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How to Get to the Grand Canyon:

Depending on whether you have a car, or have the ability to rent a car, getting to the Grand Canyon can be cheap, or fairly expensive. This article explains some of the transportation options available. Of course, we would love it if you took one of our camping tours (which include transportation), but we know that different people like different things, and camping is not for everybody! So here are some options:


Grand Canyon by Public Transport:

If you do NOT have a car and plan on making a trip to the Grand Canyon on your own, there a few different shuttle buses that run to and from the Grand Canyon. They generally depart from Flagstaff or Williams. Once you arrive in the National Park, there is a free shuttle bus service that will take you to many (but not all) of the viewpoints.

Following are some links to shuttle bus companies. Flagstaff and Williams are fairly close to the South Rim in Arizona, and can be reached by Greyhound Bus and Amtrak Train. Public transportation to the North Rim is only available from the South Rim.



To the South Rim from Flagstaff or Williams: To the North Rim from the South Rim:

Advantages:
  • Cheapest option for someone unable to rent or operate a car in the U.S.
  • Ability to sit back and watch the scenery since you're not driving.
Disadvantages:
  • You won't know the best things to see or where to see them.
  • The shuttle buses don't allow for much time spent at the canyon.
  • You probably won't learn much about the area on your own.


Grand Canyon by Car:

If you have a car and plan on a trip to the Grand Canyon on your own, simply drive to one of the entrances, pay the $25 entrance fee, and drive to the different viewpoints.

If you intend to rent a car, there are many car rental companies in Flagstaff (where we are based). A few (but probably not all) are listed below: Following are driving directions from a few popular locations to the various Grand Canyon entrances. Please note that the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is closed from mid-November to mid-May due to heavy snowfall. This list does not include driving directions to Grand Canyon West, which is not officially part of Grand Canyon National Park.

Flagstaff, AZ - 81 miles / 130 kilometers:
  • Take Highway 180 west to Highway 64.
  • Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.
Phoenix, AZ - 231 miles / 372 kilometers:
  • Take I-17 north to I-40.
  • Take I-40 west to Highway 64.
  • Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.
Sedona, AZ - 119 miles / 192 kilometers:
  • Take Highway 89Alt to I-40.
  • Take I-40 west to Highway 64.
  • Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.
Williams, AZ - 63 miles / 101 kilometers:
  • Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.
Las Vegas, NV - 278 miles / 447 kilometers:
  • Take Highway 93 south to I-40.
  • Take I-40 east to Highway 64.
  • Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.
Los Angeles, CA - 494 miles / 795 kilometers:
  • Take I-15 east to I-40.
  • Take I-40 east to Highway 64.
  • Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.
Salt Lake City, UT - 510 miles / 821 kilometers:
  • Take I-15 south to Highway 14.
  • Take Highway 14 east to Highway 89.
  • Take Highway 89 south to Highway 89Alt.
  • Take Highway 89Alt east to Highway 89.
  • Take Highway 89 south to Highway 64.
  • Take Highway 64 west to the East Entrance on the South Rim - known as Desert View.
Denver, CO - 859 miles / 1382 kilometers:
  • Take I-25 south to I-40.
  • Take I-40 west to Highway 64.
  • Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.
Albuquerque, NM - 412 miles / 663 kilometers
  • Take I-40 west to Highway 64.
  • Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.


Advantages:
  • Cheapest option, especially when sharing fuel/entrance costs.
  • Ability to do what you want, when you want.
Disadvantages:
  • You won't know the best things to see or where to see them.
  • Its difficult to watch the scenery while driving.
  • You probably won't learn much about the area on your own.


Hitch Hiker