Santa Fe Transportation

If you are not staying in Santa Fe but are there for the day, parking can be a hassle. I like to park at the visitors center and walk north towards the square. The Santa Fe Visitors Center located in the Lamy Building at the corner of Paseo de Peralta and Old Santa Fe Trail across the street from the state capitol. If you have just had a long drive from another city they have clean bathrooms here and helpful brochures. On the way, stop by the Oldest Church in Santa Fe and the Loretto Chapel. The chapel is only a buck or two and worth the time listening to the tourist tape.http://www.theoutlaws.com/unexplained4.htm

The best way to get to Santa Fe is to fly into the Albuquerque airport, rent a car and drive one hour north to Santa Fe. Car rentals are inexpensive - we got a full size car for about $20/day.

Our flight from San Francisco to Albuquerque was on a tiny Canadair jet. You hit any amount of turbulence and you get thrown around like bagful of pinons. I've flown on the same kind of jet when I've gone to tiny towns with tiny airports in the South, except there I feel like a bag of black-eyed peas.

You can rent a car while in town, but I see very little reason. The vast majority of interesting things are less than a mile apart and parking is not very easy. Cabs do exist, should you get real tired.

The quickest way to get to Santa Fe is to fly to Albuquerque and pick up a rental car for the hour’s drive to New Mexico’s state capital. The city lies on the famous Route 66, so roll down your window, stick your elbow out and start getting your kicks. Admire the mountains and the adobe houses as you roll into Santa Fe. But leave the margaritas until you’ve parked the car for the night!

Fly into Albuquerque, and drive via Tijeras Canyon (across the Sandia Mountains), through Golden and Madrid, up Highway 14. It takes about 20 minutes longer than going straight up I-25, but you see more scenery.
As you drive, remember that much of New Mexico's rural economy is based on livestock ranching. You'll pass through moutainous terrrain, but note how dry it is -- with drought tolerant trees such as Pinyon Pine and Juniper (a kind of cedar).
Walk, Motorcycle, Car, Bicycle; NO LARGE VEHICLES downtown! Much of what you'll do in town is within a few miles of the downtown plaza -- so bring your walking shoes. In the spring, don't forget a windbreaker and something to keep dirt out of your eyes. The bus station is downtown too and one route takes you up to some of the museums. The views from there are nice. If you have the opportunity, a motorcycle is best, no helmet preferable (more sunshine and scenery). There are no bicycle lanes, and roads are narrow; act like a car (stop at all lights, don't skirt past traffic to get in front at a stop) and people will respect your space. However, there are lots of tourists, gazing around and not watching the road, so don't ever expect a driver to see you -- make eye-contact. Downtown is small and crowded, leave your motorhome in a parking lot on Cerillos, and take a bus (run after 6 am until after 8 most nights) to downtown.

Walking, bicycle or this little tour bus.

Santa Fe Express, open air bus (in cold weather, regular tour bus). Corner of Lincoln and Palace Avenues, at the northwest corner of the downtown plaza. (505) 983-1570. 75 minute tour, $7 for adults/$4 for children.