tour chepe express

En aproximadamente 9 horas, recorre en tren más de 350 km saliendo de Los Mochis, Sinaloa hacia Creel, Chihuahua, Pueblo Mágico ubicado en el corazón de la Sierra Tarahumara, zona también conocida como Las Barrancas del Cobre.

Cruza una de las sierras más imponentes de México a través de túneles y puentes. Todo en un ambiente pensado para consentirte con nuestro excelente personal y el confort de nuestro servicio Express. Si así lo deseas, puedes detenerte a conocer cualquiera de sus 5 destinos para descubrir lo que hay más allá de las Barrancas.

Disfruta de un viaje único en la vida.

Los Mochis Sinaloa

El Fuerte Sinaloa

Bahuichivo Chihuahua

Divisadero Chihuahua

Creel Chihuahua

Aventúrate en la Sierra Tarahumara y conoce una de las maravillas naturales más impresionantes de México y el mundo, solamente accesibles a bordo del Chepe.

ITINERARIOS SUGERIDOS

XPLORA LAS BARRANCAS

Descubre en 4 días la cultura Tarahumara en Creel y Las Barrancas

XPLORA LA NATURALEZA

Viaja redondo desde Los Mochis y conoce la maravilla de esta ruta en 7 días

XPLORA LA CULTURA

Viaja en el Chepe Regional y en el Chepe Express durante 6 días mágicos

XPLORA EL CHEPE

Este itinerario es uno de los más completos para la ruta del Chepe Express

ESCAPADA EXPRESS

Viaja de Los Mochis a Creel visitando Las Barrancas y el pueblo mágico El Fuerte

Descubre en 4 días la cultura Sinaloense en el Fuerte, y la Tarahumara en Creel y Las Barrancas

ESTATUS DEL TREN:

El tren Chepe Express, salió a tiempo.

Travel to Mexico Now

Explore the Beautiful Aztec Country!

Chepe Train and Copper Canyon – All You Need to Know

Trains have disappeared in Mexico for the most part, but that does not mean there aren’t any left. One example is the Chepe train in the northwestern part of the country. Over the years, many travelers have started to include this on their radar. However, when you look it up, you will probably find a lot of conflicting – and confusing – information, leaving you frustrated.

If you would like to know more about this train but don’t know how to start planning your trip, don’t worry. You’ve come to the right place. Today we will tell you everything you need to know about the Chepe train and Copper Canyon. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

What’s the fuss about the chepe train, what about copper canyon, chepe regional vs chepe express, chepe stops, chepe schedule, how to get chepe tickets, chepe ticket prices, chepe restrictions, where do you take the chepe, should you choose chepe regional or chepe express, can you rent a car, what is there to do in copper canyon, best time to visit, how much time do you need, suggested itinerary, additional tips, can you do the trip on your own.

Well, for starters, let’s talk about the Chepe. What is it? Well, it turns out it is the only passenger train in Mexico still in operation. Wait, but there isn’t a train in Guadalajara called Tequila Express? Yes, there is, but it’s a tourist attraction and the distance covered is too short, so we don’t really consider it a passenger train.

On the other hand, the Chepe is a real train for travelers. Its name comes from the first sounds of the destinations it connects CH (Chihuahua) – PE (Pacific). It started operation in 1961 and is currently managed by the private company Ferromex.

The train covers a distance of 673 km (418 miles) and passes through 86 tunnels and 37 bridges. On the way, you will see rivers, lagoons, and mountains and notice the gradual change from the desert into the forest. It is one of the most popular ways to visit Copper Canyon.

The U.S. has the Grand Canyon, but Mexico has the Copper Canyon (Barrancas del Cobre in Spanish). It is a group of six canyons in northwestern Mexico that covers an area of 65,000 sq. km. (25,000 sq. miles), making it four times larger than the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

It is home to numerous species of pine and oak trees, birds, bears, and even jaguars. It is one of the most diverse ecosystems in Mexico.

Copper Canyon is also home to the Rarámuri or Tarahumara, as they are better known. They represent one of the last indigenous groups in Mexico and are famous for running long distances either barefoot or with minimal supportive shoes. They are also famous for their colorful handicrafts that include baskets and clothing.

Copper Canyon is located in the Sierra Tarahumara, and all throughout it, you will find small towns and villages that will charm everyone.

Before starting planning the trip aboard the Chepe, it’s important to understand the difference between the two existing trains: Chepe Regional and Chepe Express. Chepe Regional is the traditional train that has been in operation since 1961 and is used mainly by locals. On the contrary, Chepe Express is a luxury train catering to different types of tourists.

Chepe Express offers three categories:

• First Class
• Business Class
• Tourist Class

While Chepe Express has a couple of restaurants and a bar, Chepe Regional only offers snacks. Chepe Express also has more spacious and comfortable seats than Chepe Regional, but other than that, they both serve the same purpose of moving through Copper Canyon.

Chepe Regional covers a larger area than Chepe Express. It connects the cities of Los Mochis, Sinaloa to Chihuahua City, Chihuahua. There are 16 stops in total along this route:

• Posada Barrancas
• San Juanito

Meanwhile, Chepe Express only has 5 stops:

The Chepe train runs daily, but it alternates directions every day. In the case of Chepe Regional, it departs from Chihuahua City on Wednesdays and Saturdays and from Los Mochis, on Thursdays and Sundays. It leaves at 6 a.m from either direction. The whole trip takes between 15 and 16 hours.

Chepe Express runs Los Mochis-Creel on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and Creel-Los Mochis on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. In both cases, the train leaves at 8 a.m., and the whole trip takes around 9 hours.

During the low season, the Chepe train does not operate on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. To be on the safe side, you can check the full calendar here .

There are four ways to get Chepe Express tickets:

• Online at https://chepe.mx/
• By phone at 800-122-4373 (Mexican toll-free number)
• By email at [email protected]
• Directly at the Chihuahua, Creel, and Los Mochis stations

You can book your tickets up to a year in advance.

However, to buy Chepe Regional tickets, you can only do so by phone or at the train station. Not too long ago, it was possible to pay for the tickets on board, but they changed that since the pandemic started.

This will vary widely depending on the class you select, the distance, and whether you get a one-way or round ticket. On average, a Chepe Regional one-way ticket costs between 600 and 3,600 pesos ($35-$180), while a Chepe Express one-way ticket can cost as much as 3,900 pesos ($195).

To get more detailed information about the prices for each destination, you can check out this link .

There are no restrictions for anyone taking the Chepe Regional between Chihuahua and Creel. However, if you plan to travel from Creel to Los Mochis or any middle point between them, you will need a Chepe Express ticket that covers a longer distance than your Chepe Regional ticket.

For example, you can’t travel onboard Chepe Express from Divisadero to Los Mochis if you only rode Chepe Regional from Creel to Divisadero. You can ride both Chepe Express and Chepe Regional, but remember the part of your trip onboard Chepe Express has to be longer.

No food or animals are allowed on board.

Only cash payments are accepted on board.

Regarding baggage, only one 25-kg (55-lb) suitcase and one carry-on are allowed per person.

Most people take the Chepe in either Los Mochis or Chihuahua. This is especially convenient if you’re flying in from afar.

If you buy a one-way ticket that covers the full distance onboard Chepe Regional or Chepe Express, you can make 3 stops along the way at no extra cost. You can then continue your trip on another day, but you have to indicate each stop that you will make at the time of buying your ticket.

There is not a single answer to this question. Chepe Express is more luxurious, and the trip takes less time. However, if you’re price-conscious, then I recommend you choose Chepe Regional.

As I said above, you can combine both Chepe Regional and Chepe Express, but you have to consider the ticket restriction policies.

It’s easier to book Chepe Express as there are more booking options, but don’t let that discourage you if you want to ride Chepe Regional instead.

You can rent a car in either Los Mochis or Chihuahua. However, I don’t recommend it unless you’re an experienced driver. There are several inclines and curves along the way. If you rent a car, it’s preferable to rent one with manual transmission.

Additionally, road signage is poor and there isn’t any cell phone signal in some parts of the mountains, making the trip harder. I can’t guarantee you wouldn’t get lost, but personally, I wouldn’t risk it.

There are many things you can do in Copper Canyon. Activities include hiking, rappelling, ziplining, rock climbing, horseback riding, biking, camping, wine tasting, waterfalls, and much more! There are lookout points with incredible views that will mesmerize you.

Points of interest along the Chepe route are:

• Los Mochis, close to the coastal town of Topolobampo.
• El Fuerte, a small town with lots of history.
• Bahuichivo, a quiet town in the mountains, perfect for trekking.
• Divisadero, with its adventure park.
• Creel, a Tarahumara town with lots of art and folklore.

Copper Canyon is a place to connect with nature and relax. Some areas are so remote that they don’t even have any cell phone signal. Don’t be like that family I met that was arguing during the whole trip. The teenagers were complaining about the lack of wifi, and the father just told them if they kept that attitude, he would cancel the trip as soon as they reached Creel. If you can’t live without wifi or your phone for that matter, then this is not the place for you.

It is always a good time to visit Copper Canyon! You will see it in different ways every time you visit.

Spring is the dry season, and the canyon looks a reddish-brown color resembling copper. During summer, the canyon starts turning green as a result of the rain. The canyon looks the greenest during the months of September and October. And if you visit during winter, you might even see snow in places like Divisadero and Creel.

Weather aside, you might also be wondering about the low season. Generally speaking, it consists of Easter, July, August, and December. So, if you want to avoid the crowds, you should avoid those times if possible.

As strange as it sounds, some people just ride the train without making any stops. They just ride the train for the experience and then leave. However, if you want to tour the area, I would say the minimum you need is 3 days. However, to make the most of it, I recommend you spend there between 5 and 7 days.

Copper Canyon is huge. You have to consider distances and logistics. When you get off at a station, you might have to spend there at least two nights before resuming your journey. Remember the train doesn’t run in the same direction every day. Besides, the train does not operate on certain days during the low season.

You can find several itinerary ideas on Chepe’s website . By the way, Chepe has its own agency that can help you organize your trip including the train, lodging, and tours. Here is the itinerary I followed:

Day 1: Los Mochis-El Fuerte

• Arrival in Los Mochis
• Transfer to El Fuerte
• Free time in El Fuerte to visit the main square, church, El Fuerte Museum, the City Hall, the river, ride the Chepito, and attend a Zorro performance
• Dinner at hotel
• Spend the night in El Fuerte

Day 2: El Fuerte-Creel

• Breakfast at hotel
• Ride Chepe Express from El Fuerte to Creel
• Free afternoon in Creel to eat, buy some handicrafts, visit the main square and churches, and rent an ATV to drive around town
• Spend the night in Creel

Day 3: Creel

• Visit a Tarahumara cave, Arareko Lake, Frog and Mushroom Valleys, Cusarare Waterfall, and an old Jesuit mission
• Lunch at hotel
• Free time to visit the Tarahumara Museum and roam the streets

Day 4: Creel-Divisadero/Barrancas del Cobre

• Transfer to Divisadero
• Adventure Park
• Hiking in the mountains with a local guide
• Spend the night in Divisadero

Day 5: Chihuahua

• Transfer to Chihuahua
• Visit a Mennonite community
• Free afternoon to take the Chihuahua trolley, visit the main square, the cathedral, the local market, and Casa Chihuahua
• Spend the night in Chihuahua

Day 6: Chihuahua

• Chihuahua city tour
• Transfer to the airport
• Take flight back home

You don’t have to buy a Chepe round ticket. Most people buy a one-way ticket and then fly out when they reach their final destination.

You can combine Chepe Regional and Chepe Express, but don’t forget about buses. You don’t have to do the whole trip by train. There are two local bus companies: Rapidos Cuauhtemoc and Autotransportes Turisticos del Noroeste.

The most beautiful part of the trip is between El Fuerte and Bahuichivo. You can do the rest of the trip by bus, but ride the train for this part. It’s totally worth it. By the way, if you’re doing this trip during winter, I recommend you depart from Los Mochis/El Fuerte. If you depart from Creel, it will be getting dark by the time you reach this area.

The most visited location in Copper Canyon is Creel.  It is the largest town in the area and offers several tourist services. In fact, many people base themselves here and then do day trips to nearby attractions.

Make sure to bring enough cash. There are ATMs only in Los Mochis, El Fuerte, Creel, and Chihuahua. Not many places accept credit cards outside of these places.

Although the train is wheelchair accessible, not many attractions in Copper Canyon are. I don’t recommend this place for people with reduced mobility.

The average temperature during spring and summer is 20°C (68°F). It starts dropping during fall, and during winter, it can reach below freezing temperatures. Pack up accordingly.

If you’re planning to visit during the high season, make sure to book your train tickets in advance. Due to the pandemic, the train does not operate at full capacity.

You can and should book your activities for the adventure park. The lines at the box office can get really long, and you will lose precious time. Keep in mind the park closes at 4:30. If you want to make the most of it, arrive early. The park opens at 9 a.m.

Talk to your doctor if you suffer from heart disease, asthma, or some other chronic disease. High altitudes can be bad for you.

A trip to Copper Canyon is not cheap. Yes, you can save some money by following some tips, but it’s certainly more expensive than other trips in Mexico.

When I decided I wanted to visit this place, I did some research online and was confused. It all seemed too complicated, and although I might’ve tried my luck, I decided to book my trip through an agency. I’m glad I did. They did everything for me, and I didn’t have to worry about anything. It all went smoothly, and it has been one of my most enjoyable trips.

I like to save money, but I’m not a backpacker. Some people refuse to take tours and want to do everything themselves. That’s fine. However, although you can get to Copper Canyon on your own, you will still have to take one or more tours to visit the surrounding attractions. Due to the remoteness of the area, it’s quite hard to reach some places without hiring a tour.

Another factor you have to consider is logistics. As we saw earlier, planning a trip on your own is challenging. You have to gather a lot of information and put it all together to make an itinerary. If you have the time and patience, then definitely go for it.

The easiest and most convenient way to visit Copper Canyon is through a certified agency. They can arrange a trip that includes the train ride, lodging, meals, transfers, and tours so you don’t have to worry about anything. They’re not that expensive. I’ve seen packages as low as $500 per person.

Visiting Copper Canyon on your own takes a lot of planning, but it’s doable. If you have done it, please let me know in the comments below.

Copper Canyon is one of the most beautiful destinations in Mexico , and the best way to visit it is by train. The experience is magical, and I can assure you it will be one of the most memorable trips you can ever take.

This trip is not for everyone. If you don’t enjoy nature, get bored easily, or need to be glued to your phone 24/7, then I don’t recommend you visit. A visit to Copper Canyon is to de-stress and disconnect from your daily routine, including phones and computers.

As I mentioned above, this trip is pricier than an average trip in Mexico, but it’s totally worth it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Do it on your own or through an agency, but do it. You won’t regret it.

If you have any questions about Copper Canyon and the Chepe train, please feel free to leave them below and I will do my best to answer them all. Bon voyage!

Book your trip now!

Book your flight

The first thing you have to do is find cheap flights. But where do you find those? There are many search engines, but the one I highly recommend is Skyscanner . Here you can compare fares from all over the world and pick the one that suits you best.

Book your accommodation

The next thing you have to do is secure your lodging. Whether you prefer a hostel, a guesthouse, a B&B, or a hotel, you can find them all on Booking . You can find lodging of all kinds ranging from cheap to expensive and somewhere in between. Many people have scored good deals using it.

Another popular option is Hostelworld . This website focuses on hostels as opposed to hotels.

Book a tour

In some places, you might want to hire a tour. Not all places are equally accessible to visit by oneself. It helps enormously when you visit with a local guide who can show you around and answer any questions you might have…all in your native language. My to-go place is Viator as they offer tours of all kinds and have a presence all over the world.

Public transportation is usually cheaper than renting a car, but it’s sometimes more complicated and time-consuming. That’s a reality. In some cases, it’s more convenient to rent a car. My recommendation is Rentalcars.com . Here you can compare rates and choose the one that fits you best.

Book your bus tickets

You can save money by booking bus tickets online. My favorite site to do this is Busbud .

Get travel insurance

Never travel without a travel insurance policy, especially these days! Travel insurance can save your life. My recommendations are World Nomads and Insured Nomads . Both companies cover COVID-19 related incidents, which is crucial these days.

More resources

Just click on the “Plan your trip” tab at the top of this page, and you will find more resources like getting Mexican insurance for your foreign car, buying travel accessories, and learning Spanish. And, of course, don’t forget to check back often to read more tips on Mexico travel.

Download my FREE ebook to learn more about Mexico travel! All you have to do is join our email list below.

You can unsubscribe at any time. We keep your data private and share your data only with third parties that make this service possible. Read our full Privacy Policy .

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

• Destinations

6 Replies to “Chepe Train and Copper Canyon – All You Need to Know”

What a fantastic idea! Almost like having the orient express train running through the mountains and around Mexico. I can really see why this would be an amazing attraction and the perfect way to do some unique sight seeing. It covers a large area too so i like the idea that you can plan your journey to where you wish to go. 

They look very elegant inside and very welcoming. 

Copper Canyon looks incredible and if i ever get the chance to visit Mexico, I’d love to take this train journey.

Even the station looks classy and unique !

Hi, Louise,

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s been one of my most memorable trips. I hope you experience it someday.

Thanks for commenting.

Thanks for some great information to think about. A trip to Copper Canyon by train has been on my bucket list for some time. I have several friends who took a tour a few years ago now. With all the craziness of the past couple years my trip’s been on hold.  But I think it’s finally becoming a possibility in the near future. There may never be a better time to disconnect and just enjoy nature. You’ve given me a lot of good ideas!

Yes, last year was crazy and we’re barely going back to normal. 

Hope you visit Copper Canyon soon. You will love it.

This seems like such a wonderful and thrilling experience. First, I love the detail and kind of full immersion that your article offers; I mean, it’s almost like I’m there. Second, I love the place as a tourist destination itself. There seems to be so much to explore.

Personally, I guess I would love to visit it for the waterfalls and views, as well as the hope would be to encounter some wild life. But I know my wife would be someone thrilled with the opportunities to camp and rock climb. I bet going on a horseback ride would be a treat as well. And some wine would be awesome to taste, too. 

Overall, I definitely agree. 3 days for the entire thing do seem like the minimum. When we’ll go, I’ll make sure we stay for at least 5-7 days as you said. And I really appreciate all the insight. Thank you for putting this together. 🙂 

Hey, Matiss,

Glad you liked it. Let me know if you have any questions.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

 Yes, add me to your mailing list

How to Book El Chepe Train Tickets for the Copper Canyon | Mexico

• Post author: Tanya Korteling
• Post published: 02/02/2024
• Post last modified: 07/03/2024
• Post comments: 50 Comments

• Opens in a new window

If you’re here it’s likely that you’ve already researched or read about Copper Canyon or Barrancas del Cobre; a series of six canyons in Northwestern Mexico . You’ve also probably decided you want to take one of the world’s greatest train journeys on the Copper Canyon Railway (Ferrocarril de Barrancas del Cobre) or ‘El Chepe’ as it’s known and are ready to book your El Chepe train tickets .

Affiliate Link Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you use them to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more in our Affiliate Link Disclosure.

What you'll find in this post

El Chepe Train Tickets Booking Challenges

If you’re anything like we were, you’ve got as far as planning your trip and now want to know how to book El Chepe train tickets and to find out what the El Chepe train costs.

Despite considering ourselves well-travelled and always managing our own logistics we found this a real challenge a few years ago when had to book El Chepe (Copper Canyon) train tickets. There was information out there, but not much, and what there was gave conflicting advice.

After lots of faffing about, I eventually figured it out and got everything confirmed with just a few days to spare. However, I have good news for you. Since we went on the El Chepe train, the booking process has become much easier , for Chepe Express tickets at least, although for Chepe Regional it’s still a little more long-winded.

It is, of course, also possible and easy, to book El Chepe train tickets through an agency. In fact, you could arrange an entire Copper Canyon tour via an agency but this approach tends to come with a hefty price tag.

We always try to keep our costs down and book all our own travel so I’ve based this post on that. Here’s how to independently book El Chepe train tickets for the Copper Canyon:

Copper Canyon El Chepe Train Trip Decisions

Before you can even think about actually booking El Chepe train tickets for your Copper Canyon trip there are three key decisions to make. Most of this information is on the El Chepe website but I’ve picked out the most important to help you.

1. What Direction to Travel on the El Chepe Tain

The direction in which you want to take the El Chepe train through the Copper Canyon – Los Mochis to Chihuahua or Chihuahua to Los Mochis. This will depend on where your prior and onward destinations are and the associated costs.

We were in Merida before the Copper Canyon and had plans to meet a friend in Guadalajara afterwards. This meant either direction would have worked for us, as we needed to take a flight or long bus journey at either end regardless.

We opted for Chihuahua to Los Mochis because the flights worked out cheaper.

2. Your El Chepe Train Itinerary

Which stations you want to stop at, on which dates, and for how long may influence which class of El Chepe train(s) you get. Your itinerary may also depend on what activities you want to do along the way. There are LOTS to choose from: half, full and multi-day hikes to waterfalls and into the canyon, horse-riding, mountain biking, and various sightseeing tours . The list goes on!

Which accommodation you want to stay at in the Copper Canyon may also impact your itinerary. Although most of the year you’re likely to be able to find somewhere to stay as you go if you have your heart set on a particular hotel, it would be best to book it in advance .

3. Class of Train  – Chepe Express or El Chepe Regional

There are two classes of El Chepe train – Chepe Express and El Chepe Regional. El Chepe Regional is more economical and Chepe Express is nicer and created more to cater for tourists.

The other main differences are the days of service, the stations they service, and of course the price and how you can book and buy El Chepe tickets.

There’s also a slight difference in the onboard facilities.

El Chepe Express

Duration – takes about 9 hours 40 minutes

Schedule – leaves from Creel at 8 am on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday arriving in Los Mochis at 5:40 pm. In the other direction, it leaves from Los Mochis on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8 am, arriving in Creel at 5:40 pm.

Please note that unlike Chepe Regional this train DOES NOT depart from or travel to Chihuahua.

Price – the entire journey one way for tourists costs 2,598 pesos (£120 / $153).

There are also other classes available: ‘Executive’ or ‘Business’ which is 3,374 pesos (£155 / $199) one way and ‘First Class’ which is 4,820 pesos (£223 / $287) .

There are also return tickets available for all classes.

Permitted stops – you may stop at all stations on the route during your journey (for a minimum of one night). Therefore, if you want to take Chepe Express for the entire journey it’s very easy to plan your itinerary. 

It is also possible to book and pay for individual legs should you want to combine with some stretches on Chepe Regional or by bus, colectivo or car. 

Onboard facilities  – Ulrike dining room, bar and terrace.

You ARE NOT permitted to take your own food on this train, although it’s up to you if you want to risk it. We didn’t see anyone else with their own food on this train.

When to book –  MUST be booked in ADVANCE, you can’t buy tickets on the day at any station or on the train. 

That’s the official line anyway, h owever, if you’ve had a different experience please let us know.

El Chepe Regional (Turista and Economica)

Duration – takes about 16 hours 30 minutes.

Schedule – leaves from Chihuahua on Monday and Saturday at 7 am, arriving in Los Mochis at 10:28 pm. In the other direction, it leaves from Los Mochis on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 6 am arriving in Chihuahua at 10:34 pm.

Price –  the entire journey for tourists in the ‘Turista’ class costs 1,970 pesos (£93 / $117).

There is another class ‘Economica’ or ‘Economy’ which costs 1,034 pesos (£49 / $62) This is mainly used by locals, but tourists can use it too. 

Permitted stops –  you may stop at three stations (including your final station) during your journey (for a minimum of one night) at no additional cost. The train stops at another 13 stations between the start and end stations so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Most people stop at least at Creel because it’s at the start (or end) of the most scenic stretch of the canyon and at Divisadero/ Posada Barrancas for the best views .

Again it’s possible to buy El Chepe train tickets for individual legs, should you want to combine with some stretches on Chepe Express or by bus or car, or if you want to stop at more stations than allowed in the main ticket. 

Onboard facilities  – Dining room.

Again you ARE NOT permitted to take your own food on this train. However, I did see several people with their own food and there are vendors at some of the stations you pass through so it’s up to you if you want to risk taking or buying food outside of the onboard dining room.

When to book – Turista class CAN ONLY be booked in advance or on the day from the ticket counter at either Chihuahua or Los Mochis station (in advance is recommended for tourists).

Economica class CAN ONLY be purchased from the conductor ON the train.  We can personally vouch for this as we had to do this to get from our starting point of Creel to Posada Barrancas.

Here’s Andy’s El Chepe video from this part of the journey.

Which class of Copper Canyon train tickets you choose will depend mainly on your budget, itinerary and flexibility. You may decide like us, that you want to take a combination of classes to cut costs or because of the days you want to travel and where you want to stop.

Ideally, we wanted to use El Chepe Regional for the entire trip as it’s cheaper and has many more stations you can choose to stop at. This didn’t work with our itinerary so we decided to book El Chepe Regional from Creel to Divisadero/ Posada Barrancas and then Chepe Express for the most scenic stretch from Posada Barrancas to El Fuerte. 

Don’t forget there’s also the option to travel by bus or colectivo. These tend to be slightly quicker and much cheaper than the train but don’t strictly follow the railway.

We took the bus for the first stretch from Chihuahua to Creel, and a colectivo for the final stretch from El Fuerte to Los Mochis. We’d read these sections weren’t very scenic so saving some cash won over on taking the train for these.

Car travel is also possible, but be sure to research thoroughly, especially the safety aspect of your road trip.

Booking El Chepe Train Tickets

Once you’ve considered all the information, made your key decisions and applied for your Mexico tourist card if needed (depending on the country you are travelling from), it’s finally time to book your El Chepe train tickets.

Here’s where you will have a much easier job than we did when we booked ours as the process has since been much improved and is what I’ll share next.

How To Book Chepe Express Tickets

As of 2022, it’s now possible to book Chepe Express tickets online by going to the Chepe website and clicking on ‘Book Train’.

Select the class of train you want a ticket for, along with the origin and destination for your journey, then add your travel date. Click ‘Add Stop’ to add more legs to your journey.

Finally, complete the online form with your details and make your payment via their online system. Unlike what we had to do, it’s no longer necessary to email and send credit card details. 

Once you’ve paid, you should then receive an email confirmation of your Chepe Express train tickets straight away.

How to Book El Chepe Regional Tickets

It’s only possible to book El Chepe Regional Turista tickets via email ( [email protected] ) or from the ticket counter at either Chihuahua or Los Mochis station. If you buy them from the ticket counter, it’s best to go at least the day before to buy them in advance, although you can buy them on the day if the train isn’t full.

You can’t book El Chepe Regional Economica tickets by email. So, you’ll either need to get yourself to Chihuahua or Los Mochis before your trip to buy tickets in advance or on the day at the station ticket counter OR you can buy tickets from the conductor on the train at intermediate stations.

That’s it, you should now have all the information you need to book your Chepe Express tickets; (plus some useful information on El Chepe Regional, if that’s your preferred option).

Now you can concentrate on finalising your accommodation and activities and enjoying your trip!

One final top tip is don’t forget your camera to photograph and video the most incredible, epic landscape. This really was our only regret, that we didn’t have a decent camera with us.

For ideas on what to see and do in the Copper Canyon have a look at our 5-day Copper Canyon train ride itinerary and, for more information, you can also read more about Copper Canyon here this series of six canyons in Northwestern Mexico .

Have you travelled through the Copper Canyon by El Chepe train recently? Have I missed anything from our process to book El Chepe train tickets?

Planning Your El Chepe Train Trip?

Planning your El Chepe train trip? Here are some of our recommended useful resources to help you have the best time possible.

Tanya Korteling

This post has 50 comments.

I have made my reservation and we leave Sunday 3/12/2023. 2 adults and 2 children from Creel to Los Mochis, we are returning by Chepe Regional. My question, anyone have suggestions on best option to get from Cd. Juarez, CHIH to Creel, CHIH? Also recommendations for hotel in Creel and transportation in Creel from hotel to train station?

I will return with updates and review when we return.

Sounds like you have an exciting trip planned.

Have you read this post:

https://www.cantravelwilltravel.com/5-day-copper-canyon-train-ride-itinerary-mexico/

I think it should answer your questions.

If not please do let us know!

You will have a fantastic trip I’m sure 🙂

Lots of great info here & I’ve made a (short notice!) decision to travel from Chihuahua to Los Mochis with 1 or 2 overnight stops, hopefully leaving on January 6th. I was hoping to book ahead for the Tourista class but despite having emailed El Chepe 3 times over the past 2 weeks I’ve had no reply. Would you be able to let me know the website address to get the timetable, and whether or not it’s active at the moment? Also are you able to confirm that I can definitely buy an Economica ticket on the train on the day if I can’t get a reply from them? Huge thanks!

The link to the website in the post is correct https://chepe.mx/ BUT as I’ve just discovered it’s are not working for me now either.

However, I have found a solution by using a VPN (Virtual Provate Network) with the country set to Mexico – then the website loaded fine. Once it loads you can just click on the Blue [BOOK TRAIN] button at the top right of the screen.

This is the URL for the schedules https://chepe.mx/en/train/know-the-chepe-express-schedules/

I can’t 100% confirm about the Economica tickets but you can’t reserve those on the website so I can only assume its only possible to get them at the station or on the train as detailed in my post.

I hope that helps

Thanks Tanya

Thanks for the extra info Tanya, I can a cesz the websites but they only seem to offer schedules on the Express train leaving from Creel & I would need to depart from Chihuahua & therefore need the El Chepe Regional train. I don’t think my schedule will allow time to take the bus from Chihuahua to Creel so I was really hoping to avoid this! I’d be very grateful for any further advice!

Hi, Here is the URL for the Regional timetables on the website https://chepe.mx/cheperegionalhorarios/

Which airport is closest to each end of the train routes and how would you recommend getting to and from the airport to the train stations?

Chihuahua airport is closest to Creel and Los Mochis at the other end has it’s own airport.

This and much more is detailed in this post https://www.cantravelwilltravel.com/5-day-copper-canyon-train-ride-itinerary-mexico/

If you go, I hope you have a great trip.

Thank you for the names of the nearby airports. How do you recommend getting to and from the train stations to the airport?

Hi; I would recommend getting a taxi. That is how we did it. 😀

Thanks for all the helpful information. I went in 2006 on the whole route, and now I’ve decided I think I want to go back in six weeks December 2022. Do you think that’s enough time to book? As of now is online booking functional on their website? I think I would want meals on the train so that would be tourist class I think, at least for the return trip to los mochis, is that still necessary to book online? Thanks again, Dan

Exciting for you, I expect it will have changed a bit since then. I’m not 100% sure if it’s enough time, but I expect so. I’m honestly not sure about booking via the website – it wasn’t when this post was last updated and currently the website is completely down. So, probably best to follow the steps in my post – but keep checking the website to see if it goes back online.

I hope you’re trip goes well – please do report back if anything is out of date in my post as I’d love to be able to update it.

Thankyou Tanya

Thanks Tanya, I bought a plane ticket to Los Mochis today for January! I’m goung to follow your instructions on making a reservation with the El Chepe. I’m going to start in Los Mochis, stop in 3 towns on the way to Creel for 2 days each, and then go back to Los Mochis on the Express train non-stop. I’m wondering if I should I just take the second class train on the way up to Creel since it will be in shorter segments — since the only reason in my mind for 1st class would be the meals on a longer trip? On my trip in 2006 I spent most of the time standing in the vestibules, looking/hanging out the window! not sitting, and I don’t mind if it’s a little rougher or not as clean, etc. What would be your opinion? Thanks, Dan

That sounds great. Personally, I think I would do the 2nd class train one way on the shorter segments as it will be more ‘real’ (not to mention cheaper)!

Please let us know how you get on with second class and if it was easy to just get on it at each station.

I hope you have a great journey 🙂

Here’s an update: I emailed El Chepe, they responded immediately with Timetables for the Express and the Regional. So after mapping out my plans, I made my reservation for for an Express from Los Mochis on Jan. 16,2023 and they responded immediately with a confirmation, and a link to the website to pay by credit card. Then I will be able to take the Regional from Creel to Los Mochis and stop every 2 or three days along the way. The current schedule is as follows:

Express Los Mochis to Creel: Monday-Wednesday-Friday 8:00am (only Mon&Fri in low season) Express Creel to Los Mochis: Tuesday-Thursday-Sunday 8:00am Regional Los Mochis-Chihuahuia Thursday&Sunday 6:00am Regional Chihuahuia-Los Mochis Wednesday&Saturday 6:00am

They will email you actual timetables of both pretty quickly. They didn’t give me any fares for the regional, but I’m sure they are good.

Thanks again, Dan

This is great – thankyou for the update. It sounds as if it was easier for you booking than when we went.

I hope you have an amazing trip.

Hi Dan & Tanya,

Thanks for this. Seriously useful as i’ve such a hard time trying to find info for the schedule and how to book the ticket. I’ll be heading there in april 2023. seems like a long way away but i’m excited. If there’s any more tips you can share, i’ll be very grateful if you can send them along.

Thank you!! Jaslyn

I’m glad you fond it helpful. I hope you get to do your trip next year and have a great time.

Please do let us know how it goes

Thank you so much for this info. Planning on going December of this year. I’ll keep you updated on how my booking process went!!

No worries at all. I hope you have a great time and yes, please do let us know how you get on 😀

Hello Hello,

Juste pour te remercier comme beaucoup pour toutes tes explications qui m’ont été bien utiles et mon fait gagner je pense beaucoup de temps pour réserver mon trajet.

Nous avons fait le choix d’un El fuerte à Posada en Turista sur le regional et de Posada à Creel en économica pour réduire les coûts. Nous n’aurons pas la chance de découvrir l’express qui a l’air super beau :). Malheureusement, les horaires de train ont changé depuis ton article et si on prenait l’express on ne restait que 24h à Posada.

Just to thank you as much for all your explanations which were very useful to me and I think I save a lot of time to book my trip.

We have chosen an El fuerte in Posada en Turista on the regional and Posada in Creel in economica to reduce costs. We will not have the chance to discover the express which looks super beautiful :). Unfortunately, the train schedules have changed since your article and if we took the express we only stayed 24 hours in Posada.

I’m glad you found my post useful. Thank you for letting me know about the schedule change too, I do recommend readers double check the schedules on the website before booking as they are subject to change.

I hope you have an amazing trip in the Copper Canyon.

Hi, thank you so much for all your info, this will help us no end as we are just about to book our flights, Sue and Dave Paxton x

Glad you found it helpful, have a great trip 😀

Hi everyone,

Thanks for viewing my post – have you watched documentary on channel 5 in the UK today about the El Chepe and the Copper Canyon?

Someone tell me what the documentary was like and all about – because we’re currently stuck in Cambodia and couldn’t watch it.

Any questions feel free to drop me a comment…

Hi,it was a brill programme, just looking into it myself. John f.

I shall have to try and watch it somehow – any questions feel free to drop me a message.

It is on channel 5 on demand at the moment Worlds most scenic railway journeys

Thanks – I’ll see if I can find it 😀

It’s not helpful at all, you don’t have to buy tickets in advance or online. You can just buy the tickets in the train. Trains from Creel are leaving Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. Just walk into the station, you can see what time they leave, step in the train and buy a ticket!

Thanks for your message, it’s hard to keep track on changes to schedules and prices so I appreciate it when a reader let’s me know of a change I may not have heard about and I actually request this in my post 😀

In this instance, I was actually in the process of reviewing my post following clarification from El Chepe on their new schedule and prices following updates on January 11th 2020, but thank you for flagging this for me anyway.

The post has now beeen updated with the revised schedule and prices.

You are also correct that you don’t HAVE to buy tickets online, Chepe Regional Economica (used mainly by locals and commuters) can be purchased on the day at Creel. However, Chepe Regional Tourista and Chepe Express tickets still need to be purchased in advance online – this has been confirmed to me by my contacts at El Chepe.

All of this was already stated in the post, but thanks for checking.

Thanks for the in depth info on how to book. Do you have any recommendations for stops? We are going to get the regional train so will need to book places to stay depending on where is good? You’ve mentioned creel so that will be one of our stops.

Thanks for your advice in advance,

Yes I do in my 5-day Copper Canyon itinerary post. The link is https://www.cantravelwilltravel.com/5-day-copper-canyon-train-ride-itinerary-mexico/

I hope you have a fantastic trip

Your train schedule section is grossly in error. The Express leaves Los Mochis at 0730, and the return to Los Mochis that stops in Creel also departs from there at 0730. This is definite, correct information as I just booked our passage via chat on the company’s web site for our trip in two weeks. The cost is $8,400 MX / pp for “Executive Class” service.

Your misinformation caused me to panic as i had made a Creel hotel reservation months ago based on the RR site’s schedule but bumped into your page as I looked to secure train tickets. Your posted schedule has times that not only prohibited our train trip but have corollary impacts on two non-refundable nights in Los Mochis that are bookends to our overnight train trip. As we say in Mexico, “muy pobre!”

I’m extremely sorry you found incorrect information on my site. At the time of the last update of this post the information was 100% correct – having checked it appears the schedule was recently updated and I wasn’t aware. Thanks for flagging this error for me, I have now updated the post with the correct times.

With regards to the cost of the ticket – my post was showing the correct price – however it was for a single journey, it seems the price you paid was a return. I have now updated the post to show both prices.

I’m sorry if the incorrect old information caused you any problems, however, I do have links throughout the post to the schedule and prices so readers can check for themselves before booking. I’ve added a note to the post recommending people do so.

Thanks again for your message enabling me to update the post with the most recent information.

Your how to book guide was very helpful and worked like a dream. They responded in 24 hours, and there was several days of emails as train schedules didn’t quite fit my9 other programme. A couple of updates: 1. THE CHEPE express goes from creel on Tuesday Friday and Sunday only and back the other days. No trains run on Wednesday. I don’t know if expess will run daily in high season but as I travel in the first week of July I though that would be high season. 2. I was only given the card option to pay. The site is a secure one and when I paid electronic tickets arrived immediately 3. All emails arrived in my inbox except the ones with attachments which went to spam. They did chase to say had I received the booking offer, at which point I checked spam

Hi Barbara, so glad to here it worked o.k. for you. Thanks for the updates too.

I remember we were originally only given the card option but asked for another option as our card payments weren’t working.

With regards to the Chepe Express schedule it was daily so maybe they’ve reduced it for low season – I’ll double check with my contact and update the post if necessary. I’ll also update for people to check spam for emails with attachments.

If you haven’t taken your trip yet – I hope you have a great time.

This is such a helpful article and looks like such a scenic train journey!

Many thanks for this advice. Worked immediately. I had actually clicked on the “contact” on the Chepe website and got an answer from a travel agency…. found this a little strange so looked on internet for more infos I found your blog…. Great infos !

That’s brilliant to hear – so glad my post helped you! Have a fantastic trip 🙂

Very usefull! thank you for all those explanation with all details. I am booking very soon from Creel. Muchas gracias. Sonia

Hi Sonia, I’m so glad you found my post helpful. I hope you have a fantastic trip!

Very helpful.so well explained with details. I will book very soon and will feel confidnt. Muchas gracias

Thank you for this informations! They helped me to get a ticket ?????! Just send a mail to ferromex, then it’s easy …

No worries, so glad it helped. Hope you have a great time!

Your advice worked a treat for me. I was getting worried, having read lots of other travel forums, about tickets for El Chepe, but I followed your advice, sent one email, “ferromex” replied with a confirmation and a link to pay by credit card (this without any prompt from myself) and once I’d paid online my ticket was generated automatically. Sorted! Muchas Gracias

Hi, that’s great I’m glad my post was helpful! Hope you enjoy your trip!

Such helpful advice! So detailed! Thank you and great blog!

Thank you so much – glad it’s helpful 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

I agree to the use of my information to be sent exclusive email updates, travel tips, offers and giveaways! I also confirm I’ve read Can Travel Will Travel's Privacy Policy

El Chepe Train Route: How to Take the El Chepe Express

Sharing is caring!

Figuring out which El Chepe train route is best for you can be confusing! At least, it was for me as I planned my solo trip through Copper Canyon . It can be even more difficult if English is not your first language or you have never visited northern Mexico. 

But don’t worry! I got you. The main thing is ensuring your itinerary aligns with the train’s availability.  Here’s everything you need to plan your El Chepe train route to enjoy the views of Copper Canyon in Mexico. These tips work for traveling solo, with family, or with friends. 

Table of Contents

Differences between El Chepe Express and El Chepe Regional 

El Chepe Regional

El Chepe Regional is the original train used by tourists. It runs more regularly and to more stops than the El Chepe Express. The first route starts in Chihuahua and ends in Los Mochis on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The second route runs opposite from Los Mochis to Chihuahua on Thursdays and Sundays.

El Chepe Express

If you are a tourist looking to take this train in Mexico, you want to book the El Chepe Express. This El Chepe train route can go from Los Mochis to Creel or in the opposite direction (Creel to Los Mochis). It is the only scenic train in Mexico as of 2023.

The El Chepe Express was created in 2018 for tourists to get a quicker and more scenic view of Copper Canyon and the states of Chihuahua & Sinaloa. It also includes a more luxurious experience than the regional train.  The stops along the way and the different classes are expanded upon below. 

El Chepe Express train tickets and prices

To find the correct El Chepe train route, you need to book on their website ; you can also find Copper Canyon tour packages to assist you with the train route. However, their website has the most up-to-date information if you are a solo traveler or don’t want to do the tours. Remember to double check that your tickets get sent to your email, which could take 12-24 hours after booking. If not, use their online chat service to resend them.

Note that the prices listed are for low season (temporada baja) and not high season (temporada alta) . Though prices vary based on currency conversions, traveling during high season adds roughly $50 USD to a one-way ticket. With that said, here is what else you need to know about tickets.

El Chepe Express Tourist (Turista)

The price one-way for a tourist ticket for the entire route is $2,598 MXN, which is $143 USD. No meals, terrace view, or bar access is included with this ticket. You can access the Urike restaurant but meals are not included.. If you book a Copper Canyon tour, a tourist class ticket will likely be included as it is ideal for large groups. 

El Chepe Express Business Class (Ejecutiva)

For those wanting the middleman between the three classes on the El Chepe train route, business class is for you. Riding the one-way route is $3,374 MXN, which is $186 USD. Compared to first-class tickets, explained below, you do not get access to the terrace nor a meal on the ride though you can buy a meal upon arrival. Business class riders also get access to the bar car with other snacks and beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

El Chepe Express  First Class (Primera)

The first-class tickets one-way from are $4,820 MXN. This price is roughly $260 USD one-way. With your first-class ticket, you get access to the bar, terrace with open windows, and a dome dining car with panoramic windows where the Urike restaurant is located. 

First class on the El Chepe train route is the most robust ticket. One meal is included in the first-class ticket. Alcoholic drinks are not included and you pay for those separately. The terrace is also only for first-class riders and has the best views. 

How to take the El Chepe Express train

There are two ways you can take the El Chepe Express train route. One direction goes from Los Mochis to Creel and stops in El Fuerte, Bahuichivo, Divisadero, and Creel. The other direction starts in Creel, makes the same stops, and ends in Los Mochis—the decision about which El Chepe train route will depend on  logistics, budget, and timing. 

Creel to Los Mochis

For this El Chepe train route, you begin in Creel and end in Los Mochis. Therefore, it is best to fly into Chihuahua for this route and take a bus from Chihuahua to Creel. The bus station is Terminal de Autobuses en Chihuahua. The cost is $21 USD for a one-way ticket that takes roughly five hours.

Upon arriving in Creel, I took the train from Creel to Divisadero on a Tuesday morning. I stayed there for five days exploring Copper Canyon Adventure Park, hiking, relaxing, sleeping, writing, taking in the views, tasting wine, and reading. Then I took the rest of the El Chepe train route from Divisadero to Los Mochis the following Sunday. If you take this El Chepe train route and want to explore Copper Canyon, note that you will need to plan for hotels and activities for when you arrive in Divisadero until the train comes back. 

Los Mochis to Creel

I recommend flying into Mexico City rather than Chihuahua for this route. It is a small town in Sinaloa, so you can’t miss the train stop. Flying into La Paz and taking a ferry to Topolobampo to get to Los Mochis is also an option.

The Los Mochis to Creel is the more common route and my initial plan. However, due to booking this trip a month before, which I do not recommend, it was too expensive to fly into Mexico City. If you want to visit Copper Canyon, you could still get off at Divisadero. The most significant difference between this El Chepe train route and Creel to Los Mochis is that you ride the longer part of the train, first going from Los Mochis to Divisadero. 

How to plan for additional stops on the El Chepe Express

Planning is necessary if you want to visit the towns on the Los Mochis to Creel or Creel to Los Mochis routes. When I tried to book a stop in Bahuichivo or El Fuerte, I was waiting for a train to be available. I would have needed to rent a car, book a tour before going, or take a bus to get to Los Mochis. For this reason, I stayed only in Divisadero, and hotel hopped for a more relaxing and less on-the-go trip to every town. 

Most popular stops on the El Chepe Express

Each stop on the El Chepe train route offers something for train travelers. In Bahuichivo you can learn about the vineyards and wine tasting at Hotel Misión. Creel is known for their artisan museum of the Tarahumara people, Lake Arareco, and Mennonite pizza. 

El Fuerte is where most people end their trip if they are coming from Creel or Divisadero. And of course in Divisadero you visit the Copper Canyon Adventure Park. There you can fly along the longest zip line in Mexico, hike, and ride the cable car.

Booking a Copper Canyon tour 

You can also book a tour throughout Mexico, including an El Chepe Express trip. While on my journey, there were multiple tour groups, including one from Gate 1 Travel . They have a 10-day Copper Canyon: Mexico & Tucson trip – just double check the train ride is on the El Chepe Express instead of the Regional to get the scenic experience.

Is the El Chepe Express in Mexico safe?

On the El Chepe Express, I enjoyed myself solo! As a woman traveling solo, I had no issues and even sat next to a friendly family who shared their snacks and talked to me quite a bit on the Divisadero to Los Mochis part of my trip.  As a Black traveler, I didn’t feel any sort of racism or discrimination at all, either. And I also didn’t feel out of place or in danger. On the contrary, everyone was super friendly, and I even made conversation with the staff in the bar car.

On being a Black solo female traveler on the El Chepe Express

As I was preparing for this solo train trip, I knew I would probably be the only solo traveler and Black girl. I traveled solo to Mexico multiple times, from Tulum and Valladolid to Mexico City. I’ve gotten stares and questions in those touristy spots. 

Therefore I figured in a more remote part of Mexico, the stares and questions were to be expected. Most people who visit are older white couples, families, tour groups, and other Mexicans traveling through Chihuahua. However, it’s all in good faith and out of genuine curiosity. As a Black solo female train traveler, riding the train was exciting.

This is not a solo trip for a first-time solo traveler. I suggest this for more experienced and adventurous solo travelers. Logistically, it was complicated if you wanted to both take the train and stay in Copper Canyon. But if you’re going to solely take the El Chepe Express and save the adventure park for another trip with friends, that would make the most sense.

Would I retake the El Chepe Express?

Absolutely! If I got a group of friends who wanted to take the El Chepe train route from Creel to Los Mochis, maybe make a few stops, and explore Copper Canyon, I’d do it again. Due to the romantic views, it would make for a memorable family or friend trip, or even one to do with a significant other. So if you are a traveler who likes adventure, downtime, beautiful views, and a scenic train ride, I recommend this trip! 

Want to take the train to Copper Canyon? Check out this post for itinerary and planning tips !

Like this post? Pin to save it for later!

Sojourner White is a remote social worker, train travel queen, and award-winning travel journalist. Hailing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin she has been a digital nomad and called both Spain and Germany home. Through her platform Sojournies, she helps 9-5ers fulfill their career goals and bucket list dreams to find freedom and flexibility outside the office. Sojourner has been featured in Buzzfeed, PopSugar, The Matador Network, HuffPost, and Thrillist and written for Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Fodor’s, Insider, Lonely Planet, Viator, and more.

Black in Spain: Advice for Black American Travelers

How to get to copper canyon mexico: itinerary planning and tips, you may also like, perurail luxury train from cusco to lake titicaca, black solo female travel guide: peru, solo train travel guide: a holiday day trip to portland, maine, black solo female travel guide: colombia, black travel groups to join and inspire you to travel, being black in europe: as told by black americans, 34 gifts for train travelers that they’ll love, black women it’s time to travel solo, black hair abroad tips and a packing list for travelers, is solo travel boring how to make solo travel fun and safe, leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Plan Your Trip

How to Visit Copper Canyon by Train – Updated 2021

COVID-19 and El Chepe

Unfortunately, the Chepe website makes no mention of any precautions it is taking due to COVID-19. Please travel at your own risk and be sure to take whatever precautions possible to prevent the spread of the virus.

Journey through the Copper Canyon by train and experience one of the most scenic train rides in the world.

The Copper Canyon is one of Mexico’s lesser-known gems. Situated in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range, this canyon system is larger, and in some places deeper, than the Grand Canyon. The majority of the landscape in inaccessible but in the mid-1960s, after nearly 60 years of on and off construction, the painstaking process of laying railway tracks through the canyons was completed. Now, the train known as El Chepe is an important form of transportation for locals and the absolute best way for tourists to explore some of the most stunning views in all of Mexico.

As El Chepe chugs along its 653 km (405 mi) of track, a journey which takes anywhere from 9 to 16 hours, it crosses over 37 bridges and through 86 tunnels. It climbs to an elevation of 2400 m (7900 ft) and descends to sea level, passing through diverse and stunning scenery along the way. Among its stops are at least 5 towns worth visiting where you’ll have opportunities for adventure, hiking, learning about new cultures and taking in the magnificent landscapes.

Table of Contents

Click to jump to a particular section

• The Train – El Chepe

Train Schedules and Routes

Chepe Ticket Prices

Trip Duration

• The Train Stations

How to Purchase Regional Economy Tickets

How to Purchase Regional Tourist and Express Tickets

Additional Information

The copper canyon train – el chepe.

The Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico, better known as El Chepe , is one of the only commuter trains in Mexico but it’s also the best way for tourists to visit the remote and awe-inspiring Copper Canyon.

The 653 km (405 mi) of track runs between Chihuahua, Chihuahua and Los Mochis, Sinaloa with 5 notable towns in between. Although the trip can be completed in just one day it is well worth extending the journey to last a few days or even a few weeks. Stopping and spending a few nights in the towns along the way is what makes a visit to the Copper Canyon so special.

As of May 2018, a brand new, luxury express train has been added to the daily schedule meaning there are now two ways to visit the Copper Canyon by train.

The older train is now known as Chepe Regional , and the new luxury train is called Chepe Express . There are a few significant differences:

• The stops . This is probably the most significant difference between the two trains. The Chepe Regional makes 13 stops between Chihuahua and Los Mochis for both tourists and local commuters. The Chepe Express only runs between Los Mochis and Creel and makes 3 stops in between at the tourist destinations.
• The schedule.  Both the Chepe Regional and Chepe Express run in opposite directions every 2 to 3 days . The Chepe Express, as its name implies, completes its route much faster than the Chepe Regional and arrival times, therefore, differ between each train. The schedules can be tricky and are explained in detail and with images below.
• The price . The Chepe Express has recently seen some significant price reductions meaning that there is no longer a huge difference between Regional and the Express prices. However, there are different classes to choose from and these do vary in price. You can find more details about the prices below.
• The comfort . Although I would not consider the Chepe Regional to be uncomfortable, it is an older train with basic amenities including washrooms and a dining car. The new Chepe Express, however,  is a luxury train complete with a bar car, a panoramic viewing car and a restaurant car.

Choosing which train to take will very likely be determined by your schedule, itinerary and flexibility. Neither train runs on a daily basis so you’ll want to carefully plan your trip beforehand. The next section will outline the train schedules in detail.

Copper Canyon by Train – Chepe Schedules and Routes

This part can be a little confusing so in order to keep things as clear as possible this section is divided into three parts: Chepe Express train schedule and route, Chepe Regional train schedule and route (no longer available for reservations), followed by a combined train schedule for both directions of travel.

Chepe Express Train Schedule and Route

The Chepe Express runs in both directions between Creel and Los Mochis. It does not go all the way to Chihuahua but stops at the following main destinations: Creel, Divisadero, Bahuichivo, El Fuerte and Los Mochis.

From Creel to Los Mochis, trains only run on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. In the opposite direction, from Los Mochis to Creel, trains only run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

In addition to the above schedule, the Chepe Express does a short round-trip between Creel and Divisadero on Saturdays (during their high season only).

Throughout 2021 , the Chepe Express will not be running on all the days mentioned above. It will not run on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays unless in high season . You can view the 2021 Calendar here .

Below are the timetables for the Chepe Express train in both directions. Please keep in mind that it is not running on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays for most of 2021.

CREEL towards LOS MOCHIS – Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays ONLY

Los mochis towards creel – mondays, wednesdays and fridays only, chepe regional  train schedule and route.

Officially, the Chepe Regional is now only a commuter train for locals . It is not possible to make reservations on the Chepe Regional.

This is a new development and it is unclear as to whether tourists will be able to use the Regional the same as locals or not use it at all. If your time is not flexible, or you are planning to travel in high-season (Easter, summer, Christmas/New Years) then you should plan your trip around the Chepe Express schedule.

The information below was accurate as of March 2020, but should be used cautiously.

From Chihuahua towards Los Mochis, the Chepe Regional train only runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. From Los Mochis towards Chihuahua, it only run on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Below are detailed timetables for each direction for the main tourist stops.

CHIHUAHUA towards LOS MOCHIS Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays ONLY

Los mochis towards chihuahua tuesdays, thursdays and sundays only.

In my experience, the trains are almost always a little behind schedule but it’s recommended that you show up at least 20-30 minutes before the train is scheduled to arrive.

Weekly Train Schedule for Chepe Regional and Express

The tables below show the arrival times for all Chepe trains (Regional and Express) at the main tourist destinations over the course of any given week. There is one table for each direction of travel. Remember,  the Chepe Regional is officially for local commuters, not tourists. For this reason, the times have been crossed out but remain listed as a reference or for those who wish to attempt to use it and report back 😉

Chihuahua towards Los Mochis

You may need to scroll left and right to view the entire table.

Los Mochis towards Chihuahua

The information above was accurate at the time of writing. Always double check the schedule on the Chepe website before making a purchase.

Copper Canyon by Train – Ticket Prices

Ticket prices vary between the two trains and between classes within each train.

The Chepe Regional is split into two classes: Economy  and Tourist . The difference is that the Economy class is primarily used for local commuters and tickets cannot be reserved . These tickets are purchased on the train the day of travel. Economy ticket holders do not have access to the dining car . Tourist class ticket holders have access to the dining car but the food is not included in the price.

The Chepe Express has recently been split into three classes: Tourist (formerly Economy), Executive and First . All Express ticket holders have access to the restaurant car. Executive class ticket holders also have access to the bar car. First class ticket holders have access to the bar car, a terrace car for great views and open windows and have a meal included at the restaurant car.

The image below will give you an idea of the differences between the 5 options and the prices for a one-way ticket across the entire route. Note that the Chepe Express does not go all the way to Chihuahua .

*Prices in USD were calculated using an exchange rate of 19.25 MXP per 1.oo USD. The USD prices will vary depending on the exchange rate.

Chepe Regional Ticket Prices

Chepe regional – economy class.

Economy tickets are like a form of public transportation; they’re purchased on-the-go and you cannot make reservations . A single trip from Chihuahua to Los Mochis is much cheaper than the Tourist class, however, if you wish to stay at any of the towns along the way you will need to purchase each segment of your trip individually. Individual segments vary in price and you can obtain these prices on the Chepe website .

Economy tickets are best for those who do not wish to be tied to specific dates.

Economy tickets are not recommended during high season (July, August, Christmas and Easter week), as the train is usually quite full. If there is no room you won’t be able to board.

Chepe Regional – Tourist Class

Purchasing a Tourist ticket entitles you to deboard at three different stations . For example, purchasing a ticket from Chihuahua to El Fuerte means that you can also get off at Creel, Divisadero and Bahuichivo along the way. Because of the train’s schedule, however, you would need to stay in each town for at least 2 nights. Remember, the train only runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays in that particular direction.

You will need to declare which stops you plan to disembark and the exact dates when you purchase your tickets.  More information on how to purchase tickets below.

If you wish to get off at more than three stops then you’ll be charged for the additional segments at a slightly higher rate.

You can mix and match Tourist and Economy tickets to save money if you plan to make more than three stops.

HOT TIP: Taking a bus between El Fuerte and Los Mochis is about $70 MXP. The train is a minimum of $348 MXP. With the bus, you can save money and won’t miss any spectacular views.

Below are old price tables for the Chepe Regional Economy and Tourist classes. These tables display prices from Chihuahua to the corresponding destinations. Again, the Chepe Regional is for locals. Tourists may not even be able to board. These prices were accurate in March 2020 but are no longer available on the Chepe website.

Chepe Express Ticket Prices

Chepe express: tourist, executive and first class.

Purchasing a Chepe Express ticket from Creel to Los Mochis or Los Mochis to Creel in any class entitles you to deboard at three stops in between. For example, if you purchase a ticket from Creel to Los Mochis, you can also get off at Divisadero and/or Bahuichico and/or El Fuerte along the way. As the train does not return for another two or three days, you’ll need to stay for a minimum of 2 nights in each town, or use an alternative mode of transportation.

As with the Chepe Regional, you’ll need to declare which stops you plan to disembark and the exact dates when purchasing the tickets.

Unlike the Regional, the Chepe Express offers a discount for round-trip tickets if you need to get back to your starting point.

Below are the price tables for the Chepe Express Tourist, Executive and First classes. The tables display the prices from Creel to the corresponding destinations and the prices for a round-trip. For individual segment prices visit the Chepe website .

How many days do I need to see the Copper Canyon by train?

This, of course, will depend on many factors. How much time do you have? What do you want to see? What activities would you like to do?

If you’re on a tight schedule it’s possible to see some great sights in the Copper Canyon in just a couple of days but I’d highly recommend spending at least a week travelling through the Canyons and towns nestled within them.

Below is an example itinerary and a great starting point for planning a trip. Click on any destination to learn more about what to see and do in that location.

Sample One-way itinerary from Chihuahua towards Los Mochis:

Day 1 – Chihuahua – Creel Day 2 –  Creel Day 3 – Creel – Divisadero (Posada Barrancas) Day 4 – Divisadero – Bahuichivo (Cerocahui) Day 5 – Cerocahui Day 6 –  Bahuichivo – El Fuerte Day 7 –  El Fuerte – Los Mochis (Topolobampo)

Use this as a starting point for your planning and add or take away destinations to suit your schedule and budget. You can also save time and money by taking a bus between Creel and Divisadero or between El Fuerte and Los Mochis, and you won’t miss any spectacular views. See the Additional Information section below for more details about substituting buses for the train in certain areas.

The Copper Canyon Train Stations

If you’re traveling through Copper Canyon by train Chihuahua will very likely be your start or end point. It’s the largest city along the Chepe route and the easiest to access by international or even domestic flights. There is an interesting history to explore here and you can learn more about it by clicking on the photo or title.

One of Mexico’s “Pueblo Mágicos” this little town on the outskirts of the Copper Canyon has a wide and unique assortment of nature to explore and a variety of ways to do it. Whether you prefer to hike, bike, ATV or drive you’ll appreciate a visit to the Valley of the Frogs, relaxing in the beautiful surroundings of the Recohuata Hot Springs or taking a trip to Cusárare Falls. You’ll also have an opportunity to discover the Rarámuri culture first-hand. Click the photo or title to learn more about Creel.

Divisadero and Posada Barrancas

These are two different train stops but they are very close together.

At Divisadero everyone will have an opportunity to exit the train for 15 minutes to snap some photos at a lookout point. This is the best spot for stunning views of the Copper Canyon ravines. There is one hotel at this stop if you want to spend a night but there are more hotel options at the Posada Barrancas stop.

There are a few tourist attractions accessible from either town you choose to stay in. These include a cable car, zip lines (including the fasted and longest in the world), bike rides, ATV, and rock climbing.

Bahuichivo Station

From the Bahuichivo stop you can travel to either Cerocahui or Urique. Both towns are deep in the Tarahumara Mountain Range.

Cerocahui is a 20 minute car ride from the Bahuichivo stop. Trekking or horsebacking riding to the Cerocahui Waterfalls is a popular activity in this area. You can also book a tour to the Gallego Hill viewpoint for some breathtaking views of the Canyon system.

Urique is about a 2 and a half hour ride away from the Bahuichivo stop. The route through the mountains is beautiful but not for the faint of heart! It’s also possible to trek here from Cerocahui. Once there take in your surroundings while cooling off in the river.

Another of Mexico’s “Pueblos Mágicos” located in the state of Sinaloa on the banks of the Fuerte River. El Fuerte is known for its fort, for which the city is named after. It’s also known as the birthplace of the legendary Zorro. You can visit both buildings – the fort is now a replica and a museum and Zorro’s childhood home is a hotel. Click the image or title to learn more about El Fuerte.

Los Mochis and Topolobampo

Los Mochis itself isn’t a terribly exciting or picturesque city but it is a handy hub if you are arriving from or want to travel to Baja California, Guadalajara or elsewhere in Mexico. The close-by port of Topolobampo is a much better place to visit and tour around or catch a ferry to La Paz, Baja California Sur. Enjoy the beach, take a dip in the ocean, eat fantastic seafood or book a tour of the Farallón natural reserve. Click the title or image to learn more about Los Mochis and Topolobampo.

Los Mochis itself isn’t a terribly exciting or picturesque city but it is a handy hub if you are arriving from or want to travel to Baja California, Guadalajara or elsewhere in Mexico. The close-by port of Topolobampo is a much better place to visit and tour around or catch a ferry to La Paz, Baja California Sur. Enjoy the beach, take a dip in the ocean, eat fantastic seafood or book a tour of the Farallón natural reserve. Click the title or the image to learn more about Los Mochis and Topolobampo.

Copper Canyon by Train – Buying Chepe Regional Economy Tickets

Economy tickets can only be purchased one day in advance or on the train.

To buy them in advance you’ll need to go directly to the ticket office at either the Chihuahua or Los Mochis stations. There are no ticket sales offices at any of the intermediate stops. Note that your tickets will not have an assigned car or seat; these will be determined upon boarding the train.

As these tickets can’t be purchased more than one day in advance, you’ll only be able to purchase one segment of your trip at a time. The next segment can be purchased on the train.

To buy your tickets on the train in Chihuahua or Los Mochis, join the queue at the entrance of the station. An attendant will ask you how many people are in your party and assign you a car number and seats. Once the journey begins, authorized personnel will charge you for the tickets ( cash only ).

If you purchased your tickets the day before then just show an attendant at the station and you’ll pass to the front of the line where you’ll be assigned a car and seat number.

To buy onward Economy tickets at the intermediate stops you will have to wait for the train to arrive. Once you’ve boarded you can purchase your tickets from an attendant. Just remember the Chepe Regional train doesn’t run every day .

Seats are usually available in the Economy class but in high season (July, August, Christmas and Easter week) you may run into difficulties. Economy is primarily for local commuters so if it’s full you won’t be able to board.

Copper Canyon by Train – Buying Chepe Regional Tourist and Express Tickets

Chepe Express (Tourist and Executive) and Regional Tourist tickets must be purchased in advance as these tickets are not sold on the train or at any intermediate stops along the Chepe route. You’ll also need to print your tickets .

During high season (July, August, Christmas and Easter week) it’s advisable to purchase your tickets at least 3 weeks in advance.

You can purchase your Chepe Express or Regional Tourist tickets by phone, email or by going to the station in either Los Mochis or Chihuahua if you’ll be there a few days before you plan to leave.

I’ve tried calling to book tickets on multiple occasions and no one has ever answered the phone but in theory you can book tickets by calling 011 52 614 439 7212, or +52 1 614 439 7212. If you’re in Mexico and calling from a local line use 01 (614) 439-7212.

If you don’t speak Spanish then email will be the easiest way to book your tickets but the process can take a few days.

To purchase your tickets via email follow these steps:

1. Send an email to [email protected] (and to be safe cc [email protected] ) with the following information:

• The full name(s) and age(s) of each passenger
• Which class you’d like (Regional Tourist, Express Tourist or Executive)
• The station where you’ll start your trip and the date
• The station where you’ll end your trip and the date
• Stops you will make in between and the dates

It’s also a good idea to fill out the form on the Chepe website with the same information as above. You can find the form by clicking this link:  http://www.chepe.com.mx/contacto

2. You’ll receive a confirmation email similar to the document here. It’s important to note that this email does NOT contain your tickets.

Double check that the information highlighted in GREEN is correct. This is your itinerary and names of passengers. You may need to show photo ID with matching names upon boarding the train.

The date highlighted in YELLOW is your payment deadline . If no payment is received by that date your reservation will be cancelled.

If you are already in Mexico or will be before the payment deadline then you can pay at a Banamex Bank . In this case, you’ll need the information highlighted in BLUE.

If you want to pay by credit card (MasterCard or Visa only) you can respond to the email asking for a link to pay online.

…Bienvenido a bordo…
Su reservación está confirmada con la Clave CHXXXXX , pero su boleto será emitido hasta que realice su pago.

Tiene hasta el día 18-­11-­2018  para pagar y enviar su comprobante, de lo contrario su reservación se cancelará

Datos bancarios:

Monto a depositar: $5,729.99 Banco: Banamex Cuenta: 55777­5 Sucursal: 870 A nombre de: Ferrocarril Mexicano S.A. de C.V. Referencia: 333390 CLABE: 0021 8008 7005 5777 54

Detalles de la reservación 


Esta tarifa incluye solo el traslado en tren de pasajeros de 2 personas en el siguiente itinerario y máximo 2 piezas de equipaje por persona que no excedan los 25 kg. cada una. 
Consulta mas detalles sobre costos por equipaje extra en Términos y Condiciones

Itinerario:

Train Station Origin Station Destination 20-­11-­2018 CHIHUAHUA CREEL 22­-11­-2018 CREEL EL FUERTE

Nombres de los pasajeros:

Full Name                      Type Passenger PASSENGER 1 NAME ADULT PASSENGER 2 NAME ADULT

Al momento de abordar se le requerirá a cada uno de los pasajeros su identificación oficial con fotografía. Agradeceremos verifique bien sus datos personales como de viaje ya que cualquier cambio que solicite después de hacer su pago ocasionará un costo extra.

Importante:
  Recuerde que es muy importante enviar su comprobante de pago para que su reservación no sea cancelada, enviar a: [email protected]

3. Payment by credit card.

After requesting a link to pay online you should receive an email with a link ( enlace ) to start the payment process. Click the “ enlace ” and once again, double check that the information is correct.

If all looks good you can agree to the terms and conditions by checking the box at the bottom and clicking the button “ Confirmo y deseo hacer el pago “. This will bring you to the payment page. You can use the image here as a reference when filling out this form.

Once your payment is received you’ll get another email, this time containing your tickets. You’ll need to print these before boarding El Chepe.

Best Time to Travel Copper Canyon by Train

The best time to visit Copper Canyon by train is September-October just as the rainy season is winding down and the weather is still fairly warm. That said, the Copper Canyon can be enjoyed any time of year but it is worth noting that in April and May most of the rivers have dried up and waterfalls are often just trickling.

You can traverse the entire Copper Canyon route by bus if you want but it wouldn’t be terribly comfortable and you’d miss the stunning panoramas seen from El Chepe. Below are a few of the routes that might help save money or time without missing the most incredible views from the train.

• Chihuahua – Creel : The scenery isn’t as beautiful as it is from El Chepe and it won’t be as comfortable or as fast but it will be cheaper and there are more departure times in both directions. You will have two bus options: Rápidos Cuauhtémoc or  Autotransportes Turísticos del Noroeste .
• Creel – Divisadero/Posada Barrancas: This is a short bus ride and you can even do a round-trip thereby staying in Creel rather than Barrancas or Divisadero. Autotransportes Turísticos del Noroeste   is your best option with a station in the centre of Creel a few steps from the train station.
• El Fuerte – Los Mochis: This stretch really isn’t worth doing by train. You won’t miss any scenery and you’ll save time and money travelling by bus. The bus leaves El Fuerte from the Municipal Market on Benito Juarez Avenue. There are no posted schedules but buses leave approximately every 30 minutes. Click here for more details about getting to and from El Fuerte.

Travel Insurance

Due to government travel advisories, not all travel insurance policies provide coverage for travel in the Copper Canyon. Make sure you purchase the right policy for your trip.  Click here  to learn more about travel insurance specifically for the Copper Canyon.

Many of the hotels throughout the Copper Canyon do not contain room safes and front desk staff will not assume responsibility for valuable items left with them. For this reason, I always travel with a  LOCTOTE  bag, which is a slash proof sack that can be secured to many fixtures. I find it brings me peace of mind when leaving my passport, camera, laptop or other valuables in my hotel room. It’s also great for the beach!

You can learn more about this super handy product by  clicking here .

Ubers and Taxis

In the small towns, you can easily arrange a safe taxi ride via your hotel. In the larger cities, like Chihuahua and Los Mochis, you may find that you want to hail a cab to get from one attraction to another, or to the airport, etc. In these cases, I find that ordering an Uber is the easiest and safest way to get around.

If you don’t already have an Uber account, you can click the link below to sign up with my promotion code and receive $2 off your first 3 rides.

https://www.uber.com/invite/kaylab2118ue

If you have any questions or have recently travelled through the Copper Canyon and have any tips, please feel free to leave a comment below so that I can keep the site as up-to-date as possible. Happy travels!

Related posts.

10 Facts About Mexico’s Copper Canyon

Topolobampo and Los Mochis Sinaloa

Travel Insurance for Mexico

Travelling to Copper Canyon, Mexico – Safety Considerations

Things to do in El Fuerte, Sinaloa

Things to do in Divisadero, Mexico

82 comments.

Thanks for bringing to our attention this amazing train ride opportunity! I was wondering if any of the train options you mentioned offer the option to bring my car on board?

Thanks, Jack

Hi Jack, the train does not have any cargo cars where one could load a vehicle. You would need to find a safe place to park and leave it.

Hi Tara, We travelled Chepe Regional on Saturday January 30th from Chihuahua to Creel departure time 06.00am. Obviously it’s no problem to get tickets even as a tourist. We bought the ticket the same at the station. Some people had even printouts with QR tags. Probably it’s possible to buy the tics online. Armin

Whichdays does the train run from Los Mochis to creel or Chihuahua does it run everyday if you could help me out that would be fantastic thanks

The Chepe schedule can certainly be confusing. I’ve done my best to clarify things in my article and you can click this link to see the Express schedule. It’s always best to check the official Chepe website before making any final plans as they are making schedule changes more frequently due to COVID-19.

Thank you very much for all the information, it has helped me a lot to plan my trip in the Chepe to Creel and the copper canyons.

I will go in January 2021 and I have been looking for a lot of information, I also see that it is interesting to go to the adventure park in copper canyon.

Thanks so much for the feedback! Just make sure you check their website frequently as they are making changes to the Express schedule between Dec 2020 and Jan 11, 2021.

Hello, Creel! Did you already visit Copper Canyon in this month? Could you please help with schedule of El Chepe? Which days does it run now and should we book it in advance (or now it’s low season)? We are planning be there in couple of weeks and travel from El Fuerte to Creel. Difficult to plan something in situation when you don’t have exact schedule. Thank you!

Thank you Kayla, this website is incredible and full of wonderful information. I am really hoping to take the train soon, although will be waiting for the Covid situation to calm a little more. Do you know anything about the fact they have reduced the Express timetable to just two days a week? This makes any normal/enjoyable itinerary very difficult, do you have any recommendations for overcoming this? I would ideally like to travel from Chihuahua to Los Mochis and see Creel, Divisadero and El Fuerte. The only reasonable route I can think of in order to fit this trip into one week would be to bus from chihuahua to creel, train from creel to El fuerte with a stop in divisadero (Sunday and Tuesday trains), and then bus again to Los Mochis from El Fuerte. Thoughts? Am I losing much in doing this? Thanks!

Hi James, thank you so much for your comments and questions.

Planning any kind of travel around the Chepe schedule these days might be difficult. They have been making frequent changes to timetables and even stopped running the trains on some days.

That said, I think your itinerary sounds pretty good! My strongest suggestion is to make sure you’re on a train between Divisadero and Bahuichivo, as this is the most scenic span of the trip. Just make sure you check their website frequently for any changes to their schedule.

A lovely informative article. I used to live and work in Mexico but never new about El Chepe. Anyway I’m now back in boring England but thinking about touring Mexico on my bicycle and wondered whether I can take a bicycle on the train?

I’ve just watched a great 1 hour documentary about the El Chepe Railway Journey that has inspired me to return.

Thank you so much for the comments! I received this same question a while back and as far as I know you are unable to bring a bike but I’ve contacted the company to see if they allow them now that they have two trains.

I will provide an answer here just as soon as I’ve heard from them.

Hopefully travel will resume later this year and everyone can enjoy the great sites again soon!

I’ve heard back from the staff at Ferromex regarding bikes and have been informed that it is not possible to bring a bike aboard the Chepe Express (the Chepe Regional will no longer run for tourists). I hope this doesn’t dissuade you from visiting Copper Canyon in the future as there is still plenty to see and do there.

Thank you again for raising the question as I’m sure others were wondering the same thing.

Hi there has the tourist service been stopped because of coronavirus or for other reasons?

Hi Georges, Yes, Chepe has suspended service until further notice. You can view more info on their website in case you need to reschedule a train that was already booked.

Stay safe and healthy!

Thank you very much for your website – it is really helping me plan my trip.

I do just have one question though that i can’t find the answer to.

We are wanting to take the train from El Fuerte to Bahuichivo, transfer by car to Divisadero and then take the train back to El Fuerte. I note that a return ticket El Fuerte to Divisadero is cheaper than just buying tickets for the actual train journeys that we want to make. If we do buy a return but do not travel on the train between Bahuichivo and Divisadero does that matter? Will we still be allowed to take the return train from Divisadero back to El Fuerte? (I am asking because once i got caught out when i was flying and i missed one section of my journey and so i was not allowed to board the return flight – i am hoping that el chepe is not as strict as this.)

I look forward to hearing from you.

Many thanks Karen

Although it is not in writing anywhere, I am fairly certain that no one will mind if you don’t use a segment of your journey. In my experience, the Chepe staff are quite laid-back about everything.

I would, however, ensure that you can get a ride between Bahuichivo and Divisadero. There are no major roads between these two towns and you would therefore be taking dirt roads that may be poorly maintained in a very mountainous region. I’d caution you to be sure that you have a reliable vehicle and are well informed of how to get from one town to the next as I’m unaware of any route. This is also the most scenic part of the train journey (although, if you are travelling on the Express then this segment will be after sunset). But you should get those great views on your return trip.

I would love to know more about how you fare from Bahuichivo to Divisadero if you feeling like sending an update after your trip.

Have a lovely time!

Hello, Thank you so much for writing this information. It has been so useful.

I am trying to book the Chepe Regional tourist class for April through the [email protected] and the reply I keep getting a reply saying that the Regional will no longer be running after the 31st March. I am very confused because another email address the: [email protected] said I can book but only after the 15th March.

Do you know if the Regional train is running in 2020? Does anyone know how I can reserve tickets for the Regional train?

I have booked all the flights and accommodation now and I am worried I will not get a place on the train 🙁

Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. I have contacted Chepe Ferromex and they have confirmed that the Chepe Regional will no longer run as a tourist train after March 31st. I was told that travellers will need to rely on the Chepe Express timetable. However, it seems that the Chepe Regional will continue to run as a commuter train and it is unclear as to whether or not travellers will be able to use it as well. This may be why you are receiving conflicting answers when you contact them.

My guess would be that the Chepe Regional will run as it does now but only for the Economy class. This would mean that you won’t be able to reserve tickets but can probably jump on at any station and pay for your ride on board.

I do want to note that this is my best guess and that this has not been confirmed by anyone at Chepe. Assuming that you will have this option is a risk and to be safe, I’d recommend having a backup plan or rearranging your itinerary to fit with the Chepe Express schedule.

I understand that this may interfere with your travel plans but there are a lot of bus options that may help you rearrange your plans. Please let me know if you have any questions and I will do my best to help.

Kayla, Love the site, and the photos and all the suggestions. Thanks for your time & effort on behalf of weary travelers. I want to board the train, starting in El Fuerte on a Sun., go straight to Creel and spend a few nights there, with a side trip via the bus to Batopilas. We will return to Creel and take the bus to Divisadero and or Posada Barranca and then the bus to Areponapuchi fora night or two Then back on the train to return to El Forte. We have a flexible schedule so open to suggestions. I will watch the train schedule as we will use the regional train. I have been in touch with the Chepe people and they insist that tickets can only be purchased at Los Mochis or Chihuahua!. What am I missing? I anticipate that I can buy tickets from one station to the next with cash. Many thanks, Kathy

Thanks for your comment and your schedule looks great so far! Batopilas is absolutely beautiful and I think that it makes for a great addition to your itinerary.

As far as I know, travellers and local commuters alike were always able to buy Chepe Regional Economy tickets on board the train. Being Economy class tickets, this does mean that there are no assigned seats and no access to the dining car. With the recent changes in January, it is possible that they are trying to discourage this and prompt travellers to buy Tourist class tickets, in which case they need to be purchased ahead of time.

However, as the Regional is still used by locals as a commuter train, I imagine that one can still purchase Economy class tickets on the go. I don’t want to guarantee that this option will be available to you and to be safe I’d suggest purchasing tickets in advance through email. If you do decide to try purchasing tickets on the go, I’d love to hear about your experience so that I can keep others up-to-date.

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

Your site is extremely informative. Thanks! Like so many before me I am hoping to get your opinion on an itinerary. I plan to leave Tuscan (by bus) on March 25th, arrive to Los Mochis on March 26th (in the morning), and take a bus from there to El Fuerte (arriving there on March 26th in the mid-morning/early afternoon). I would spend 1 or 2 nights depending. I would like to take the train (&/or bus combo) from El Fuerte to Chihuahua and ideally take a bus?? from Chihuahua back to Tuscan. I’m not sure a bus is doable and I’ve had a had time nailing down any bus info from Chihuahua to Tuscan. I was hoping to go back to Tuscan using a different route. Is this possible w/ my time frame? I need to be back in Tuscan by April 1st or 2nd. I was hoping you could suggest an itinerary that would allow me to see/experience quite a bit of the canyon, but not be so rushed that I wouldn’t have time to enjoy what I was seeing. :-)) Thank so much for your help. Tara

Your itinerary sounds good so far. I’m also not sure about a direct bus from Chihuahua to Tuscan but there are buses that travel between Chihuahua and El Paso. It might be that you need to transfer in El Paso as I”m sure there will be buses between there and Tuscan (though I have not looked into this).

For more bus information from Chihuahua you can click this link: https://visitcoppercanyon.com/things-to-do-in-chihuahua/#getthere

If you’re tight on time, I’d suggest only 1 night in El Fuerte, 1 night in Divisadero and maybe 2 nights in both Creel and Chihuahua. Of course, if you want to do some hiking you may want to stay longer in Divisadero and spend less time in Chihuahua.

Happy planning!

Hi there Can you please let me know prices on the train from Creek to the Pacific. First class and economy one way and return. Thank you Christine

Hi Christine, thanks for the question. You can find all the prices listed on the Chepe website, https://chepe.mx/en/train/get-to-know-the-chepe-express-rates/

A one-way trip from Creel to Los Moches in first class will cost $3,600 MXP (approx. $180 USD).

thanks for making this information available to people! Have you ever heard of a service for taking cars from one end of the canyon to the other? We are on a road trip but on a slightly tight schedule so if possible would like to board in El Fuerte or Los Mochis and meet our car in Chihuahua so we can drive on to Texas from there. I sent an email via the online form but on second thought there may be other people with this question (maybe just me?:)

Thanks for the inquirey, Hassan!

I’ve been asked something similar a while back and unfortunately, I didn’t have a solid answer. The tracks are used by freight trains, but I just don’t know if they will transport vehicles. You can check out their site here: https://www.ferromex.com.mx/

If you do find a way to do this, please feel free to share your information here for future travellers.

Thanks again for the comment!

Fantastic info!

Feb 2020 will be my 4th time on the train, so this website was super helpful to keep up to date on the train and schedules

So glad to hear it was helpful, Jason!

Hi Kayla, Thank you for such a useful website! I’ve been trying to book a Chepe Regional Tourist ticket with no success. Both email addresses are manned (thank you!) but they keep saying they can’t book for 2020 yet, and to try again in a couple of weeks. This has been going on for months! My partner and I are planning to hit Copper Canyon in early January 2020. Do you know if this is normal? We’re starting to worry that we need to make contingency plans. I was hoping to book everything from home before leaving on the trip rather than booking as we go once in Mexico. Any advice would be appreciated!

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I’ve not heard of this issue happening before and I will try to contact them to find out more information.

My advice would be to continue to contact them every week. Worst-case scenario, you can book tickets in person in Los Mochis or Chihuahua a day or two before you plan to depart. January is not a very busy month for El Chepe so I don’t think you would have any problems with booking the schedule that you want, even if it’s last minute.

If you are booking hotels ahead of time, I’d suggest using booking.com and choosing options that allow you to cancel up to 24 hours beforehand. Booking.com is great for that!

I will leave an update in the comments as soon as I hear back from Ferromex.

I just received a response from Ferromex and it looks like there are going to be some changes to fares and schedules as of January 10th, 2020 .

They were unable to provide me with details as they are unconfirmed changes at this time. However, they recommend contacted them in about 2 weeks to make your reservations.

Once again, thank you for bringing this to my attention and I hope everything works out smoothly for you.

Thanks for looking into it Kayla. I’m now being told by email they can’t book past the 10th January – frustrating! It is good to understand why, however, so we’re changing our plans to fly into Chihuahua instead of Los Mochis and will take the bus to Creel where we’ll then make a base. Hopefully we can jump on the Regional Economic train and still make some stops with El Chepe.

That’s a great plan, Eloise! You can still get to most locations by bus, however, I’m quite certain that the train will still be running. I guess they just don’t want to sell tickets in advance because they’re modifying the price. Best of luck in your travels!

Excellent website- very very helpful and informative!!!!!

Thank you for the lovely feedback!

Hi Kayla, I really appreciate your website. Can you make recommendations for Bahuichivo – Cerocahui? We will take the El Chepe Regional from El Fuerte to Bahuichivo on Sunday, Sept. 1. We’ll be there two nights waiting for the El Chepe Regional en route to Divisidero/Posada Barrancas. You mentioned it’s a small town. Do you have recommendations for where to stay and what to do there? Also, can I pay you to look over our complete itinerary to make comments before I actually book air fare and make reservation??? Let me know. Thanks so much.

Thank you for the lovely comments, Betsy!

So far, your itinerary sounds great and aligns with the Chepe Regional schedule. As much as I appreciate your offer to have me review your itinerary, I must decline as I’ve got quite a few projects on the go at the moment.

In Cerocahui, there’s a wonderful hotel called Hotel Jade . I’ve provided a link to their site below, however, it’s best to book them over the phone as they’re not on booking.com and the internet service in Cerocahui is unreliable, so they may not be able to respond to emails.

Hotel Jade: http://hoteljade.com.mx/hotel/

The owners are incredibly friendly and you can arrange for them to pick you up at the station in Bahuichivo.

Once in Cerocauhui, there are plenty of hiking options, and/or, you can arrange a tour to Mirador Cerro del Gallego, which is a viewpoint overlooking the Urique Canyon. Very picturesque, but make sure you have the stomach for the ride up there!

I hope I’ve been able to help you with your planning and I wish you a wonderful trip!

Thank you very much for putting on this site. It’s really informative. If possible, I would like to ask some questions. I’ve read about Cerocahui nearby Bahuichivo. Do you know if that part is worth while to see? Or is Divisadero as nice of even more beautiful? Of course everything is nice, but we have to make decisions :). We are planning to go end of july/beginning of august. Just for the experience we would love to take economic. It that possible from El Fuerte to Creel? I cannot find ‘El fuerte’ in the initiary of the economic train. I have read though, that you don’t recommend the economic train in high season. Do you think it is possible to just go to the station and if it’s full, to book a regional at the station? Or do we need to purchase the regional tickets in advance? We are not sure when we get there, so it will be a little bit last minute.

I hope you can help us in making a decision.

Thanks for you respons in advance!

Thanks for your comment and questions!

First, Cerocahui is lovely but very small. It’s a great place to start a trek down into the Urique Valley, or just relax in a tiny town barely touched by tourists. However, if you’re tight on time and need to choose between Divisadero and Cerocahui, I’d suggest Divisadero.

Second, the trains can be confusing! The Chepe Regional has two classes – Economic and Tourist, and it definitely travels between El Fuerte and Creel. You can click the links below to find my pages on each town: El Fuerte – https://visitcoppercanyon.com/things-to-do-in-el-fuerte-sinaloa/ Creel – https://visitcoppercanyon.com/things-to-do-in-creel/

In addition, here is a link to the Chepe website with the schedules: http://www.chepe.com.mx/preguntas-frecuentes

Lastly, as far as buying Economic Class tickets on the train, it is a risk as these spots are primarily for local commuters. If it’s full, you may be able to buy Tourist Class tickets if you’re in Chihuahua or Los Mochis, but you cannot buy those tickets at any of the stations in between. If you’re heading to Copper Canyon during the summer, Christmas or Easter, I’d recommend trying to plan out your itinerary ahead of time and make reservations.

Keep in mind that some of those routes are doable by bus, in case you can’t get a train ticket. The one train ticket you will need is between El Fuerte and Creel (or Divisadero).

I hope you enjoy planning and have a wonderful time!

I have a question regarding making hotel reservations via booking.com versus direct through the hotel. Are there any issues with reservations? thank you, Olivia Sullivan

I’m not aware of any issues with booking directly through the hotels, especially if you speak Spanish. However, I’d be reluctant to give any credit card information over the phone or through email. I do like using Booking.com for payments.

We are planning a trip (there are 4 of us) to the Copper Canyon October 9, 2019. we will start our trip via Chihuahua. In making our plans we are thinking of taking El Chepe all the way to El Fuerte and staying there a couple of days before we head back and stay in Creel and Divisadero as well. We are wondering if this time of year there are any problems in getting tickets on the regional train since it is not the tourist train. We would appreciate your feedback. Thank you, Olivia Sullivan

Thank you for your question!

I wish I could give you a definite answer, but unfortunately, I’m not sure. October is the best time to visit the Copper Canyon (weather-wise), so this may attract a lot of people. My guess is that you’d be ok to buy Chepe Regional Economy tickets on the train, but if you can purchase Tourist Class ahead of time, I’d advise doing so.

Happy planning and I hope you have a fantastic trip!

Hi David, firstly I’ve found your website very informative. We are going to travel with friends who are meeting us in San Miguel de Allende and this was the trip we we’re planning, any suggestions or comments are appreciated. Plan to Los Mochis and take the regional tourist ticket and get off in Creel. We would take the train on a Tuesday to Creel. Stay there a couple of days a take a guided trip to the Adventure park as well as other sites(Copper Canyon Tours) and Friday take the 3:39 from Creel to Chihuahua. Say there until Sunday and fly back to San Miguel. Comments? Thanks Ira Goldman

Thanks for the comments!

Your itinerary sounds great! My one suggestion would be to take a bus or taxi from Los Mochis to El Fuerte , and catch the train from there. Even if you only get to spend a few hours there, it’s a very cute colonial town worth seeing, and a nicer place to spend a night than Los Mochis.

Have a fantastic time!

Hello question, husband and I arrive Thursday Oct 3 to Chihuahua. If we take bus to Creel, can we take Express from Creel on Friday Oct 4 at 730 am and go to Los Mochis for night and then come back to Creel on Saturday Oct 5 at 730 am? We have to be in Chichuahua on Monday to fly out.

Hi Nancy, that’s a good question.

You could take the Express from Creel to Los Mochis on Friday and return on Saturday, however, you’d be spending most of those two days on the train and not have much of a chance to appreciate the towns along the route.

I’d suggest modifying your itinerary a bit. I’ve listed two suggestions below:

Option 1. Take a bus to Creel on Thursday, then catch the Express to El Fuerte on Friday morning. Spend the night in El Fuerte (as it’s much nicer than Los Mochis). Catch the Express on Saturday morning and get off at Divisadero. Spend the night there and catch the Regional on Sunday, as this will take you all the way back to Chihuahua.

Option 2. Take the bus to Creel or Divisadero on Thursday. Spend Thursday and Friday night in one or both of these towns. Then, if you’d still like to see El Fuerte or if you want to see the incredible views from the train on the way to El Fuerte, catch the Chepe Regional train to El Fuerte on Saturday and return to Chihuahua via the Regional on Sunday (this will be a very long train ride).

There are more options of course, but either of the two above will allow you to see more of the towns along the way, which I think are very much worth it. I’ve included some links below to places you can stay in the towns I mentioned: Chihuahua – https://visitcoppercanyon.com/things-to-do-in-chihuahua/#hotels Creel – https://visitcoppercanyon.com/things-to-do-in-creel/#hotels Divisadero – https://visitcoppercanyon.com/things-to-do-in-divisadero-mexico/#hotels El Fuerte – https://visitcoppercanyon.com/things-to-do-in-el-fuerte-sinaloa/#hotels

Whatever you choose, I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time.

Kayla, I’m trying to get an itinerary together and am interested in several points:

1:Possibly will take a taxi from Chihuahua to Creel only because of time constraints on a Sunday night and then after 1 night in Creel, go on a 3 day, 2 night trip to Batopilos with 3 Amigos. So Sunday night taxi, Monday and Tuesday nights Batopilos and Wed night in Creel and Thursday to Divisadero train or bus and Friday from there after 1 night in Posadas Barranca or Divisadero to El Fuerte and on to mexico City from Los Mochis on the Sunday. Obviously we’re not trying to do it on the cheap and may mean mixing Regional and Express trains. Is it better to take bus to Divisaderoand just 1 train to el Fuerte from time management point of view? OR 2:Forget Batopilos and the taxi and do train/bus to Creel on the Monday and spend 2 nights there touring; then bus to Divisadero on Wednesday and 2 nights there in adventure park and hiking and then train to El Fuerte Friday and weekend there. Which allows us to see the canyons from up close better?

Your itineraries both sound great. If I had to choose one for you, I’d go with your first one, which includes Batolpilas. The town is just incredible and you won’t be disappointed.

Once back in Creel, I would suggest taking a bus to Divisadero as it’s a short ride, it’ll give you more flexibility and you won’t miss much by not taking the train. The most amazing views are between Divisadero and El Fuerte.

My only concern for you is finding a taxi that will take you from Chihuahua to Creel. I’d recommend arranging that ahead of time just to ensure they will and can do that, as I believe it’s a 5-6 hour drive.

If you end up taking the tour with 3 Amigos, I’d love to hear about it as I’ve never used them. Whatever you choose, I hope you have a wonderful time!

We are starting our Mexico journey in Matzatlan, so we are looking at taking a bus and getting on the El Chepe Express in Los Mochis, or can that not be done to get to the Copper Canyon trip? If the train trip into Copper Canyon ends in Creel can we get train for bus from there? We read it is not a safe state to travel, so we don’t want to be staying in cities near Chihuahua. I also read somewhere the El Chepe Express arrives about 4 p.m.in LosMochis, so is there a bus line you recommend we can get on in the evening and go all night to arrive in Guadalajara the next day? We will be traveling for two months in Mexico, so we will each have a larger suitcase and backpack. Busses allow that right?

Hi Leigh & Karen, I’m so glad you’re planning to incorporate the Copper Canyon into your 2-month Mexico adventure!

From what I understand, you’re itinerary is Mazatlán –> Copper Canyon (round-trip) –> Guadalajara . I hope I got that right.

There is a bus company called TAP that runs between Mazatlán and Los Mochis. You can certainly bring a suitcase or large backpack but you’ll likely need to leave it in the storage under the bus.

Once is Los Mochis, I think your best bet is to do a round-trip on the Chepe Express . Otherwise, you’ll need to take the Chepe Regional train or a bus to Chihuahua in order to catch a flight to Guadalajara. There are buses from Chihuahua to Guadalajara but they are long and expensive.

After your Chepe Express round-trip, when you’re back in Los Mochis, you can use the same TAP bus line to get to Guadalajara. However, it may be worth checking Calafia Airlines or Volaris as a flight may be similar in cost but much faster.

You can click the link below for more information about connecting in Los Mochis: https://visitcoppercanyon.com/topolobampo-and-los-mochis-sinaloa/#getthere

I also have pages on the other Chepe Express stops

El Fuerte: https://visitcoppercanyon.com/things-to-do-in-el-fuerte-sinaloa Divisadero: https://visitcoppercanyon.com/things-to-do-in-divisadero-mexico/ Creel: https://visitcoppercanyon.com/things-to-do-in-creel/

I hope you two have an amazing time!

Hi, Thank you so much for your information. I am planing to take this great train trip in June for 4-5 days. I enjoy more about the train Journey buy maybe stop one place. Which place has the best views (photography is my thing) and experience, would you suggest? If I take the train from Chihuahua regional train and stop some where for a night (maybe Divisadero), can I change the express train next day rather wait for 2 days back to the same train, can I get the ticket in the stations when I am there or I need to pre-book first? I’d like take the express train all the way but hassle to get Creel first. I am from Australia and travel to Dallas and then to Mexico then central and South America, Should I fly from Dallas to Chihuahua or Los Mochis to take the train trip? Any different for the scenery? Is safe for female does not speak Spanish travel alone on the train?

Thank you in Advance!

Hi Hanna, thanks so much for the great questions!

First, I think Divisadero has the most breathtaking views of the canyons, so you’ll definitely want to spend some time there taking photos. You can find out more about Divisadero by clicking the link below: https://visitcoppercanyon.com/things-to-do-in-divisadero-mexico/

Second, you can definitely take both the Chepe Regional and Chepe Express, however, you’ll end up paying a little more than if you were to travel on just one train. Another option may be to take a bus from Chihuahua to Divisadero (you’ll need to transfer in Creel), then catch the Express onward from there.

You will need to pre-order your Express tickets as there’s nowhere to buy them in the towns along the Chepe route. You can buy Chepe Regional Economic tickets onboard if the train isn’t full.

When it comes to choosing where to start your Chepe journey, I prefer to head from Chihuahua towards Los Mochis as the scenery just keeps getting better. Of course, it’s going to be amazing either way and I would decide based on flight availability and where you’re heading afterwards. For example, if you’re going to La Paz or Mazatlan after the Copper Canyon, then it would be best to start in Chihuahua and end in Los Mochis. If, on the other hand, you’re going to Mexico City or Oaxaca, it might be best to end in Chihuahua as there are probably more flight options from there.

Lastly, there are usually other tourists on board the train and Chepe staff so you’re not alone. I’ve never felt unsafe on the train but it’s always good to take precautions when travelling anywhere. You can learn more about safety tips for the Copper Canyon by clicking on this link: https://visitcoppercanyon.com/copper-canyon-mexico-safety/

I hope you have a fantastic time!

HOLA! Which direction is best? I’m planning to do a family trip July 23(1 week). THNX

Hi Elia, thanks for the comment!

I think Divisadero is a must, especially with a family, as the Adventure Park will be very exciting for all ages. Not to mention, Divisadero has some of the best canyon views. Follow the link below to learn more about Divisadero:

https://visitcoppercanyon.com/things-to-do-in-divisadero-mexico/

Creel will also have a lot of great outdoor activities that would suit a family vacation. You can learn more about Creel by clicking the link below:

https://visitcoppercanyon.com/things-to-do-in-creel/

Happy planning, Elia!

Great site! Leaving Beautiful BC for Chihuahua in a week.

Thanks for the compliment, John. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

We are traveling on bicycles and we will be near Creel the end of February/early March. Are bicycles allowed on the trains? Thanks for all your hard work!

Hi Meilani,

The Chepe Regional doesn’t have any specific area for bicycles and they may not allow them on if the trains are full. The Chepe Express does have a dedicated luggage car so you may have better luck with that.

I’d love to know how you fared with the bikes as I’ve received this question before and I currently don’t have a solid answer.

I need help I have emailed the email address on the website 10 days ago to get tickets and i have not been able to get a response. I have tried calling with no luck i will be there in 3 weeks and would love to know i have reservations. Any suggestions?

I’m sorry to hear about this inconvenience. March can be a busy time for El Chepe and it would be best to have those reservations in advance.

Have you tried contacting Chepe through their website? Here is a link to their contact form: http://www.chepe.com.mx/contacto

If you haven’t already tried the numbers on my website, you can give them a try: 011 52 614 439 7212, or +52 1 614 439 7212. They also provide this phone number on the Chepe site: 01800 1224 373.

I believe there are only 2 people working in the ticketing office at any given time so it can be difficult to get a hold of someone. You may have better luck in the mornings, between 8 and 10 am (MST) and avoid calling during lunch hours.

Be persistent and continue to send those emails. Someone should get back to you eventually.

Best of luck!

Gosh I am not sure what I am missing, but will you please confirm the cost of a Tourist ticket between El Fuerte to Creel on the Chepe Regional? I am looking for round trip price in MXP. We are planning our visit in March. Thanks so much!!

Hi Julie, thanks for the comment!

Chepe doesn’t really sell round trip tickets for the Regional train, at least not with a discount like they do with the Chepe Express.

However, you should still be able to plan a round trip between El Fuerte and Creel. Below is a link to Chepe ticket prices: http://www.chepe.com.mx/assets/pdf/esp/TarifaChepeRegional.pdf

Creel to El Fuerte, one-way, should cost 1,380 MXP for a Tourist Class ticket. This should also entitle you to get off at a couple of stops in between (maybe Bahuichivo and Divisadero!). Just be careful about planning because the Regional train doesn’t run every day.

Happy Planning!

Your site has been very informative. We are close to booking our train tickets from Creel to El fuerte, your bus info and booking online has been very helpful. we are going in January.

Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback, Bernadette! I’m so glad the site was helpful and I hope you have an excellent trip! And don’t forget, the Chepe Express schedule will be changing as of January 11th, 2019.

Hello Kayla, I am planning to visit Copper Canyon in Feb 2019. Tentative schedule is board Chepe Express on 12th Feb at 7:30am… spend Tuesday in Divisadre – stay the night in Divisardro ( any economical hotel suggestions?) – Explore Canyon again on Wed & board a train in the afternoon/evening for El Fuerte & spend a night in El Fuerte – Explore El Fuerto on Thu & board a train to Los Mochis in the late afternoon/ evening -arrive in Los Mochis on Thu night & spend a nigh & spend 2 nights in Los Mochis…Board a train back to Creel on Saturday morning to arrive in creel on Saturday evening….. In order to cater to this iteneriary what can you suggest for train journet? what hotels do you suggest? please feel free to make suggestions to make this trip more worthwhile & economical…. Thanks & Regards, Viva

Hi Viva! I’d be happy to make some suggestions to make your trip more economical! To truly save money I’d suggest riding the Chepe Regional exclusively, as it’s much cheaper. You can read more about the difference between the Regional and the Express by clicking this link -> https://visitcoppercanyon.com/visit-copper-canyon-train/#tickets

As for hotels, you can find my suggestions for Divisadero here -> https://visitcoppercanyon.com/things-to-do-in-divisadero-mexico/#hotels I also have suggestions for Creel: https://visitcoppercanyon.com/things-to-do-in-creel/#hotels El Fuerte: https://visitcoppercanyon.com/things-to-do-in-el-fuerte-sinaloa/#hotels and Los Mochis: https://visitcoppercanyon.com/topolobampo-and-los-mochis-sinaloa/#hotels If you’re starting your journey in Creel then you can take a bus over to Divisadero, as it gives you more flexibility than the train and is a bit cheaper. I’d also suggest taking a bus between El Fuerte and Los Mochis to save money. Find more information about transport between these two cities by clicking here -> https://visitcoppercanyon.com/things-to-do-in-el-fuerte-sinaloa/#getthere Your current itinerary doesn’t quite line up with the train schedules (the Chepe can be very confusing!). Hopefully this link to the timetables can help you plan your itinerary. Link to timetables -> https://visitcoppercanyon.com/visit-copper-canyon-train/#combinedSchedules Please let me know if you have any specific questions once you’ve worked out the itinerary.

Greetings from Toronto: Wonderful site. Do the trains run everyday including Xmas Day & Boxing Day? Thanks\Les

That’s a great question, Les! I’m almost certain that the trains run on their regular schedules throughout the year, regardless of holidays. When you book your tickets the company should let you know for sure whether this is the case. Just remember, The Chepe Regional doesn’t run in the same direction every day, only the Chepe Express does that (until Jan. 11th, 2019, when the Express schedule will change). Also, keep in mind that Christmas is actually a very busy time in the Copper Canyon so be sure to book your hotels ahead of time. I find the best deals are at Booking.com .

Are dogs allowed on the train, and in hotels?

Hi Paula! As far as I know, dogs are, unfortunately, not permitted on EL Chepe. However, I’ve reached out to the company to find out for sure and I’m waiting for their reply. I’ll post it here as soon as I find out.

does the train still take vehicles Los Moches to chihuahua

Thanks for your inquiry, Roger. Unfortunately, El Chepe doesn’t transport vehicles, just people. The tracks are used by freight trains, but I’m not sure if they will transport individual vehicles and may only work with large companies. You can check out their site here: https://www.ferromex.com.mx/

Thanks a lot for these informations. Very helpful ! Do you know if it’s possible to board with unboxed bicycles in the Regional train ? We are in low season, the train will not be full, but on the Chepe website they allow only one luggage…

Hey! Thank you so much for your comment! I’m not entirely sure about bicycles but I’ve never seen one and as there’s no luggage car on the Chepe Regional I doubt they’d allow them. I’d suggest contacting Chepe directly to be sure. Here is a link to their contact page: http://www.chepe.com.mx/contacto

Sounds interesting. How to connect from El Paso?

Thanks for your comment, Aaron! There’s a bus that runs between El Paso and Chihuahua. From Chihuahua, you can catch El Chepe. Here’s a link to a page with a bit more information: https://visitcoppercanyon.com/things-to-do-in-chihuahua/#getthere

This is unbelievably informative but I’m still a bit confused. We are in Chihuahua tonight and want to take the Express train tomorrow disembarking at Divisadero for one night then going on to El Fuerte the following day. I see now that won’t work because we would have to be in Creel at 6AM rather than here in Chihuahua. My question is, do you know if we can buy our Express tickets here in Chihuahua tomorrow morning ( to board the following day in Divisadero to El Fuerte ) but go ahead and take the Regional to Divisadero tomorrow? We have already booked our room at the Posada Barrancas for tomorrow night. I realize you may not see this message but thank you either way. Awesome and informative site.

I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to respond earlier. I hope everything worked out for you. If you read this and you feel like sharing your experience I’d love to hear it as it will certainly help me write future articles and help other readers plan their trip.

Wow! This was nice and thorough. I’ve been thinking about doing it for years. BTW I found you through Travel Blogger Buzz.

Thanks for the comment! I really hope you get to make the trip, it’s such a fantastic experience 🙂

Leave A Comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• A-R.com Blog
• Industry History
• Fallen Flags
• Tycoons And Barons
• Famous Landmarks
• Streamliners
• Locomotive History
• Steam Locomotives
• Diesel Locomotives
• Electric Locomotives
• Passenger Car Types
• Freight Car Types
• Short Lines
• Rail Maintenance
• Rail Infrastructure
• Travel By Train
• Commuter Rail
• Tourist Train Rides
• Fall Foliage Rides
• Halloween Train Rides
• Christmas Train Rides
• Polar Express Rides
• Dinner Train Rides
• Valentine's Day Train Rides
• Passenger Train Guide
• Interurbans
• Narrow Gauge Railroads
• Logging Lines
• State History
• Stations And Depots
• Railroad Jobs
• Glossary And Terms
• Railroad Stories
• Privacy Policy
• Terms Of Use
• Book Reviews
• Chepe Express

The Chepe Express

Last revised: March 17, 2024

By:  Adam Burns

The Chepe Express is the latest in upscale rail accommodations through Mexico's gorgeous Copper Canyon.  Such services can be traced back to 1961 with the route's opening which immediately attracted tourists. 

However, the route's most famous train was the first-class  Sierra Madre Express , which operated from 1986 until 2009. 

The canyon system (its deepest crevasse drops nearly 6,200 feet), which is larger than even America's world-renowned Grand Canyon, is actually comprised of six separate canyons formed by six different rivers. 

These waterways drain into the Fuerte River which empties into the Gulf of California. The corridor boasts numerous natural and man-made wonders, which easily explains its popularity.

Many of the 86 tunnels and 36 bridges can be found on the Creel and Sufragio segment such as:

The El Lazo loop

The horseshoe-curved La Pera tunnel

The Chinipas Bridge soaring 335 feet over its namesake river

The 1,637-foot Agua Caliente Bridge crossing the Rio Fuerte River (the line's longest)

Tunnel 86 (bored through a mile of solid bedrock)

The information here offers just a brief glimpse of the Chepe Express and the history its route.

The heritage of a rail line through Mexico's Copper Canyon can be traced back to American interests and, in particular, Arthur Edward Stilwell.  Born in 1859 at Rochester, New York, he and his family had once been prominent members of society. 

They fell on hard times and Stilwell was forced to find his own way, winding up as a traveling salesman.  His business and societal yearnings never dimmed and, becoming involved in railroads, slowly worked his way up the ranks. 

He was a firm believer in the "Air Line" concept, a railroad which contained the straightest possible alignment in connecting two points. 

In 1889 he organized the Kansas City, Pittsburg & Gulf Railroad  (KCP&G) to link Kansas City with the Gulf Coast by way of the shortest available route.  It appeared his plan would succumb to the economic downturn following 1893's financial panic. 

However, thanks to the help of George Pullman, the powerful businessman who built the Pullman Palace Car Company, Stilwell was provided $3 million and completed the railroad to Port Arthur, Texas (named for himself) with "Last Spike" ceremonies held at Beaumont on September 11, 1897. 

Unfortunately, the KCP&G eventually did wind up in receivership (1899) and emerged as the Kansas City Southern Railway in 1900. 

Ironically, the KCS remains one of America's seven Class I railroads today.  With this setback it appeared Stilwell's involvement with railroads had come to an end. 

However, as Keith Bryant, Jr. notes in his authoritative piece, " History Of The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway ," the man refused to fold and was working on his next adventure within a year. 

That particular project had been the long sought ambition of many promoters, to construct the shortest transcontinental line from the Midwest to Pacific coast (1,600 miles). 

To accomplish this, a railroad through Mexico was required whereby port facilities would be established at Topolobampo, Sinaloa along the Gulf of California. 

The ultimate goal was to beat out Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco for the China, India, and Japanese trade (primarily corn, wheat, and manufactured goods).  While Stilwell claimed his idea was the first, such a proposal had actually been discussed for at least twenty years.  

Kansas City, Mexico & Orient Railway

Without his own monetary means, Stilwell secured help from several Englishmen and local Kansas City businessmen. 

The railroad was known as the Kansas City, Mexico & Orient Railway (KCM&O), incorporated on April 30, 1900 and officially chartered the following day. 

Also known as " The Orient Route ," it was built in segments with Stilwell hoping to later connect the separate sections. 

Leaving Kansas City, it would pass through central Oklahoma at Fairview and then cross the Red River at Diaz; next, it would travel through Sweetwater, Texas and San Angelo before arriving at the Mexican border at El Oro along the Rio Grande River. 

From there it wound its way through Chihuahua, Chihuahua (Mexico) and finally terminated at Topolobampo, Sonora.  The Mexican segment was the most difficult where engineers had to contend with the very rugged mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental. 

Stilwell managed to finish five separate segments: 

• Emporia-Cassoday, Kansas
• Wichita-Diaz, Texas
• Knox City-San Angelo, Texas
• Hormigas-Arapanapochic, Chihuahua
• Laguna-Topolobampo, Sonora

Altogether, the KCM&O operated 735 miles in America and another 320 in Mexico.

Unfortunately, funding for the remainder could not be secured and the project struggled, eventually entering receivership in 1912. 

The bankruptcy persisted for over a decade and the railroad's fortunes remained uncertain as late as 1928.  The company's receiver was William T. Kemper who did his best at keeping the struggling operation afloat, despite efforts by creditors to see the entire affair liquidated. 

He attempted to woo several major carriers like the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific; Missouri Pacific; and Southern Pacific. 

None showed interest and even the United States Railroad Administration, which nationalized the industry during World War I, initially saw no value in the property.  Without a through corridor, the KCM&O was of little use.

Then, the Santa Fe became interested, in part thanks to the KCM&O's growing petroleum business; by 1927 roughly 50% of its freight traffic was derived solely from oil.  The AT&SF saw this business as quite lucrative. 

It would not only bolster its operations in Texas but also prevent a competitor from potentially opening another transcontinental corridor.  It acquired the KCM&O in 1928 for $14 million. 

The AT&SF was disinterested in the Mexican property, selling it to Benjamin Francis Johnson, a sugar plantation owner based in Sinaloa, for $600,000, which included a $900,000 mortgage.  He was unable to pay the remainder, and the Mexican government took over the property in 1940.

Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico

The Santa Fe quickly completed its segments but Mexico was much slower.  The $88 million program was finally launched in 1958 under the direction of new Mexican president Adolfo Lopez Mateos. 

Through his persistence, the railroad was finished on November 20, 1961. 

The Santa Fe and Ferrocarril de Chihuahua al Pacifico (a component of the state-owned Mexican National Railways, or FNM) did interchange some freight through the Presidio gateway although it never proved the major transcontinental corridor Stilwell had hoped. 

In an interesting twist, a new source of business sprang up when the line's breathtaking scenery began attracting an increasing number of tourists. 

Today, Ferrocarril de Chihuahua al Pacifico is still in operation albeit as part of Ferromex, Mexico's largest private railroad. 

Current Service

In an article entitled, "Mexico's New Copper Canyon Train Chases Upscale Clientele," from Trains Magazine's News Wire, released on March 8, 2019, the Chepe Express became the Copper Canyon's newest excursions when it debuted on May 17, 2018.

During its first year the train attracted about 19,000 visitors. It currently offers two levels of service; Executive (First) Class and Tourist Class. Both are modestly priced.

The train, operated by Grupo Mexico (owner of Ferromex) runs year-round and covers 406 miles from Chihuahua to Los Mochis (near Topolobampo), and of course features the very scenic Copper Canyon component which is comprised of about 248 miles south of Creel. 

The company states its busiest time are the weeks near Easter and Christmas as well as the summer season from July through August. 

They also recommend that anyone interested in the trip during these times book their journey at least four months in advance.  Because the excursion can be made in a single day there are no sleepers attached to the Chepe Express . 

The train includes a total of six cars; its services range from snack and drink bars to dining and dome service! 

Aside from the train you can also take advantage of a range of other fun activities like a cable car ride in Divisidero, historic sites at El Fuerte, and fine dining in Los Mochis. 

In his article, " A Copper Canyon Odyssey: Aboard Classic Postwar U.S. Passenger Cars, Travelers Experience Mexico's Most Spectacular Train Ride " from the February, 1997 issue of Trains Magazine , author Karl Zimmermann describes another interest aspect of this trip, interaction with the native Tarahumara (or Rarámuri) Indians who have inhabited the Copper Canyon region for many centuries. 

While shy and reserved their wares and handcrafted goods can be purchased at various stations. 

SteamLocomotive.com

Wes Barris's SteamLocomotive.com is simply the best web resource on the study of steam locomotives. 

It is difficult to truly articulate just how much material can be found at this website. 

It is quite staggering and a must visit!

© Copyright 2007-2024 American-Rails.com. All written content, photos, and videos copyright American-Rails.com (unless otherwise noted).

Copper Canyon Specialists

Escorted Group Tours

Tours begin and end in Phoenix, Arizona. Journey in a deluxe coach bus to San Carlos, Sonora and onto El Fuerte, Sinaloa in Mexico. Ride the Regional Chepe Train to the town of Cerocahui. Travel by bus to Copper Canyon and continue homebound to Casas Grandes for your return to Phoenix. These tours are limited in size to a minimum of 20 and maximum of 40 people. 10-day tour.

Escorted Train Tours

Tours begin and end in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico. Journey on the Regional Chepe Train from El Fuerte to Cerocahui and into the Copper Canyon. Return to Los Mochis on the luxurious Chepe Express for a different experience. These tours are limited in size to a maximum of 10 people. 7-day, 8-day, 9-day tours.

Customized Tours

Tours may begin and end in either Los Mochis, Sinaloa or Chihuahua City, Chihuahua in Mexico. Customized itineraries is open to the prospect of availability to visit cities such as Los Mochis, El Fuerte, Cerocahui, Divisadero, Creel, Batopilas, Chihuahua City, amongst others, according to your interest and your desired travel dates. You may begin a tour almost any day as far as the train is running on that particular date. It is recommended for tours to be at least 4 days long.

Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

• Trans-Siberian Railway Tickets
• Trans-Siberian Railway Ticket Booking
• Trans-Siberian Railway Car Classes
• Travel Procedure
• Trans-Siberian Railway Route
• Guides & Gadgets

Home » Prices and Trans-Siberian Tickets » Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

Ticket prices for the Trans-Siberian Railway also depend on the current ruble exchange rate.

Is the Trans-Siberian Railway expensive?

Before starting on your Trans-Siberian Railway adventure you naturally want to know what the entire trip will cost. Although this sounds like a simple question, it is pretty difficult to answer. The Trans-Siberian Railway price of travel depends on the following factors:

• Which travel class do I want to use? The price for a first class ticket is about three times the price of a 3rd class ticket
• Am I willing to buy the tickets myself and assume responsibility for the organisation of the trip?
• How many stopovers do I want to make? The more breaks, the higher the total price.
• What sort of accommodation do I want? Will it be a luxury hotel or will a hostel dormitory be sufficient?
• What tours and excursions would I like to go on?
• What is the current exchange rate for rubles?

Basically, everything from a luxury to a budget holiday is available. If you buy yourself a 3rd Class nonstop ticket at the counter, a few hundred Euros will cover the price. All you will experience is a week on the Trans-Siberian train and will see nothing of the cities on the way. There is, however, any amount of room for upward expansion. Everyone makes different choices about which aspects they are willing to spend money on. I personally prefer to save money on accommodation and railcar class, visit as many cities and do as many trips as possible. To enable better classification of your travel expenses I have contrasted two typical traveler types. In the third column you can calculate the total cost of your own journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that these are only rough estimations and not exact prices.

The all-in costs seem fairly high at first. However, they cover everything and it is quite a long journey taking four weeks. Many people forget to consider that when looking at the list. We should also deduct the running costs for food and leisure at home. I think most visitors to this page will classify themselves somewhere between the two categories, that is around the € 2,000 – € 2,500 range. When comparing these prices with other travel packages, you get the impression that it is hardly worthwhile travelling individually on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that most packages last no more than 14 days and you are herded like cattle through the most beautiful locations.

If you spend less time on the Trans-Siberian Railway you will, of course, pay less. I chose this particular travel length because I prefer not to do things by halves. If you fulfill your dream of travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway, enjoy it and don’t rush things. But it’s up to you, of course. Try playing around with the form a bit to find the appropriate price for your trip.

• Trans-Siberian Railway Tickets »

• Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best of Moscow by high speed train

By shuguley , February 15, 2014 in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Recommended Posts

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.

Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?

My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

If you are considering this on the 2015 June Baltic cruise on Voyager; my suggestion is don't. There is so much to do in St. Petersburg and although a train is one of my favorite ways to travel the time would be far better spent in St. P.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, this would be on the Voyager during the 2015 season but not yet sure exactly which cruise.

We did the Moscow excursion "on a different luxury line", but from your brief description it sounds very much like the same trip, so I will operate on that assumption. It is a VERY long day! We left the ship at 5:30 AM and returned at 12:30 AM. The highspeed train trip is comfortable, and while they call it "Business Class" it does not compare well to the equivalent class on say Rail Europe. When we did it in 2011, we did have highspeed both ways, and the trip back seemed much longer as the adrenaline and excitement had worn off!:D

Moscow itself is not that terribly different from any other big city in the world, but this Cold War kid never thought he would ever stand in Red Square, never mind walk the grounds of The Kremlin, or tour The Kremlin Palace, or see (but not visit) Lenin's Tomb, or visit The Armoury. But he did, and he loved every minute of it! Yes, it is a long day, and you barely scratch a scratch on the surface, but it is worth it. There is a tremendous amount to see in St. Petersburg, but every Baltic cruise goes to St. Petersburg, so you can go back if you choose to. Not every cruiseline offers you the chance to see Moscow.

I have not personally done this tour, but our last time in St Petersburg, the private guide that we hired for a day was leading the regent tour to Moscow on the high speed train the next day. He said it was way better than the previous alternative, which was flying to Moscow and back. He said that you actually got to Moscow faster because you didn't have to deal with airline checkin etc. it did seem like a very long day to me, and there is so much to see and do in st. Petersburg that I didn't consider doing it.

countflorida

We toured to Moscow from St. Petersburg via the hi-speed SAPSAN train last September, from a Baltic cruise on the Oceania Marina. You need to have a two-night, three day port call in St. Petersburg to take this tour because the tour typically leaves the ship around 5:00 - 5:30 AM and doesn't return until after midnight the next day. We didn't take the ship's tour; we made private arrangements with TravelAllRussia for three days of touring, the first and third days in St. Petersburg and the second day the tour to Moscow by train. Our cost for the private tour for three days was about the same as what the ship charged for the excursion to Moscow alone. There are a number of private tour agencies that operate in St. Petersburg and offer the Moscow train tours; we would strongly recommend them over the ship's tours.

All three days had private guides with car and driver. The second day, the driver picked us up at the ship and took us to the train, but we were alone on the train, and met in Moscow by the guide on the station platform. After our tour and dinner, we were brought back to the train and after the return train trip met by the driver and taken back to the ship. Because you are alone on the train you must have your own Russian visas.

If this is your first visit to St. Petersburg, I would agree there is much more to see there. We found Moscow somewhat a disappointment, particularly Red Square. The Kremlin and the cathedral in Red Square were also worth seeing. But the best thing we saw was the Moscow subway! I worked for the Washington Metro system back in the 1980s as it grew from 40 to 80 miles and although I was in the computer area, I learned a lot about the challenges of running a subway system. We used the Moscow system to get across the city from where we had dinner to the train station, and I was amazed at the cleanliness', speed of operation, the short headways maintained, and the courtesy of everyone involved. A very impressive experience!

We had been to St. Petersburg before, and so had the time to take a day and go to Moscow. Also, I really like trains, and the SAPSAN is a German train set running on Russian rails. Seats are like first class domestic air, spacious but not too plush or comfortable, but with enough room. Not too much recline, and almost 8 hours on the train in two shots is a lot for an old man. They come through and sell drinks, candy, etc. but the sellers don't speak English and no one around us helped, so we had just poor coffee once coming, and brought stuff with us for the trip back. Not too much to see from the train either, particularly on the return when it is night the whole way.

If you decide to go, take a private tour and avoid the overly expensive ship's tour. I'm glad we did it, but wouldn't bother to repeat the tour; we've seen Moscow.

Thanks so much to all of you for the thorough and thought insight. Yhe information you have provided is most helpful.

countflorida: Your detailed post is very helpful. We are not quite ready for a Baltic cruise but should do so within a year. Time enough to do our pre travel research, bookings and visa gathering.:) Thank you!

Emperor Norton

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.   Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?   My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

I did this on Seabourn. IMO DONT. Take Aeroflop (er Aeroflot). The train has non folding seats where you are literally knee to knee with your fellow passenger (facing each other). Further they don't believe in air conditioning. It's also the worlds slowed bullet train. I think I would have found more enjoyment wandering around the St. Petersburg and Moscow airports.

Countflorida,

This is a little off topic,, however we had planned a river cruise in Russia but decided we would rather stay on land and have booked about two weeks with Travel-All-Russia using the private guide and driver. I'm curious as to how you found them as a tour company.

The guides they provided were fine. We had a different guide each of the days in St. Petersburg, but both were flexible, pleasant, knowledgeable and spoke English very well, as did the guide in Moscow, incidentally. She was a bit aloof, distant, not too friendly, but otherwise fine. In fact, she was the one who suggested taking the Metro, which unexpectedly became one of the highlights of the Moscow excursion. If I have a complaint with AllTravelRussia, it is with their plan and its execution (more later).

I had requested emphasis on World War II (in Russia, the Great Patriotic War) sites and info. In scheduling us, they weren't careful about dates and a couple of the sites we wanted to see were scheduled on the third day, after we'd been to Moscow. But both sites were closed that day of the week, and that info was readily available, right on web sites describing them. Also, the included meals (lunches in St. Pete, dinner in Moscow) were not what we asked for: light meals with some choices, so we could avoid things we didn't like and choose things we did like. My request was ignored; we were given full Russian meals with a fixed menu, no choice. On the first day, a fish dish was the entre, but I am allergic to fish. Fortunately, I had the e-mail I'd sent with me and showed it to the guide, and she was able to change my entre to chicken, which was very good actually. But we didn't want a 3-4 course lunches or dinner (in Moscow). We had the guide drop the lunch the third day, although we never got any credit or refund. But, particularly in contrast to the ship's tours, the prices were so reasonable we didn't worry too much about it.

The people who were on the ship's tour to Moscow saw us boarding the same train for which they were forced to queue up and wait on the way back, and asked us what we had done. I was candid and open so they were not happy when I explained what we had arranged and particularly what it had cost. Also, when we returned to the ship, we found they had laid on a late supper for those who had gone to Moscow, so up we went and had something. Well, it turns out the late supper was supposed to be just for those on the ship's tour, but we and others on 'independent' tours, there were a dozen or more of us, crashed the party, actually got there first, and they didn't realize it until the larger group arrived and there weren't enough tables/places set. By that time, the 'independents' had all gotten served and were eating; what could they do?

A couple from the larger group sat down with us and asked us about our tour, and they were the ones I told about our arrangement and its cost. They turned to others who’d been with them and announced the details, loudly enough so the whole room heard, which started a lot of bitching and complaining. I gathered they weren't very happy with the ship's tour to begin with, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. We finished up and beat it out of there, but overheard later that one of the excursion staff came to check on something and ran into a real mess. I caught a cold on the trip, which forced me to bed the second day following in Tallinn, so by the time we reappeared we heard about the contretemps' but apparently no one recalled who started it, thankfully.

Because of what happened to us, I would probably not use AllTravelRussia if I were to go again, or if I did, I would be sure to get confirmation of every detail of the tour. They do have good reviews generally, and we were certainly helped by their visa department and liked the guides and drivers. Their weakness, I say now with full 20:20 hindsight, is that once the sales person who plans the tour, sells it to you and collects your money, he (or she) transfers the plan to their Russia office for implementation; there is no follow-up to make sure it gets done right. And that is where our problems arose; we paid for a custom tour but got a standard package with a few destinations switched, and no one checked them out, even to see when they were open the day we were scheduled to go. If you check every detail that’s important to you, it should be OK, but that’s a hell of a way to have to do business, in my opinion.

Thank you for the 20/20 hindsight observation on your Russian tour operator, and better priced than the ship's excursion cost.

Thanks very much for the feedback.

We had the same experience as you so far as price. We originally booked a Viking Cruise but, hearing some things about the river cruises that made us unhappy, looked into other options. T-A-R cost the same or less than a cruise and had us in hotels for 11 days. We opted for the private tour. They have three tour levels, based on hotels. We originally opted for the four star as it did not cost much more than the three star hotels. Finally we decided to throw it all in and upgraded to five star. In Moscow we will be at the newly opened Kempinsky which is two blocks from Red Square. In St. Petersburg it is the Grand Hotel Europe, one of the most vaunted luxury hotels in Russia. Location is important for us as the tours use up only part of the day so being in the center of everything for our independent touring is important. As with many other cities, the less you pay, the farther out of the center of town you are.

We have been working with our salesman in D.C. and he seems to get back to us with the changes we want. He recently returned from Russia so is up on everything. When I asked they said they paid the full TA commission if I wanted so I got my usual TA on board so he is watching our back and giving us that extra level of comfort. He also set up our air, which I know pays him little or nothing, and got us business class for much less than T-A-R wanted for economy, though it took working for a while with a consolidator. He's happy to get his 10 percent on this trip without having booked it. He also took care of the trip insurance. We've been doing a lot of research on the CC sister site Trip Advisor and will write a report there. We will, I guess, become a source of info for CC members after having spent 5 days in Moscow and 6 in SP.

• 4 months later...

scubacruiserx2

Anybody considering a day trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg on the Sapsan may want to look at our travelogue filled with pictures.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927687

Very informative. Thanks dor sharing. Jeff

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail Beyond the Ordinary with Oceania Cruises
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started 15 hours ago

LauraS · Started 16 hours ago

LauraS · Started Thursday at 07:37 PM

LauraS · Started Thursday at 04:48 PM

LauraS · Started Thursday at 04:19 PM

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

• El Chepe Train
• Attractions

Chepe Express vs Chepe Regional Train

Do you know the differences between the New Chepe Express and the Regional Train? In this post, we’ll explain the advantages and differences between both train systems.

Important note: The Tren Chepe Regional stoped servin tourists from March, 2020. The only available train for touris now is Chepe Express. Cotnact us for more information.

One of the most shocking tourist experiences in Mexico is traveling onboard the Chepe train. Surprisingly,  this is the only passenger train in the country,  and it is also the only land connection between Chihuahua and Sinaloa. On the way, you will find about  87 tunnels and 3 7 bridges  that you can observe in a seat in the first row.

Download FREE Copper Canyon Travel Guide

What route? When to go? What class in Chepe Express? How to buy tickets?

Send me information about products, services, deals or recommendations by email. You agree to our terms data policy and cookies policy . You can unsubscribe at any moment.

The 653-kilometer route goes into the famous Copper Canyon, a series of canyons that have little comparison worldwide; in fact, they are more extensive than the Grand Canyon of Colorado in the United States. Without a doubt, traveling by the “Chepe” train is an incredible experience!

Differences between trains

The idea of ​​building a railroad in this privileged area of ​​Mexico, but geologically hilly, arose in 1880 by the then president of Mexico, General Manuel González.

However, there was so much complexity at the engineering level and the cost of the project, completed in November 1961. Since then, the “Chepe” train travels every day through the Sierra Madre Occidental.

The Regional “Chepe”

El Chepe Regional is the famous traditional train of the Copper Canyon. We must remember that the trip is about knowing the different tourist attractions that there are in the stations. This is the way to live one of the best life experiences. 

All tickets purchased must be in the First Class of El Chepe Regional. The ticket allows you to  get off at three different stations during the day  with no additional cost. 

The difficulty for the visitor who does not travel through an organized tour is that he has to accommodate his itinerary to the frequency of the train, that is the reason why he is better hire a tour that takes you to the places that worth it. The regional train has a la carte menu and has a comfortable bathroom at the end of each car. It also has a cafeteria service throughout the tour. When compared to the “Chepe” Express, the travel time is longer (16 hours in the case of the “Chepe” Regional).

The New “Chepe” Express

The “Chepe” Express is thought to be a luxury trip. Observe with maximum comfort the beauty of the Sierra Tarahumara while you savor a dish in the restaurant of the train. If you are looking to accompany the adventure with five-star comfort and first-class dining options, the new “Chepe” Express is perfect for tourists of your profile.

This high-end train has a terrace, bar and a restaurant called Urike, with a menu designed by renowned chef Daniel Ovadía. With respect to the dishes of the restaurant, local delicacies are included, such as the chilli-chili stuffed with green sauce for breakfast, the tamale de chayote, the ax callus or the poblano chili soup for lunch and dinner.

Inside the train, there are two sub divisions that include the business class and the economy class . For the “Chepe” Express tours only the most emblematic stops are included; for example, El Fuerte, where you can contemplate interesting architectural, cultural and natural attractions.

Barrancas del Cobre or Divisadero are a must stop for the regional or foreign visitor, since here are the three most important canyons of the Sierra Madre: Urique, Tararecua and of Copper. Within walking distance is the Magical Town of Creel, which is considered the gateway to the mountains and is the place where most of the population is concentrated.

As the train only stops in four stations, the time of travel is about 9 hours. The “Chepe” Express tours include visits to places like Arareko lake, the Valley of the Fungi and the Valley of the Frogs, where you can perform outdoor activities such as bicycle rides, horseback or ATV.

Finally, another difference between the two trains is that the New “Chepe” Express has Wi-Fi available, although you will not always enjoy connectivity in its sections.

To discover the packages available on the “Chepe” Express tours you can check it out in our website, so you can count on a trip tailored to your budget and with financing options.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Language unleashed: exploring copper canyon with confidence and companionship, unveiling the secrets of copper canyons: nature’s masterpiece awaits your exploration, epic wonders of copper canyon in mexico and conquer the extraordinary, latest tours, latests posts, conquering the breathtaking copper canyon train expedition: unleash your inner explorer, discover mexico’s copper canyon: a scenic adventure on the iconic chepe....

🌟 Discover the Wonders of Copper Canyon Tours with Hoteleus! 🌟 Looking for an unforgettable adventure in Mexico's Copper Canyon? Look no further than Hoteleus! As your premier tour provider, we specialize in personalized service tailored to your needs. 📞 Contact us today via WhatsApp or call at +12029823041 for expert guidance and assistance! Choose Hoteleus for an experience like no other. Your Copper Canyon journey starts here! 🌄 Explore the beauty of Copper Canyon with Hoteleus! 🌄

Copper Canyon Tour Mazatlán to Chihuahua

Copper Canyon 9 Day Tour

Tour description.

A minimum of 10 people is required to operate this tour.

A journey through the Copper Canyon is truly a must for all passionate travelers. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the area while you travel through the most beautiful towns of northern Mexico. Combining riveting adventure with a reprieve from the demands of the modern world, the Copper Canyons offer a gorgeous setting for a marvelous escape.

Carved from the legendary Sierra Madre mountain range in the state of Chihuahua, a colossal network of six interweaving canyons make up what is known as the Copper Canyons, or Barrancas del Cobre in Spanish. Some of these canyons run deeper than Arizona’s Grand Canyon by a margin of over 1,000 feet. While the Copper Canyon seems to lack the status of the Grand Canyon, this Mexican treasure suffers no shortage of natural beauty. It is simply pristine. Teeming with wildlife, much of this striking landscape is virtually unexplored and unexploited.

How the Copper Canyon got its Name

Named for the color of its walls, this geological wonder spans a massive area. Consequently, much of this magnificent canyon is solely accessible by the Copper Canyon Railway . This feature alone earns the trip through the canyon a reputation as the world’s most scenic train ride. Because it covers a distance of over 400 miles, the trip takes 16 hours one way and is broken up into overnight stops along the route.

The Copper Canyon Railroad History

This railroad line was built in 1870 and runs from Kansas to Texas. Then, it continues across the border to Chihuahua and Los Mochis. Finally, the line reaches Topolobambo, one of the largest natural harbors in North America. Ninety-one years later the railroad became complete, as the tracks were joined at Temoris Station on the southwestern edge of the canyon. This is considered one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century. Today’s route through the Copper Canyon takes passengers from sea level to over 8,000 feet in elevation. It traverses through 86 tunnels, and across 39 bridges. The longest tunnel on the course measures nearly 6,000 feet, while the highest bridge towers 340 feet over the Chinipas River.  Join us aboard the CHEPE Express traveling in 1st class and exclusive access to the all-new Terrace car.

Copper Canyon Tour Video

Social Share

• TP Hồ Chí Minh
• Trở lại Thể thao
• Các môn khác

Nguyễn Thị Thật lại thắng kình địch Thái Lan

Thái Lan Cua-rơ nữ số một Việt Nam Nguyễn Thị Thật tiếp tục chứng tỏ sức mạnh khi rút đích, thắng Jutatip Maneephan ở chặng hai Tour of Thailand 2024, trưa 9/4.

Sau khi thắng chặng một, Thật mặc cả Áo Vàng, Áo Xanh, và Áo Tím - cho tay đua Đông Nam Á hay nhất. Vì vậy, khi vào chặng hai quanh công viên Sukhothai Historica dài 95,5 km sáng nay, cua-rơ Việt Nam trở thành mục tiêu của các đối thủ. Trong đó, chủ nhà Thái Lan thể hiện rõ nhất quyết tâm để lật ngược thế cờ.

Thật mừng khi về nhất chặng hai Tour of Thailand sáng 9/4.

Đường đua ngắn, ít dốc, các đội liên tục tấn công để tách tốp. Tuy nhiên, nhóm cua-rơ Việt Nam, từ cả ê-kíp đội tuyển quốc gia và đội Biwase Bình Dương hỗ trợ, đeo bám các đối thủ, đồng thời giúp Thật luôn có mặt ở nhóm đầu. Cách đích 10 km, các tay đua Thái Lan, Malaysia, Kazakhstan liên tiếp tấn công nhưng bất thành. Đoàn đua sau đó hình thành tốp đông về đích, trong đó các cua-rơ Thái Lan làm mũi tên tấn công, kéo chân rút chủ lực Jutatip về rút đích.

Tuy nhiên, Thật tiếp tục thể hiện phong độ cao cùng sở trường nước rút ấn tượng. Dù ở phía sau kình định Jutatip, cô vẫn tăng tốc ngoạn mục trong 300 m cuối, lao lên bằng tốc độ xé gió, vượt qua mọi đối thủ và bỏ xa Jutatip khoảng 3 m. Người về thứ ba là Mohamad Aisyah của Malaysia. Tổng thời gian chặng 2 giờ 28 phút 19 giây.

Khoảnh khắc Thật về đích trước Jutatip ở chặng hai Tour of Thailand sáng 9/4.

"Tôi rất vui khi lại giành chiến thắng. Xin cảm ơn các đồng đội, ban huấn luyện và mọi người đã giúp đỡ, cổ vũ. Ngày mai, tôi vẫn đặt mục tiêu về nhất", Thật nói sau khi về đích.

Với chiến thắng thứ hai liên tiếp, cua-rơ người An Giang tiếp tục mặc cả ba chiếc áo danh giá.

Tour of Thailand nằm trong hệ thống thi đấu của Liên đoàn Xe đạp Thế giới (UCI), với cấp độ 2.1. Giải 2024 gồm 12 đội tham dự, tổng cộng 59 vận động viên, trong đó chủ nhà có bốn đội, 20 tay đua. Các nước còn lại tham dự có Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Kazakhstan, Indonesia.

Nguyễn Thị Thật là VĐV Việt Nam đầu tiên giành vé dự Olympic Paris 2024 sau khi đánh bại Jutatip ở giải vô địch châu Á 2023. Cô hiện chơi cho CLB Roland (Thụy Sỹ) nên thường xuyên tập huấn và thi đấu ở châu Âu. Thật vừa trở về Thái Lan vào rạng sáng 8/4, một ngày sau khi thi đấu ở cuộc đua Roubix ở Paris, Pháp. Tour of Thái Lan là một trong những giải đấu để Nguyễn Thị Thật chuẩn bị cho Olympic Paris vào tháng 7.

Ngày mai 10/4, giải khép lại bằng chặng cuối dài 70 km.

• Tourist visa to Russia
• Business visa to Russia
• St. Petersburg tours
• Moscow tours
• Golden Ring tours
• Tours in Karelia
• Tours in the Urals
• Baikal tours
• Tours in Siberia
• Tours in other Russian cities
• Hotels in Russia
• Russian B&B and hostels
• Apartments in Russia
• About Transsib
• Trans-Siberian packages
• Transsib train tickets
• Trans-Siberian tours
• Transsib Accommodation
• Transfers in Russian cities
• Russian Train Tickets
• Russian Plane Tickets
• Russian Theater Tickets
• Russian Folklore
• Special Offers
• For Cruise Tourists
• FIFA Confederations Cup 2017
• FIFA World Cup 2018
• UEFA EURO 2021
• Privacy Policy
• Payment Options
• Terms & Conditions
• Reservation
• Travel Tips for Russia
• Tourist Destinations in Russia

Travel to Russia from Russian tour-operator

Train Tickets Moscow – St. Petersburg