From Phoenix to the Grand Canyon: 5 Best Ways to Get There
One of the 7 wonders of the natural world is within easy driving distance of Phoenix, and if you have never been, it's worth making the trip. The drive time from downtown Phoenix to the Grand Canyon is about 3.5 to four hours and the 229-mile route is a combination of Interstate and regular two-lane highways. It's an easy drive that climbs up from Phoenix at an elevation of 1,090 feet, topping out at 7,000 feet at the South Rim.
Transport options from Phoenix include self-drive, tours, a shuttle bus, and a Greyhound bus/shuttle combo. You can also fly to Flagstaff from Phoenix and then arrange ground transport to the Grand Canyon.
If you are looking for day trip options, the only way you'll be able to accomplish this task is if you drive yourself or take a tour. If you are primarily concerned with just getting to the Grand Canyon, and time is not an issue, the bus/shuttle combo or shuttle-only options will work along with the fly-and-drive setup.
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From Phoenix to the Grand Canyon by Car
Driving to the Grand Canyon either in your own vehicle or a rental car provides the highest level of flexibility. The route is along well-maintained and well-signposted roads, and although the recommended time for the trip is 3.5 hours, budget for longer. Several impressive lookouts along the way may have you pulling over to snap a few photos.
The ride is relatively scenic, as you pass through several vegetation zones ranging from cactus through to towering ponderosa pine forests and eventually a high desert area of scrub brush and pinyon pines near the rim.
The route most people take is up Interstate 17 to Flagstaff and across scenic Highway 180 to Highway 64. Although Google Maps will want to route you along Interstate 40 to Highway 64, the route along Highway 180 is significantly more scenic and only five minutes longer. If you do choose to take the I40, be sure to stop in and check out the town of Williams, home to the Grand Canyon Railway.
Alternatively, you can drive from Phoenix to Flagstaff via Sedona. This is a more difficult drive, particularly between Sedona and Flagstaff, but it's also incredibly scenic. A wonderful way to break up your trip to the Grand Canyon is to plan a stop in Sedona. Check out the red rocks, soak up a bit of "Zen-ness," and then travel up along Highway 89A through scenic Oak Creek Canyon, one of America's top scenic byways, to Flagstaff, and on to the Grand Canyon. Flagstaff, which you'll pass through on all routes, is also well worth a stop for its historic downtown area and Route 66 notoriety.
Once at the canyon, you can park your car and walk to some of the major viewpoints near the visitors' center. To further explore areas, jump on one of the three free shuttle buses that operate year-round. From March 1st through until November 30th the shuttle buses are the only way to reach some of the lookouts. For complete details, see our article on things to see and do at the Grand Canyon.
If you have the time and inclination to explore further afield, an excellent loop route that takes in the East Rim, the Desert View Watchtower, the Little Colorado River Gorge, the historic Cameron Trading Post, the Wupatki Pueblos, and the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is suggested. From Grand Canyon Village, take Highway 64 East (Desert View Drive) to Highway 89, which will lead you back to Flagstaff.
This route is only roughly 30 miles longer but is incredibly scenic. It also saves significant backtracking if you want to explore the East Rim area.
From Phoenix to the Grand Canyon by Tour
If you just want to see the Grand Canyon and return to Phoenix, a day trip is a good option. A tour takes all the planning out of the equation; all you need to do is show up at the appointed time and let the tour company take care of all the details.
With the 13-hour Small-Group or Private Deluxe Grand Canyon Day Trip from Phoenix, you'll see all the famous sights of the Grand Canyon including the South Rim, Mather Point, Bright Angel Trail, and the Yavapai Geology Museum, along with many others. En route to the Grand Canyon, a stop at Williams allows for a bit of shopping and an opportunity to see the original Route 66.
Always wanted to see the Grand Canyon from a helicopter? Consider taking the Small Group Grand Canyon Helicopter and Ground Trip from Phoenix. This trip follows the itinerary above but includes a 45-minute helicopter flight prior to arriving at the park.
Both tour options include hotel pickup and drop-off in the Phoenix metro area. Grand Canyon National Park admission is included, but lunch is at your own expense.
From Phoenix Airport to the Grand Canyon by Shuttle
Another good budget option is to take the shuttle bus that leaves from the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. This route, serviced entirely on Groome Transportation, leaves the airport every 1.5 hours starting at 7:30am through to 12 noon and heads directly to Flagstaff, arriving three hours and 20 minutes later. The shuttles from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon leave about 15 minutes after you arrive at the Groome Transport office in Flagstaff.
This route is ideal if your flight arrives early enough to allow you to catch the shuttles leaving before 12 noon. Any shuttles after this time miss the last connection to the Grand Canyon.
The national park admission is not included in the fare.
From Phoenix to the Grand Canyon by Greyhound Bus and Shuttle
If you are staying in Phoenix and on a tight budget, it's possible to take the bus to the Grand Canyon. You just need to do a bit of coordination of schedules. Greyhound buses leave from Glendale, the Phoenix bus station, and the Tempe University area. The buses arrive in Flagstaff 2.5 to 3 hours later, depending on the departure location.
The trick is that you need to get yourself from the bus station to either the Amtrak station (one mile) or the Groom Transport office (1.5 miles). If you don't mind the walk and have luggage with wheels, you'll be fine. Also, it's critical to note that the last Groome Shuttle leaves at 3:25pm. Miss that, and you'll be staying overnight in Flagstaff.
This routing is cost-effective (almost half price versus the shuttle), and has the added bonus of not going all the way out to the airport. However, it's not terribly convenient because you'll spend most of your day getting to the Grand Canyon, and some waiting around in Flagstaff is required. However, if you have more time than money, it's just fine.
Note that national park admission is not included in the fare.
From Phoenix to the Grand Canyon by Air & Drive
An option that might be viable if your incoming flight connection works is to fly from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to Flagstaff, where you'll pick up a rental car and continue to the Grand Canyon. This hour-long flight is particularly scenic, as it climbs up over the Mogollon Rim and the pine forests en route to Flagstaff. Keep an eye out for the red rocks of Sedona along the way.
Pick up a rental car and from Flagstaff, it's another 1.5 hours of scenic driving to the Grand Canyon along Highway 180. Note that when you book the flight, it shows up as Grand Canyon Village, Airport (code FLG); however, the airport is actually in Flagstaff and not at the Grand Canyon.
