One of the easiest ways to explore the Grand Canyon is by using the Grand Canyon Shuttle Bus! You can park your car in a central location and then use the free bus service to get out and explore the park.
Grand Canyon Shuttle Bus Guide
Parking can be an adventure during busy times in the park and this is a great way to save yourself the headache of driving up and down parking lines waiting for a spot to open.
When you arrive at the entrance to the park you should receive a South Rim Guide Map and Services pocket map and guide. This guide includes the current bus route map, bus information, and times that buses stop at each location.
Accessible Buses
Buses are equipped with ramps to accommodate passengers in wheelchairs smaller than 30 inches wide by 48 inches long (76 by 122 cm). Most motorized scooters will not fit on the buses.
If your scooter or wheelchair does not fit on the bus or you have concerns about accessibility you can request a pass at the Back Country Office for driving access to some gated areas within the park.
You can also pick up an Accessibility Guide at the Verkamp's Visitor Center or the activity desks in the Bright Angel Lodge lobby and the Maswik Lodge Lobby.
The Rim Trail is wheelchair-accessible from Lookout Studio to the South Kaibab Trailhead.
Helpful Tips
The Grand Canyon Shuttle Buses are white with a green stripe. The bus route will is displayed on the LED screen on the front and side of the bus.
No tickets are needed to get on the bus. You may have to wait in line for a spot on the bus.
Buses run every 15 to 30 minutes
The routes connect to each other but do not overlap. Make sure you know which bus you need to take.
There is no eating or drinking on the bus.
Service dogs are permitted (as defined by the Americans With Disabilities Act) are allowed on the Grand Canyon Shuttle Buses. Pets are not allowed on board.
Shuttle bus stops are about a mile apart. You can enjoy Grand Canyon views along the rim of Grand Canyon then pick up the bus at the next stop.
If you are visiting during July and August which is the monsoon season you will want to be prepared for the weather!
Check out all of our Grand Canyon National Park travel posts for more information and help in planning your trip to Arizona!
Free Grand Canyon Shuttle Bus Routes
The free shuttle bus provides transportation but is not a tour of the Grand Canyon. There are four routes that take you to different areas within Grand Canyon National Park and neighboring Tusayan.
Please note that even though the free shuttle bus routes are given color designations on the map the buses are not painted to match the routes. Make sure that you are hopping on the right bus!
The cost of the shuttle bus is part of the National Park Service fee that you pay at the entrance.
Village Route - Blue Route
The Village Route operates year-round from 1 hour before sunrise. The bus route ending time depends on the time of year you are visiting. The round trip Village Route takes 50 minutes to complete and provides transportation to the visitor facilities within the South Rim Village.
Blue Route Highlights
- Grand Canyon Visitor Center
- Market Plaza
- Shrine of the Ages/Park Headquarters
- El Tovar/Hopi House/Train Depot
- Village Amphitheater
- Verkamp’s Visitor Center
- Bright Angel and Maswik lodges
- Lookout Studio
- Kolb Studio
- Bright Angel Trail
- Backcountry Information Center
- Mather Campground/Trailer Village
Credit - NPS
Kaibab Rim Route - Orange Route
The Kaibab Trail Route operates year-round every 10 to 15 minutes from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunrise. The round trip Kaibab Trail Route takes 50 minutes. This free bus offers transportation to and from Yaki Point and the South Kaibab Trailhead off Desert View Drive which is closed to private vehicles.
Orange Route Highlights
- Mather Point
- Yavapai Geology Museum
- South Kaibab Trailhead
- Yaki Point
- Pipe Creek Vista
Credit - NPS
Hermit's Road/Rest Route - Red Route
The Hermit's Rest Route runs from March 1st to November 30th. There is no service from December 1st to February 28th. The buses run from 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.
The round trip Hermit's Rest Route takes 80 minutes. The return route from Hermit's Rest only stops at Pima, Mohave and Powell Points. This route provides transportation to various overlooks along the West Rim Trail.
Red Route Highlights
- Canyon Rim Trail
- Greenway Trail
- Trailview Overlook
- Powell Memorial
- Mohave Point
- The Abyss
- Pima Point
- Hermits Rest
- Hermit Trail
Tusayan Route - Purple Route
The Tusayan Route provides the opportunity to travel to or from the park by bus to the gateway town of Tusayan located south of the park. If you are traveling from Tusayan into the park the route ends at the visitor center/ Grand Canyon Village where you can transfer to one of the other bus routes.
This route is available seasonally so make sure to check your South Rim Guide and Services pocket map for current times during your visit. The Tusayan Route takes 4o minutes round trip with several stops in Tusayan. The bus runs every 20 minutes with the first stop at the IMAX Theater in Tusayan at 8 am and the final bus at 9:45 pm.
The first bust leaving the Grand Canyon Visitor Center heading towards Tusayan leaves at 8:25 am and the final bus leaves at 9:30 pm.
You will need to show proof of entrance fee payment when boarding the bus. If you have not purchased a pass you will need to pay for one before boarding the Tusayan route.
Purple Route Stops
- IMAX Theater/ R.P.'s Stage Stop
- Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn
- The Grand Hotel
- Big E Steakhouse and Saloon
Hiker Express Shuttle
The hiker express shuttle is an early morning shuttle to the South Kaibab Trailhead. The Hiker Express Shuttle leaves from the Bright Angel Lodge bus stop on the hour.
1st stop - Bright Angel Lodge
2nd stop - Backcountry Information Center
3rd stop - Grand Canyon Visitor Center
4th stop - South Kaibab Trailhead
Hiker Express Shuttle Bus Times
Bus leaves Bright Angel Lodge at:
7 am, 8 am, 9 am in March
6 am, 7 am, 8 am in April
5 am, 6 am, 7 am in May
4 am, 5 am, 6 am in June, July, August
5 am, 6 am, 7 am in September
6 am, 7 am, 8 am in October
7 am, 8 am, 9 am in November
8 am, 9 am in December, January, February
We hope that this Grand Canyon Shuttle Bus guide helps you have the best time in the Grand Canyon.
Additional Resources
Things to do Grand Canyon - The top things to do in Grand Canyon that you don't want to miss during your trip!
Grand Canyon Restaurants - South Rim - Check out all the delicious places to enjoy a meal during your trip.
Grand Canyon Winter - If you are heading to the park in the winter make sure to plan ahead.
Arizona National Park - Check out all of the amazing National Parks in Arizona you can visit. So many are close to the Grand Canyon!
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