How to get from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon

There are three routes from Phoenix to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the closest (and most crowded) section of the Grand Canyon. Each way takes roughly the same amount of time—about four hours—so the route you choose depends more on how you want to kick off your adventure.

For 230 miles of straight freeway driving, head north on Interstate 17 towards Flagstaff, then merge onto I-40 West towards Williams. At State Route 64 (Exit 164), go north towards Tusayan, a one-horse town a mile south of the park entrance. Take advantage of classic Southwestern high-desert landscapes with a detour. From I-40, take Exit 201 onto Highway 89 towards Cameron, then head west onto State Route 64 at the roundabout until you reach the park’s eastern entrance at Desert View.

For a forested route through the mountains, stay north on I-17 through Flagstaff. Hang left on US 180, then right onto SR 64 at Valle towards the park entrance. Highway 180 is at a high enough elevation that it can ice over when temperatures drop below freezing. If you’re traveling to the Grand Canyon in winter, consider driving one of the other routes to the South Rim.

If you’re headed to the Grand Canyon for serenity, consider skipping the busy South Rim for the under-visited North Rim, a 350-mile, seven-hour drive from Phoenix. The trip starts out heading north on I-17 to Flagstaff, then east on I-40 before taking Exit 201 onto US 89. At Bitter Springs, head left on US 89A to Jacob Lake, then continue on SR 67 to the North Rim.

Amtrak’s closest stop to Phoenix is Flagstaff, 145 miles to the north. But if you snag a Groome Transportation shuttle ($46 one way) to the historic Flagstaff Train Depot on Route 66, you can hop on an Amtrak van to Williams, which costs around $35 each way. In Williams, transfer to the scenic Grand Canyon Railway, a charming two-and-a-half-hour ride through the high desert to the edge of Grand Canyon National Park. Tickets in the 1950s-era coach class run $45 each way, but if you want to ride in a little more style, there are four additional classes to choose from, culminating in the splendid Luxury Parlor for $120 with a private bar and open-air platform.

There are no regular direct bus routes from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon, but if you’re traveling with a squad, National Bus Charter Phoenix will book trips for between 15 and 56 passengers, starting at $990 for the day. If you’re going solo (or with a small group), your best bet is to take a Greyhound from Phoenix to Williams, a four-hour trip and only $35. Alternatively, you can take Greyhound or FlixBus up to Flagstaff, a two-and-a-half-hour ride up I-17 for approximately $35. When you arrive in Flagstaff, take a Groome Transportation shuttle straight to Grand Canyon Village or walk next door to the train depot, where the Amtrak vans leave for the short 45-minute journey to Williams.

Flagstaff Pulliam is the closest commercial airport to the Grand Canyon; if you don’t fly directly in, it’s only about a half-hour flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor airport. However,  once you land, you’ll still have 75 miles to negotiate before reaching the South Rim. If you want your own transport in the national park, rent a car in Flagstaff. Several agencies have offices on site. If you prefer to remain car-free, Groome Transportation runs scheduled shuttles from Flagstaff to the town of Tusayan, about a mile south of the South Rim or right to Maswik Lodge in Grand Canyon Village.

The Grand Canyon National Park Airport, located eight miles south of the park’s South Rim, is a more straightforward option for getting to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. However, the options are limited to only private and charter planes; the convenience of landing at the airport’s single runway will cost you.

If your Grand Canyon #lifegoals don’t include hiking or backpacking its trails, consider a helicopter tour. Starting at $1,890 per person, 360 Adventures runs a four-hour fly-over tour from Phoenix throughout the year. If you want time on the ground, they also offer a full-day option that combines a flight to the canyon with a hike below the rim for an additional $1,650 depending on ability and age. Other companies, including DETOURS of Arizona, Maverick Helicopters and Papillon Grand Canyon Tours, offer similar quick-but-spectacular adventures.