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TRAVEL TIPS

Getting Around Santa Fe

Bus Travel

The city's bus system, Santa Fe Trails, covers 10 major routes through town and is useful for getting from the Plaza to some of the outlying attractions. Route M is most useful for visitors, as it runs from Downtown to the museums on Old Santa Fe Trail south of town, and Route 2 is handy if you're staying at one of the motels out on Cerrillos Road and need to get into town (if time is a factor for your visit, a car is a much more practical way to get around). Individual rides cost $1, and a daily pass costs $2. Buses run about every 30 minutes on weekdays, every hour on weekends. Service begins at 6 am and continues until 10 pm on weekdays, 8 to 8 on Saturday, and 8:30 to 6:30 (limited routes) on Sunday.

Bus Contacts

Santa Fe Trails. 505/955–2001; santafenm.gov/index.aspx?nid=498.

Taxi Travel

Capital City Cab Company controls all the cabs in Santa Fe. The taxis aren't metered; you pay a flat fee based on how far you're going, usually $6 to $10 within the Downtown area. There are no cabstands; you must phone to arrange a ride.

Taxi Contact

Capital City Cab. 505/438–0000; www.capitalcitycab.com.

Santa Fe Pedicabs. Santa Fe Pedicabs offer a great alternative to getting around the heart of town, especially if your restaurant is a ways from your hotel. Friendly drivers can regale you with all sorts of information and trivia about Santa Fe as they whisk you along in bicycle carriages. Sit back and enjoy watching the crowds and the sights go by. You can nearly always hail a pedicab at the Plaza; from other locales, call to request a pickup. Cost is $1 per minute. 505/577–5056; www.santafepedicabs.com.

Train Travel

Amtrak. 800/872–7245; www.amtrak.com.

Guided Tours

Custom Tours by Clarice. These guided, 90-minute open-air tram excursions run four times a day from the corner of Lincoln Avenue and West Palace Avenue. Tours don't require reservations and offer a nice overview of Downtown. 505/438–7116; www.santafecustomtours.com.

Great Southwest Adventures. Great Southwest Adventures conducts guided tours in 7- to 35-passenger van and bus excursions to Bandelier, Tent Rocks National Monument, Taos (via the "Low Road" through the Gorge), O'Keeffe country, and elsewhere in the region. Guides are avid outdoors enthusiasts; in addition to their regular tour offerings, the company arranges single- and multiday custom trips throughout the region for groups of any size. 505/455–2700; www.swadventures.com.

Rojo Tours. Established in 1986, this operator designs specialized trips—to view wildflowers, pueblo ruins and cliff dwellings, galleries and studios, Native American arts and crafts, and private homes—as well as adventure activity tours. 505/474–8333; www.rojotours.com.

Santa Fe Detours. This reliable company offers daily walking tours (one in the morning and another in the afternoon) that depart from the Plaza; these last about 2½ hours. By reservation, you can also book several different guided auto tours, including both 75-minute and three-hour Santa Fe City excursions as well as longer trip to Taos (going up on the High Road, and then returning on the Low Road), Bandelier National Monument, the Puye Cliff Dwellings at Santa Clara Pueblo, and various venues for hiking and biking. Santa Fe Detours also offers full vacation planning and group tours throughout north-central New Mexico and the Four Corners region. 505/983–6565; 800/338–6877; www.sfdetours.com.

Santa Fe Tour Guides. If you're trying to find an experienced local to lead you on a personal tour, call or visit the website of this member-based organization of more than 15 reliable and vetted independent tour guides. Guides are listed according to their areas of expertise (art, history, outdoor/recreation, and so on). 505/466–4877; www.santafeguides.org.

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