Getting Around

By Plane

Overseas visitors can take advantage of the APEX (Advance Purchase Excursion) reductions offered by all major U.S. and European carriers. In addition, some large airlines offer transatlantic or transpacific passengers special discount tickets under the name Visit USA, which allows mostly one-way travel from one U.S. destination to another at very low prices. Unavailable in the U.S., these discount tickets must be purchased abroad in conjunction with your international fare. This system is the easiest, fastest, cheapest way to see the country.

Northern New Mexico doesn't have carriers flying between its cities, which is just as well. The best parts of the region happen between the major destinations.

By Car

The most convenient way to get around northern New Mexico is by private car. Auto and RV rentals are widely available for those who arrive without their own transportation, either at the Albuquerque airport or at locations around each city.

I have received good rates and service from Avis at the Albuquerque airport (tel. 800/831-2847, 505/842-4080, or 505/471-5892 in Santa Fe; www.avis.com); Thrifty, 2039 Yale Blvd. SE, Albuquerque (tel. 800/367-2277 or 505/842-8733; www.thrifty.com); Hertz, Albuquerque International Airport (tel. 800/654-3131 or 505/842-4235; www.hertz.com); Dollar, Albuquerque International Airport (tel. 800/369-4226; www.dollar.com); Budget, Albuquerque International Airport (tel. 505/247-3443; www.budget.com); Alamo, 2601 Yale Blvd. SE, Albuquerque (tel. 800/327-9633; www.alamo.com); and Rent-A-Wreck of Albuquerque, 2001 Ridegecrest (tel. 800/247-9556 or 505/232-7552; www.rentawreck.com/nm.htm).

Drivers who need wheelchair-accessible transportation should call Wheelchair Getaways of New Mexico, 1015 Tramway Lane NE, Albuquerque (tel. 800/408-2626 or 505/247-2626; www.wheelchairgetaways.com); the company rents vans by the day, week, or month.

If you're visiting from abroad and plan to rent a car in the United States, you probably won't need the services of an additional automobile organization. If you're planning to buy or borrow a car, automobile-association membership is recommended. AAA, American Automobile Association (tel. 800/222-4357; http://travel.aaa.com), is the country's largest auto club and supplies its members with maps, insurance, and, most important, emergency road service. Note: Foreign driver's licenses are usually recognized in the U.S., but you should get an international one if your home license is not in English.

By Train

International visitors can buy a USA Rail Pass, good for 15 or 30 days of unlimited travel on Amtrak (tel. 800/USA-RAIL; www.amtrak.com). The pass is available through many overseas travel agents. Visit Amtrak's website for the cost of travel within the western, eastern, or northwestern United States. With a foreign passport, you can also buy passes direct from some Amtrak locations, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Miami, Boston, and Washington, D.C. Reservations are generally required and should be made as early as possible. Regional rail passes are also available.

Railway routes are extremely limited around northern New Mexico. Amtrak (tel. 800/USA-RAIL or 505/842-9650; www.amtrak.com) runs from Albuquerque to Lamy, with a small spur railroad running to Santa Fe.