The Las Vegas Grand Canyon South Rim bus is easily the most economical way to get to the national park. You don't sacrifice comfort, either, especially when you travel on one of the new luxury buses that run this route. Before you climb aboard and settle into your plush seat, here are seven things you need to think about before you hit the road:

1. The South Rim is 270 miles away from Vegas and takes 5.5 hours to reach by bus. Tours include up to three hours at the rim. Travelers get back to their Strip hotel around 9 p.m. Conservatively, budget 15 hours for this trip.

2. See if your Hoover Dam photo stop includes the new bypass bridge. The new Mike O'Callaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge opened in October 2010 and it's a sight to behold. Even better is walking across it. The excitement comes from being suspended 900 feet above the Colorado River. And the view of Hoover Dam is incredible.

3. Check if lunch is included. This trip is a long one and you will get hungry. Breakfast will get you as far as Kingman, AZ (make sure to load up on snacks here). The typical box lunch is OK for lunch. I recommend satisfying your hunger at the restaurant in the Bright Angel Lodge, where the servings are huge and delicious.

4. Dress appropriately. Summertime, You might want to wear loose-fitting clothing (pants and long-sleeved shirts). Bring water to stay hydrated. Bring a windbreaker if you have one. South Rim winter's are much colder than what you'll experience in Vegas. I recommend you dress in layers for comfort and warmth. Bring a hat and/or beanie, scarf, gloves, and a medium weight jacket. Wear sturdy shoes and get a pair of YakTrakz walker crampons to beat the ice.

5. Make sure to your issue of "The Guide." The Park Service puts out this wonderfully informative publication. It's updated every quarter and contains the information you need about the Park's history, facilities, museums, restaurants, gift shops, and the free shuttle bus system. In my view, it's the key that unlocks all the Park's fabulous features.

6. Go to only the best lookouts. The very best ones are Mather Point, Yaki Point, Yavapai Observation Station, and Hermit's Rest. Sunrise is best at either Mather or Hopi Points. The view from the Rim Trail behind Bright Angel Lodge is also good (below you'll see Indian Gardens and a tiny bit of Phantom Ranch).

7. Remember: What goes down must come up. South Rim trails are world-class. The walk back to the top of the rim is steep. Don't overwork yourself. Take your time on the return and enjoy the views. I would recommend taking a leisurely 30-minute stroll down and then turning back. Over the summer, bring lots of water and a salty snack like trail mix during the summer. Take lots of breaks going up. There's no rush. Stand to the side to let mule trains pass.

South Rim bus tours from Las Vegas are a hit with Las Vegas travelers. And for good reason. It's cheap, includes lunch and all park entrance fees, and its done on a state-of-the-art luxury bus. It's also a sightseeing paradise. En route, you see Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, the Mojave Desert, the Kaibab Plateau, and the South Rim. If you are looking for an affordable, fun way to do the South Rim, this bus trip is absolutely the way to go.