What is the train ride like? The Grand Canyon Railway is more that a ride, it's a trip back in time. The train ride is a little over 2 hours of breathtaking landscape and arrives in the heart of the Grand Canyon where you'll have more than three hours to explore the sights and scenes. Be sure to check out the amenities offered in each of the classes of service on our Rail-only or Packages pages.
When is the best time to see the Grand Canyon? Spring and Fall are great times to come to the Grand Canyon to avoid the crowds.
Are reservations required ? Yes, as trains and packages often book up weeks and sometimes months in advance.
What discounts are offered on rail-only and/or hotel reservations? AAA and AARP members receive 10% off rail and hotel reservations. Discounts do not apply to packages, as they are already heavily discounted.
How much is the national park entry fee? The fee is $8 per person. However, if you're riding with a small group of 3 adults or More, the fee is $20. Kids, age 16 and under are free.
Do I need to pay the national park entry fee if I have a national park pass? No, but you must provide us with the pass # at time of your booking or when you pick up your travel documents from the train station or hotel.
How long does the train trip last and how far is it one-way? The train runs 65 miles from Williams to the Grand Canyon which takes approximately 2 hours 15 minutes one-way.
Do you sell one-way tickets? No, all trips are booked round-trip.
What credit cards does Grand Canyon Railway accept? Grand Canyon Railway accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover.
Can we upgrade to a different class of service for the southbound trip? Yes. This offers a great way to experience the train in a different way. If booking online, add your request in "comments" or
email us your request.
What wildlife might I see during the journey? The wildlife most frequently spotted during Grand Canyon Railway’s journey include: elk (mainly in the treed areas), mule deer (sighted in the woodlands), pronghorn which are commonly referred to as antelope (seen out on the high desert plains), and prairie dogs. For those with extremely sharp eyes, watch for jack rabbits, coyote, skunks, mountain lions, bobcat, red-tailed hawk, turkey, roadrunners and bald eagles.
We are thinking about a winter excursion. Are the train cars heated? Yes, all cars are heated in the winter.
Are animals allowed on the train or at the hotel? USDA regulations prohibit the transport of live animals on the train. Service dogs are always welcome when accompanied by their masters. Animals are not allowed at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel either.
Does Grand Canyon Railway's steam engine burn coal or oil? All our steam locomotives were designed to run on coal, but have been modified to burn oil, a cleaner and more efficient fuel source.
What is the maximum speed Grand Canyon Railway travels? Grand Canyon Railway travels the century-old rail line at 40 miles per hour. This is for our passengers' safety and due to the grades and curves our train must maneuver through to arrive at Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon line has grades up to three percent and 12 degree curves.
Is the Grand Canyon line a narrow gauge or standard track? The line is standard gauge and measures 56.5 inches.
Who owns the land the train travels across? Grand Canyon Railway owns a significant portion of the 65 miles of track and operates on a right-of-way through U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service land.
Why arn’t steam engines run year-round? Steam engines run Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day and vintage diesel locomotives run the remainder of the year. During the winter months, the antique steam engines receive maintenance and are winterized allowing them a much-needed rest from the daily wear and tear of running 130 miles per day. Both the steam engines and diesel locomotives were utilized on the Grand Canyon line. Steam engines ran on the line from 1901 to 1953 and diesel locomotives from 1951 to 1974. (The last passenger train ran on the line in 1968.)
How does Grand Canyon Railway turn the train around at the Grand Canyon? We utilize a wye located in Grand Canyon National Park. A wye is a triangle made out of tracks which allows the entire train, including the engine, to turn 180 degrees. After passengers disembark, the steam locomotive and diesel engines receive an inspection and are filled with water. The steam engine receives water in its boiler for motive power and the diesel engines receive water which in turn, provides steam heat for the train. (Grand Canyon Railway hauls its own water to the Grand Canyon from Williams and doesn't tap into the limited water resources at the Grand Canyon.)
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