Hello!!! Fodorians! I need a help.Me and my friend are planing a trip to Los Angeles- Zion-Brice-Grand Canyon this september. The thing is that we are exchange students, so we don`t have valid american driving license and we are ander 21, so we can`t even rent a car. Is it possible to travel without car? Mayby we can buy tickets to Grayhound to get to the Canyon(PHoenix station). Can we look around by free shutle? Maybe someone is going there at the same period? (1-6 September). This is really my dream. I came here because of it. Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is travel information on www.grand.canyon.national-park.com. It lists trains and Greyhound bus service from Flagstaff. You can call for more information at 1-800-843-8724.

I notice that there is a tour company from Phoenix--Open Road Tours that offers 1 and 2 day tours from Phoenix.

I hope you get to see the Grand Canyon. It is spectacular.

Thanks for your help.
How much do you think that will cost? We can spend only about 300$ per person. Is it possible?

Win1 -- The states in the Western US are huge & there is alot of mileage between the places you want to see especially w/o a car.

If you could spend more money, I would suggest seeing several of our National Parks on an escorted budget bus tour such as Cosmos.

Cosmos has a budget tour out of Las Vegas - you have to get there somehow, the tour is 6 days, and the price, if I remember correctly, is around $800, which makes it more in $1,000 range, not $300.

There is another tour group, they were called something like "tortoise" and now have different name, maybe ergonomic adventures? They are for students, travel by bus and camp out at night. Can somebody help Win with the name? I know they go to the Death Valley, maybe to the Canyons too, and they are inexpensive.

Win, try also "The thorn tree" for advices.

Thanks everyone. FainaAgain can you please tell me what did you mean by"try also "The thorn tree" for advices". you mean title in the forum?
Fodorians, Please help!!! I realy don`t want to come back home without seeing Canyons. Maybe I`ll never be back here again...

Go to www.lonelyplanet.com and then click on The Thorn Tree Forums; you might try your questions there.

Surely they still have the unlimited short and long term travel passes on Greyhound for overseas visitors? Check with Greyhound -- especially if they go to the Grand Canyon which it looks as if they do. You should be able to get around by free shuttle at the South Rim.

You don't say where you are, or how you are getting to LA?

B/

The tortoise company is Green Tortoise, their website is the usual www.greentortoise.com. If you can just get to each park, they all have excellent shuttle systems and you won't need a car. I hope you can get a Greyhound bus from place to place, they are spectacular. What country are you from?

Thank you, Travlsolo2, this is the website!

Thank you everyone. I apreshiate your help. thanks for www.greentortoise.com . I found a 9 day trip around all the canyons, but i don`t have enough time . A trip to the Desert valley is good: 4 days and 200$. But it is not the things I wanted to see. By the way: We are exchange students from Russia and came to Cleveland, Ohio for our summer vacations.
Speaking about Grayhound. there is no bus right to Grand canyon. what do you recommend us? Las vegas-Flagstaff or LV-Phoenix? or any other recomendatins?
thanks.(I desided that it is better to arrive to Las Vegas then Los Angeles.)

Exchange student from Russia! Who ever thought of such a thing! That's why your date is day, then month, not the American way. And Fodorians - should be Fodorites. Familiar

Check also Amtrak, just keep in mind, their trains are always late.

And speaking of trains, there is a train to the South Rim, from Williams, AZ. Don't know if you can get there somehow.

There is a train from Los Angeles to Williams, AZ. There you can switch to the local train to the canyon. So check it out if you can fly into LA.

Yes, you can use the free shuttles, but first of all go through the Angel's hotel (?) check-in area, and the canyon is there. It can't get better then that view of the canyon. There are several shuttles.

Thank you faina. We decided to fly to Las Vegas. That will be easier.what do you think about this tour?:www.grandcanyontourcompany.com/bussouth.html. I noticed that sometimes trevel companies don`t even drive you to the park, they show you only west part of Grand Canyons.
Excuse my mistakes, I only study English.

Don't worry about mistakes, I said "familiar" meaning I'm still making them. People here are very understanding and helpful.

Normally I advise not to take a bus tour out of Vegas - too long a drive, too little time at the canyon, but if this is your only option - GO FOR IT!!

Do you realize their 2 for 1 special is only till August 18? Other then that - they take you to the South Rim which is the place to be.

Looks like lunch is not included - bring not only food, but lots of water.

They also offer an overnight stay - check it out, maybe it will work for you.

I don't understand what are option #1 and option #2 on that website, at the bottom.

Anyway, it's your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, use it!!

Where are you from? I'm from Belarus.

Win1: Hi again. You may want to try this website:

www.syta.org

Student & Youth Travel Association
936 S. Baldwin Road, Suite 104
Clarkston, Michigan 48348 USA
1.800.509.SYTA
[email protected]

They have a good search feature on the website but maybe calling them would be quicker & easier. Good luck.

Thank you laurieb_nyny. I`ll try to call them tomorrow.