All Aboard the Grand Canyon Railway!
Welcome to our insider’s guide to the Grand Canyon Railway, where, for over a century, this historic train has transported passengers to the breathtaking South Rim, offering a journey rich in adventure, history, and culture. Enhance your experience by staying at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, offering 298 rooms, an indoor saltwater pool and hot tub, complimentary Wi-Fi, and diverse dining options including the Fred Harvey Restaurant and Spenser’s Pub. Explore unique train-themed merchandise at the on-site gift shops. For a comprehensive getaway, consider vacation packages that combine hotel accommodations, train travel, meals, and tours, providing exceptional value for one to four-night stays in Williams and the Grand Canyon. Let our insider’s guide assist you in planning an unforgettable adventure.
Insider’s Guide: Grand Canyon Railway Train Tips
Daily Departures
- In our insider’s guide to the Grand Canyon Railway, we recommend booking early to secure the most flexible dates.
- Everyone has an assigned seat, so no need to get there extra early, but of course be on time so you don’t miss the show before the train leaves! (They won’t wait!)
- Arizona is on Mountain Standard time and doesn’t have daylight savings. If you are traveling that morning to Williams, be sure to note the potential time difference so you don’t miss the train!
- Depending on where you are coming from, it might be easier to arrive the night before your scheduled date, especially as traffic can be unpredictable! The train departs daily at 9:30 am (January – October) and 8:30 am (November – December).
- Need a place to stay? They have a hotel with restaurants on the property. See our tips below.
- You only have 3 hours at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, so be sure to plan ahead on what to see and do.
Steam Saturdays
From March through October
In this insider’s guide, the Grand Canyon Railway invites you aboard the nostalgia express on Steam Saturdays! Experience the magic of yesteryears as you travel along the scenic route to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon pulled by a vintage steam-powered locomotive. In addition to the daily departures throughout the year, March kicks off Steam Saturdays and a few other special events. These train rides are on the first Saturday of every month from March through October. Please be aware that only the 9:30 am train will be a steam engine. Below is the 2025 Steam Locomotives schedule, but please visit the website to book and verify any schedule changes:
2025 Steam Train Schedule
March 1, 2025 – First Saturday
March 12, 2025 – Arizona Spring Break
April 5, 2025 – First Saturday
April 22, 2025 – Earth Day
May 3, 2025 – First Saturday
May 24, 2025 – Memorial Day Celebration
June 7, 2025 – First Saturday
July 5, 2025 – First Saturday
August 2, 2025 – First Saturday
August 16, 2025 – Celebration of Steam Engine 4960’s Birthday
August 30, 2025 – Labor Day Celebration
September 6, 2025 – First Saturday
September 20, 2025 – Celebration of Grand Canyon Railway’s Anniversary
October 4, 2025 – First Saturday
*Schedule is subject to change; please visit the Grand Canyon Railway’s website here for the latest schedule.
Insider’s Guide: Grand Canyon Railway’s Polar Express
Insider Tip: Book Early for the Best Dates
Every winter the Grand Canyon Railway’s Polar Express comes to life on a journey from the nighttime wilderness of Williams, Arizona, to the enchanted beauty of “the North Pole”—where Santa Claus and his reindeer are waiting with a keepsake present for every good boy and girl. You’ll be smiling from ear to ear, as you watch children’s faces light up when the train arrives, and enjoy hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies while listening to this timeless story.
This holiday adventure is so popular with visitors and locals that the train sells out quickly. The 2025 Polar Express schedule and dates are already online and available to purchase now!
Insider’s Guide: Grand Canyon Railway Hotel
Our insider’s guide to the Grand Canyon Railway recommends experiencing the luxury of a bygone era at the AAA 3-diamond Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. The 298-room hotel is right next door to the train depot and just a block away from downtown Williams and historic Route 66. With a variety of amenities such as complimentary wi-fi, an indoor pool and hot tub, delicious dining options at Fred Harvey Restaurant and Spenser’s Pub, and ideal location in The Gateway to the Grand Canyon®, the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel is the perfect place to stay before embarking on your grandest of journeys!
Insider Tips for Staying at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel
- Book early for the most flexible dates
- If you plan on riding the train, be sure to check out their Vacation Packages
- The kids will love the indoor pool
- Adults will love the hot tub
- No need to search for food, there are great restaurants on the property
- Easy walk to the Train Depot from the Hotel
- Complimentary WiFi is always a nice touch
Insider’s Guide: Grand Canyon Railway Packages & Deals
Tips on How to Save
The Grand Canyon Railway offers a variety of packages* and deals* that make your journey to the canyon more affordable and convenient. Popular options include the Stay & Save package, which provides train ticket discounts when you book overnight stays at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. Families can enjoy this Spring & Summer Kids Ride & Stay Free 2025 promotion, making it easier to bring the whole family without breaking the budget. For an all-inclusive experience, the Canyon Rails Getaway Package offers savings on train tickets, meals, and even a gift certificate for your trip.
To unlock these deals and gain access to special promotions, sign up for the Grand Canyon Railway’s email offers. Subscribers often receive early access to limited-time offers and exclusive discounts on popular packages. Additionally, booking directly through their website is the best way to find the most current promotions and offers.
Planning ahead is key—early reservations often come with the best rates and ensure availability during peak seasons. With these packages and insider tips, you can enjoy the best of the Grand Canyon Railway while keeping your budget on track.
*These packages and deals are subject to change at any time. Please visit the website for the most accurate offers and deals.
Tracks Through Time: The Grand Canyon Railway’s Rich History
The path this one-of-a-kind railway took to today’s popular service is an interesting one. It was established in the late 1800s as a means of hauling mined ore from Buckey O’Neill’s Anita Mines. But its owner quickly realized that hauling tourists could be lucrative, too, and probably more so. Unfortunately, Buckey was killed in the Spanish American War serving with Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders and never saw the railway’s completion to the Grand Canyon. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway completed the line to the South Rim in 1901. In 1905 the Santa Fe Railway opened El Tovar on the South Rim, which would become one of the great national park lodges. With a deluxe hotel perched on the edge of the spectacular gorge, and a comfortable way to get there, Grand Canyon tourism took off in earnest. Automobile travel had long usurped rail travel by 1968, when the GCR passenger train made its final run. But the service was resurrected in 1989 as an excursion train ferrying visitors along 65 miles of track from Williams, Ariz., to the South Rim. The renewed service pulled out of the Williams depot on Sept. 17, 1989, exactly 88 years after its maiden run.
Xanterra Travel Collection
Xanterra Travel Collection purchased the Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel in 2007 and continues to expand the property and refine the experience. All of the recent property upgrades and renovations have been accomplished with Xanterra’s softer footprint in mind. Two solar projects have been completed to supply hot water and electricity to the property, low flow showers and toilets have been installed, and reclaimed water is used for irrigation to name a few. All of the efforts to improve the products and services would be ineffective without a trained and committed service team. It is the staff of Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel, from the Front Desk staff and the Passenger Service Attendants to the cooks and the mechanics, that really makes the journey special.
