The Grand Canyon Railway's Polar Express leaves Williams Depot on winter evenings at 5:30 and 7:30 pm, with hot chocolate and cookies on board. Williams is about 34 miles west of Flagstaff, and the 2026 and 2027 dates are both out.
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See the datesWilliams Depot · Photo: Grand Canyon Railway / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain · Credits
Each date has a price level. Green is Value, yellow Standard and orange Holiday. Days in grey have no train.
Holiday prices apply on Friday and Saturday evenings from November 20 and every evening from December 18 to 30. Most of early November is at the Value price. The same three prices apply in 2027.
Prices are per person, before tax, for a regular seat in the Pullman coaches. Book with the Grand Canyon Railway.
Before you book: for 2026 bookings made on or after August 10, 2026, you get a full refund up to 14 days before departure and 50% after that, for train tickets and hotel packages.
Value
Adults 16+$64.99Children 2–15$49.99Standard
Adults 16+$74.99Children 2–15$59.99Holiday
Adults 16+$84.99Children 2–15$69.99The train leaves from the depot behind the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. Parking at the hotel is free. With a train-only ticket you arrive about 90 minutes early, and boarding starts 15 minutes before departure.
Hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies are served on board.
Williams Depot is about 34 miles west of downtown Flagstaff on I-40, roughly 40 minutes without traffic. In winter the drive back after the 7:30 train is late, dark and can be icy, and az511.gov shows the road conditions.
A night in Williams saves the late drive back with tired kids. In Flagstaff, the North Pole Experience leaves from Little America on the east side of town.
The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel is next to the depot. These downtown Williams hotels are a short walk away.
Photo: ExpediaBest for the trainDowntown Williams 9.2/10 on Expedia
Free parkingNo petsBreakfast extra
The Polar Express boards behind this hotel and parking is free, so you walk to the train after dinner.
The Historic Grand Canyon HotelDowntown Williams 9.6/10 on Expedia · 655 reviewsFree parkingNo petsBreakfast includedCheck prices
The Ellsworth Hotel, an Ascend Collection HotelDowntown Williams 9.4/10 on Expedia · 526 reviewsFree parkingNo petsBreakfast extraCheck prices
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Williams-Grand Canyon AreaDowntown Williams 9.0/10 on Expedia · 1,418 reviewsFree parkingPets: dogs and cats, up to 2Breakfast includedCheck prices
Rodeway Inn & Suites Williams Downtowner - Rte 66Downtown Williams 9.0/10 on Expedia · 1,003 reviewsFree parkingNo petsBreakfast includedCheck pricesFrom $64.99 for adults (16 and up) and $49.99 for children 2 to 15 on Value dates, up to $84.99 and $69.99 on Holiday dates. Prices are per person before tax.
From November 6, 2026, to January 3, 2027, with departures at 5:30 and 7:30 pm. The calendar above shows every date and its price level.
The 2027 season runs from November 5 to December 30, 2027, at the same three price levels.
About 90 minutes in total, from Williams Depot and back.
No. It leaves from Williams Depot, about 34 miles west of downtown Flagstaff, roughly 40 minutes by car without traffic. Flagstaff's own Christmas trip is the North Pole Experience.
For 2026 reservations booked on or after August 10, 2026, yes: in full up to 14 days before departure, and 50% within the last 14 days. Bookings made earlier keep the terms that applied when you booked.
Both run after dark, so the lights are on either way. The 5:30 pm train gets you back around 7 pm, which is easier with young kids, especially if you're driving back to Flagstaff afterwards.
Children under 2 ride free on a lap. If you want a seat for them, they need a ticket.
