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 a great place to visit from Sedona. Here are all the alternatives you have to get from one point to the other.

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 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 visit on an organised tour or by car, bus or plane, visiting the 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, so here are all the options you have for this adventure. Fasten your seatbelts and get your camera ready to immortalise one of the most photographed attractions in the world.

1. Organised tour from Sedona to Antelope Canyon, the most comprehensive alternative

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 you can choose is to join an organised tour. Not only will this type of tour 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 organised tour is the convenience it provides to travellers. With benefits such as hotel pick-up in Sedona and round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned van, you can relax and enjoy the scenic beauty without worrying about transportation logistics. Plus, you'll have 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 comprehensive 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 per person.
  • Travel time: about 12 hours.
  • Advantages of this option: you don't have to worry about the organisation as the tour includes entrance fees, transfers to and from the attraction 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

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

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 travellers the flexibility to create their own itinerary and stop at points of interest along the way. The drive, along Highway 89, spans approximately 4 hours, providing an unforgettable driving experience.

As you head away from Sedona, this road will take you through a varied landscape. You'll enjoy the changing views of Sedona's signature red rock formations before heading into more arid, desert 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 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 have the freedom to explore the canyon at your own pace and enjoy its natural splendour, without being dependent on the timing of organised tours.

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 along 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 your 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. Bus travel from Sedona to Antelope Canyon, the cheapest alternative

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

A bus trip from Sedona to Antelope Canyon is a very affordable alternative for exploring this natural attraction in Arizona. It's an economical option where you won't have to worry about driving or gas costs. However, be aware that if you use the more popular Amtrak service, you will need to transfer at Flagstaff to reach your destination.

On 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 make a connection with another bus to Antelope Canyon, which 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, socialise with other travellers and take in the 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 keep in mind that the journey takes approximately 8-9 hours, so it's not recommended for a short stay. If that's you, here's how you can see Sedona in 3 days.

Interesting details

  • Price: The price of a single bus ticket is approximately 25 euros per person.
  • Journeytime: between 8 and 9 hours including transfers.
  • Advantages of this option: This is the cheapest way to see the Antelope Canyon from Sedona and the ideal alternative for interacting with younger travellers.
  • Disadvantages of this option: The delay on the outward and return journeys 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

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

For travellers looking for the fastest and most convenient way to get to Antelope Canyon from Sedona, aeroplane 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 is ideal if you are planning a short stay in the city. If that's the case, here are some alternatives for getting 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 quick, but also gives you the opportunity to see the rock formations and landscapes of the southwestern United States from the air.

As well as visiting the Antelope Canyon and seeing the ruts 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 tour of the Grand Canyon, so air travel is also one of the best ways to see two of Arizona's major desert canyons in one trip.

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 optimise your time during your tour of one of America's top attractions.

Useful details

  • 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: This is the quickest alternative, allowing you to optimise 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 will have to combine it with a bus ride to Tusayan as a first stop.

5. Other options in combined transport 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 will allow you to find cheap flights from the state capital.

In this alternative, the journey 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 directly to Antelope Canyon, significantly shortening the travel time compared to the bus ride. This is vital if you're 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 100km 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 landscapes 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 travellers to explore different aspects of the southwestern United States in a single itinerary. Whether enjoying the scenic views from the air or taking a scenic train 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 peak season months when supply is scarcer.

Which option best suits my travel plan?

Biplanes at the Sedona Airport|©Shelley Monahan
Biplanes at the 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 kilometres, so your choice of transport will depend largely on the time you have available for the experience. If you are planning a short stay in Sedona and want to get the most out of your visit, you should ideally opt for 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 organisation of tickets, entrance fees and transport, you should choose a full-day organised tour from Sedona. Keep in mind, however, that these experiences usually leave little time to explore at your own pace, which could alter your travel plan.

If, on the other hand, you have time on your hands and prefer to explore 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 can choose your stops along scenic Highway 89 and visit the region's scenic points, which will allow you to take some of the best pictures of your trip. Keep in mind that in these cases you will incur fuel and toll costs.

Finally, if you're on a budget and want to save money, the best alternative is to opt for the bus tour. The ticket for this experience will be inexpensive, although you will need to have several hours available, both there and back. Whichever option you choose, the beauty of the Antelope Gorge will make the journey worthwhile.