Travel to Albuquerque

Flying to Albuquerque

Airlines offering flights to Albuquerque include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways. There are no direct flights from the UK, but you can book a connecting ticket through all the major US airlines flying to the USA, as well as through British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

Flight times

From London: 13 hours 30 minutes (including stopover); Los Angeles- 2 hours; Toronto - 6 hours (including stopover); New York - 5 hours; Sydney - 18 hours 30 minutes (including stopover).

Travel by road

Driving is on the right. The speed limits are 120kph (75mph) on rural and urban freeways, 110kph (70mph) on divided roads and 105kph (65mph) on undivided roads. In residential areas, the maximum speed limit is 88kph (55mph), but it can be as slow as 30kph (20mph). It is illegal to pass a yellow school bus when it is stationary with its lights flashing. It is possible to turn right on a red light, after stopping to check that it is clear, unless otherwise indicated.

The minimum age for unsupervised drivers is 16 years. A national driving licence is valid but check your car hire company's policy; you may also require an International Driving Permit, particularly if your licence isn't in English. Third-party insurance is mandatory, although it is highly recommended for driving visitors to ensure that they have adequate travel medical insurance, as the cost of medical treatment in the USA is huge. Virtually all petrol stations are open 24 hours a day on main roads and operate a prepay system, using a credit card at the pumps - otherwise, it is necessary to make yourself known to the cashier.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) (tel: +1 800 222 4357; www.aaa.com) provides information and may offer reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (tel: +1 505 827 5100; http://dot.state.nm.us) provides current information about road closures and conditions as well as online road maps.

Emergency breakdown services

AAA (tel: +1 800 222 4357/AAA HELP).

Routes

Albuquerque is at the crossroads of two major interstate highways: I-40 runs from Wilmington, North Carolina (2,908km/1,807 miles east) to Barstow, California (1,094km/680 miles west); I-25 extends from Buffalo, Wyoming (1,384km/860 miles north) to El Paso, Texas (426km/265 miles south).

Coaches

The bus station is at the Alvarado Transportation Center, 100 First Street Southwest, which is served by Greyhound (tel: +1 800 231 2222; www.greyhound.com), with connections to many cities throughout the Southwest and the Rockies.

Time to city

From Santa Fe - 1 hour; Phoenix - 7 hours; Denver - 6 hours 30 minutes; Oklahoma City - 8 hours; Dallas - 10 hours.

Travel by Rail

Services

Albuquerque is an important stop both on the national Amtrak network and the modern, regional train service. The Alvarado Transportation Center, 100 First Street Southwest, is a transportation hub that also serves as a railway station for Amtrak and the New Mexico Rail Runner Express. Located in downtown Albuquerque, the station offers easy access to several hotels.

Operators

Amtrak (tel: +1 800 872 7245/USA RAIL; www.amtrak.com) passes through northern New Mexico  on the daily Southwest Chief route between Los Angeles and Chicago. The New Mexico Rail Runner Express (tel: +1 866 795 7245; www.riometro.org) provides commuter train service south to the suburb of Belen and north through Bernalillo and on to Santa Fe.

Journey times

From Los Angeles - 16 hours 30 minutes; Santa Fe - 1 hour 45 minutes;