The excitement begins at the historic 1908 Williams Depot. Before the train departs you will be entertained by a Wild West shootout featuring the Cataract Creek Gang in an outdoor theater. Shop in one of two gift shops, or enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast (not included) before departure at the Grand Depot Cafe next to the depot.
Then, hear the train whistle pierce the fresh morning air, beckoning passengers for a trip on the old iron horse to the Grand Canyon. Uniformed coach attendants provide you with white-gloved courtesy and service. Aboard the train, enjoy the tunes of strolling musicians who conduct sing-a-longs, an Old West train robbery, and the antics of western characters as they recreate train travel as it was back in 1901.
The train arrives at the historic 1910 Grand Canyon Depot, the only remaining log depot still in operation in the United States. Buildings like the El Tovar Hotel, Hopi House and Bright Angel Lodge salute arriving guests as you pull into the station and disembark from the train. A narrated motorcoach rim tour of the Grand Canyon National Park can be added and enhances your visit by escorting you to the most scenic overlooks of the canyon. Upgrade to include a hot buffet lunch!
• Coach Class - Budd Coach, named after famous Budd Manufacturing Company, are streamline era coaches built in the 1950's and are air-conditioned and heated in the cooler months. Soft drinks and bottled water are available for purchase on board.
• First Class - Enjoy the opulence of oversized, reclining seats with extra-large viewing windows and at-seat cocktail service (no host bar) aboard First Class. Cars are air-conditioned and you can help yourself to complimentary morning refreshments of fresh fruits, pastries, juices, teas and coffee. Enjoy snacks from the buffet on the afternoon trip.Please note: adult prices include a USD15 National Park Fee.
See Availability.
Grand Canyon Railway Depot, 280 N Grand Canyon Blvd, Williams, AZ 86046, USA
8 hours(approx.)
Returns to original departure point
Infants must sit on laps
The train can accommodate a motorized scooter if it is no wider than 25 inches. There is a special lift to lift the scooter onto the train.
Please note: Arizona doesn't observe Day Light Savings and switches between MST (Mountain Standard Time) and PST (Pacific Standard Time) depending on the season.
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Most travelers can participate
Post COVID-19 Safety Updates - We politely request that you refrain from taking this tour should you start displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or if you are at a high risk of contracting the disease. Please ensure 1 person per group wait in line for ticket exchange. Face masks will be highly recommended. Social distancing will be practiced on train platform and on the train. Seating on board the train will be limited to maximize social distancing, and guests will be asked to promptly take their seat keeping aisles clear and to remain seated except to use restrooms.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 150 travelers
Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 3 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Posted By : jeanena
What a fantastic day we had!!! we really enjoyed our trip on the Grand Canyon Railroad, and the western show before the train left… definitely worth doing.
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Posted On : 2024-05-02
Posted By : 846jennah
We enjoyed our time round trip in the observation dome. I would highly recommend booking a bus tour in the package as it is a great way to see different stops at the canyon in the short amount of time you get at there. We would have loved some overhead narration or light music through the speakers as at times our train guide was a little much and too frequent. The violinist was fantastic and funny and had the whole car singing and clapping. The rock guitarist we could have done without. It did not fit the train ride and we got tired of hearing about his partying and rock lifestyle. The bandits were a fantastic touch. Overall facilities of the train station were great! Everything was perfect about the Fred Harvey restaurant except the food. Fred Harvey would be rolling in his grave. If there was one thing we could change would be to speed up the train to take off 15-20 minutes each way. We would do this experience again if the opportunity arises.
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Posted On : 2024-04-29
Posted By : gailhathaway5
Highly recommend it. Everything is very well planned out and on time. Snacks and refreshments on board. The staff on the train are wonderful and attentive. The train robbers was a great highlight. But most of all Tyrel a lovely lady who worked the train fascinated us with her knowledge of the history and is one of greatest storytellers. We couldve stayed on the train and simply listened to her all day long.
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Posted On : 2024-04-26
Posted By : 454eileeng
Started off from the train depot raining, snow and sleet. Thought this is not going to go so well but, by the time we reached the Grand Canyon, we had a break in the weather. We had lunch at the lodge then Michael guided us on a bus tour with stops to view the canyon from different points along the rim. Our train guide Mary Ellen on the train ride up and back was absolutely the best. El Tovar was beautiful and the Hopi House was so amazingly authentic. I would highly recommend this tour. Thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
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Posted On : 2024-04-25
Posted By : Karen_M
The train ride,..with the the bus tour is highly recommended, especially for seniors,. or others with limited hiking abilities!
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Posted On : 2024-04-23
Posted By : 198wernerr
This AAA rail/lodging/tour package was a GREAT deal and best way to see the Grand Canyon. Our rail car hostess, Noel, was beyond fantastic in the PARLOR CAR, which was one option offered on the train part. The Harvey hotel at beginning and end of the package was extremely well coordinated and they are the ones doing all the logistics for this entire package. They facilitated everything to perfection!!!
The Maswik lodge, which is an option if you prefer to stay overnight in the park, is a two star PARK LODGE; not a Marriott hotel. But for one or two nights most adequate. And, remember, inside national parks you have very few options! Overall, this package deal was excellent!!!
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Posted On : 2024-04-12
Posted By : ru_rowdy
We booked a package that included the Grand Canyon Railroad Hotel and train combination. We did not add the meals and bus tour. My husband and I booked the luxury parlor level for our CG train trip. We went up and back in the same day.
The train ride was really fun and a bucket list item for us. Passengers in these cars need to be age 12 and up if you plan to book. Our hostess with the mostess was Jenny. She's a dynamo and handled 2 luxury cars due to staffing shortages. She genuinely loves her job, and it shows. Her personality made the trip fabulously fun. There is also some live entertainment while you travel. There were traveling musicians and actors portraying cowboys, robbers, and a U.S. Marshall in pursuit. Please have extra tip money because gratuities are not included in your package. You'll want to tip your train attendants, musicians, and other entertainment.
The whole logistics of the train ride were easy to follow, and you are well prepared. Ensure you are prepared for the Grand Canyon weather. We went during late March when the weather was wild and unpredictable. We had our winter coats with us and were very glad. Wind speeds were 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph that day. The temperature was in the 50s, but the varying cloud cover and winds made it chilly.
The train dumps you off right at the south rim of the GC. We had a great time exploring what we could in our time there. The GC is spectacular.
The train ride back was just as fun!
The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel was a convenient place to sleep for 2 nights. Don't expect a lot of amenities. There aren't many. If you want convenience, book here. If you want amenities, don't. Most rooms don't have refrigerators or microwaves. This is extra. There is no included breakfast or free coffee bar area. To be honest, there is plenty of lodging within a short walking distance of the train. Do your research and decide what you really want in lodging. Our room was clean and comfortable. There are plenty of eateries in Williams. Just plan accordingly for time.
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Posted On : 2024-04-06
Posted By : Kimberly_C
Had a very nice time taking a leisurely train ride to the Grand Canyon. Then having a guided bus tour to a few spots and being able to get some nice shots of the canyon. On the train ride back we had the pleasure of being "robbed" by bandits. We openly hid money for them to "steal". Met some nice people on the train and laughed a lot. It was a very nice and memorable day.
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Posted On : 2024-03-31
Posted By : Susan U
Had "Jenny" on our train. She was the best & that day had to do our train plus the one in front of us. She was hopping! The trip was very informative & relaxing. We were entertained by guitar players on the way there & back. The lunch was delicious! And the bus ride to the south rim was informative also. We had "Mandy" driving the bus and she was great too. Next time we would stay overnight & take the train back the next day, when we have more time.
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Posted On : 2024-03-24
Posted By : JimMozellII
We've visited the Grand Canyon before but this was a first for us. We enjoy train trips so this was a no brainer for us when we decided to do something different. We stayed two nights at the Grand Canyon Railroad Hotel and one night at the Canyon itself. What was so special about that was we didn't have to personally lug our luggage along with us when we traveled to the Grand Canyon by Train. We left our baggage at the hotel lobby in Williams and it was in our room at the Grand Canyon when we got there! Same thing on the return trip to Williams the next day.
There's a Cowboy show on the morning before you leave for the Canyon. Enjoyable and comedic to say the least.
The train trip is approximately 2.5 hours both ways. Each car has a dedicated guide and there was entertainment moving from car to car during the trip. The guides were informative and really knew their stuff.
Surprisingly, the bus tour (included in our package) at the Canyon was also quite informative and although we had visited the Canyon a couple of years earlier, this tour took us to a different part of the Canyon which made it even more enjoyable.
The accommodations at the Canyon were somewhat austere but the room was both clean and comfortable. That's all you can ask for. Transportation around the area was either by shuttle bus or taxi and the taxi rates were VERY reasonable.
The return train to Williams leaves at 2:30 in the afternoon so on the day of your return, if you stayed over night, is all on your own. Just make sure youre at the station for the 2:30 departure. Don't show up at 2:31 because you'll be waving good bye to the train! :)
One more thing: our dinner and breakfast meals at Williams were included in the price. That's not the case for your dinner and breakfast the next morning if you stay overnight.
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Posted On : 2024-03-13
