South Rim Shuttles & Transportation

Included here is information on both in-park shuttles and those that run between Tusayan, the community located just outside the South Entrance Station, as well as commercial companies that provide transportation to Grand Canyon from various regional airports and cities.

Listed below are bike rentals, trains, shuttles, buses, and taxis. Car rentals are no longer available from the Grand Canyon Airport. For transportation getting to the park, visit the Transportation Companies page.

There are free Hikers’ Express shuttles to the South Kaibab Trail that leaves daily from Bright Angel Lodge and Backcountry Information Center and then on to the trailhead. There are three Hikers’ Express trips each morning, departure times depend on the month, see chart below.

Grand Canyon Public Transportation – Find current information, schedules, and maps for the free in-park transit system on Grand Canyon National Park’s website. It is an excellent resource for finding the transportation options available in the park.

Hiker’s Express Shuttle

An early morning bus with service to South Kaibab Trailhead.

Bus departs from Bright Angel Lodge bus stop on the hour; second stop at Backcountry Information Center; third stop at Grand Canyon Visitor Center; last stop at South Kaibab Trailhead.

From March 1 to November 30, Hermit Road and the road out to Yaki Point/South Kaibab are CLOSED to private vehicle traffic. You will need to ride a free shuttle bus to access those destinations. Private vehicle access on these roads is permitted for vehicles with accessibility permits.

South Rim Park Shuttle

Free shuttle buses operate on three routes at Grand Canyon National Park: Hermits Rest Route (indicated in red on the map), Village Route (blue), and Kaibab Trail Route (green). No tickets are required, and bus stops are clearly marked throughout the park by signs.

Buses may be white, white with a green stripe, or brown and tan. The route is indicated by a colored square near each door. Many buses also display the route name on the front of the bus. Pets are not permitted on buses.

Shuttle service is not available on the North Rim.

The Hermits Rest Route is NOT in service between December 1 and February 28. During those three months ONLY, Hermit Road and the road out to Yaki Point/South Kaibab are open to private vehicles.

Because most park shuttle buses are not yet accessible for wheelchairs, an accessibility permit can be obtained in the park at entrance gates, the visitor center at Canyon View Information Plaza, Yavapai Observation Station, Kolb Studio, El Tovar registration desk, and the Bright Angel Lodge transportation desk. The permit allows access to some areas closed to the general public traffic. Accessible shuttle buses are available in response to requests made the day prior. Call (928) 638-0591.

Pets are not permitted on shuttle buses. Service animals for visitors with disabilities are allowed.

South Rim Village Shuttle Bus/ Parking Map (1.1 MB – PDF) – It shows Grand Canyon Village shuttle bus routes, bus stops, points of interest and parking lots.

Hermit Road Route – This route operates from March 1 to November 30. – The Hermits Rest Route follows the canyon rim for eight miles from the west edge of Grand Canyon Village to Hermits Rest with numerous stops at viewpoints along the way. Get off at one stop, walk along the rim, and get on again at another stop.

Buses on the Hermit Road Route (red) operate on the following schedule:

• about every 30 minutes from one hour before sunrise to 7:30 a.m.
• about every 10-15 minutes between 7:30 a.m. and sunset
• about every 30 minutes from sunset to one hour after sunset

Time to travel the entire route: about 80 minutes if you do not get off the bus. The last complete loop leaves before sunset from the Hermits Rest Transfer bus stop. Outbound buses serve red bus stops on the map. Returning (eastbound) buses serve Hermits Rest, Mohave Point, Hopi Point, and the Hermits Rest Transfer bus stops only. Water is not available on Hermit Road except at Hermits Rest. Take a canteen with you.

Village Blue Route – This route operates year-round. Buses provide transportation between Canyon View Information Plaza, Yavapai Point, hotels, restaurants, campgrounds, parking lots, and other facilities in the Village area. This is not a scenic route, but rim views are available a short walk from many stops.

Buses on the Village Route (blue) operate on the following schedule:

• about every 30 minutes from one hour before sunrise to 6:30 a.m.
• about every 10-15 minutes from 6:30 am to stop time listed below:
• 9:00 pm Jan 1 – Feb 28/29
• 10:00 pm Mar 1 – Apr 30
• 11:00 May 1 – Sep 30
• 10:00 pm Oct 1 – Nov 30
• 9:00 pm Dec 1 – Dec 31

Time to travel the entire route: about 60 minutes if you do not get off the bus. Buses serve blue stops on the map, including (but not limited to) Yavapai Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Canyon View Information Plaza, and Yavapai Observation Station.

Kaibab Rim Route – This route operates year-round. – Buses provide transportation between Canyon View Information Plaza, South Kaibab Trailhead, and Yaki Point. This is the shortest scenic route and the only access to Yaki Point.

Buses on the Kaibab Trail Route (green) operate on the following schedule:

• about every 15 minutes from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.

Late or early hikers may use the Grand Canyon National Park Lodges taxi service at (928) 638-2631. Time to travel the entire route: about 20 minutes if you do not get off the bus.

Tusayan Route – The Tusayan Route (Purple Route) provides a shuttle bus service between Tusayan and the park. After making four stops in Tusayan, the shuttle bus heads straight to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, where you can begin your Grand Canyon experience. The Tusayan Shuttle service runs from March 1st to help ease Spring Break congestion and operates daily through September 30th.

Bike Rentals

Bright Angel Bike Rentals offers hourly, 1/2 day, full day, and multi-day rentals as well as shuttle and guide services. They also rent trailers for toting small children that aren’t of riding age. And for those with physical limitations, there are adult tricycles available for rent. Bicycling is a fun, healthy way to see the Canyon for those who want to get out of their car and enjoy the fresh air, the forest, and the wide-open views! Located in the Canyon Village Information Plaza on the South Rim. (928) 814-8704

South Rim Concessioner Bus Tours

On the South Rim, guided bus tours within the park are conducted by Grand Canyon National Park Lodges (Xanterra, a park concessioner). Call (303) 297-2757 or toll free (888) 297-2757, FAX (303) 297-3175, or write Xanterra Parks & Resorts, 14001 E. Iliff, Suite 600, Aurora, CO 80014, or visit www.grandcanyonlodges.com. Visitors arriving in the park should Contact any transportation desk for information or call (928) 638-2631 to make arrangements. Tours include Sunrise, Sunset, Desert View Drive, and Hermits Rest Road. Tours are available throughout the year. Wheelchair-accessible coaches are available by prior arrangement.

Concessioner Transportation Desks

Information about Phantom Ranch facilities, mule trips, horseback riding, air tours, one-day float trips, and motorcoach tours (including wheelchair-accessible vehicles) is available at the lodge lobbies (hours vary seasonally). Call (928) 638-2631, ext. 6015.

• Maswik Lodge Transportation Desk – Times vary based on seasonal demand.
• Bright Angel Transportation Desk – Times vary based on seasonal demand.
• Yavapai Lodge Transportation Desk – Times vary based on seasonal demand.

Rim to Rim Shuttles

Trans-Canyon Shuttle

• Call (928) 638-2820. Regular service begins May 15th and is available until Oct. 16th. Charter service available until Oct. 31. Reservations required. They also provide service to and from Marble Canyon, which is along the route between the North and South Rims.
• Fare is $90 per person, one way.
• Visit their website for the current schedule

Taxi Service

Service is available to the Grand Canyon Airport, trailheads, and other destinations. 24-hour service daily. Call (928) 638-2822 or (928) 638-2631, ext. 6563.

North Rim Hiker Shuttle

A shuttle from the Grand Canyon Lodge to the North Kaibab trailhead is available twice daily in the morning. The cost is $8 for the first person and $5 for each additional person. Purchase tickets at Grand Canyon Lodge front desk. The passenger pick-up is in front of the lodge. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance.

Bus Service

Greyhound Bus Lines offers service from Flagstaff and Williams, Arizona to points nationwide.

Shuttle Service

Flagstaff Shuttle and Charter – Offering Custom Shuttles and Charter Transportation for Flagstaff, Sedona, and the Grand Canyon. 14- passenger vans. (888) 215-3105

Grand Canyon Coaches operates the Grand Canyon Eco-Shuttle between hotels and businesses in Tusayan and the Maswik Transportation Center (Backcountry Information Center) in Grand Canyon Village. Shuttle service to Valle, Williams, and Flagstaff from Grand Canyon Village and Tusayan is also offered twice daily. Call (928) 638-0821 for prices and schedules.

Train

Grand Canyon Railway (a park concessioner) offers service between Williams, Arizona, and Grand Canyon Village (South Rim). The Railroad Express offers bus service for people who only want a one-way trip on the vintage train. To ride on the train one-way in the morning from Williams, contact any lodge transportation desk within the park. To ride on the train one-way in the afternoon, contact Grand Canyon Railway at (800) THE-TRAIN or visit www.thetrain.com.