see it from LA.

9

Option 1 -
Fly LAX to LAS, rent a car in LAS, drive to GC, do the reverse to get back to LA on time.

Option 2 -
Rent a car in LA, do a straight shot to GC (~8 hours), stop by LV on the way back.

Option 2 is nice, because:

• you're not tied to an airline's schedule=more flexibility
• driving LAX to LAS is ~5 hours. Flying is probably 30 minutes, but once you add on transit time to/from both airports, check in times, security, flight delays, etc, it could easily total 4 hours point to point (of course traffic could be a concern when driving, so factor that in)

If you have the energy (you're 26, why wouldn't you?), then I'd personally avoid doing any tours. LA to Las Vegas and Grand Canyon are easy enough without much planning. Just pick up a map and go!

10

Thanks guys, all vey helpful.

I am going to see if I can fly in to Vegas, then go from there to the Canyon, then to LA.

And thanks Flagstuff for the heads up on the weather!! Appreciated