Grand Canyon Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal

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

Amenities

4 listed

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 summer season, from May 24, through September 5, 2025, three shuttle routes make stops here.

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

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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).

Village (Blue) Route - Summer Schedule

May 24, through September 5, 2025
50 minutes round trip (without getting off the bus)

First bus is at 6:30 am, and service ends at 9:30 pm.
► Be at a bus stop no later than 9:15 pm.

• Every 15 minutes: 6:30 AM – 10:30 AM
• Every 10 minutes: 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM
• Every 15 minutes: 8:00 PM – 9:15 PM

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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.

Kaibab (Orange) Route - Summer Schedule

May 24, through September 5, 2025
50 minutes round trip (without getting off the bus)

First bus is at 5:00 am, and service ends 1 hour after sunset
► Be at a bus stop no later than 30 minutes after sunset.

• Every 15 minutes: 5:00 am to 30 minutes after sunset 

Need access to or from the South Kaibab Trailhead when the shuttle buses are not running? Please contact Xanterra Taxi Service at [phone].

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3) Hikers' Express Shuttle

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

Shuttle departs from Bright Angel Lodge shuttle stop on the hour, stopping at the Backcountry Information Center several minutes later. The shuttle then makes a stop at the Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal before continuing on to South Kaibab Trailhead.  

• 4:00 am, 5:00 am 6:00 am - May 24, through September 5, 2025

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4) Tusayan (Purple) Route 

May 24, through September 5, 2025
50 minutes round trip (without getting off the bus)

• Every 45 minutes: starting at 8:00 am. Service ends at 9:00 pm

The Tusayan Route provides 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.

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Hermits Rest (Red) Route 

In operation March 1, through November 30, 2024

Note: this route begins 2.2 miles (3.5 km) from here - at the west end of the Village Historic District. 

Starting from the Visitor Center Bus Terminal, take a Village (Blue) Route shuttle to the Hermit Road Transfer Station - then cross the barricade and board a Hermits Rest (Red) Route shuttle to tour the scenic road. 

Hermits Rest (Red) Route
First bus is at 8:00 am, and service ends 1 hour after sunset
► Be at a bus stop no later than 30 minutes after sunset.

• Every 15 minutes: 8:00 am to 11:00 am
• Every 10 minutes: 11:00 am to 7:30 pm
• Last outbound bus leaves Hermit Transfer Station at 7:30 pm

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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.