Getting There & Departing

By Plane -- Continental (tel. 800/525-0280 in the U.S., or 01-800/900-5000 in Mexico) has nonstop service to and from Houston on a 50-seat jet. AeroMéxico/Aerolitoral (tel. 800/237-6639 in the U.S., or 614/415-6303) flies direct from El Paso, Phoenix, Guadalajara, Hermosillo, Mexico City, Monterrey, Torreón, Tijuana, Culiacán, La Paz, and Los Mochis, with connecting flights from Los Angeles and San Antonio. Transportes Terrestre (tel. 614/420-3366) controls minivan service from the airport ($7/£3.85 per person, $10/£5.50 if it's an early flight). Taxis from town charge $15 (£8.25) for up to four people.

By Train -- The Chihuahua al Pacífico (tel. 614/439-7212; fax 614/439-7208) leaves Chihuahua daily for Los Mochis by way of the Copper Canyon country. The complete train schedule and the train route appear in "The Copper Canyon Train & Stops along the Way," earlier in this chapter. In that section you'll find information on purchasing tickets. It is easier to go through a travel agency than to deal directly with the company. The train is scheduled to leave at 6am daily.

By Car -- Highway 45 leads south from Ciudad Juárez; Highway 16 south from Ojinaga; and Highway 49 north from Torreón.

By Bus -- The Central Camionera Terminal de Autobuses (bus station) is on Avenida Juan Pablo II, 8km (5 miles) northeast of town en route to the airport. Buses leave hourly for major points inland and north and south on the coast. Transportes Chihuahuenses, the big local line, offers first-class service to Ciudad Juárez every half-hour; the trip takes 4 hours. Transportes del Norte and Autobuses Estrella Blanca also run buses hourly from the border through Chihuahua to points south. Omnibus de México has servicio ejecutivo (deluxe service) from Juárez, Mexico City, and Monterrey. Futura/Turistar also has deluxe service to Monterrey and Durango.

For travel to Creel, look for the Estrella Blanca line. Buses leave every 2 hours from 6am to 6pm. Direct buses make the trip in 4 hours.

Visitor Information

For basic info, visit the tourist information center (tel. 614/410-1077 or 429-3596), Calle Aldama at Carranza in the Government Palace, just left of the altar and murals dedicated to Father Hidalgo. It's open Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

City Layout -- The town center is laid out around the Plaza Principal, bounded by avenidas Libertad and Victoria (which run northeast-southwest) and Avenida Independencia and Calle 4 (which run northwest-southeast). The cathedral is at the southwest end of the plaza, and the city offices are on the northeast end. Standing on Independencia with the cathedral on your left, odd-numbered streets and blocks will be to your right, and even-numbered streets and blocks to your left.

Getting Around -- Local buses run along main arteries beginning at the central plaza. Taxis are readily available. If you want to see the sights and have only 1 day, take a tour.