How to get to the Grand Canyon

I'll be in New York over the summer and am planning a trip to Grand Canyon with my family. Can you advise if it's better to fly to Phoenix or Las Vegas and hire a car to go to the South Rim? My wife would like to ask if it makes sense to drive to LA and San Francisco after visiting the Grand Canyon and drop off the car in San Francisco before returning to New York. Tony Adams, Edinburgh

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: If you are heading for the Grand Canyon Village on the south rim, then the easiest drive is up from Phoenix. It¹s 220 miles, or about four hour easy driving. From Las Vegas, it's 280 miles, and a little over five hours.

However, if you do start your trip and pick up a car in Phoenix, then you wife is right ­ it makes perfect sense to drive west from the canyon, where you'll pass through Vegas on the way to Southern California.

You¹ll have to stump up for a drop off charge though, which although it isn't usually payable for hire within the same state, say for a drive from LA to San Francisco, it is about £100 for a hire between Phoenix and LA, and about £200 between Phoenix and San Francisco. A clear view of the Canyon After all the hype, the Skywalk has opened in Arizona. Stephen Bleach was there to venture over the edge Hard raft in the Grand Canyon There is a 13-year waiting list to run the Colorado River. Martin Fletcher says it's worth it Your guide to The Grand Canyon You don’t have to be Grizzly Adams to crack the Canyon. Follow Simon Hacker for awe without the angst BACKGROUND Getting to know the Grand Canyon America's world beating attractions Raising Arizona Go on, gorge yourself in Arizona and Utah Related Links A cultural side to the Grand Canyon It's a great drive to head north along Death Valley and then call into Yosemite on the way west to San Francisco. Then you can drive down Highway One, drop the car off in LA, and pay the lower drop off charge too. For good directions to the canyon, see the US National Parks site.