How to see the Grand Canyon by train

The Grand Canyon Railroad, which runs daily from Williams to the Grand Canyon, is a less common mode of transportation to see the national park. My parents and I take the train instead of driving, and I see it as an adventure. They took me on the train during the winter when it magically turned into the Polar Express. When I was 6 years old, I was filled with wonder when we got to the North Pole and Santa came on the train to give me little presents. The Grand Canyon Railroad still continues this Christmas tradition.

The first passengers traveled on the Grand Canyon Train in 1901, and the train became the most innovative way to travel to the Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon Village has had various purposes over the years, including transporting supplies to build restaurants, hotels, and shops. The railroad had ties to local loggers and ranchers.

The train departs Williams daily (except Christmas) at 9:30 a.m. and arrives at the canyon’s South Rim at 11:45 a.m., allowing visitors to see the canyon and exhibits for three hours before departure. 45 pm In November and December, the schedule moves one hour earlier.

It’s unique because it allows you to relax on the trip and take in parts of Arizona beyond the Sonoran Desert, like the high desert, prairies, and pine forests. Also, by taking the train to the historic site, tourists will move approximately 50,000 cars away from the canyon.

Here’s what you need to know to plan your own Grand Canyon rail trip.

The Grand Canyon Railway is divided into six car sections. From the Pullman Room (from $67 for adults, $32 for children), with bench-style seating and windows that open to let in the fresh air, to the luxury parlor with sofas, carpeted floors, a private bar, and a bar in the Old West ($226; no children allowed) to make you feel like a baron. It does.

If you choose to spend the night near the Grand Canyon, the railroad makes it easy to combine hotels and trains into discount packages. Some include a night in a hotel far from the rim. If you want to take planning out of the equation, come up with an itinerary.

The train depot in Williams is easy to navigate with a ticket office and gift and coffee shops. Since I was traveling in winter, I waited for the train in the warmth of the house with a hot cup of coffee. There is a Wild West shooting show before the train ride which I decided would be fun for kids and families.

Before taking off at 9:30 am, he whistled that it was time to board. There were plenty of staff to help me find which train car I was on; I was in coach on the way to the Grand Canyon, but I was riding in a luxury dome. The coach class consisted mostly of families looking for the best value. The seat is narrow, but manageable. Meanwhile, the returning luxury dome was all adults. The seating area was spacious with large padded chairs and a small table near the window.

The train car attendants appear at the front of the train to provide important information such as where the bathrooms are and how long the journey will be. The conductors and attendants are an important part of the train as they not only provide useful information during the ride, but also point out wildlife and share stories about the train and the Grand Canyon. The ride itself is smooth with scenery shifting views throughout the two hour journey.

Different car classes offer different experiences, such as additional snacks and drinks available for purchase along with alcoholic beverages in luxury cars. The Observation Dome had a champagne toast on the way back to Williams. I also bought a signature cocktail.

One of the benefits of being in one of the luxury cars is that you can move between different cars if you want to stretch your legs. You can also climb out onto the platform at the end of the moving train to watch the view as it passes you by. It’s definitely a lot of fun, even though I almost drop my phone while taking pictures.

There is entertainment on the train ride, including singing cowboys, state marshals and “outlaws.” Cliff Hall, who played the state marshal, said, “I think so [the train] It’s great because you get to meet people from all over the country and out of the country. You’ve got El Salvador from Alberta, England, on this little train.

Curious about what international visitors think of the Grand Canyon Railway, I asked British traveler Sarah Morton what inspired her and her partner to take the train.

“I was looking for good ways to do the Grand Canyon and the Grand Canyon Railroad came up. I loved the idea of ​​traveling the old ways. Morton said.

Where to go from the train

I rode the Grand Canyon train in February so there was a lot of snow in the Grand Canyon and Williams. Once near the park, it’s a direct route to the Grand Canyon, dropping off hikers a three-minute walk from the canyon’s South Rim.

After the train reaches its destination, there is a three-hour stop at Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. This is enough time to explore the shops, restaurants, lodges and sights around the village. There are bus routes, but I recommend staying in the area as there is plenty to do. The hiking trail in the village follows the rim of the Grand Canyon so you can see a variety of views while exploring. Some highlights include the Hopi House, a shop that sells gifts made by indigenous people; Bright Angel Lodge; and Lookout Studio, which offers one of the best views of the South Rim.

Sarah Chavera Edwards is a writer based in Phoenix. You can follow her on Twitter: @chaveraedwards.