Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel

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Exploring Arizona Attractions

Image of train engine from Grand Canyon Railway
Photo credit: Krista

Before there was a national park, there was a train that went to the Grand Canyon. For over a century, majestic locomotives and train cars have carried passengers from Williams, Arizona to the south rim of the Grand Canyon sixty miles away. Today, the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel keeps this tradition alive, and Williams continues its legacy as the Gateway to the Grand Canyon.

At an elevation of just under 7,000 feet, Williams is a small town that was once inhabited by the Cohonina, early ancestors of the Hopi people. In 1876, the first settlers in the area who were not Native American were cattle and sheep ranchers of European descent. The railroad arrived in 1882 and Williams became the shipping center for the nearby ranching and lumber industries. Starting in 1901, the train from Williams was the primary way visitors arrived at the Grand Canyon South Rim.

For train enthusiasts and families alike, the Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel is a perfect stop as a base location for exploring northern Arizona. Located off historic Route 66, the hotel has spacious rooms and many convenient amenities. After a good night’s rest, a day trip (or longer) to the Grand Canyon is a must. If you’re traveling by vehicle, it takes an hour and twenty minutes to drive from Williams to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. If you’re going by the Grand Canyon Railway, it will take you about two hours and fifteen minutes.

Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect during a visit to the Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel in Williams.

Gateway arch over Route 66 heading west from Flagstaff into Williams, Arizona.
Gateway arch over Route 66 heading west from Flagstaff into Williams, Arizona. | Photo credit: Krista

Know Before You Go

  • Location –
    • 233 N. Grand Canyon Blvd.; Williams, Arizona 86046
    • Williams, AZ is about 30 miles west of Flagstaff, just off Interstate 40
  • Grand Canyon Railway Hotel is located next to the historic Williams Train Depot
  • The property is within walking distance (2 blocks) to downtown Williams and Route 66
  • Grand Canyon Railway departs daily from Williams, AZ for trips to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim
  • Check the official website for Grand Canyon Offers & Packages and other ways to save
  • Reservations recommended for train rides to the Grand Canyon
  • Cash is no longer accepted for onboard purchases while riding the train
  • In addition to the hotel in Williams, the property also has an RV Park and other options for lodging
  • The Fred Harvey Restaurant is open to the public for breakfast and dinner with special hours for dinner during Polar Express
  • Gift Shops at the train depot and restaurant have some great selections
Image of vintage postcard showing Fray Marcos Hotel in Williams, Arizona.
Vintage postcard of Fray Marcos Hotel and Santa Fe train depot in Williams (circa 1908). Today, the historic hotel portion is used by Grand Canyon Railway for offices and the historic depot is still in use. | Photo credit: CardCow.com

About Grand Canyon Railway Hotel & RV Park

  • Newly refurbished guest rooms
  • Complimentary guest Wi-fi, free parking, no resort fees
  • The Fred Harvey Restaurant with a full cook-to-order buffet
  • Indoor pool and hot tub
  • Fitness center
  • Playground, horseshoe pit, volleyball court, & basketball court
  • Pet Resort for dogs and cats
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
  • Check in is any time after 3:00 PM Mountain Standard Time (MST)
  • Check out is by 11:00 AM MST
Image of decorative tiles showing steam engine from Grand Canyon Railway with Grand Canyon in background.
Photo credit: Krista

History of the Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel

  • 1893: The Grand Canyon is first established as a forest preserve by President Benjamin Harrison through a presidential proclamation.
  • 1901: On September 17, the first passengers arrive at the Grand Canyon South Rim aboard the train from Williams, Arizona.
  • 1908: The Fray Marcos Hotel opens in Williams. The historic hotel was built with 22 guestrooms and 10 employee quarters for the ‘Harvey Girls’ on the second floor.
  • 1919: Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) is established by an act of Congress on February 26th.
  • 1925: The Santa Fe Railway completes a two-story addition of 21 rooms to the Fray Marcos Hotel.
  • 1940: Diesel locomotives begin traveling the Grand Canyon line.
  • 1953: Last steam train travels the route to the Grand Canyon National Park (NP). The more economical diesel locomotives replace the classic steam locomotives.
  • 1954: Retired by the Santa Fe, the Fray Marcos Hotel remained closed to the public although the train depot continued to service the East-West mainline and the Williams-Grand Canyon train schedules.
  • 1968: In July, three passengers travel the last regularly scheduled train service to the Grand Canyon.
  • 1969: Grand Canyon Depot at the South Rim closes in May, nearly a year after the discontinuation of passenger service.
  • 1988: Santa Fe maintenance crews and the field engineer abandon the Williams train station facility.
  • 1989: On January 10, Max and Thelma Biegert announced redevelopment of the railway route to the Grand Canyon and the rehabilitation of the historic Fray Marcos Hotel and Williams Train Depot.
  • 1989: On September 17, 88 years after the initial train ride in 1901, the Williams Depot re-opens under Grand Canyon Railway’s ownership.
  • 1990: Reconditioning of two vintage 1906 and 1910 steam locomotives take place. Each locomotive required 8,000 and 10,000 hours to rebuild.
  • 1995: The modern-day Grand Canyon Railway Hotel opens its doors. Its design resembles the historic Fray Marcos Hotel. The GC Railway begins daily passenger service and re-introduces vintage diesel locomotives to the Grand Canyon line.
  • 1996: Steam locomotive No. 4960 makes its first run on the Grand Canyon line after being fully restored. The restoration required more than $1.5 million and 80,000 hours of work.
  • 1999: Grand Canyon Railway placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 2000: Grand Canyon Railway completes a 107-room addition to the Hotel in February, which included the indoor pool and hot tub.
  • 2001: Polar Express train joins the Grand Canyon Railway schedule with special trips to the “North Pole” during the holidays.
  • 2002: The restoration project at the Grand Canyon Depot is completed. It is one of three remaining railroad depots in the United States built with logs as the primary structural material.
  • 2004: In March, the third addition to the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel is completed, which added 92 standard rooms and 10 luxury suites.
  • 2004: Steam locomotive No. 29 rides the Grand Canyon Railway line after an extensive restoration involving $1 million and 26,000 hours of work.
  • 2004: Grand Canyon Railway carries more than 225,000 passengers per year – reducing automobile traffic to the South Rim by 10 percent.
  • 2007: Xanterra Travel Collection takes ownership of the Grand Canyon Railway.
  • 2008: The historic Williams Depot celebrates its 100-year anniversary.
  • 2010: The Grand Canyon Depot celebrates its 100-year anniversary.
  • 2016: Grand Canyon Railway celebrates the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service (NPS) with a special steam double-header.
  • 2019: The Fred Harvey Restaurant debuts when the Grand Canyon Railway’s main dining facility is renamed to honor Fred Harvey.
Image of Grand Canyon Railway Hotel.
Image of The Fred Harvey Restaurant at Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel in Williams, Arizona.
Image of lobby inside the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel.

Four Seasons at Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel

Train Schedule:

  • January 1 – October 31:
    • 9:30 AM (MST) – Departure from Williams
    • 11:45 AM – Arrival at Grand Canyon
    • 3:30 PM – Return departure from Grand Canyon
    • 5:45 PM – Arrival at Williams
  • November 1 – December 31 (except Dec. 25):
    • 8:30 AM (MST) – Departure from Williams
    • 10:45 AM – Arrival at Grand Canyon
    • 2:30 PM – Return departure from Grand Canyon
    • 4:45 PM – Arrival at Williams

Events:

Autumn

The winter holidays kickoff in mid-November when the Grand Canyon Railway’s Polar Express comes to life. The round-trip ride lasts approximately 90 minutes, with trains leaving at 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM. Tickets for this special train experience sell out each year, so do not delay if you’d like to be participate in this enchanted ride. For November 2022 through January 2023, only limited dates and times remain for The Polar Express and reservations are already open for the 2023-2024 dates. The Polar Express train ride is in addition to the daily train trips to the Grand Canyon.

Winter

Every winter, the Grand Canyon Railway’s Polar Express comes to life on a journey from the nighttime wilderness of Williams, Arizona, to the enchanted beauty of the “North Pole”. For over 20 years, the Polar Express has become a family holiday tradition. Call or go online today to make your reservations because space is limited to those who truly believe in the spirit of Christmas. Reservations open for The Polar Express a year in advance and the most popular weekend dates book up by late summer.

Spring

Steam Saturdays take place on the first Saturday of the month April – September. Steam Saturdays may be cancelled at any time, including the planned day of departure, due to weather, mechanical, or other issues. During Steam Saturdays, only the 9:30 AM train will be a steam engine.

Summer

Steam Saturdays continue and take place on the first Saturday of the month April – September. Steam Saturdays may be cancelled at any time, including the planned day of departure, due to weather, mechanical, or other issues. During Steam Saturdays, only the 9:30 AM train will be a steam engine.

Our Visits & Experiences

March 2019

We made our first trip to Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel in March 2019 during a spring break trip with our grandson. Our train ride was booked with a hotel package. When we booked our train tickets, we chose to ride in the Observation Car on the trip to the Grand Canyon and chose to ride in the Pullman Car on the return trip. This option helped us save some money on our train tickets, yet if we do the train again, we would select the Observation Car for both directions.

After a buffet breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, we joined the other passengers to watch the pre-ride show, complete with cowboys and horses. When it was time, we boarded the train, and it left the station promptly at 9:30 AM. During the train ride, we enjoyed seeing the landscape change from ponderosa pines near Williams, to more barren desert brush as we headed to the Grand Canyon, and back to ponderosa pines as we approached the South Rim. We arrived at the historic Grand Canyon Depot and made our way up to the El Tovar Hotel and the Rim Trail.

Since we only had a few hours before the train headed back, we explored the Rim Trail, walked over to Lookout Studio, went to Bright Angel Lodge, and ate lunch at the Harvey House Cafe located inside the Bright Angel Lodge. We returned to the historic El Tovar Hotel and explored inside for a few minutes. At about 3:15 PM, we made our way back to the Grand Canyon Depot and boarded the return train. Some guests make reservations (well in advance) to stay overnight at one of the Grand Canyon’s hotels or lodges and return to Williams by train the next day. This overnight option allows more time for exploring and enjoying the Grand Canyon.

Image of a horse and young cowboy at the show before the train ride at Grand Canyon Railway.
Be sure to check out the cowboy show before the train ride at the Grand Canyon Railway. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of Grand Canyon Railway diesel train engine.
One of the Grand Canyon Railway’s diesel engines. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of blue sky with white clouds from dome car on Grand Canyon Railway Train.
Beautiful day for a train ride! The views from the dome car were incredible. | Photo credit: Krista
Image showing view of train engine and cars from dome car.
Heading to the Grand Canyon. View of the train engine and cars from the dome car window. | Photo credit: Krista
Image showing view of train engine and cars from dome car.
Landscape changing from shrubs to pine trees. View of the train cars from the dome car window. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of view from dome car window on Grand Canyon Railway train.
Arriving at the Grand Canyon train depot. View from dome car window on train. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of the historic Grand Canyon train depot from the train car.
We’ve arrived at the Grand Canyon! This is the first view visitors see when arriving by train. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of Hopi House at Grand Canyon South Rim.
Built in 1904, the Hopi House was designed by architect Mary Colter. It was the first of eight projects at the Grand Canyon designed by Colter. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of rocking chairs on porch at El Tovar.
Up a slight hill from the Grand Canyon train depot is the original Grand Canyon Village area, including El Tovar Hotel that is a historic landmark. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of Kolb Studio and Grand Canyon in Arizona.
The Kolb Studio is a historic structure situated on the edge of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Grand Canyon Village within Grand Canyon National Park. It was operated from 1904 until 1976 as the photographic studio of brothers Ellsworth and Emery Kolb. Today, it is a photo gallery and gift shop. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of fireplace designed by Mary Colter at Bright Angel Lodge.
Bright Angel Lodge is located west of El Tovar Hotel and was another building designed by Mary Colter in 1935. This fireplace is located on the lobby’s north side in a space that is now a small museum and highlights the impact of restaurateur and hotelier Fred Harvey, architect Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter, and the Santa Fe Railway on Grand Canyon National Park and the Southwest. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of the Grand Canyon from the South Rim.
Views of the Grand Canyon are stunning year round! This image was taken from the South Rim in March 2019. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of the Grand Canyon from the South Rim.
The Grand Canyon is one of the most remarkable natural wonders in the world. It is one of the deepest gorges on Earth with an average depth of one mile (1.6 km) and an average width of ten miles (16 km). The canyon was carved over the past 6 million years by the action of the Colorado River. The average altitude of the South rim is about 7,000 feet (2133 m) above sea level. Around 5.5 million people each year visit the Grand Canyon. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of historic train depot at South Rim of Grand Canyon.
Train Depot at Grand Canyon South Rim, built in 1910, is still used today when the Grand Canyon Railway arrives and departs. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of the Grand Canyon Railway sign with depot hours written in white chalk.
Outside the Grand Canyon Train Depot there is a vintage sign that is still in use with the train schedule times written in white chalk. | Photo credit: Krista

November 2021

Our next excursion at the Grand Canyon Railway was the Polar Express ride in mid-November 2021. At the Grand Canyon Railway, the childhood Christmas classic story comes to life on a journey from the nighttime forest of Williams, Arizona, to the enchanted beauty of the “North Pole” – where Santa Claus and his reindeer are waiting for a keepsake present for all guests.

When we arrived at the train depot, the first thing we noticed was the number of families, with children of all ages, who were wearing matching winter-themed pajamas. We boarded the train, were greeted by our train car hosts, and found our seats. The train ride included a reading of The Polar Express narrated over the train car’s speaker system by the book’s author Chris Van Allsburg. The train car hosts held up copies of the book and displayed the pages so we could all see the illustrations. After the story was over, some of the songs from The Polar Express movie were played for us to enjoy while we were served hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies.

At the depot, there is an opportunity to visit Santa and take photos with him. This is a popular activity during this event and a line forms quickly. When we were there in mid-November, the photo line moved somewhat slow, and we ended coming back another night later in the month to take photos. We enjoyed our visit with Santa, so we’re glad we made a point to come back to capture that!

Image of Christmas tree with lights and star at top and red sled in Williams, Arizona.
Christmas time in Williams, Arizona is magical! | Photo credit: Krista
Image of the Williams train depot decorated for the winter holidays.
The historic Williams train depot decorated for the winter holidays and The Polar Express. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of a vintage steam engine decorated for Christmas.
Front of the steam engine on display at Grand Canyon Railway decorated for the holidays. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of a vintage steam engine decorated for Christmas.
During The Polar Express, the steam engine on display at Grand Canyon Railway is decorated for the holidays. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of a Christmas Tree lit up at night next to the Grand Canyon Railway and Williams depot.
The Williams train depot all decked out for the holidays starting in early November each year. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of a historic staircase inside the Williams train depot decorated for Christmas and The Polar Express.
Historic staircase inside the Williams train depot decorated for Christmas and The Polar Express. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of a Christmas tree and Polar Express painting.
Photo opportunity at the Williams train depot during The Polar Express. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of a mailbox for Letters to Santa at Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel.
Letters to Santa can go in this special mailbox at Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of three round trip tickets for The Polar Express in Williams, Arizona.
We’ve got our round trip tickets for The Polar Express! | Photo credit: Krista – November 2021
Image of Grand Canyon Polar Express train car.
Special train cars are used for the Polar Express rides. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of The Polar Express train car with close up of Polar Express logo.
Special Polar Express train cars are used each winter for these nighttime rides. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of a Polar Express Ticket with Believe punched out.
Festive decorations inside the train cars, including Polar Express tickets with “Believe” punched in them. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of chocolate chip cookie on Polar Express train ride.
Guests are served warm chocolate chip cookies on the Polar Express train ride. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of cup full of hot cocoa on Polar Express train ride.
Guests are served hot cocoa on the Polar Express train ride. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of a Believe-O-Meter at Williams Train Depot.
Believe-O-Meter on display at the Williams Train Depot. | Photo credit: Krista

Steam Saturday 2022 – Steam Engine 4960

We had a special opportunity to see the Grand Canyon Railway’s steam engine 4960 on Saturday, November 5, 2022, in all its glory for the 8:30 AM train to the Grand Canyon. Typically, there isn’t a Steam Saturday after September. However, this one in November was a make-up day from a cancelled date over the summer. We arrived a little before 8:00 AM and watched the train and steam engine back into the Williams train station from the round house.

Being able to see the steam engine so close was amazing. Steam billowed up into the cloudy sky and covered the train platform with pockets of white puffy steam. The train whistle blared several times before it went chugging along the tracks toward the Grand Canyon. After the train departed, we went to the Fred Harvey Restaurant and had a delicious breakfast at the buffet, including a custom-made omelet. We will definitely be checking out Steam Saturday again when it returns in 2023!

Image of steam engine in use during Steam Saturday.
Steam engine 4960 in use on November 5, 2022 for a late season Steam Saturday in Williams, Arizona. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of steam engine number 4960 and where the train operators sit.
Grand Canyon Railway steam engine 4960 was in use on November 5, 2022 for a late season Steam Saturday. | Photo credit: Krista
Image of engine wheels and billowing steam.
Seeing the steam engine in all its glory was amazing! | Photo credit: Krista
Image of front of steam engine with steam billowing up from the stack and down near the train tracks.
All Aboard! We enjoyed seeing steam engine 4960 for Steam Saturday on November 5, 2022. | Photo credit: Krista

Tips for a Memorable Visit

Image of steam train engine at Grand Canyon Railway Hotel.
Image of train engine at Grand Canyon Railway Hotel.
Image of a red train caboose on display at Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, Arizona.
Image showing opportunity to share your photos from Grand Canyon Railway on social media using #grandcanyonrailway.

Have you visited the Grand Canyon on the train or stayed at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams, Arizona? What was the favorite part of your visit? Looking forward to hearing from you in the comments! Like & follow my Facebook page for mini posts.

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Categories: EXPLORE, Explore Arizona, Explore Arizona, Explore Route 66

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