How to Get to Antelope Canyon from Sedona
Antelope Canyon is one of the most beautiful and photographed slot canyons in the world and also an ideal place to visit from Sedona. Here I tell you all the alternatives you have to get from one point to another.
Sedona is one of the most visited destinations in the heart of Arizona and this is largely due to its location, which is halfway between Phoenix, the state capital, and the Grand Canyon, one of the most famous attractions on the West Coast. However, Antelope Canyon is also another popular destination in Arizona's desert region, and many visitors choose to travel there from Sedona.
Whether you get to know it on an organized tour or on a trip by car, bus or plane, visiting the Antelope Canyon, which is one of the most famous sites in the United States, is one of the best activities you can do during your visit to Sedona, so here I tell you all the alternatives you have for this adventure. Fasten your seat belts and get your camera ready to immortalize this attraction, one of the most photographed in the world.
1. Organized tour from Sedona to Antelope Canyon, the most comprehensive alternative
If you are planning to visit the iconic Antelope Canyon from Sedona, one of the most complete and convenient options you can opt for is to join an organized tour. This type of tour will not only take you to Antelope Canyon, but you will also be able to visit the Horseshoe Bend, one of the most striking places on the Colorado River.
One of the main advantages of this organized tour is the convenience it provides to travelers. With benefits such as hotel pickup in Sedona and round-trip air-conditioned van transportation, you can relax and enjoy the scenic beauty without worrying about transportation logistics. Plus, you can count on an expert local guide to take you to the highlights, sharing insights into the geology, history and culture of the region on one of the best full-day tours from Sedona.
Antelope Canyon is famous for its intricate rock formations and the unique interaction of light with its narrow walls. This also makes it one of the most photographed attractions in the world. During the tour, your guide will help you discover the canyon's best-kept secrets and take you to the best spots for panoramic views.
With included entrance fees, an expert local guide and round-trip transportation with hotel pick-up, you can enjoy these spectacular sites in a relaxed and enriching way in the most complete option from Sedona, allowing you to take home the best memories of one of the most famous attractions in the southwestern United States.
Details of interest
- Price: approximately 271 euros per person.
- Travel time: about 12 hours.
- Advantages of this option: you won't have to worry about the organization, since the tour includes entrance fees, round trip transfers and hotel pick up.
- Disadvantages of this option: the trip is by van, so most of the itinerary consists of transfers and includes little free time for a tour of the canyon on your own.
2. Drive from Sedona to Antelope Canyon, the most popular option
The drive from Sedona to Antelope Canyon is a popular option for those who wish to explore the natural beauty of the southwestern United States independently. This scenic route offers travelers the flexibility to create their own itinerary and stop at points of interest along the way. The drive, which is along Highway 89, spans approximately 4 hours, providing an unforgettable driving experience.
As you drive away from Sedona, this road will take you through varied scenery. You'll enjoy changing views of Sedona's signature red rock formations before heading into more arid, desert-like terrain. Along the way, you'll find opportunities to stop at scenic overlooks and rest areas that offer interesting panoramic views, especially if you plan to visit Sedona in July or during the summer when the weather is mild and the skies are clear in Arizona.
The destination at the end of the road will be Antelope Canyon, famous for its narrow crevices and subway passages carved by water over the centuries. The beauty of the light filtering through the crevices is a unique experience and offers exceptional opportunities for photography. Upon arrival, you will have the freedom to explore the canyon at your own pace and enjoy its natural splendor, without relying on organized tour times.
A drive from Sedona to Antelope Canyon is the most common option for exploring this natural wonder as well as nearby sites such as LeChee and Flagstaff. With a drive of approximately 4 hours on Highway 89, you can enjoy a scenic and memorable drive as you make your way to the iconic Antelope Canyon.
Details of Interest
- Price: the cost of renting a car in Sedona is approximately 65 euros per day.
- Travel time: about 4 hours one way from Sedona to Antelope Canyon.
- Advantages of this option: you will have the freedom to choose the times of visits, tours and to explore the canyon at your own pace.
- Disadvantages of this option: you will have to consider the extra costs of fuel, tolls and entrance fees for the attractions.
3. Travel by bus from Sedona to Antelope Canyon, the most economical alternative
A bus trip from Sedona to Antelope Canyon is a very affordable alternative to explore this natural attraction in Arizona. It is an economical option where you won't have to worry about driving or gas costs. However, you should be aware that if you use Amtrak service, which is the most popular, you will need to transfer in Flagstaff to reach your destination.
During the drive from Sedona to Flagstaff you can enjoy the scenic views around the city and appreciate the gradual transition from rocky landscapes to more wooded terrain, especially if you plan to visit Sedona in April or during the spring months. Later in Flagstaff, you'll need to make a connection with another bus to Antelope Canyon, on a route that is included in the initial fare.
Despite the transfer in Flagstaff, this travel option is still very affordable and convenient for those looking for an economical way to explore Antelope Canyon from Sedona. Plus, during the trip, you can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, socialize with other travelers, and take in the ever-changing scenery that this part of the southwestern United States has to offer.
Although a transfer is required, this option offers an affordable and convenient way to enjoy the beauty of Antelope Canyon without worrying about the additional costs associated with personal driving. Just consider that the trip takes approximately 8 to 9 hours, so it's not too recommended during a short stay. If that's the case for you, here's how you can get to know Sedona in 3 days.
Details of interest
- Price: the price of a single bus ticket has an initial cost of approximately 25 euros per person.
- Duration of the trip: between 8 and 9 hours including transfers.
- Advantages of this option: it is the most economical option to visit the Antelope Canyon from Sedona and the ideal alternative to interact with young travelers.
- Disadvantages of this option: the delay in the round trip may affect your trip itinerary, especially if you are planning a short stay in Sedona.
4. Air travel from Sedona to Antelope Canyon, the quickest option
For travelers looking for the fastest and most convenient option to get to Antelope Canyon from Sedona, airplane travel is the ideal choice. This alternative allows you to significantly reduce travel time, as it involves a flight from the nearby city of Tusayan to Antelope Canyon. This will be ideal if you are planning a short stay in the city. If that is your case, here are some alternatives to get to know Sedona in 2 days.
This tour starts with a short bus ride from Sedona to Tusayan, which is the gateway to the famous Grand Canyon National Park and is approximately 162 km away. Once there, you will have the opportunity to board a plane, which will take you directly to Antelope Canyon. This aerial tour is not only fast, but also gives you the opportunity to appreciate the rock formations and landscapes of the southwestern United States from the air.
In addition to visiting the Antelope Canyon and observing the grooves and crevices of the rock formations from the air, if you have enough time you can also make the most of the stay in Tusayan to opt for a tour of the Grand Canyon, so the plane ride is also one of the best alternatives to see two of the main canyons of the Arizona desert in the same tour.
Air travel from Sedona to Antelope Canyon is the fastest way to explore northern Arizona. The combination of a short bus ride to Tusayan and a flight to the canyon will allow you to optimize your time while to uring one of America's top attractions.
Details of interest
- Price: the bus and flight from Sedona to Antelope Canyon has an initial cost of approximately 307 euros per person.
- Travel time: about 3 hours.
- Advantages of this option: it is the fastest alternative, which will allow you to optimize your time if you are planning a short stay in Sedona.
- Disadvantages of this option: you cannot take a direct flight from Sedona to Antelope Canyon, and you will have to combine it with a bus ride to Tusayan as a first stop.
5. Other options in combined means of transportation from Sedona to Antelope Canyon
If you are looking for a combined experience on your trip from Sedona to Antelope Canyon, there are several options that combine different modes of transportation. One of the most common alternatives is to take a bus from Sedona to Phoenix, which is about 267 km away, and then a flight from there to Antelope Canyon. This option has a total duration of 6 hours, but will allow you to find cheap flights from the state capital.
In this alternative, the trip begins with a bus ride from Sedona to Phoenix, which is one of Arizona's major cities and a major transportation hub. Once there, you can take a flight that will take you directly to Antelope Canyon, significantly shortening the travel time compared to the bus ride. This will be vital if you are planning a short stay in Sedona.
Another option is to combine a bus ride from Sedona to Williams, a town located on Route 66 just under 60 miles away, and from there, embark on a scenic train ride on the Grand Canyon Railway to Antelope Canyon. The train offers a scenic journey through the dazzling scenery of northern Arizona and provides a unique experience before reaching the canyon.
These combined options not only offer a variety of travel experiences, but also allow travelers to explore different aspects of the southwestern United States in a single itinerary. Whether enjoying scenic views from the air or taking a scenic train across the landscape, these options will give you alternatives for getting to Antelope Canyon, especially if you plan to visit Sedona in June or during peak season months when supply is scarcer.
Which option best fits my travel plan?
If you plan to visit Antelope Canyon from Sedona, keep in mind that the distance between the two points is approximately 250 kilometers, so the choice of transportation will depend largely on the time you have available for this experience. If you are planning a short stay in Sedona and want to get the most out of your visit, the ideal is to opt for the options that include air travel.
You should also consider that if you want to opt for an alternative that allows you to relax and delegate the organization of tickets, entrance fees and transportation, you should choose an organized full-day excursion from Sedona. Keep in mind, however, that these experiences generally leave little time to explore the sites at your own pace, which could alter your travel plan.
If, on the other hand, you have time available and prefer to see Antelope Canyon at your own pace, and you don't mind driving from Sedona to northern Arizona, the most convenient alternative is by car. This way you will be able to choose the stops along the picturesque Highway 89 and visit the scenic points of the region, which will allow you to take some of the best pictures of your trip. Consider that in these cases you will have fuel costs and tolls.
Finally, if you are on a limited budget and want to save money, the best alternative is to opt for the bus tour. The ticket for this experience will be economical, although you will have to have several hours available, both there and back. In any case, whichever option you choose, experiencing the beauty of the Antelope Canyon will make the journey worthwhile.