The Grand Canyon Skywalk is definitely one of Las Vegas' hottest natural attractions. Tour prices are all over the map, and most of them are can be absurdly high. But deals exist. Here are some tips on how to get the best ones:

1. Take an all-inclusive tour. You have three types of tours from which to choose: Bus, helicopter, and airplane Bus is the cheapest; helicopter is the most expensive. Airplane tours are in the middle because they can fly up 17 people at once.

2. Don't buy from third parties. You will pay more if you purchase a tour from a travel agent, an online broker (e.g. Viator), or a hotel concierge. In Vegas, avoid street-side ticket vendors - there’s absolutely no guarantee what you’ll end up getting.

3. Purchase direct from the tour operator. In essence, you will be getting wholesale pricing, which is the rock-bottom price for which an operator will sell its trips.

4. Book in advance. If possible, buy your trip several months before you expect to take it. Do your best to avoid booking your tour less than two weeks out. If you make next-day or same-day reservations, you will end up paying a premium.

5. Book over the Internet. Internet reservations save tour operators a lot of money. The good companies pass a significant portion of these savings to you. The sites I used to book trips are safe and secure, and I’ve never had a mix up with my reservations.

I researched the Internet for the best Las Vegas Grand Canyon Skywalk tours deals. Here are my findings:

Bus

Grand Canyon Coaches leads the pack. The companies all-inclusive bus trip to the West Rim with Skywalk tickets costs around $129. Travel is aboard a state-of-the-art luxury bus. Includes VIP Skywalk tickets, lunch, guided rim-top tour, and professional driver-guide.

Helicopter

Papillon Helicopters dusted its competitors. The operator offers a complete Skywalk package that weighs in at $375 if purchased on the Internet (that's nearly $100 off the retail price!). When you put this price side by side with its competitors, Papillon comes in 20 percent cheaper. Includes the deluxe EcoStar 130 helicopter (its cabin size is 25% larger than that of conventional helicopters), BBQ lunch, and rim-top guided tour.

Airplane

Grand Canyon Airlines was the clear winner. Its Skywalk air tour cost $200 (regularly $349) and uses a Vistaliner aircraft, a fully customized fixed-wing aircraft designed precisely for sightseeing. Includes lunch and a guided-tour of the rim.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk, a joint venture between a Las Vegas businessman and the Hualapai Indian Tribe, extends 70 feet over the edge of the rim and lifts you more than 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. The structure can hold 120 people at one time. Its horseshoe-shaped deck is made of 46 Saint-Gobain Diamant low-iron glass panels that cost $250,000 each. Cameras and personal electronics are banned because if dropped they could chip the deck.

If you're visiting Vegas, make the Grand Canyon Skywalk a "must-see" attraction. Located just 120 east of town, the Skywalk can be reached by bus, helicopter, and airplane. There's a tour for each budget. To get the right deal, book direct on the tour operator's Internet site where costs are going to be at or near wholesale. Then stand back and prepare yourself for what will be the experience of a lifetime.