Albuquerque Airport is an international hub that serves a great part of the state of New Mexico; it’s well connected to the downtown area of Albuquerque and there are different transportation options to choose from based on your needs and budget. The fastest and most comfortable way to reach your destination is by booking an Albuquerque airport shuttle to downtown. You’ll be at your hotel or apartment in about 10 minutes, in the comfort of your private car. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, you can take one of the local bus lines that connect the airport to the city.
2 options to go from Albuquerque Airport to city center
Taking the bus is the cheapest transportation option to get to downtown Albuquerque and it's a great choice if you're travelling alone or with light luggage. Keep in mind though that due to the low ticket fare, buses do tend to get crowded, so they might not be the best option if you're travelling with young children.
Taking an ABQ airport taxi is by far the best transportation option if you're travelling with your family or you're in a big group and you split the fare. If you're travelling alone or you wish to stay within budget, it's best to opt for public transport.
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How to Get from Albuquerque Airport to Downtown Albuquerque by taxi
Taking an Albuquerque airport shuttle to downtown Albuquerque is a convenient transportation option to reach your hotel or apartment quickly and comfortably. There are official taxis lined up at ABQ Airport 24/7 and the ride takes only about 15 minutes in light traffic. To avoid waiting in line with the rest of the passengers arriving at the same time as you, you can pre-book your ABQ taxi and have a driver waiting for you as soon as you land.
How much does an Albuquerque airport shuttle to downtown cost?
Taxis in Albuquerque are required by law to use a taximeter for the entire ride and the total fare is calculated based on the distance driven. The rates can differ among the different companies but the average cost for your transportation from Αlbuquerque airport to downtown by taxi is $20 (€20). You can book your ABQ Airport taxi in advance to ensure a fixed rate and no hidden fees.
Where do I get a taxi from?
Taxis are available at Albuquerque Airport 24/7 all year long. Simply head toward Door 2 on the baggage claim level, and you’ll find the taxi rank with the official, registered taxis.
Convenience
Taking a taxi might be a more pricey transportation option to get from Albuquerque airport to downtown compared to public transport, but it’s definitely more convenient. Instead of checking schedules and rushing through baggage claim to catch the next bus, you can pre-book your ABQ airport shuttle; that way, you’ll have a private car waiting for you, ready to take you directly to your destination in only 15 minutes.
Useful Tips
Different rates apply among the different taxi companies so if you don’t book your taxi in advance, you can ask the driver what the rate is before you start the ride.
Most taxis in Albuquerque accept card payments but it’s best to carry some cash on you just in case.
Tipping your driver is at your discretion; a 10% tip is customary in Albuquerque.
Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory for all passengers in the state of New Mexico.
How to Get from Albuquerque Airport to Downtown Albuquerque by bus
Getting from Albuquerque Airport to downtown by bus is a good and more budget-friendly transportation option if you’re not in a hurry. There are two bus routes that connect ABQ Airport to the city centre, lines 50 and 250; they both run multiple times per day and will take you to your destination in about 35 minutes in light traffic.
How much does the bus ticket cost to get from Albuquerque Airport to downtown?
A single ticket for both bus lines 50 and 250 costs $1 (€1) per traveller. You can purchase your ticket on the bus but make sure to have the exact amount in cash.
Cost
$1 (€1)
Trip Duration
35 min
Travelling duration and bus schedules may be subject to change so make sure to regularly check each route online.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
Bus line 50 runs every 30 minutes from 07:00 to 20:00 on weekdays and every hour from 09:45 to 18:00 on weekends. Bus line 250 is an express line that runs only a few times per day and only on weekdays.
Where do I get the bus from?
The ABQ Airport bus stop for all public buses is located on the west end of the baggage claim on Level 1. There are apps where you can track the bus’s location in real-time to avoid waiting outside.
Convenience
Taking the bus from Albuquerque Airport to downtown Albuquerque is the most value-for-money transportation option but despite its low fare, it’s not the most convenient. The routes that connect the airport to the city run every 30 minutes and aren’t available early in the morning or late at night; if your flight arrival doesn’t coincide with the bus schedule, your only transportation option is an airport taxi.
Timetables
Bus Routes 50 & 250
Daily schedule for both bus routes
Bus General Information
Routes, tips, fares
Useful Tips
You can purchase your ticket on the bus; make sure to have the exact amount of $1 in cash as drivers can't give any change.
Children up to 9 years old can ride public buses for free.
Pets aren't allowed on the bus.
All public buses are fully accessible to wheelchairs.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the distance from Albuquerque airport to downtown Albuquerque?
The distance from Albuquerque Airport to downtown is approximately 8 kilometres. The journey by car or taxi takes about 15 minutes in light traffic.
How do I get from Albuquerque airport to downtown?
Albuquerque Airport is well connected to the downtown area. The fastest option for your transportation from Αlbuquerque Airport to downtown is to get an airport taxi, which you’ll find there 24/7. Alternatively, you can take one of the public bus lines, route 50 or route 250.
What’s the cost of an Albuquerque Airport shuttle downtown?
The rates of Albuquerque taxis are regulated by the state but aren’t the same for all taxi providers. Moreover, the total fare is calculated based on the distance driven. A standard Albuquerque airport shuttle to downtown costs an average of $20 (€20) for up to 4 passengers.
Taking an Albuquerque airport shuttle to downtown Albuquerque is a convenient transportation option to reach your hotel or apartment quickly and comfortably. There are official taxis lined up at ABQ Airport 24/7 and the ride takes only about 15 minutes in light traffic. To avoid waiting in line with the rest of the passengers arriving at the same time as you, you can pre-book your ABQ taxi and have a driver waiting for you as soon as you land.
How much does an Albuquerque airport shuttle to downtown cost?
Taxis in Albuquerque are required by law to use a taximeter for the entire ride and the total fare is calculated based on the distance driven. The rates can differ among the different companies but the average cost for your transportation from Αlbuquerque airport to downtown by taxi is $20 (€20). You can book your ABQ Airport taxi in advance to ensure a fixed rate and no hidden fees.
Where do I get a taxi from?
Taxis are available at Albuquerque Airport 24/7 all year long. Simply head toward Door 2 on the baggage claim level, and you’ll find the taxi rank with the official, registered taxis.
Convenience
Taking a taxi might be a more pricey transportation option to get from Albuquerque airport to downtown compared to public transport, but it’s definitely more convenient. Instead of checking schedules and rushing through baggage claim to catch the next bus, you can pre-book your ABQ airport shuttle; that way, you’ll have a private car waiting for you, ready to take you directly to your destination in only 15 minutes.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreGetting from Albuquerque Airport to downtown by bus is a good and more budget-friendly transportation option if you’re not in a hurry. There are two bus routes that connect ABQ Airport to the city centre, lines 50 and 250; they both run multiple times per day and will take you to your destination in about 35 minutes in light traffic.
How much does the bus ticket cost to get from Albuquerque Airport to downtown?
A single ticket for both bus lines 50 and 250 costs $1 (€1) per traveller. You can purchase your ticket on the bus but make sure to have the exact amount in cash.
Bus line 50 runs every 30 minutes from 07:00 to 20:00 on weekdays and every hour from 09:45 to 18:00 on weekends. Bus line 250 is an express line that runs only a few times per day and only on weekdays.
Where do I get the bus from?
The ABQ Airport bus stop for all public buses is located on the west end of the baggage claim on Level 1. There are apps where you can track the bus’s location in real-time to avoid waiting outside.
Convenience
Taking the bus from Albuquerque Airport to downtown Albuquerque is the most value-for-money transportation option but despite its low fare, it’s not the most convenient. The routes that connect the airport to the city run every 30 minutes and aren’t available early in the morning or late at night; if your flight arrival doesn’t coincide with the bus schedule, your only transportation option is an airport taxi.
Timetables
Bus Routes 50 & 250
Daily schedule for both bus routes
Bus General Information
Routes, tips, fares
Useful Tips
Frequently asked questions
What’s the distance from Albuquerque airport to downtown Albuquerque?
The distance from Albuquerque Airport to downtown is approximately 8 kilometres. The journey by car or taxi takes about 15 minutes in light traffic.
How do I get from Albuquerque airport to downtown?
Albuquerque Airport is well connected to the downtown area. The fastest option for your transportation from Αlbuquerque Airport to downtown is to get an airport taxi, which you’ll find there 24/7. Alternatively, you can take one of the public bus lines, route 50 or route 250.
What’s the cost of an Albuquerque Airport shuttle downtown?
The rates of Albuquerque taxis are regulated by the state but aren’t the same for all taxi providers. Moreover, the total fare is calculated based on the distance driven. A standard Albuquerque airport shuttle to downtown costs an average of $20 (€20) for up to 4 passengers.
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