Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel

Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel: Historic Train to the Grand Canyon from Williams

Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel is a tour operator based in Williams, Arizona, that has been carrying passengers to the Grand Canyon since 1901. Its offering combines a train journey with restored rolling stock, its own lodging, and vacation packages that include stays inside the national park. The company is part of Xanterra Travel Collection.

A Daily Journey with More Than a Century of History

The train departs daily from Williams, Arizona, and covers the route to the Grand Canyon. Departure is at 9:30 a.m. (Mountain Time) and return to Williams at 5:45 p.m.; in November and December the schedule moves earlier, with departure at 8:30 a.m. and return at 4:45 p.m. Arrival at the canyon is at 11:45 a.m. and departure from Grand Canyon Depot is at 3:30 p.m., leaving more than three hours to explore the South Rim. The train drops passengers off in the Historic Village on the South Rim.

The journey is made in restored cars and the experience includes live western music and costumed cowboy characters. Before departure, a Wild West shootout is staged, and during the trip passengers can witness bandit scenes. The landscape changes along the route, from high desert to prairie and pine forests.

Classes of Service and Private Charters

The company offers six distinct classes of train service, each with restored cars and its own features. It also makes private cars available for charters: the client chooses the car or cars and has the entire space for their group.

Lodging: Hotel, RV Park, and In-Park Lodge

The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel has 298 rooms and is rated Three Diamond by AAA. It is located next to the train station and within walking distance of downtown Williams and Route 66. It features an indoor pool.

Next to the train depot is the Grand Canyon Railway RV Park, with 124 sites, also within walking distance of downtown and Route 66. The offering is completed by Maswik Lodge, lodging located inside Grand Canyon National Park.

The Historic Williams Depot

Williams Depot, built in 1908, has dispatched trains for more than a century and serves as an attraction in itself. It currently houses the ticket office, a shop, and a café.

Dining and Seasonal Events

The complex includes The Fred Harvey restaurant and Spenser's Pub. Seasonal offerings include the Pumpkin Patch Train, the Polar Express — with winter departures and 2026 dates already available — and steam train days, with the next-to-last 2026 date announced for October 3. The company also sells packages with discounts for AAA and AARP members, and promotions such as free lodging and travel for children.

Location and Access

Williams, Arizona, is located along Interstate 40, about 30 minutes west of Flagstaff, and Route 66 runs through its downtown. The city is about three hours from Phoenix and Las Vegas. The company offers planning resources for those arriving by RV or taking road trips, including Route 66.

Location and Contact

233 N. Grand Canyon Blvd. Williams, AZ 86046