The Grand Canyon seen from Mather Point on the South Rim
Day trip

The Grand Canyon from Flagstaff

The South Rim is about 80 miles north of Flagstaff, an easy day trip by car. Without a car, there's a shuttle from the Amtrak station three times a day, the train from Williams, and guided tours with hotel pickup.

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Plan the drive
Checked November 3, 2026About 80 miles$35 per car

Mather Point, South Rim · Photo: Michael Quinn, National Park Service / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain · Credits

Driving

Three ways to the South Rim

From Heritage Square to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center it's about 88 miles by road. Which way you go depends on where in the park you want to start.

  • Via Valle (the direct way)

    RoadsUS-180 northwest, then AZ-64 north to the South EntranceWhy take itThe usual route to Grand Canyon Village and the visitor center

  • Via Williams

    RoadsI-40 west to Williams, then AZ-64 northWhy take itPairs with Williams and the Grand Canyon Railway; on the interstate most of the way

  • Via Cameron (the scenic loop)

    RoadsUS-89 north to Cameron, then AZ-64 west to the Desert View EntranceWhy take itReaches the eastern South Rim first. Drive in one way and out the other for a loop

Winter roads and chain rules outside the park are on az511.gov or 511.

Park fees

What you pay at the gate

The vehicle fee covers everyone in the car and is good for a week. Visitors who aren't US residents pay an extra $100 each unless they bring a qualifying annual pass such as America the Beautiful.

Private vehicle
$35, good for 7 days
On foot or by bike
$20 per person 16 and over, 7 days
Visitors who aren't US residents
An extra $100 per person 16 and over, unless you have a qualifying annual pass such as America the Beautiful
Payment
Credit or debit card only, no cash
Without a car

The Groome shuttle

Groome runs three shuttles a day from the Flagstaff Amtrak station at 1 E Route 66 to Maswik Lodge in Grand Canyon Village, with stops in Williams and Tusayan. You must reserve. Fares depend on the date and time; the posted starting fares are about $49 online and $52 at the regular rate, plus an $8 park entry charge and a $2 fuel surcharge per person. The total shows at booking, and Groome's phone is 928-350-8466.

Groome shuttle, Flagstaff Amtrak station and Maswik Lodge
TripTripLeaves FlagstaffLeavesArrives at the rimArrivesLeaves the rimReturnsBack in FlagstaffBack
Morning7:45 am9:30 am10:00 am12:00 pm
Midday12:45 pm2:45 pm3:15 pm5:15 pm
Afternoon3:45 pm5:45 pm6:15 pm8:15 pm

The morning shuttle reaches the rim at 9:30 am and the last one leaves at 6:15 pm, which gives you most of a day. The midday and afternoon trips also stop at Flagstaff Pulliam Airport.

Guided tours

Guided day tours

Day tours from Flagstaff pick you up at your hotel and bring you back in the evening. Some include the park fee and lunch, as listed on each tour.

Compare all Grand Canyon tours
Small-Group Grand Canyon Complete Tour
Photo: Ma & Pa Tours via Viator

Ma & Pa Tours

4.9 (2,144 reviews on Viator)

Small-Group Grand Canyon Complete Tour

9 to 11 hours

One long day that takes in the whole drive: the canyon from the East Rim and the South Rim, ancient ruins, lava fields and the volcanoes north of Flagstaff, with a stop at the Cameron Trading Post on the Navajo Nation.

You're picked up at your hotel in Flagstaff or Sedona, so nobody has to drive or find parking at the rim.

  • East Rim and South Rim viewpoints
  • Hotel pickup in Flagstaff
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

From $208.72 on Viator

Check Prices & Availability
Good to know
  • Groups of up to 14
  • Children 8 and under need a car seat or booster (Arizona law)
  • Send your hotel details at least 72 hours before the tour
Small-Group Grand Canyon Day Tour from Flagstaff
Photo: Grand Canyon Adventures via Viator
Lunch and park fees included

Grand Canyon Adventures

5.0 (546 reviews on Viator)

Small-Group Grand Canyon Day Tour from Flagstaff

8 hours

The National Park entrance fee, lunch, snacks and drinks are all in the price, and the group stays small, with no more than 10 people in the van.

The guide drives the whole way and talks you through each viewpoint.

  • Park fees, lunch and drinks included
  • No more than 10 guests
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

From $294 on Viator

Check Prices & Availability
Grand Canyon Railway Train Tickets
Photo: Grand Canyon Railway via Viator
Round trip by train

Grand Canyon Railway

4.6 (998 reviews on Viator)

Grand Canyon Railway Train Tickets

About 8 hours, round trip

This ticket covers the round trip from Williams to the South Rim in coach or first class, with sales tax and the National Park fee included.

The train leaves from the depot in Williams, about 40 minutes' drive west of Flagstaff.

  • National Park fee included
  • Coach or first class
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

From $135.21 on Viator

Check Prices & Availability
Good to know
  • The train leaves from Williams, not Flagstaff
  • Departs 9:30 am, or 8:30 am in November and December
At the rim

Arriving at the South Rim

Most visitors head to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center first, park in Lots 1 to 4 and get around the rim on the free shuttle buses. Coming in via Cameron, you reach Desert View and its watchtower first.

The stone Desert View Watchtower on the canyon rim
The Desert View Watchtower at the east end of the South Rim.Desert View, Grand Canyon · Photo: DXR / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Open
The South Rim is open all year
Visitor center (fall hours)
Daily, 9 am to 4 pm, at 8 South Entrance Road
Parking
Lots 1 to 4 at the visitor center
Getting around
Free shuttle buses from the visitor center
From the South Entrance
5 more miles to the visitor center
Elevation
About 7,000 ft along the rim
In winter
Roads can close for a while during plowing, and you can meet snow, ice and poor visibility. Road status: 928-638-7496
Where to stay

Closer to the canyon: Williams and Valle

Flagstaff has the most hotels and restaurants. If you want to be at the rim early, Williams and Valle are on the way, and the train leaves from Williams.

  1. Grand Canyon Railway HotelPhoto: Expedia

    1 / 7

    Photos: ExpediaCheck prices on Expedia

    Best for the trainDowntown Williams 9.2/10 on Expedia

    Grand Canyon Railway Hotel

    Free parkingNo petsBreakfast extra

    Next to the Williams depot, where the train to the South Rim leaves every morning, and about 59 miles from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center by car.

    • Good for Train days to the Grand Canyon
    • Good for Families: indoor pool, arcade and playground
    • Skip if You travel with a pet

    Check prices on Expedia Photos, rules and fees

  • The Historic Grand Canyon HotelDowntown Williams 9.6/10 on Expedia · 655 reviewsFree parkingNo petsBreakfast includedCheck prices
  • Best Western Plus Inn Of WilliamsWilliams, edge of town 9.6/10 on Expedia · 1,038 reviewsPets: dogs and cats, up to 2Breakfast includedCheck prices
  • The Outpost Grand CanyonValle 9.6/10 on Expedia · 129 reviewsFree parkingPets: pets allowedCheck prices

Where to stay in Flagstaff

Quick answers

How far is Flagstaff from the Grand Canyon?

About 80 miles to the South Rim. To the Grand Canyon Visitor Center it's about 88 miles by road from downtown Flagstaff, just under two hours without traffic.

How do you get from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon?

Drive US-180 and AZ-64 via Valle, take the Groome shuttle from the Flagstaff Amtrak station, join a guided day tour with hotel pickup, or drive to Williams and ride the Grand Canyon Railway.

Is there a train from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon?

Not from Flagstaff itself. The Grand Canyon Railway leaves from Williams, west of Flagstaff, and runs to the South Rim and back in about 8 hours.

Is the Grand Canyon open in winter?

Yes, the South Rim is open all year. Roads in the park can close for a while during snow plowing, so call 928-638-7496 for road status.

How much does it cost to get into the Grand Canyon?

$35 per private vehicle for 7 days, or $20 per person on foot or by bike. Visitors who aren't US residents pay an extra $100 per person 16 and over unless they have a qualifying annual pass. Card only.

Is Flagstaff close to the Grand Canyon?

It's the nearest larger town to the South Rim with a big choice of hotels, about 80 miles away. Williams and Valle are closer, with fewer places to stay.