Getting There & Away: Taos

Air Travel

Major Airports Serving Taos

While Taos has its own small airport, most commercial air traffic for Northern New Mexico arrives through larger hubs.

Airport Options

Taos Regional Airport (TSM): ~10 miles (16 km) northwest of Taos Plaza. Serves mainly JSX charter flights (seasonal direct service from Dallas and Austin).
Santa Fe Municipal Airport (SAF): ~70 miles (113 km) south of Taos. Offers regional commercial flights to Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, and Phoenix (American Airlines, United Airlines).
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ): ~135 miles (217 km) south of Taos. Largest and busiest airport in New Mexico with the widest range of flights from major U.S. cities, often with competitive prices.

Airlines & Flight Options

Airlines at these airports offer varied connectivity.

Connecting to Taos

TSM: Primarily served by JSX seasonal public charter flights.
SAF: American Airlines (to DFW, PHX) and United Airlines (to DEN).
ABQ: American, Southwest, Delta, United, Frontier, and Alaska Airlines connect to major U.S. cities.

Global Connections

Direct international flights do not serve TSM, SAF, or ABQ. International travelers typically connect through major U.S. Hubs like DFW, DEN, LAX, or PHX.

Seasonal Prices

Flight prices generally rise during Taos's peak tourist seasons: summer, fall foliage, and winter ski season. Booking in advance for these periods may secure better rates. Dollar Flight Club Skyscanner may assist in finding flights.

Airport Facilities

ABQ offers full services (car rentals, restaurants, shops, Wi-Fi). SAF has limited services (car rentals, small cafe). TSM has very limited services; pre-booking car rentals is common.

Transfers from Airports to Taos

From Albuquerque ABQ

Shuttle Services: Companies like Taos Rides and Twin Hearts Express offer scheduled shuttle services directly to Taos. Reservations come highly recommended.
Rental Cars: The most flexible option for exploring. Agencies are readily available at ABQ. The drive to Taos takes approximately 2.5-3 hours.
Private Car Service: Available for pre-booked, more personalized transfers.
New Mexico Rail Runner Express: Connects ABQ to Santa Fe, then onward ground transport to Taos.

From Santa Fe SAF & Taos TSM

From SAF - Rental Cars: Agencies are available. The drive to Taos from Santa Fe takes about 1.5-2 hours.
From SAF - Shuttles: Limited options; private shuttles may operate with advance arrangement.
From TSM - Rental Cars: Available, but often require advance booking due to the airport's smaller size.
From TSM - Taxi/Ride-share: Availability can be limited. Pre-booking a local taxi or shuttle comes highly advised.

Land Transportation

Train Connections

Passenger train service does not directly reach Taos. Amtrak's "Southwest Chief" passes through Lamy (near Santa Fe) or Albuquerque. Onward ground transportation is necessary from these stations.

Long-Distance Bus

Direct long-distance bus service to Taos is limited. Greyhound's closest major stations are in Santa Fe or Albuquerque, requiring alternative ground transportation to Taos.

Self-Driving

Driving offers flexibility. A valid driver's license (with IDP if not in English) and a major credit card for rentals are typical. Ages 21-25 may have surcharges. DiscoverCars.com is an option for rentals.

Road Conditions & Safety

General Road Safety

New Mexico roads are generally safe, but conditions can change.

Safe Driving Practices

Be aware of wildlife (deer, elk) appearing suddenly on roadways, especially at dawn, dusk, and night.
Speed limits are clearly posted and strictly enforced by local law enforcement.
Roads are generally well-maintained, with US Highway 68 being the main route to Taos from Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

Seasonal Driving Hazards

Seasonal weather may present specific driving challenges.

Weather-Related Precautions

Winter: Snow and ice can make roads hazardous, especially on mountain passes or routes to Taos Ski Valley.
Four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles are highly recommended or sometimes required during heavy snowfall.
Summer Monsoons: Sudden heavy downpours can cause localized flash flooding. Avoid driving through standing water.

Sea/River Arrivals

Sea or river arrivals are not applicable for Taos, New Mexico.

Geographical Note

New Mexico is a landlocked state.
It is far from any ocean.
No major navigable river suitable for passenger ship travel from other regions exists.

Departure Information

Allow ample time for your departure, especially if flying.

Departing Taos

Exit Fees/Taxes: No specific exit fees or taxes are required for tourists departing the U.S. All necessary taxes are included in ticket prices.
Airport Arrival: Arrive at ABQ or SAF at least 2 hours before a domestic flight, 3 hours if connecting to international.
Car Rental Return: Factor in time for drop-off and shuttle to the terminal. Refill the gas tank if your agreement specifies.

Departure Timing Considerations

Allow ample buffer time for travel from Taos to ABQ or SAF by road.
Winter snow delays can extend travel times significantly.
Summer monsoons can impact visibility and traffic flow.

Check road conditions before leaving Taos.
ABQ offers various dining and retail.
TSM has very basic facilities; plan to arrive close to your departure time.

Airport & Station Facilities

Albuquerque International Sunport ABQ

As the largest airport, ABQ provides a full range of services for departing travelers.

Amenities at ABQ

Numerous dining options are available, from quick bites to sit-down restaurants.
Retail shops, including some duty-free options for international travelers.
Charging stations for electronics are widespread throughout the terminals.

Santa Fe & Taos Regional Airports

Smaller airports offer more limited services for departing travelers.

Features at SAF & TSM

SAF: More limited dining and retail options, but basic amenities for departing travelers are present.
TSM: Very basic facilities, mainly a small waiting area. It's advisable to arrive close to your departure time.
Plan for necessary transfers to and from these smaller airports.

Rental Car Returns

If you have a rental car, allow extra time for dropping it off at the facility and taking a shuttle to the airport terminal. Ensure you refill the gas tank if your rental agreement states it to avoid additional fees.

Train Station Facilities

Amtrak stations like Lamy or Albuquerque offer basic waiting areas and often a small cafe. Connectivity to Taos from these stations requires separate shuttle or car arrangements.

Bus Station Amenities

Major bus stations in Santa Fe or Albuquerque typically have waiting areas and restrooms. Dining and retail options vary by station. Plan for onward transportation from these hubs to Taos.

Travel Day Planning

Final Preparations

A smooth departure starts with good planning before you leave Taos.

Checklist for Departure

Confirm your flight or train schedule a day or two before departure.
Ensure your rental car's fuel tank meets the return requirements.
Check local weather and road conditions, especially during winter or monsoon seasons.

Airport Security & Baggage

Familiarize yourself with airport procedures for a quick transit.

Efficient Travel Through the Airport

Allow adequate time for security screening, especially during peak travel hours.
Be aware of TSA guidelines for carry-on and checked baggage to avoid delays.
Consider a TSA-approved lock for your checked luggage.

Departure Checklist

Documents Ready

Passport, boarding pass (printed or mobile), ID, any necessary health certificates.

Valuables Secured

Keep cash, credit cards, electronics, and jewelry in your carry-on or on your person.

Final Checks

Double-check hotel rooms or rental cars for forgotten items. Empty trash, turn off lights.

Smooth Departure

Enjoy your trip home!

Getting There & Away