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 are all the options you have for getting from one point to another.

Matías Rodríguez

Matías Rodríguez

9 min read

How to Get to Antelope Canyon from Sedona

Vista del cañón en Sedona |©Lucas Prilenski

Sedona is one of the most visited destinations in the heart of Arizona, largely due to its location halfway between Phoenix, the state capital, and the Grand Canyon, one of the most famous attractions on the West Coast. However, Antelope Canyon is another popular destination in Arizona's desert region, and many visitors choose to travel there from Sedona.

Whether you visit on an organized tour or by car, bus, or plane, visiting Antelope Canyon, one of the most famous sites in the United States, is one of the best things to do during your visit to Sedona. Here are all the options you have for this adventure. Fasten your seatbelts and get your camera ready to capture this attraction, one of the most photographed in the world.

Organized excursion from Sedona to Antelope Canyon, the most complete option

Antelope Canyon|©@ S@ndrine
Antelope Canyon|©@ S@ndrine

If you're planning to visit the iconic Antelope Canyon from Sedona, one of the most comprehensive and convenient options 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 Horseshoe Bend, one of the most striking spots on the Colorado River.

One of the main advantages of this organized tour is the convenience it offers travelers. With benefits such as pickup at your Sedona hotel and round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned van, you can relax and enjoy the beauty of the landscape without worrying about transportation logistics. In addition, you will have an expert local guide who will take you to the most outstanding sites, sharing knowledge about 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 tickets included, an expert local guide, and round-trip transportation with hotel pickup, you can enjoy these spectacular sites in a relaxed and enriching way on the most comprehensive option from Sedona, allowing you to take home the best memories of one of the most famous attractions in the southwestern United States.

Important details

  • Price: approximately $271 per person.
  • Duration of the trip: approximately 12 hours.
  • Advantages of this option: you won't have to worry about the organization, as the tour includes tickets, round-trip transportation, and hotel pickup.
  • Disadvantages of this option: the trip is by van, so most of the itinerary consists of transfers and includes little free time for exploring the canyon on your own.

Drive from Sedona to Antelope Canyon, the most popular option

Cars in Sedona|©Andrew Petro
Cars in Sedona|©Andrew Petro

The drive from Sedona to Antelope Canyon is a popular option for those who want to explore the natural beauty of the American Southwest independently. This scenic route offers travelers the flexibility to create their own itinerary and stop at points of interest along the way. The journey, which takes place on Highway 89, takes approximately 4 hours, providing an unforgettable driving experience.

As you leave Sedona, this road will take you through a varied landscape. You can enjoy the changing views of Sedona's characteristic red rock formations before entering more arid, desert terrain. Along the way, you'll find opportunities to stop at viewpoints 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 pleasant 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 underground 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 be free to explore the canyon at your own pace and enjoy its natural splendor without having to depend on the schedules of organized tours.

A road trip from Sedona to Antelope Canyon is the most common way to explore this natural wonder and nearby sites such as LeChee and Flagstaff. With a drive of approximately 4 hours on Highway 89, you can enjoy a scenic and memorable journey as you head to the iconic Antelope Canyon.

Details of interest

  • Price: The cost of renting a car in Sedona is approximately $65 per day.
  • Travel time: approximately 4 hours one way from Sedona to Antelope Canyon.
  • Advantages of this option: you will have the freedom to choose your visit times, tours, and 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 attractions.

Bus trip from Sedona to Antelope Canyon, the most economical alternative

Bus, Sedona|©agathe
Bus, Sedona|©agathe

A bus trip from Sedona to Antelope Canyon is a very affordable way to explore this natural attraction in Arizona. It's an economical option where you won't have to worry about driving or gas costs. However, keep in mind that if you use Amtrak, which is the most popular service, you'll have to transfer in Flagstaff to reach your destination.

During the journey from Sedona to Flagstaff, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city's surroundings 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 will need to connect to another bus to Antelope Canyon, which is included in the initial fare.

Despite the transfer in Flagstaff, this travel option remains very affordable and convenient for those looking for an inexpensive way to explore Antelope Canyon from Sedona. In addition, during the trip, you can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, socialize with other travelers, and take in the changing landscape of this part of the American Southwest.

Although a transfer is required, this option offers an accessible and comfortable way to enjoy the beauty of Antelope Canyon without worrying about the additional costs associated with driving yourself. Just keep in mind that the trip takes approximately 8 to 9 hours, so it is not highly recommended for a short stay. If that's the case, here's how you can see Sedona in 3 days.

Details of interest

  • Price: the price of a one-way bus ticket is approximately $25 per person.
  • Journey time: between 8 and 9 hours including the transfer.
  • Advantages of this option: it is the cheapest way to visit Antelope Canyon from Sedona and the ideal alternative for interacting with young travelers.
  • Disadvantages of this option: delays on the round trip may affect your travel itinerary, especially if you are planning a short stay in Sedona.

Travel by plane from Sedona to Antelope Canyon, the fastest option

Airplane in Sedona

Airplane in Sedona|©SPEAROFTHOR
Airplane in Sedona|©SPEAROFTHOR

For travelers looking for the fastest and most convenient option to get to Antelope Canyon from Sedona, a plane trip is the ideal choice. This alternative significantly reduces travel time, as it involves a flight from the nearby town of Tusayan to Antelope Canyon. This is ideal if you are planning a short stay in the city. If that's the case, here are some alternatives for seeing Sedona in two days.

This tour begins with a short bus ride from Sedona to Tusayan, which is the gateway to the famous Grand Canyon National Park and is approximately 100 miles away. Once there, you will have the opportunity to board a plane that will take you directly to Antelope Canyon. This aerial tour is not only fast, but also provides the opportunity to appreciate the rock formations and landscapes of the southwestern United States from the air.

In addition to visiting Antelope Canyon and observing the slits and crevices of the rock formations from the air, if you have enough time , you can also make the most of your stay in Tusayan by opting for a :::link|text=tour of the Grand Canyon|element=sc-146-1721:::, making the plane trip one of the best alternatives for seeing two of the main canyons of the Arizona desert in a single trip.

Flying 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 touring one of the top attractions in the United States.

Details of interest

  • Price: the bus and plane trip from Sedona to Antelope Canyon has an approximate initial cost of $307 per person.
  • Duration of the trip: around 3 hours.
  • Advantages of this option: it is the fastest alternative, allowing you to optimize your time if you are planning a short stay in Sedona.
  • Disadvantages of this option: there is no direct flight from Sedona to Antelope Canyon, so you will need to combine it with a bus ride to Tusayan as your first stop.

Other combined transportation options to get from Sedona to Antelope Canyon

Transportation in Sedona|©Damon Rathgeber
Transportation in Sedona|©Damon Rathgeber

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 takes a total of 6 hours, but it 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 an important 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 trip from Sedona to Williams, a town located on Route 66 just under 100 km away, and from there, embark on a picturesque train ride on the Grand Canyon Railway to Antelope Canyon. The train offers a scenic journey through the stunning landscapes of northern Arizona and provides a unique experience before arriving at the canyon.

These combined options not only offer a variety of travel experiences, but also allow travelers to explore different aspects of the American Southwest in a single itinerary. Whether enjoying the panoramic views from the air or taking a scenic train ride through the landscape, these options will give you alternatives for getting to Antelope Canyon, especially if you plan to visit Sedona in June or during the peak season months when availability is limited.

Which option best suits my travel plans?

Biplanes at Sedona Airport|©Shelley Monahan
Biplanes at Sedona Airport|©Shelley Monahan

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 how much time you have available for this experience. If you are planning a short stay in Sedona and want to make the most of your visit, it is best to choose options that include air travel.

You should also consider that if you want to relax and leave the organization of tickets, admissions, and transportation to someone else, you should choose a full-day organized tour from Sedona. However, keep in mind that these experiences usually leave little free time to explore the sites at your own pace, which could disrupt your travel plans.

If, on the other hand, you have time available and prefer to explore Antelope Canyon at your own pace, and you don't mind driving from Sedona to northern Arizona, the most convenient option is to go by car. This way, you can choose your stops along the picturesque Highway 89 and visit the region's scenic viewpoints, where you can take some of the best photos of your trip. Keep in mind that in these cases you will have fuel and toll costs.

Finally, if you are on a tight budget and want to save money, the best option is to take the bus. The ticket for this experience is inexpensive, but you will need to allow for several hours for both the round trip. In any case, whichever option you choose, discovering the beauty of Antelope Canyon will make the journey worthwhile.