Grand Canyon Without a Car

Did you know it’s entirely possible to experience the wonders of the Grand Canyon without needing to drive a car? Not only is it a feasible option, but it also offers a unique way to adventure to the Grand Canyon while minimizing your impact on this national park.

By opting for car-free travel, you’re not just on an adventure – you’re also making a positive choice to contribute to the preservation of our natural environments. With each mile spared from individual driving, you’re reducing wear and tear on crucial infrastructure, mitigating the risk of wildlife roadkill, and alleviating the strain on parking facilities at the Grand Canyon, which often become overwhelmed by midday. Given the significance of the national park’s role in protecting and promoting ecological diversity, it’s imperative that we consider sustainable alternatives to minimize our impact and hopefully encourage more transit options to our parks!

Curious to explore how you can traverse to this iconic landmark without relying on a car? Let’s delve into the various transportation options and tips that make car-free travel to the Grand Canyon not only possible.

Where do I start my adventure to the Grand Canyon?

Getting to the Grand Canyon will depend on where you are coming from. For most people, it all begins at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, Arizona. This airport serves as the main hub for travelers heading to the South Rim, which is our primary destination in this guide. It’s the go-to option for the majority of visitors making their way to the Grand Canyon.

But there are other options worth exploring. If you happen to live near Amtrak’s Southwest Chief route, you’ve got an additional route to reach the Grand Canyon without the need to fly into Phoenix. I’ll walk you through a couple of different routes, including some price comparisons. Flagstaff will be the key connecting city for transfers before venturing onward to the Grand Canyon.

Phoenix to Flagstaff

If you are coming from out of state and landing at Sky Harbor International Airport or living in the Phoenix area, you will have to head over to the 44th Street Sky Train Station. This is where we will pick up a FlixBus to Flagstaff for the first part of the trip. The FlixBus pick is located on the north side of the station and will have a bus sign along the curb indicating the pick.

Coming from the Airport

Getting to the 44th Street Sky Train Station is very easy. You will be landing at either terminal 3 or terminal 4. Once you have landed, you will want to follow signs for PHX SkyTrain. The automated train is free and runs about every 5 minutes. You will want to make sure you are headed towards the 44th Street Station. Once you are off, you head two levels down to the ground level and exit towards the atrium to catch the FlixBus on the north side of the station.

Coming from the Phoenix area

Valley Metro, the region’s transportation provider, has multiple ways to get here using transit. Tickets for the system are $2 for one-way or $4 all day. There are a few routes that you can take to get here without having to make a transfer.

Bus routes 1, 32, and 44 will get you to the FlixBus pick-up. Buses 1 & 32 will be a short walk south from the bus stop, and route 44 will go to the station since it is the end of the line for the route.

The Light Rail will be accessible from 44th Street & Washington. To get to the pick-up, it will require you to go over the sky bridge to cross Washington and go back down to get to the atrium where FlixBus picks up. The light rail does connect to Tempe and Mesa; however, the light rail station at University & Rural in Tempe has a FlixBus pick-up. You can catch the FlixBus from University & Rural at the bus bay on the south side of E Tyler St. and east of the Parking Structure. It will head to 44th Street Sky Train as the next stop if you pick it up from University & Rural.

If you are not along any of these routes, you will have to make a transfer. You can check Valley Metro service map or app to learn which route is near you if you live in the Phoenix area. There is also bicycle parking at 44th Street Sky Train Station; they are not responsible for any bikes being stolen and can only stay locked to the racks for up to 5 days.

FlixBus

When you are getting your ticket from FlixBus, make sure you are getting a FlixBus and not a Greyhound. FlixBus owns Greyhound and on their ticket sales will also sell Greyhound tickets. The Greyhound has a different pick and drop off and takes longer due to having more stops. You want to make sure the drop-off is Flagstaff Train Station. Ticket prices start around $28.98 after service fees for a one-way trip from Phoenix to Flagstaff or starting at $53.97 for a round trip.

Prices get higher as seats start filling, but if you book a few days ahead of time, you should be closer to the $50-$60 range for a round trip. You are able to have a carry-on bag and a stored bag included with your ticket. The FlixBus will drop you off at the west side of Flagstaff’s Train Station.

You can get tickets from FlixBus.

Trip Details for Phoenix to Flagstaff

• Round Trip Cost: $60
• Round Trip Miles: 300 miles
• Travel Time One-Way: 2:10 hrs

Tucson To Flagstaff

If you are coming from Tucson and would like to get to the Grand Canyon without a car, you will use the same FlixBus route that takes you to Flagstaff. You will have to make sure you are catching the direct FlixBus when you are booking and that it will bring you to the Flagstaff Train Station. Tickets from Tucson to Flagstaff start at $37.98 after service fees for one-way. Sun Tran is the transit system that serves Tucson, and you can check their website for service routes to connect to these two FlixBus pickups.

University of Arizona, Tucson (6th Street Garage)

Address: Sixth Street Garage – 1119 E 6th St, 85719 Tucson, AZ
The bus will board in a covered loading zone for buses near the 6th Street parking garage.

Tucson (N Freeway)

Address: Arco/ampm – 802 W Speedway Blvd,, 85745 Tucson, AZ
The pickup for this stop will be at the Arco parking lot off of Speedway Blvd. You will have to go to the northwest corner of the parking lot to board it.

Since the trip follows the same route as the Phoenix one, you will have a stop at Tempe and then the 44th Street Washington Station in Phoenix before heading all the way to Flagstaff.

You can get tickets from FlixBus.

Trip Details for Tucson To Flagstaff

• Round Trip Cost: $80
• Round Trip Miles: 510 miles
• Travel Time One-Way: 4:40 hrs

Flagstaff to Grand Canyon (South Rim)

Flagstaff will be important for two reasons. First, if you want cheaper accommodation, Flagstaff offers more affordable options compared to staying in the Grand Canyon Village. Second, this is where we will catch a Groome shuttle that will take us all the way there. I do recommend spending some time in Flagstaff as well. The community is great, and they have a fun downtown area you can explore. I have a favorite coffee shop called Late For The Train, which is just a few blocks away from the Flagstaff Train Station.

Groome Shuttle

To pick up the Groome shuttle, you will have to go to the east side of the Flagstaff Train Station. If you took a FlixBus that dropped you off at the west side, all you have to do is walk to the other side of the station. When booking your shuttle, make sure you choose Maswik Lodge. It runs three daily departing shuttles each way. If you are interested, you can also catch the Groome shuttle if you want to take the train into the Grand Canyon for the experience. You can take a Groome shuttle to Williams instead, but it will end up costing more and taking longer.

If you book with Amtrak’s Thruway connection, you may end up using Groome shuttle as the service provider.

Here are the Timetables to get from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon:

Here are the Timetables to get from Grand Canyon to Flagstaff:

Head over to Groome to book your shuttle!

Trip Details Groome from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon (South Rim)

• Round Trip Cost: $96
• Round Trip Miles: 160 miles
• Travel Time One-Way: If it doesn’t make any stops along the way it should only take 1:30 hrs

Taking the Train to Grand Canyon

Yes, you can take a train to the Grand Canyon. I want to note that it’s more of an experiential journey than a cost-effective means of transportation if you’re traveling without a car.

Grand Canyon Railway

The Grand Canyon Railway train station is located in Williams, Arizona. There isn’t a direct route to this station; instead, you’ll need a connecting service from Amtrak. The closest Amtrak station is in Flagstaff, requiring a connection from Amtrak’s Thruway service, which may utilizes the Groome shuttle to bring you to Williams. I do recommend if you have kids with you that The Grand Canyon Railway would be a fun experience for them. When you are on the train, they will do a train robbery reenactment while heading there. If you decide you do want to rent a car you can park in Williams and take the train in to reduce your impact at the Grand Canyon.

It runs once a day at 9:30 AM and comes back same day at 3:30 PM. The trip does take a little longer than taking the Groome shuttle directly at around 2 hours and 15 minutes each way. If you are coming from Phoenix or Flagstaff, it will be cheaper and quicker to take the Groome Shuttle directly instead of coming for The Grand Canyon Railway. You would end up having to pay to take a Groome shuttle to Williams anyways, on top of the train ticket. You also have more flexibility with timing with Groome.

You can get tickets at Grand Canyon Railway.

Trip Details via Grand Canyon Railway

• Round Trip Cost: $97.26 Train ticket + $73 Groome shuttle
• Round Trip Miles: 130 miles
• 2:15 hrs One-Way

Amtrak’s Southwest Chief

If you are coming from the Amtrak’s Southwest Chief, the train will make a lot more sense to take in and connect to the Grand Canyon without a car. Flagstaff is served by Amtrak’s Southwest Chief line, which travels from Chicago to Los Angeles, passing through Kansas City, Albuquerque, and ultimately stopping at Flagstaff for Grand Canyon access. You will have to account for accommodation if you are planning to stay there, which will make it a bit more hefty in price. The company the runs The Grand Canyon Railway does offer vacation packages with their train.

Get tickets and learn more about the Southwest Chief at Amtrak.

Trip Details via Amtrak

• Round Trip Cost: From $1,400 Chicago side to $632 on the Los Angeles side and less the closer you are to Flagstaff.
• Round Trip Miles: From 2,735 miles Chicago side to 744 miles on the Los Angeles side
• Travel Time One-Way: About 46+ hours from Chicago and 16+ hours from Los Angeles

Additional Ways

Las Vegas

Las Vegas has a direct route via FlixBus through National Park Express, which will take you from Las Vegas (Treasure Island) to Bright Angel in the Grand Canyon. It departs early in the morning at 5:30 AM and arrives at the Grand Canyon at 12:30 PM. The route includes two stops along the way: Williams, Arizona, at McDonald’s and Canyon Plaza Hotel in Tusayan, Arizona. You could alight at Williams if you intend to catch the train, but you would need to ensure you arrive on time or wait until the next morning. Similarly, you can use the service to reach Grand Canyon West, which will cost about the same.

Trip Details
Round Trip Cost: $193.99
Round Trip Miles: 564 miles
Travel Time One-Way: 7:00 hrs

Shuttle From Flagstaff Airport

Most likely, you will be flying into Phoenix; however, if you are able to fly into Flagstaff’s airport, you have direct transportation from the airport. Groome shuttle will pick up at 6200 S Pulliam Dr, Flagstaff, AZ. If you can find a good deal on a flight to this airport, it will be the easiest and most direct way. It will cost the same as the Groome shuttle from the Amtrak station and will take just a little longer.

Getting Around The Grand Canyon (South Rim)

Once you arrive at the Grand Canyon, specifically the South Rim, there are transit options available!

Ride Free Shuttle Buses

The Grand Canyon operates a free bus service on the South Rim. Some lines operate year-round, while others are seasonal.

Village Route (Blue)

This route operates year-round and travels through the Grand Canyon Village. It connects with Hermits Rest and the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, allowing transfers to other routes. Stops include Maswik Lodge for Groome shuttle passengers and the Train Depot for train passengers.

This route is useful for accessing the supermarket and lodges, as well as connecting to the Visitor Center or Hermits Rest. However, after 11:00 AM, it tends to get crowded, potentially leading to longer wait times.

Kaibab Route (Orange)

The Kaibab route operates year-round and serves trailheads such as South Kaibab Trailhead and scenic viewpoints like Yaki Point and Pipe Creek. It terminates at the Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal, facilitating connections to the Village route for access to Hermits Rest.

Service begins at 6:00 AM and runs until an hour after sunset, with buses operating approximately every 12-15 minutes.

Some destinations along this route are only accessible by shuttle bus, necessitating either hiking or using the bus. Bicycle rentals are available along the Kaibab route, providing an option for a mode of transportation.

Hermits Rest Route (Red)

Hermits Rest is open from March 1 to November 30, during which cars are prohibited, and only buses, hikers, or bicycles are permitted. Temporary closures may occur during summer thunderstorms.

Bus service starts at 8:00 AM and continues until one hour after sunset, with a frequency of every 15 minutes in the morning and every 10 minutes after 11:00 AM.

This route offers access to numerous viewpoints and hiking trails. On the return journey, the bus makes reduced stops, only halting at Hermits Rest, Pima, Mohave, and Powell Points.

Tusayan Route (Purple)

This route is only in service between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If you are staying in Tusayan, which is the gateway community right before Grand Canyon. It serves more as a park and ride. If you are coming to the Grand Canyon car-free, it will be unlikely that you will be using this route, unless you are staying in Tusayan for lodging.

The route start running at 8:00 AM and will run every 20 minutes until 9:30 PM.

While the shuttle aims to bypass entrance wait lines, passengers must still pay an entrance fee and have a valid pass before boarding. Passes are available for purchase at various locations near the shuttle stops, including the National Geographic Visitors Center, Canyon Plaza Resorts, Pink Jeep Tour, Red Feather Lodge, and West Wind Air Service.

Hikers’ Express

This shuttle is specifically for hikers staying at the Grand Canyon Village. It operates early in the morning, transporting hikers to the South Kaibab Trailhead for one-way trips. Although there is no return service, hikers can rely on other shuttle buses once they finish their hike. Departure times vary depending on the season.

Departs Bright Angel Lodge
Second stop: Backcountry Information Center
Third stop: Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal
Arrival at South Kaibab Trailhead

The shuttle offers two morning pickups, ranging from 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM, depending on the season.

For additional information about the shuttle bus check out the National Parks Services website.

Bicycle Rental

You can get around by bicycle, and if you don’t feel like bringing your bike on your car-free journey, you can always rent one! Bright Angel Bicycle is located right by the Visitors Center and offers bicycle and equipment rentals. They recommend reserving online if possible, but walk-ups are also accepted.

Here is everything you can rent from them!

• Cruiser Bicycle
• eBikes
• Bike Trailers
• Tag-Alongs
• Single & Double Strollers
• Wheelchairs
• Tricycle
• Tandem
• Backpack and other equipment

Ride the Grand Canyon Greenway

The Greenway Trail system at the Grand Canyon is a fantastic way to experience the park’s natural beauty with minimal environmental impact on a bike. This network of paved and unpaved trails provides visitors with a more intimate encounter with the area, away from the congestion of the main viewpoints and thoroughfares.

Spanning over 13 miles, the Greenway Trails connect key points of interest, such as the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Yavapai Point, and the South Kaibab Trailhead. The trails are perfect for cycling or walking and prohibit cars on them. I recommend taking your bicycle rental along these routes.

Click here to learn more about Grand Canyon Greenway and for additional bicycle information.

Check how my video for a visual on how to get there!

Transit to Grand Canyon ending thoughts

I hope this guide sparks some fresh perspectives on accessing the Grand Canyon and our national parks as a whole! Even small adjustments, like cutting down on our individual driving miles, can have a meaningful impact on preserving these natural treasures. While the ideal scenario would be direct transit access directly to the parks, utilizing park-and-ride options like the Williams and then hopping on a train can still significantly reduce our impact.

Sure, it would be great if getting to Williams were easier, but raising awareness about transit-friendly ways to connect with nature is crucial. The more people understand how transit can enhance access to our natural wonders, the more opportunities there are for improvement.

By the way, the National Park Service has this fantastic Toolkit on managing congestion in parks. It’s worth a look! They delve into the concept of parking-induced demand and how expanding parking capacity can actually worsen congestion. Providing feedback to the parks about our desire for more transit options can also make a difference in the long run.

Thank you for reading and if you like trains, check out a recent blog about Amtrak’s Auto-Train!