Summer is here and it’s time to enjoy all the excitement that north-central New Mexico offers. The Rail Runner Express makes it extra fun and affordable this year with free rides for those aged 17 and younger! So, grab your family and friends and take the train to explore Belen, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe.
What kid doesn’t love trains? Taking the Rail Runner Express makes going someplace fun an adventure worth writing a “What I did this summer” essay about. By riding the train, you can spend more quality time with the youngsters instead of focusing on driving and finding someplace to park. Teens can gain independence by getting places on their own by riding the Rail Runner Express.
Summer fun starts with a special kick-off event on Wednesday, June 5, from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Montaño Rail Runner Station where you can meet Trax, the Rail Runner Express mascot, pick up free books, and learn more about public transit.
But you don’t have to wait until then to start riding the rails for free: youth ages 17 and under ride free on the Rail Runner Express from June 1 to July 31, 2024. Simply board the train, and show a driver’s license, state or student ID, or lacking that, just tell the ticket agent your age. Children under the age of 10 must ride with an adult 18 or older.
From Santa Fe, you can take the train to Albuquerque or a little farther south to the historic train town of Belen. In Belen, you can explore the Belen Harvey House Museum or visit the Belen Arts District.
Albuquerque offers tons of fun to make summer days fly by. A popular destination for families is the Albuquerque BioPark Botanic Garden and Aquarium. Visit the zoo, gardens, aquarium, and nearby Tingley Park, which has its own train you can ride. If that’s your destination, get off the Rail Runner Express at the Downtown Albuquerque Station and then catch the bus to the BioPark: ABQ RIDE 766 Red Line or 777 Green Line west to the Old Town/Rio Grande stop.
That’s not all you can enjoy in Albuquerque, of course. Near Old Town you can explore two museums perfect for families and then have a picnic lunch at the park across the street. You might wrap up a hot day with some fun at Civic Plaza, where the kids can play at Prickly Pear Park and then cool off at the spray pad. These parks are just a half mile from the Downtown Albuquerque train station at Tijeras and 4th Street.
Of course, you can use the Rail Runner Express to get around Santa Fe, too. Riding the train makes every destination an adventure, so take a ride to the Railyard to enjoy the famed Santa Fe Farmers Market, shops, restaurants, theaters, museums, and the park. From the Santa Fe Depot, it’s only about a half mile to the Roundhouse, our state capitol, or the Santa Fe Plaza. Santa Fe Trails bus services will help you get around the city, too.
Train Fares for Adults
While the kids can ride the Rail Runner Express Train for free this summer, there are some great rates to make family summer fun affordable. For example, seniors 60 and above ride free on Wednesdays and get discounted rates the other days of the week, and active-duty military and veterans with proper ID ride free every day.
For those buying tickets, the rate is determined by the number of zones traveled. For example, a six-zone full-fare day pass is $10. You can buy tickets online in advance or purchase them on the train.
Summer adventure awaits and the Rail Runner Express will help make it more affordable for the entire family this June and July. Enjoy!
