The Grand Canyon is a natural basin located in northern Arizona that has been carved out over millions of years by the Colorado River. The Grand Canyon is located within the Grand Canyon National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The South Rim is the most popular and accessible area of the park, and also the best place to visit the site if you are visiting the Canyon for the first time, or if you are coming from Los Angeles (LA). There are many ways to get from Los Angeles, California to the Grand Canyon: car, plane, bus, train, shuttle bus or through an organized tour. Los Angeles and the Grand Canyon are approximately 660km as the crow flies. Read on to find out how to travel from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: By car
Step 1. Rent a car in Los Angeles, if you don't already have one
You can rent a car at the airport and other places in and around the city. You will need a credit card to take a rental car.
Step 2. Find Interstate 40 (I-40) from your starting location
Merge onto I-40 and travel to Williams, Arizona. They are about 670 km.
Step 3. Then take Arizona Highway 64 (AZ-64) north to Williams, Arizona
Follow it for approximately 100km to arrive at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. You will complete this entire journey in about 8 hours.
- This is the most direct way to get to the Grand Canyon from Los Angeles, as other means of transportation will require you to go through Flagstaff, Arizona.
- You can also follow I-40 to Flagstaff, Arizona, and then take Route 180 north to the Grand Canyon. But it will take you about an hour longer.
Method 2 of 4: By train
Step 1. Go to the Amtrak website, amtrak.com, and book a ticket from Los Angeles, Union Station to Flagstaff, Arizona
The station codes are LAX and FLG. You will need a debit or credit card to make the purchase.
Choose the date. Usually, there are trains between LAX and FLG every day. It departs at 6.15pm and arrives in Flagstaff at approximately 5.30am the following morning
Step 2. Reserve a seat on a tour bus or shuttle from Flagstaff
Call the Grand Canyon Shuttle Service at 888-215-3105 for a timetable or to book a shuttle.
Open Road Tours buses run most days. They also organize trips on a vintage train and airplane tours. Prices for these tours range from $ 50 to $ 500, depending on the length of your visit and the means of transportation
Step 3. Get to the station early on the day of your trip
Union Station is located at this address: 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Take the Overnight Train.
Step 4. Wait in Flagstaff until your tour departs
Travel approximately 130km on the tour to arrive at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. It takes 10 to 15 hours to get there by train and tour.
Method 3 of 4: By bus
Step 1. Go to the Greyhound Bus website, Greyhound.com
Look for buses from Los Angeles to Flagstaff on the day of your trip. There are around 6 buses on this route, so you can choose the most convenient one or the one at your preferred time.
The trip will cost between $ 60 and $ 90. You will save money if you book via the Internet in advance
Step 2. Book a tour or shuttle from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon
Call the Grand Canyon Shuttle Service at 888-215-3105 for a timetable or to book a shuttle.
Step 3. Arrive early at Los Angeles Greyhound Station on the day of your trip
The station is located at this address: 1716 East 7th Street Los Angeles, CA 90021. Travel by bus to Flagstaff for approximately 10-14 hours.
Step 4. Take the tour bus or shuttle from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon
Method 4 of 4: By plane
Step 1. Book a flight from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Flagstaff (FLG)
You may be forced to make a stopover in Phoenix, Arizona. Only flights from Nevada land regularly at Grand Canyon Airport.
- Mesa, US Airways, Ameriflight and Empire Airlines are the airlines that fly to Flagstaff Airport.
- The flight can last from 4 to 6 hours. This is probably the most expensive form of transportation to travel from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon. Prices range from $ 400 to $ 600.
Step 2. Book a tour bus or shuttle from Flagstaff to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
Advice
- You can go from the South Rim to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon by taking Highway 67.
- The only way to get from the South Rim to the North Rim by public transportation is the Trans Canyon Shuttle.
- You can also buy train tickets directly at the Union Station ticket office in Los Angeles. You can buy bus tickets in cash directly at Los Angeles Greyhound Station.
