Planning a trip to Flagstaff

Arriving—Flagstaff is on I-40, one of the main U.S. east-west interstates. I-17 starts here and heads south to Phoenix, a 2 1/4-hour drive. Ariz. 89A connects Flagstaff to Sedona by way of Oak Creek Canyon (45 minutes), and U.S. 180 leads to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (1 1/2 hours).

Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is 3 miles south of Flagstaff off I-17. Amtrak (www.amtrak.com; tel. 800/872-7245) offers service to Flagstaff from Chicago and Los Angeles. The train station is at 1 E. Rte. 66. The Greyhound bus station (www.greyhound.com) is at 880 E. Butler Ave. (tel. 928/774-4573).

Getting Around—Call A Friendly Cab (www.afriendlycab.com; tel. 800/853-4445 or 928/774-4444) if you need a taxi. The standard rate is $3 plus $1.70 a mile. Mountain Line Transit (www.mountainline.az.gov; tel. 928/779-6624) provides public bus transit around the city; the fare is $1.25, or $2.50 for a day pass.

Visitor Information—The Flagstaff Visitor Center, 1 E. Rte. 66 (www.flagstaffarizona.org; tel. 800/379-0065 or 928/774-9541), located in the Amtrak station, is open Monday to Saturday 8am to 5pm and Sunday 9am to 4pm; it’s closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Be sure to see the marvelous model train that glides around the center’s gift shop.