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Before you go
Your trip to Williams.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Williams – Arizona Destination Grand Canyon and northern Arizona about 285 km from Phoenix
How to get there
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Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) Flagstaff · 55 km
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Williams Depot 1 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
It’s on I-40, about 50 km west of Flagstaff and roughly two and a half hours from Phoenix. The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is about an hour’s drive via Highway 64, or a little more than two hours by train.
How many days
One night is enough for the historic downtown and to catch the train the next morning. Those who take the train round trip in one day spend the day at the Grand Canyon and sleep again in Williams.
When to go
From May to October the days are usually pleasant. In winter the town, at about 2,000 meters of altitude, often has snow, and the train runs a special schedule over the year-end holidays.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
To get there, yes — or by tour bus. The historic downtown is walkable, and the train handles the trip to the Grand Canyon without a car.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Williams
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Morning
Train to the Grand Canyon
Board the Grand Canyon Railway at the historic station, with an Old West show before departure. The trip to the South Rim takes just over two hours.
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Afternoon
South Rim and return
Enjoy about three hours on the South Rim, walking the Rim Trail near the station. Return by train to Williams in the late afternoon.
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Evening
Route 66 downtown
Stroll along Route 66 and Railroad Avenue, between neon signs and roadside diners.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth staying overnight in Williams?
Yes, for those who will catch the train to the Grand Canyon in the morning or want to see Route 66’s downtown at night. Rates are usually lower than inside the park.
What time zone is Williams in?
Arizona: UTC-7 year-round, no daylight saving time.
Is Williams on Route 66?
Yes. The historic downtown is crossed by the old Route 66, and Williams was the last town on the road to be bypassed by Interstate I-40.
How long is it from Williams to the Grand Canyon?
About an hour by car to the South Rim via Highway 64, or a little more than two hours on the Grand Canyon Railway train.