Two Ways to Reach the South Rim from Williams
Williams became the original "Gateway to the Grand Canyon" when the Grand Canyon spur line was completed in 1901, decades before Route 66 existed. That history is still the town's clearest identity, and it leaves you with two real options for the roughly 60-mile trip north to the South Rim: ride the historic railway from downtown, or drive Highway 64. Neither is objectively better -- they suit different kinds of trips.
Riding the Grand Canyon Railway
The railway runs from the Williams Depot, built in 1908 alongside the Fray Marcos Hotel, and it has a genuine boom-and-revival history behind it. Passenger service ran continuously from 1901 until declining ridership -- driven by the rise of the automobile -- ended it in July 1968; freight service stopped in 1974, and the line sat mostly dormant for two decades. In 1988, Max and Thelma Biegert bought the abandoned line and spent a year restoring the track and both historic depots. The revived Grand Canyon Railway made its first run on September 17, 1989, deliberately timed to the anniversary of the original line's September 17, 1901 debut. The one-way trip runs roughly 2 hours 15 minutes each way today. Current ticket classes, schedules, and pricing change; check the Grand Canyon Railway's own site directly rather than relying on a figure printed elsewhere.
Driving Highway 64 to the South Rim
The drive from Williams to the South Rim is about 60 miles via AZ-64, roughly an hour under normal conditions, though traffic near the park entrance can add time during peak season. Driving gives you control over your schedule at the rim -- you're not tied to a train's return departure -- and it's the more practical option if you're combining the canyon with other stops the same day, or traveling with a group whose interests split once you arrive. Grand Canyon Deer Farm, a small walk-through petting zoo, sits along this route and is a common add-on for families driving up rather than riding the train.
What to See Along the Way
Whichever way you go, Williams itself is worth time before you leave -- the historic depot, Bill Williams Avenue's National Register downtown, and Bearizona's drive-through wildlife park are all covered in the Williams things-to-do guide. If you're driving, Grand Canyon Deer Farm breaks up the trip north. If you're riding the railway, the depot and downtown are the natural way to fill the time before boarding.
Which Option Fits Your Trip
Choose the railway if the ride itself matters to you, if you're traveling with kids who'd enjoy a train more than a car, or if you want one afternoon at the rim without driving. Choose the drive if you want flexibility once you're there, you're pairing the canyon with other stops, or your schedule doesn't line up with the railway's departure times. For a deeper comparison of Williams against Flagstaff as a base for reaching the canyon, this network's existing Flagstaff vs Williams guide covers that question directly.
Planning Notes
Grand Canyon Railway tickets, seasonal schedules, and the November-December Polar Express season all carry current details this page won't reproduce -- confirm them directly with the railway before booking. If you're staying overnight in Williams before or after the trip, downtown lodging along Bill Williams Avenue tends to be less expensive on average than Grand Canyon-adjacent Tusayan, though exact rates shift seasonally and are worth checking directly.