Travel to Santa Fe

Flying to Santa Fe

There are no direct flights from the UK to Santa Fe. The quickest route is via Dallas with American Airlines. Other domestic routes include a direct flight from Denver. Prices tend to rise during busy periods such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and school summer holidays. It's also worth looking at flights to Albuquerque, which is an hour's drive from Santa Fe.

Flight times

From London - 15 hours 30 minutes (including stopover); New York - 7 hours (including stopover); Los Angeles - 6 hours (including stopover); Toronto - 6 hours (including stopover); Sydney - 19 hours (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 1134; 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).

Routes

A popular route to Santa Fe is from either Denver or Albuquerque along Interstate 25, which connects with US Highway 285 into Santa Fe. A scenic route from Albuquerque into Santa Fe is along State Highway 14, a two-lane rural route; also called the Turquoise Trail, it passes through a handful of historic villages (www.turquoisetrail.org).

Coaches

Greyhound services do not stop in Santa Fe.

Time to city

From Albuquerque - 1 hour; Flagstaff - 6 hours; Denver - 6 hours; Dallas - 10 hours; Los Angeles - 12 hours

Travel by Rail

Services

Trains arrive and depart from Lamy, New Mexico, 23km (14 miles) from downtown Santa Fe. 

Operators

Amtrak's Southwest Chief line serves the Santa Fe area with eastbound trains from Los Angeles and westbound trains from Chicago, with links in Kansas City, Missouri, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Flagstaff, Arizona (tel: +1 800 872 7245; www.amtrak.com).

Make reservations at least 24 hours in advance with the Lamy Shuttle (tel: +1 505 982 8829) for transportation to downtown Santa Fe.

The New Mexico Rail Runner Express train offers services between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, with a shuttle connection from Albuquerque airport (tel: +1 866 795 7245; www.nmrailrunner.com).

Journey times

From Chicago - 24 hours; Los Angeles - 18 hours; Albuquerque - 1 hour 40 minutes.