The most fun and affordable to get here from Albuquerque is on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express. This commuter train line shares the Alvarado Transit Center with Greyhound, Amtrak, and local Albuquerque ABQ Ride buses. The one-way fare from Albuquerque to Santa Fe is $9 ($4 for seniors, students, and persons with disabilities), but consider a one-day excursion where a one-day pass is just $10 ($7 for seniors, students, and persons with disabilities). Save $1 on your fare by purchasing your tickets or passes online. For details about schedules and fares, visit http://www.nmrailrunner.com/, e-mail riometro@mrcog-nm.gov,or call toll-free (866) 795-7245 (RAIL).

A special bonus for Rail Runner passengers: Ride any ABQ RIDE, Santa Fe Trails or Rio Metro bus for FREE when you show the driver your valid Rail Runner Express printed ticket!

From Albuquerque International Sunport (the local airport), the easiest way to get to Santa Fe is to use Sandia Shuttle Express (www.sandiashuttle.com, or call (505) 474-5696 or toll-free (888) 775-5896). Sandia provides hourly shuttle service between the Airport and downtown Santa Fe, every day. The one-way fare is $28 per person, the round-trip fare costs just $48 (a best choice for weekend visitors). The trip takes 70 minutes each way.

Enjoying Santa Fe After You Arrive

Steve Lewis, from Santa Fe’s Convention and Visitors’ Bureau is our guide for this visit to Santa Fe. Here are Steve’s suggestions:

“The historic neighborhoods of Santa Fe define the old city with their adobe architecture, many attractions and welcoming businesses. Santa Fe’s five, adjacent downtown historic districts hold much to see and do and are easy to navigate on foot. In fact, walking is the best way to see all of this old (404 years) city's many nooks and crannies and a good way to navigate the winding and, sometimes, confusing streets.

“There are two stops when riding the New Mexico Rail Runner Express into Santa Fe. The South Capital stop is mostly for government workers commuting to their jobs. Leisure travelers should ride the train to its termination point in the Santa Fe Depot, in the Santa Fe Railyard. All trains are met by the Santa Fe Pickup, a free shuttle around town with stops at a number of points of interest. Visit

https://sites.google.com/site/sf11miles/project-updates/santafepick-upshuttle for more information.

“The first thing that's apparent when arriving in the Railyard on a Saturday morning is the Santa Fe Farmer's Market, held year 'round on Saturday mornings-inside the Farmer's Market building during the winter. The Market is a wonderful introduction to the local population and the amazing farmers of Northern New Mexico, not to mention good place to grab a coffee, pastry or breakfast burrito.

“The Railyard itself is anchored by SITE Santa Fe, the city's most contemporary museum, just across the street from the market. SITE is surrounded by a 10-acre park, covered in native plants, that offers many shaded places to sit and a designated play area for kids.

“Heading north on Guadalupe Street the Rail Yard is also home to a contemporary gallery district, many shops and stores, a number of restaurants and the cozy Sanbusco Market Center mall. Farther along Guadalupe are the historic Santuario de Guadalupe church, a new skate park and a newly developed River Walk leading towards the Plaza area.

“It's easy to walk from the Rail Yard to the social and spiritual center of town, The Plaza, about a 10-15 minute stroll from the train terminal. The Plaza is surrounded by restaurants, shops and museums making it a destination unto itself.

“History buffs will find the New Mexico History Museum a must with its detailed and interactive displays about the state's fascinating past.

“Foodies will be tempted by dozens of restaurants, many serving the region's signature, chile-based cuisine. There are also two cooking schools, the Santa Fe School of Cooking and the Santa Fe Culinary Academy, offering classes on most days.

“Art lovers will want to stop at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum and the New Mexico Museum of art in addition to browsing all of the many Plaza-area galleries. Shoppers will find hundreds of small, independently owned stores to investigate. All of this is within several square blocks which visitors on foot will appreciate as they won't have to search for parking.

“From the Plaza some folks, especially shoppers and art lovers, will want to head over to Canyon Road, the country's most significant art district. Here there are close to 100 galleries all within several blocks. There are also restaurants, gardens and places to rest and watch the street scene. Santa Fe has more than 250 art galleries, making it the country's third largest art market, and Canyon Road holds the most of them. The street is lined with public art and the galleries hold works of all kinds and prices. Even for those not interested in purchasing art, Canyon Road is a visual feast and a one of a kind experience.

“A simple route back to the Plaza from Canyon is to follow Alameda Street, which intersects Canyon at the top of the gallery district. Walking down Alameda along the Santa Fe River-which flows on and off throughout the year-is a shady path that can lead all the way back to Guadalupe and the Railyard. If you are tired of walking, you can catch the Santa Fe Pickup for a quick ride.

If you want to enjoy attractions away from the downtown, the local bus system, Santa Fe Trails covers all of Santa Fe. A one-day unlimited-ride pass costs just $2 ($1 for seniors age 60 and older, and persons with disabilities) and you can buy the pass on any bus with cash. For more information, visit http://www.santafenm.gov/?NID=1244, (call 505) 955-2001 weekdays: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time.)

“Take Santa Fe Trails’ M bus (it runs every hour from the downtown bus terminal on Sheridan Street) for a 20-minute ride to Museum Hill: home to four popular museums:

Museum of International Folk Art,
(http://www.internationalfolkart.org/ )
Museum of Indian Art & Culture,
(http://www.miaclab.org/)
Museum of Spanish Colonial Art (http://www.spanishcolonialblog.org/) and the
Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian (http://wheelwright.org/).

“Renting bikes in Santa Fe is a good way to see the city as well as get around. There are several bike paths that connect different parts of the city, The Arroyo Chamisa Trail connects the south part of town with the Railyard. There is also a newly developed recreational trail system: La Tierra Trails, a fun place for some mountain biking.

“My best suggestion for bike rentals is Mellow Vello, located right downtown, www.mellowvello.com. They can provide further info on trails and getting around.

“My best tips for those not driving is to stay hydrated - we are both high, 7,000 feet, and dry - and bring sun protection as we have 300+ sunny days a year. Taking it a little slowly on the first 24 hours in town will help with the altitude.

Where to Stay in Santa Fe

“Santa Fe Sage Inn is conveniently located on the edge of downtown and is one of the best values in the city. http://santafesageinn.com/

“Inn on the Alameda is another good value located downtown,

http://innonthealameda.com/

“The Old Santa Fe Inn is another reasonable spot in downtown,

http://oldsantafeinn.com/

“Many moderately priced hotels along Cerrillos Road, about 1-2 miles from downtown, are easy to reach by using the Santa Fe Trails bus system. These include:

“Courtyard by Marriott - http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/safcy-courtyard-santa-fe/

“El Rey Inn - http://www.elreyinnsantafe.com/

“Santa Fe DoubleTree - http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/new-mexico/doubletree-by-hilton-hotel-santa-fe-SAFCRDT/index.html

“Everything to see and do in Santa Fe can be found at http://www.santafe.org/, the Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau's web site. You can also call toll-free (800) 777-2489.”

Steve Atlas enjoys hearing from readers. To contact Steve, share feedback about this or other “Car Free Journey” columns, or suggest destination for future columns, e-mail steveatlas45@yahoo.com.

Read Steve’s previous columns at www.pubtrantravel.com.

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