All Aboard the Grand Canyon Railway

July 6, 2021
By Rebecca Jones

The Grand Canyon Railway is an interesting and unique way to visit this national park while relaxing and enjoying the journey. My family experienced this over spring break 2021, and I definitely recommend it.

The trip begins at the depot in Williams, Arizona. We purchased our tickets ahead of time and were able to pick them up at the depot about an hour before departure. We then went into the Fred Harvey Restaurant to pick up our lunches. I had placed an order for lunch a few days prior to our trip. They came in a reusable lunch bag, and included a bottle of water, sandwich (there are several varieties available), chips, cookies, trail mix, and string cheese. It was plenty of food for lunch and snacks during our stay.

There is a pre-show at the depot featuring some Old West-type actors. After some humorous chit chat, they develop a plan to get some money, which will likely involve a train robbery later in the day. After the show, we boarded the train on our way to the Grand Canyon.

There are six classes of train cars. The Pullman class offers bench seating and open-air windows, but no air conditioning. Coach class has air conditioning and cushioned bench seats. First class features oversized seats, bar service, and complimentary snacks. The Observation Dome car has a large multi-window dome on top of the car for more scenic views, along with complimentary snacks. The Luxury Dome car is two-story, with the window dome above and a private bar below, including snacks. The Luxury Parlor car is the last car on the train, featuring the ability to step out the rear and watch the world go by. The Luxury Parlor car also has complimentary cocktails and snacks. There is also a dining car where anyone can purchase drinks and snacks. It also has a couple of tables if you don’t want to bring the food back to your assigned car.

Our trip to Arizona was fairly last-minute, so the only train car class available for my family of five was Coach by the time we booked. I was pleasantly surprised by how comfy the seats were. We had an attendant for our car, who was very friendly. She told us stories about the sights we were seeing out the windows, as well as furnished us with bottled water when we requested it. On the return trip, she had Crayons and coloring sheets for the kids, as well.

At different times throughout the journey there were entertainers, as well. We had a couple of singers who serenaded us with music, and the town marshal came through asking if we’d seen any of the gang from the pre-show, ensuring we were all safe with him aboard.

Mostly, though, the train ride was a relaxing way to make the journey to the Grand Canyon. We didn’t have to worry about traffic or paying the park entry fee – that was included in our train ticket price. Upon arrival at the Canyon, we had about 4 hours to have lunch, take a hike, and enjoy the view.

The ride back to Williams was just as nice, and after we disembarked the train, my family enjoyed some time on Route 66, which runs through the center of town. There was a lot of neon, several restaurants to choose from, and a lot of shopping. We probably could have spent more time in the town itself if we had gotten back earlier in the day. In fact, next time, we might stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel so we have more time in Williams.

My family enjoyed taking the Grand Canyon Railway, and I think your family will, too. I’d love to answer your questions and help you secure passage on the train. Please contact me at (325) 733-8399 or at Rebecca@wishesfamilytravel.com.