Place

Grand Canyon Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal

Three large white and green buses circle a transit center with signs and shade structures.
Starting at the Visitor Center? Board one of the free shuttle buses and explore the park.

NPS

Quick Facts
Location:
Visitor Center Plaza
Significance:
Bus Terminal

Bus/Shuttle Stop, Information, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Wheelchair Accessible

Nearby:

  • Public Restrooms
  • Visitor Center
  • Park Store
  • Bicycle Rental/Grab and Go Cafe

The Grand Canyon Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal is located on the southeast side of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza in a large, open-air terrace with shade structures and benches. Visitors can leave their vehicles in one of the four Visitor Center Plaza parking lots and tour the South Rim on the free shuttles 

This terminal serves as the main hub for the park's shuttles buses. During the spring season, from  March 1, through May 22, 2026, three shuttle routes make stops here.

  1. Village (Blue) Route
  2. Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route
  3. Hikers' Express Shuttle

1) Village (Blue) Route

The Village (Blue) Route shuttle connects the Visitor Center Plaza with all lodges, campgrounds, the Backcountry Information Center, and Market Plaza (market, outdoor ATM, and post office).

Spring Schedule

March 1, through May 22, 2026
50 minutes round trip (without getting off the bus)

First bus at 7:00 am — the last bus is at 9:00 pm.
► Be at a bus stop no later than 8:45 pm.

  • Every 15 minutes: 7:00 am to 10:00 am
  • Every 9 minutes: 10:00am to 6:00 pm
  • Every 15 minutes: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
  • Village service ends at 9:00 pm

2) Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route 

  • Eastbound provides direct service to South Kaibab Trailhead. It continues to Yaki Point, and Pipe Creek Overlook, then returns to the Visitor Center.
     
  • Westbound travels to Mather Point and Yavapai Geology Museum, then returns to the Visitor Center.

Spring Schedule

March 1, through May 22, 2026
50 minutes round trip (without getting off the bus)

First bus is at 6:00 am — last bus is one hour after sunset

  • Every 30 minutes: 6:00 am to 6:30 am
  • Every 20 minutes: 6:30am to 9:00 am
  • Every 12 minutes: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • Every 15 minutes: 5:00 pm to one hour after sunset

Need access to or from the South Kaibab Trailhead when the shuttle buses are not running? Please contact Xanterra Taxi Service at (928) 638-2631.

3) Hikers' Express Shuttle

This early morning shuttle carries hikers from Grand Canyon Village to the South Kaibab Trailhead. 

Departing at 6:00 am, 7:00 am, and 8:00 am, from Bright Angel Lodge, the shuttle then stops at the Backcountry Information Center 10 minutes later. Then it makes a final stop at the Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal before continuing on to South Kaibab Trailhead.  

  • Departure times from the Visitor Center
    • 6:20 am, 7:20 am and 8:20 am - (March 1, through May 22, 2026)
 

Hermits Rest (Red) Route 

This route travels a 7 mile road along the rim of the canyon with bus stops at 9 exceptional scenic overlooks. It is in operation between March 1, and November 30. 


The Hermits Rest (Red) Route does not have a stop at the Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal because  it starts at the west end of the Village Historic District, 2.5 miles (4 km) away.

  • From the Visitor Center Bus Terminal, you will need to take a Village (Blue) Route shuttle to the Hermit Road Transfer Station, get off the Village shuttle, then cross the barricade and board a Hermits Rest (Red) Route shuttle to tour the scenic road.
     
  •  Between March 1 and May 22, 2026, the Hermits Rest (Red) Route is In operation from 8:00 am to one hour after sunset.
 

Tusayan (Purple) Route 

CLOSED - SUMMER ONLY


During the summer of 2026, the Tusayan Route will provide free shuttle bus service between the NPS South Rim Visitor Center, to the gateway community of Tusayan. After making four stops in Tusayan, the bus returns 6.8 miles/11 km to the Visitor Center inside the park.

Shuttle Bus Rules

  • Masks may be required on park shuttle buses, if there is a major spike in COVID 19 cases.
     
  • No eating or open drink containers.
     

  • No pets allowed on shuttle buses. Service dogs are permitted (as defined by the Americans With Disabilities Act).

  • Shuttle buses are equipped with ramps and space to carry passengers in wheelchairs. Please note that wheelchairs larger than 30 inches wide by 48 inches long (76 cm x 122 cm) cannot be accommodated on shuttle buses, and most motorized scooters will not fit.

  • Collapse strollers before entering the shuttle bus. No oversized or jogging strollers. Remove baby-back carriers when seated.

  • Shuttle buses can accommodate two or three bicycles, but not tag alongs, baby trailers, or children's bicycles with wheels less than 16 inches (41 cm). Riders must load and unload their bicycles from the front-facing rack.

  • Shuttle buses only stop at designated bus stops.

Grand Canyon National Park

Tags

Last updated: March 1, 2026