Skip to content
BusinessesGrow
Grand Canyon Railway, Williams, AZ

Photo: Jerry Huddleston, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

ToursIconicFamily FavoriteHistory Buff

Grand Canyon Railway

233 N Grand Canyon Blvd · Williams, AZ

Why you should go…

The Grand Canyon Railway has carried passengers from Williams to the South Rim since 1901, and the restored line made its first run in 1989. The trip covers 64 miles each way and leaves you more than three hours at the canyon before the return. Musicians and cowboy characters work the cars, and a Wild West shootout plays out before departure. You choose among six classes of service, from 1923-style Pullman cars with windows that open to glass-domed cars.

  • #scenic train
  • #grand canyon
  • #vintage railway
  • #day trip

Good to know

General tours guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Confirm the meeting point

    It is often a corner, a lobby, or a dock rather than the address you searched for. Check it the night before.

  • Small groups fill first

    In high season the intimate departures sell out well before the big-bus options do.

  • Ask how much is on foot

    Knowing how much of the route is walking, standing, or outdoors tells you what to wear and carry.

  • Read the weather policy

    Cancellation windows and rain rules vary by operator, and they are easier to find before you pay than after.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Grand Canyon Railway, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Grand Canyon UTV Tours

    $50+

    Guided UTV off-road tours from Williams to the Grand Canyon, plus a companion Route 66 sightseeing tour.

    0.4 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Family Favorite

    Canyon Coaster Adventure Park

    $25–$50

    A mountain coaster and tubing park built into a cliffside near Williams, Arizona.

    0.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Bearizona Wildlife Park

    $25–$50

    Drive-through wildlife park near Williams, Arizona with North American animals in natural habitats.

    2.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Raptor Ranch

    Under $25

    Birds of prey park near the Grand Canyon with daily raptor flight demonstrations and RV camping.

    28 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Grand Canyon Adventures

    $50+

    A Flagstaff-based tour operator running guided day trips to the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Sedona.

    30 mi awayMore like this

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Apex Air Tours

    $50+

    Jet-powered helicopter tours over Sedona's red rock canyons, departing from Sedona Airport.

    36 mi awayMore like this