I’ve visited the Grand Canyon several times, but it took riding the Grand Canyon Railway for the first time to see the park in a whole new light.
Departing from Williams, Arizona, and traveling to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, the trip was beautiful, relaxing, and highly practical. I didn’t have to think about driving, parking, or waiting at the entrance. Instead, I let someone else handle the transportation while I enjoyed the very scenic ride.
Plus, it’s really all about the journey. The train provides a vantage point you wouldn’t otherwise experience, fascinating history, and an all-around memorable time.
I highly suggest booking the train as a way to see Grand Canyon National Park, but there are a few things to know about fares, train classes, schedules, lodging, and seasonal departures before you go.
In this article
The Railway Runs One Route, on One Schedule
While Grand Canyon National Park is massive, covering 1,218,375 acres, there’s just one train route.
The established route leaves Williams at 9:30 a.m. and arrives at the Grand Canyon Depot at 11:45 a.m. The return train leaves the canyon at 3:30 p.m. and gets back to Williams at 5:45 p.m., giving day-trippers more than 3 hours at the South Rim. In November and December, the schedule shifts an hour earlier.
The 65-mile trip has no stops and arrives at the historic Grand Canyon Depot, built in 1910, in the Historic Village at the South Rim. So, if you choose to take the train, you must stick to the schedule as there’s no flexibility.
Six Fare Categories, With Six Different Experiences
The Grand Canyon Railway has six fare categories: Pullman, Coach, First Class, Observation Dome, Luxury Dome, and Luxury Parlor.
Round-trip ticket prices range from $69.98 to $242.98 per person, depending on which you select. There’s a $20 price difference between Pullman and Coach with major differences being access to air conditioning, the cafe car, and the strolling musicians. A Pullman fare doesn't include any of these, although the windows can open.
The best views are in the Observation and Luxury Dome cars and worth splurging for, so long as you’re not traveling with young children. Kids under 2 aren't permitted in the Observation Dome and no children are allowed in the Luxury Dome.
First Class and above take things a step further with a bar in each car (although alcohol costs extra). The top three fare categories come with a champagne toast and sparkling cider is also available.
Since train travelers won’t drive through a park entrance station, the railway also collects the applicable park entrance fee as part of your reservation, unless you have a valid park pass.
The Entertainment Starts Before You Board
Taking the Grand Canyon Railway is far more of an experience than a simple transfer to the Grand Canyon. And it’s also much more memorable than simply driving in.
Before leaving, there’s a pre-departure show at the depot that you should arrive a little early for. The theme is “Cataract Creek Gang versus the Marshal” and the entertainers continue the show once you’re on board. There will be a “train robbery” where the gang comes through the cars to “steal” valuables from the passengers. Of course they won’t really take your belongings but the entertainers do accept tips.
Singing guitar players also roam the train, and there’s also an in-car host who can answer questions about the train and help passengers plan their time in the Grand Canyon.
I sat in the Mary Colter car, one of the Luxury Dome cars, and loved having the bigger windows for taking in the view on this scenic train ride. Traveling solo, I was happy to sit back and watch the landscape go by.
If I’d been traveling with kids who wanted to interact more with the entertainers though, I might have chosen a less expensive class where the entertainment was more central to the experience.
Stay in Williams the Night Before
Since the train leaves first thing in the morning, to make the trip more seamless, I highly recommend staying in Williams the night prior to departure. This removes a lot of stress, and is a fun way to kickstart the vacation.
I stayed in the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams and booked a package that included my room, the train fare, and breakfast.
The hotel is large, with 298 rooms and ample free parking. This is a three-diamond AAA hotel and it’s a good blend of comfortable and historic.
While I wouldn’t call it a luxury property, the bedding and linens were excellent quality and my room had modern amenities, such as a Keurig. When I checked in, the front desk directed me across the courtyard to the station to pick up my train tickets and breakfast voucher, which made the morning departure easier.
Even if you’re not taking the train, the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel is a great spot to stay if you’re doing a road trip through Arizona’s stretch of Route 66.
Add a Night Inside the Park
My biggest regret about my train trip was doing it only as a day trip.
I wished I booked a hotel inside the park as well to enjoy more time, and scheduled my return train ride on a different day. The railway’s packages do make that possible, combining the Williams hotel with one or more nights at Maswik Lodge.
There is other lodging too, such as El Tovar and Bright Angel Lodge, both at the South Rim. You can book those accommodations and train tickets separately, although package guests can also request upgrades to other in-park lodging.
Packages Can Add Value
There's no way around it, visiting this popular attraction is expensive. Taking the train and bundling costs, however, can help bring down your overall spend.
If you’re already planning to stay overnight, check out package deals rather than booking train and hotels separately. The Canyon Limited package combines the railway hotel, train fare, meals, and a motorcoach rim tour with an overnight stay at Maswik Lodge inside the park.
The railway also offers getaway packages that bundle discounted train fares with stays at the railway hotel and, in some cases, Maswik Lodge, plus meals at Fred Harvey Restaurant. It's one of the only times a hotel package deal can feel worth it.
Because there are so many moving parts to a trip like this, it makes more sense to prebook instead of winging it.
Don’t Forget About Seasonal and Special Trains
The railway also changes its personality with the season. In fall, the Pumpkin Patch Train combines the ride with a pumpkin for every guest, time at a seasonal pumpkin patch, and activities at the Williams Depot, including a Harvest Maze and beer garden.
In winter, there’s a Polar Express train that turns the railway into a 90-minute nighttime experience inspired by the classic Christmas story. These departures are different from the regular daytime trip to the Grand Canyon, so check the calendar when booking if you’re specifically interested in a seasonal experience.
Steam-powered departures also run on select dates from March through October, with the specific schedule varying each year.
The Shortcut
Pullman class is the cheapest fare and the only one without air conditioning. In Arizona, think about that before you save the $20.
The Mary Colter car (Luxury Dome fare) has the biggest windows on the train, but no kids are allowed in the Luxury Domes at all.
The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel sits across a courtyard from the station, so you pick up your tickets at check-in and walk to the train.
The seasonal Pumpkin Patch and Polar Express trains operate outside of the normal schedule.
