Vegas to Phoenix

I think your best bet is to take a Greyhound from Las Vegas to Flagstaff, and stay in the HI Hostel there (it's fine) - they will have day tours to both the Grand Canyon and Sedona, plus other attractions in the region, and then on your last day take a Greyhound from Flagstaff south to Phoenix. BTW do you really want to go to Phoenix?

But those bus tours don't go Las Vegas > GCNP > Phoenix ...

I'd just rent a car and do it on your own. Many car rental companies don't have a dropoff fee for LAS/PHX rentals; if you find one that does, keep looking. You can get a small car for $25-30/day.

I'd budget at least 1 night at the Grand Canyon (2 if possible). If you are going this summer, make your reservations NOW since it fills up. Then a night in Flag, explore that area. Then drive down through Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona, you can continue on down through Cottonwood, Jerome, and Prescott.

You do realize that Las Vegas and Phoenix in August will be absolutely baking hot? That is probably the worst time of the year to go to those places.

I don't think it matters much what time of year you're in Vegas. I think spending the daytime lounging by the pool is a great way to kill time between whatever you have planned in the evenings. Yeah, its hot. But I've been to Vegas at all times of the year, and I've actually had more fun in the summer. Just don't go jogging up and down the strip at 2 in the afternoon. PHX is a different story. Its a horrible city for travellers without their own car, and most of its rather limited redeeming features involve outdoor activities, which are not so nice in August. Unless you are catching a plane or visiting friends, I can't imagine what you'll be doing there in August. #1 was right on about using the Hostel tours to see GC and Sedona. Its your best bet if you can't get your own car (I'm guessing from your post that you can't).

Phoenix in August. Why?

I'm studying for my Australia trip, and your questions seem very Aussie. The bus here is the bus, and you won't find it like you imagine, and fares are fixed and inflexible. Americans either take a packaged tour (which wo't exist for your plan), or rent a car. Both car rentals and airfares are a lot less than in Austalia. Plan on renting a car, you can't do this in four days any other way.

<blockquote>Quote<br><hr>I'm studying for my Australia trip, and your questions seem very Aussie.<hr></blockquote>Have you considered looking at the Australian Branch if you're studying for your Australian trip? Might work. Also - it may come as a complete shock to Americans - but not every traveller can drive or wants to drive when they visit the US. Amazing I know - but it's true! And they can do that trip with Greyhound in four days I reckon ...

Thanks to all for your helpful responses!! You've opened my eyes a little wider.

I don't really have any plans to stay in Phoenix, I'm just going to end my journey there before catching a flight to San Diego.

And I actually love the heat and looking forward to the Arizona experience! I'm sure I'll find a pool, a cold beer and cool places to drink it in ;)

I have thought about hiring a car in that it'd give me more freedom and flexibility, but the idea of juggling the roads and the signs and the 'wrong' side of the road is a little scary. With a bus I can just jump on and relax and meet other travellers. But who knows, I might just change my mind once I get there. The beauty of this!

Thanks again for your tips!....like the sound of #1.