General Information

All you need to know about Santa Fe

Santa Fe is the capital city of New Mexico and is located in the northern Rio Grande Valley at the southern end of the Rocky Mountains. It is situated in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, with a nearby pine forest.

It was founded between 1607 and 1610 making it the second oldest city in the U.S as well as the highest and oldest capital in the U.S. Officially achieving its statehood in 1912, the city has a wide offering of art, culture, and ancient traditions bringing more than 1 million visitors each year. Santa Fe has long been a center for the arts and culture. It ranks as the country’s third largest art market with nearly 300 galleries and dealers. As well, it offers dozens of major museums showcasing a wide variety of art, culture, traditions, as well as the Santa Fe Opera.

Santa Fe enjoys a semi-arid climate with moderate summers and winters. The city averages about 300 sunny days a year, with about 14 inches of rain and 17 inches of snow annually. Santa Fe weather in April can alternate from sunny days to showers or even a rare snowfall. Daytime temperatures allow for much lighter outerwear. Long, lightweight pants are better than shorts for walking downtown to the Santa Fe museums. A warm yet light-weight jacket is a good idea at night.

FLYING INTO SANTA FE

Flying into Santa Fe is possible if you connect through Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) or Los Angeles (LAX). Santa Fe is located an hour’s drive - approximately 64 miles - from Albuquerque International Sunport. Flying into Albuquerque and renting a car is a popular way of travelling to Santa Fe. The Rail Runner provides service to the Santa Fe area as does the bus. The Santa Fe Municipal Airport is open to private aircraft and shuttle services, which are both available from the Albuquerque airport. Downtown Santa Fe and the surrounding historic districts are compact and most conveniently travelled on foot. 

SANTA FE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

The Santa Fe Municipal Airport (SAF) is located close to State Hwy 599 and accessible through I-25 (Exit 276), nine miles southwest of Santa Fe. Due to the airport’s FAA classification, it cannot handle commercial aircraft with more than 30 passenger seats on a regular basis. Currently American Eagle offers a daily service to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Los Angeles (LAX).

The Capital City Cab Company provides taxi services between the Airport and the City for individuals. You can use the courtesy phone inside the terminal building. Shuttle Services between the Airport and various Santa Fe hotels and other locations are available from Roadrunner Shuttle Service. Many area hotels also provide their own courtesy shuttles. Shuttles meet all arriving flights.

ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL SUNPORT-SANTA FE SHUTTLE SERVICES 

Sandia Shuttle Express
Telephone: (505) 474-5696 or Toll Free: (888) 775-5696
Shuttle between Albuquerque International Sunport and Santa Fe.

Roadrunner Shuttle Services
Telephone: (505) 424-3367
Door to door service from Albuquerque International Sunport to points and places in Santa Fe.

THE NEW MEXICO RAIL RUNNER 

Roundtrip tickets are available for $8 for the date of issue. One way passes are $6 and may be purchased online or on the trains. On board, the staff is able to accept cash or credit cards with the exception of American Express. Bus shuttles are free at both ends with your train ticket. Take one of the following shuttles from the Albuquerque airport to the downtown Albuquerque train station:

• Monday-Friday: Airport Express (Route #350)
• Saturday: Airport-Downtown (Route #50)
• Currently no Sunday Rail Service to/from Santa Fe

To travel to downtown Santa Fe, take the train to the Santa Fe Depot known as the Railyard District. Board the white “Santa Fe Pick Up” mini buses and ask the driver for the stop nearest the desired hotel. If staying on Cerrillos Road, then take the train to the transportation center. Take a taxi (fee) or a bus (free with train ticket) to the stop closest to the desired hotel.

Additional information for you to download before your trip:
Ground transportation serving Albuquerque International Sunport http://www.cabq.gov/airport/ground-transportation