Colleen S

Review of Grand Canyon Railway

If you don't want to hassle driving into the Grand...

If you don't want to hassle driving into the Grand Canyon and dealing with crowds and parking problems, this is a nice introduction to the Grand Canyon and an easy way to get there. It's about a 2+ hour ride each way from Williams. Parking is free both at the hotel or go past the hotel to the lot closer to the train station. Be smart and order tickets online beforehand and pick up at will call. It's assigned seating which relieves the worry of dashing to seats to sit together There are a few discounts available like through AAA and AARP esp if you're planning to spend the night. Our group of 6 got Pullman class (there are several classes of tickets to choose from) and you can flip 2 seats to face each other but the leg room is tight even for us shorties, more comfortable on the way back to just face forward; probably fall asleep anyway which many did. You get about 3 hours at the GC which was plenty of time esp if you pack a lunch so you don't have to wait in line for the restaurants. You can buy snacks and drinks on the train but if you bring your own food, then you can splurge on a 2-scoop ice cream cone in the park which looks so delicious and many people were eating even on the coolish day we were there. The train is also secured so you can leave items at your seat that you don't want to schlep around with you. There's a corny but amusing pre- boarding Western "show"and the requisite train robbery on the return trip. Be prepared to be robbed of your dollar bills, hahaha. And don't forget to tip (optional but deserving) your train car attendant who is a fount of knowledge and attends to your needs. It's relaxing not to have to drive, the scenery is fairly nondescript but we did see cows and a deer.... and bandits waiting to board the train! You may want to turn to the GC on your own if you want a longer more leisurely visit.