By Train to Albuquerque

The "Southwest Chief" is a rail service operated by Amtrak which runs between Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California. Taking in seven states and stretching some 2,256 miles (3,631km), the service stops at Albuquerque en-route (roughly half way through the journey) whilst also calling at other large cities including Las Vegas and Kansas City.

Comprising of double-decker "Superliner" carriages, the train features lounge, dining, baggage and sleeping cars, along with three coach cars (each equipped with fully reclining seats and generous amounts of legroom). If you’ve paid for a roomette (sleeper) or bedroom, then meals are included. For those with coach class assignments, a pillow is given to passengers at night, while reasonably priced meals are available from the dining car.

Arriving at the Alvarado Transportation Center in Albuquerque, transfer to local ABQ bus services (including rapid transit routes) is straightforward, while in the immediate vicinity, you’ll also find the New Mexico Rail Runner Express Station.

By Bus to Albuquerque

The U.S. has a well-established network of intercity coach services with Trailways and TNM&O (both subsidiaries of Greyhound Lines) providing the bulk of routes serving Albuquerque. Arriving and departing from the Albuquerque Bus Transportation Center, 300 Second St. SW (at the corner of Lead and Second, near the train station) reservations aren’t required in advance, although to purchase a ticket, you’ll have to arrive least an hour before the service is due to depart. As seating is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, advanced purchase tickets do not guarantee the holder a seat.

All such services to Albuquerque are equipped with modern conveniences such as air-conditioning, on-board toilet and reclining seats, while laptops and other electronic devices can be used on board. It should be noted that customers with disabilities who require assistance, need to call 1-800-752-4841 at least 48 hours prior to departure.

Driving to Albuquerque

Albuquerque is served by the east-west I-40 and the north-south I-25 (both part of the decommissioned Route 66, now frequently referred to as "historic route 66"). Intersecting in downtown Albuquerque, the I-25 serves Colorado Springs from the north and El Paso to the south, while I-40 heads west towards Las Vegas and east towards Amarillo and Oklahoma City.

By Air to Albuquerque

As well as serving more than thirty destinations within the United States, Albuquerque International Sunport also handles flights across the border to Mexico with carriers such as Frontier Airlines. From overseas, flights with well-known U.S. airlines such as Delta, American and Continental Airlines first require a change at regional hubs such as Chicago and Houston, while non-stop services from Los Angeles, Sacramento, Denver, Dallas and Austin may also be useful to foreign visitors catching connecting flights.

While Talking Cities recognises that flying may be the only practical way to reach the USA from abroad, the CO2 emitted per passenger for a return flight (including connections to Albuquerque) is significant and damaging. Consequently, we recommend that you read our sister site’s list of airlines with environmental policies) before making a booking. For U.S. residents travelling to Albuquerque from cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and Kansas City, we ask that you consider using Amtrax’s "Southern Chief" rail service as a viable alternative to domestic flights.

As far as reaching the Sunport is concerned, the terminal building is located approximately four miles south of the city’s central business district at 2200 Sunport Blvd. SE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106. Access is via I-25 to the Sunport Blvd. exit (#221 from the north) or from the east to the Gibson Blvd. exit (#222A).

To reach downtown Albuquerque, ABQ Ride’s Bus 222 connects to Bernalillo County/Int’l Sunport station, from where it’s possible to catch the New Mexico Rail Runner Express to the city’s Alvarado Transport Center. Alternatively, the Sunport Shuttle, Tel: (505) 883 4966 offers a convenient way to reach hotels, motels and other addresses in the city. Of course, taxi services are also available with Albuquerque Cab Company, Tel: (505) 883-4888 and the Yellow Cab Company, Tel: (505) 247-8888 operating at the Sunport.