Grand Canyon

[Guest]

This is not correct: as long as you ride the Grand Canyon Railway, you're entitled to the WMJ shuttle. You can even book the shuttle (in conjunction with the GCRR train) as a "thruway bus" on the Amtrak website. Last time I visited Grand Canyon, I took the train from South Rim to Williams, one-way, and got on a shuttle from there to catch the westbound Southwest Chief. I did not stay in any GCRR-affiliated hotels, and did not encounter any problems. You can definitely stay in whatever hotel you want in Williams or South Rim. The GCRR website (understandably) pushes their "vacation packages," but if you call, I found them to be very flexible. And as I said before, you can even book the train and the shuttle on Amtrak.com for whatever dates you want. There's a bit of a premium for doing this, but it's not much: the price is $43 one-way, as opposed to the $75 same-day round-trip on the GCRR website. If you call GCRR, they might even let you have a different-day round trip for $75.

This is not correct: As long as you book a Amtrak ticket you can get the thruway shuttle as well. GCRR not required.

 

[JJW]

We considered Williams Jct and the GCRR but found the options for overnight stays at the South Rim too limited. The only hotels they offered in their packages were not on the rim.

Just to clarify, as was pointed out above, you don't have to stay in a package hotel to spend more than a day at the Canyon. You can book the train and hotel separately, stay in any hotel you want, and spend as much time at the South Rim as you please.

I would definitely book separately the GRCC and get the hotel I wanted. When we hiked the canyon in 2006 we had round-trip tickets with the return 4-days after we arrived. Here is XANTERRA site for the GC. They are the concessionaires for all the hotel in the park at least at the south rim. www.Info.com/GrandCanyonXanterra. You can call or book on line but do it soon it is popular.

The shuttle from the GRCC hotel in Williams to SWC was very convenient, but early. As one of the earlier posts said Flagstaff may have more to offer if you are spending time away from GC. If you want the GRCC rail experience you could use SWC to go back to Flagstaff in AM and rent car. And do Bryce and Zion Its cheaper($ 9-$10 I think) than taxi or bus. My daughter had to get back early so she took SWC with us to Flagstaff and caught plane out of Flagstaff. Right now you can rent a car mid July at Budget in Flagstaff for $218/week including taxes at RoadsideAmerica.com

 

[darien-l]

This is not correct: As long as you book a Amtrak ticket you can get the thruway shuttle as well. GCRR not required.

You're right, I should have said "as long as you ride Amtrak and/or the Grand Canyon Railway, you're entitled to the WMJ shuttle."

 

[boxcar479]

I am glad you posted this question, and all the answers will be really helpful for my up coming trip in a couple of weeks. We chose to stay at Flagstaff at the Rodeway Inn(Choice Privileges AGR reward points) and rent an Enterprise rent a car for $69. 2 days (10000 AGR points) We are staying two days and plan on driving over to WMJ and Sedona and other places. I don't know if this is agood plan but it is a plan. If it isn't I'll know what to improve next time. Thanks for letting me piggyback on your topic

If you get a chance go to Jerome (just south of Sedonna), an old town on the side of a mtn. I believe it was an copper mining town. There is a rail trip around that area too,but I dont remember the details!

RF

Verde Canyon RR. I may hit that next month.

Wow I just checked out that Verde Canyon website. Thanks. I dont know how the GCRR compares to that. But I think we will definetely do that.Another poster said the GCRR doesn't even go into the canyon. Tha VCRR goes right thru beautiful canyons. Any idea how long it takes for the trip. they are closed on tuesdays and we will be there on a tues & wed of course, catching the SWC on into L.A. around 9pm

 

[PetalumaLoco]

I am glad you posted this question, and all the answers will be really helpful for my up coming trip in a couple of weeks. We chose to stay at Flagstaff at the Rodeway Inn(Choice Privileges AGR reward points) and rent an Enterprise rent a car for $69. 2 days (10000 AGR points) We are staying two days and plan on driving over to WMJ and Sedona and other places. I don't know if this is agood plan but it is a plan. If it isn't I'll know what to improve next time. Thanks for letting me piggyback on your topic

If you get a chance go to Jerome (just south of Sedonna), an old town on the side of a mtn. I believe it was an copper mining town. There is a rail trip around that area too,but I dont remember the details!

RF

Verde Canyon RR. I may hit that next month.

Wow I just checked out that Verde Canyon website. Thanks. I dont know how the GCRR compares to that. But I think we will definetely do that.Another poster said the GCRR doesn't even go into the canyon. Tha VCRR goes right thru beautiful canyons. Any idea how long it takes for the trip. they are closed on tuesdays and we will be there on a tues & wed of course, catching the SWC on into L.A. around 9pm

"...a four-hour rail journey from the old mining town of Clarkdale to the Perkinsville ghost ranch and back."

 

[domefoamer]

Another poster said the GCRR doesn't even go into the canyon. Tha VCRR goes right thru beautiful canyons.

Nope. Boxcar- Nobody ever built one foot of rail into the Grand Canyon. When you get there, you'll see why. A train could go in, but it would never make it out again. ; >

I would ride the GCR to sample a fine collection of vintage rail cars, but the good views lie at the end of the line. The Verde Railroad is a much more scenic route, so I hear.

 

[amtrakwolverine]

The only way to get a train in or out of the canyon is to use a cog railway like the one in mount Washington.

 

[PetalumaLoco]

The only way to get a train in or out of the canyon is to use a cog railway like the one in mount Washington.

Ooo, I'm going to Mt Washington in August, I didn't know it had a cog railroad.

 

[user 683]

I am glad you posted this question, and all the answers will be really helpful for my up coming trip in a couple of weeks. We chose to stay at Flagstaff at the Rodeway Inn(Choice Privileges AGR reward points) and rent an Enterprise rent a car for $69. 2 days (10000 AGR points) We are staying two days and plan on driving over to WMJ and Sedona and other places. I don't know if this is agood plan but it is a plan. If it isn't I'll know what to improve next time. Thanks for letting me piggyback on your topic

If you get a chance go to Jerome (just south of Sedonna), an old town on the side of a mtn. I believe it was a copper mining town. There is a rail trip around that area too,but I dont remember the details!

RF

I'll echo the comments of others..... definitely plan to stay overnight on the South Rim. The rim walk is enjoyable - and you could take bus out to Desert Watch Tower and return in time to catch GCRR back to Williams the next day.

Verde Canyon is nice as well. However, I thought GCRR was more enjoyable. I just happened to ride Verde Canyon RR when they had an October-fest like celebration going on... so I had opportunity to get some brauts and brew (or two) before the ride.

 

[Dan O]

The only way to get a train in or out of the canyon is to use a cog railway like the one in mount Washington.

Not sure that would work so well as the rocks are not stable. I like trains but a train into the canyon would not be beneficial in my opinion.

Dan

 

[wkaemena]

If you get a chance go to Jerome (just south of Sedonna), an old town on the side of a mtn. I believe it was an copper mining town. There is a rail trip around that area too,but I dont remember the details!

RF

Verde Canyon RR. I may hit that next month.

--------------------------------------------------

In April I will ride the SWC from Chi to Flagstaff, rent a car there and go from there via Williams and Sedona and Phoenix to Tucson. Thanks for the tip of the Verde Canyon RR I will definitely ride that train.

I hope I can make some interesting panoramas of that train as I did already for the Grand Canyon Railway. See the following links to my interactive 360 degrees panoramas.

At the South Rim

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...rim-arizona-usa

GCR Parlor Car the Chief

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...e-chief-bar-usa

GCR Williams

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...ation-depot-usa

Parlor Car

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...fe-restroom-usa

Parlor Car The Chief rear section

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...-chief-rear-usa

Dome Car Grand View bar on lower level

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...hyr-arizona-usa

GCR First Class

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...car-arizona-usa

GCR Coach Class

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...car-arizona-usa

Vista Dome Car

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...hyr-arizona-usa

South Rim RR Station

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...ark-arizona-usa

Dome Car

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...car-arizona-usa

Rear Platform

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...ar-platform-usa

Parlor Car Santa Fe

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...arizona-usaonei

Willy

 

[greatcats]

To confirm information about the Williams Junction Shuttle: The Hotel is under contract to Amtrak to provide the service to Amtrak, but by no means are passengers restricte4d from having to do business with either the Grand Canyon Railway or Grand Canyon Hotel. The shuttle is the only way to get to the train boarding location out in the forest. While I ahve driven my own car out there on factfinding missions, signs state that private vehicles are not allowed on the BNSF property nor is there any parking. WHen I worked at Grand Canyon, I used the SWC several times from Williams, and parked my car at no charge there and with knowledge of the hotel and everything was fine. The OP has elected to take the train to Flagstaff and rent a car, a worthy idea. Now just go savor the Canyon and don't rush around!