Grand Canyon Railway Hotel/train

Is this a good way to see the Grand Canyon?

Grand Canyon Railway Hotel/train

Hi,

Thank you for traveling, we appreciate your visiting our beautiful part of the U.S.

The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and Train are wonderful for travelers that are train buffs. The hotel is very nice and well appointed. The train and the entertainment before the train departs from Williams, AZ is great.

The equipment - cars and engines - are authentic and of real interest to train buffs. The 68 mile route the train travels today, is the original spur route the Santa Fe Railroad operated from its main line - Chicago to L. A. - from Williams to the Grand Canyon from 1901 until 1968.

I have traveled on the Grand Canyon Train many times and it is fun for me as I am interested in the history of train travel. However, I have also heard from others that it is boring as they thought the train was going to ';travel along the rim of the Canyon,'; or ';travel into the Canyon.'; This is not the case. The route it travels is from Williams, AZ to the Grand Canyon across high plains with views of the mountains, high desert vegetation, and antelope. So to make a long story even longer, if you are a train buff - - then the Grand Canyon train is for you! Enjoy your trip!

Grand Canyon Railway Hotel/train

Tourguy did a good job of describing the good points about the GC RR. However, to answer your question, IMO, it%26#39;s a terrible way to see the Grand Canyon.

First and foremost, you do not see the Grand Canyon from the train at all. Nada.

The train travels from Williams AZ to the GCNP, parralleling the highway AZ64 that takes travelers to the park by car. The train ride takes almost twice as much time as it does to drive on your own. Furthermore, when you arrive at the park on the train your can only see as much of the park as you can walk to or access via the park shuttle system in the limited amount of time according to your schedule for the return trip by train. The GC RR does offer an overnight option, but as I said, you are still limited without your own car at the park.

If you%26#39;re a train fan, then it%26#39;s a ride on an historic train. But if your plan is to see the Grand Canyon, drive yourself and see the park in your own car. You%26#39;ll save hundreds of dollars too.

I have to disagree with Redrox on this one. Especially his wording. Its not a ';terrible'; way to see the canyon. Correct that you don%26#39;t see any of the canyon from the train. What he lacks in telling you is that if you do use the train its best to go up one day and stay the night at the GC then go back the next day. if you do use the train as just a day trip you only get 3 hrs at the rim. Its basically an authentic train trip. If you enjoy trains do it the right way and say the night. AAA offers discounts if you are a member. If you do the train make sure to upgrade out of coach. We are here to educate and offer different opinions for ta members. Not to tell you what to do. Ultimately the choice is yours. If you have short time and cash drive yourself. Otherwise staying 1+ nights is always the best.

www.thetrain.com

1-800-the-train

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