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Until January, 2008, only passengers flying into or out of Mexico will require a passport. For those passengers driving from the U.S., only a birth certificate and state licensed ID are required at the border.
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How often does the train run? |
The First Class ChePe departs once daily from both Chihuahua and Los Mochis. |
Can I hop on and hop off? |
No, tickets must be booked in advance, and each stop requires an overnight stay, as there is only one train per day in either direction.
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Can you start at either end--which is the “best” way to go? |
Traveling from West to East allows the best lighting for the most scenic portion of the route, which is between Los Mochis and Divisadero.
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No, our Affordable ChePe Tours are independent, meaning you will not be traveling with the same group and are free to explore each destination on your own.
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The only 2 cities in which your meals will be included in a package booking are Cerocahui and Divisadero. On board the train, you may purchase meals in the dining car.
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I don’t see a tour that fits what I want to do--can RailsNW customize an itinerary for me? |
Yes, any of our listed tours can be customized, or we can design an itinerary around your available schedule. Simply give your RailsNW agent your desired destinations and dates, and we will submit this for a custom quote. This usually takes about 24 hours.
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Will I receive tickets and/or hotel vouchers before I travel? |
No, we will only send you an e-mail confirmation of your itinerary. Rail-only tickets are purchased and picked up at the railway depot, and package hotel/train vouchers will be delivered to your first hotel.
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What’s the best time of year to travel? |
Generally, the most moderate temperatures are between October and March. The higher elevations (Divisadero, Creel) do get into the 30-40’s F at night during the winter, but are mild during the day. May-August tends to be the warmest. In addition, the Christmas and Easter holidays are the busiest, and hotels can have limited availability, so advanced planning is recommended.
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Can RailsNW arrange air, bus or ferry transfers? |
We do not arrange air or local bus transportation (other than the El Paso-Chihuahua transfer), however, we can arrange ferry tickets between La Paz and Topolabampo Bay.
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How long is the bus transfer between El Paso and Chihuahua? |
This transfer takes approximately 5 hours. You will be transferred by van to Juarez City, where you will board motorcoaches bound for Chihuahua, and vice versa. Busses leave every half hour.
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I would like to take the Batopilas Extension--how long does this take, and what should I know about taking this tour? |
The Batopilas Extension is an incredible journey from Creel to the floor of the canyon. The private transfer takes 5 hours, and you should be prepared for a fairly winding, steep drive. As Batopilas is such a small, remote town, the hotels are very rustic and do not have all the amenities of the larger hotels, occasionally using oil lamps for lighting. Most hotels do not have heat, as Batopilas stays very warm almost year-round, reaching into the 100’s F during the summer months.
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I would like to drive to Chihuahua/Los Mochis and park my car while I am on the train--where can I do this? |
Generally, if you are staying in a hotel before the train departure, you can park your car at that hotel for a modest daily fee.
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The First Class ChePe does occasionally run trains with flatbeds for RV’s. These are tours with set dates and itineraries, however, so this is not an option on the daily train departures.
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Do you recommend Travel Insurance? |
| Yes, definitely. You are traveling in a very rugged area, and while not common, trip interruptions can happen. As well, your deposit is non-refundable once paid, as is your final payment at 60 days. Please inquire with our agents the cost to insure this incredible journey.
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