Verde Canyon Railroad Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Verde Canyon Railroad. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Verde Canyon Railroad Adventure Package

• Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad

• Grape Train Escape: Wine Tasting and Verde Canyon Railroad Adventure

Standard ticket prices for the Verde Canyon Railroad start at US$139 per person for a seat in the regular passenger cars, while a luxury Caboose Charter starts at US$1,200 for a group of up to six people. Ticket prices may vary throughout the year or for special events.

Yes, the Verde Canyon Railroad is worth visiting if you want to experience Arizona's wild scenery from the comfort of a climate-controlled vintage train. There's no shortage of spectacular views, as you chug along the Verde River, past national forests, looming red-rock canyons, and ruins. For an even more memorable experience, book a package that includes a guided visit to Jerome or a wine-tasting experience during an evening train ride.

Per one customer who booked the Verde Canyon Railroad Adventure Package, "Our entire party absolutely loved the Verde Canyon Railroad Adventure Package! We had an amazing time on the train, especially since we were outside on the open wagons, which allowed us to fully enjoy the breathtaking views and stunning scenery. The experience was truly memorable. The drinks were a bit on the strong side, but no complaints here — just added to the fun! The tour guide outside and the bartender were incredibly friendly and welcoming, making the experience even more enjoyable. The charcuterie board they provided was divine—absolutely delicious. Overall, we give this experience a perfect 10/10 and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Sedona!"

Most visitors will say the best time of year to experience the Verde Canyon Railroad is fall—the cottonwoods and sycamores add jewel-esque tones of gold and amber to the blue-sky, red-rock experience. What’s more, temperatures are finally mild after summer’s heat, plus the railroad runs fun “Ales on Rails” and fall color tours.

What you wear on the Verde Canyon Railroad depends on the season you visit—and how much you plan to hang out in the open-air viewing car. The cars are climate-controlled and perfectly comfortable, but if you want outside viewing, wear clothing appropriate for the season. Some folks like to dress up for the experience, but it’s not required.

Yes, you need to book Verde Canyon Railroad tickets in advance. Many trains sell out, a near guarantee on weekends, and you don’t want to risk showing up and being turned away. Book your tickets at least one month in advance to ensure room for you and your group.

The train runs roughly 20 miles to the ghost town of Perkinsville. Along the way, you’ll experience Arizona’s “longest-running nature show,” full of high red-rock buttes, verdant ravines, high-desert flora, panoramic river views, and fantastic wildlife like bald eagles. It’s a great way to see this area’s natural beauty before the arrival of settlers.

No, you cannot take food onboard the Verde Canyon Railroad. The experience includes complimentary Southwest-inspired appetizers (fruits, cheeses, proteins, and dessert), plus an offered Champagne toast and bottled water. If you’re still hungry, additional, more robust food options are available at the Copper Spike Cafe in the train depot.

Yes, the Verde Canyon Railroad is accessible, at least for wheelchairs. The railroad has wheelchair-accessible train cars (your wheelchair must be no wider than 24.5 inches), plus they can provide a manual wheelchair if needed. Most motorized chairs and scooters cannot be accommodated, as they exceed width and weight limits.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Verde Canyon Railroad. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Arizona: 

• Antelope Canyon

• Grand Canyon Skywalk

• Grand Canyon West Rim

• Colorado River

• Grand Canyon South Rim

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Arizona.