Longer and more profound than the Grand Canyon, the Copper Canyon consists of a system of canyons in northwestern Mexico, where people come to explore the local culture practice mountain biking and hiking. Located in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, Copper Canyon is known for its breathtaking landscapes and countless opportunities for fun outdoor adventures and activities. It consists of six separate canyons and is four times larger than the Grand Canyon.
Moreover, the Copper Canyon is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. People visiting the iconic area enjoy riding the Teleférico de Las Barrancas del Cobre, mountain biking in the Creel highlands, visiting the Recohuata Hot Springs, taking a day trip to the Cusárare Falls, Piedra Volada, and Basaseachic Falls, and partaking in several other unique activities. However, people get confused when deciding how to reach the Copper Canyon in Mexico.
Here’s How To Get Around Copper Canyon In Mexico
The most popular way to get around Copper Canyon in Mexico is to take the Ferrocarril Barrancas del Cobre, known as El Chepe, or the Copper Canyon train. The latter runs from Chihuahua to Los Mochis for 673 kilometers and makes several stops along the way. When taking El Chepe, people will have the chance to make the most out of their trip to Copper Canyon. They can hop on and off the train line to discover incredible natural beauty and the splendid small towns where the train stops.
- Recommended: When traveling aboard El Chepe, people are advised to sit on the right-hand side to enjoy the breathtaking views along the way. The train travels from west to east from Los Mochis.
- Options: When taking the El Chepe to Copper Canyon, people have the chance to choose first class and second class options. The latter does not feature dining inside the train, and the vehicle stops more often. As for safety, travelers will feel secure at all times because both options feature armed security guards on the train.
Here’s What To Expect Aboard The El Chepe When Taking A Trip To Copper Canyon
Taking the El Chepe Express option to reach Copper Canyon will need around 9 hours to complete. The train will leave at 7:30 AM from Creel and reach Los Mochis at 5:10 PM, or vice versa. When the train departs from Los Mochis, it will do so at 01:00 PM and reach Creel at 10:40 PM. The El Chepe takes the Creel-Los Mochis route on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, while it goes the other way on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
- Cost: For tourists, the price for the trip to Copper Canyon using the El Chepe Express amounts to 2,200 pesos or $108, and 3,100 pesos or $152 return. People can book other classes, such as the Executive or Business class—the latter costs 2,700 pesos or $133, and 3,800 pesos or $187 return. As for the First class, it costs 3,600 pesos or $177, and 5,200 pesos or $255 return.
People traveling on the El Chepe Express can stop at all stations for a minimum of one night during the trip. The train also features a Ulrike dining room, a bar, and a terrace. However, people cannot bring their food with them aboard this train. They also must book their tickets in advance because they can’t buy them on the same day.
El Chepe Regional
Taking the El Chepe Regional option to reach Copper Canyon in Mexico needs 16 hours to complete. The train will leave from Chihuahua at 6:00 AM and reach Los Mochis at 9:30 PM, or vice versa. When the train leaves the other way round, it will depart Los Mochis at 6:00 AM and reach Chihuahua at 9:34 PM. The train takes the Chihuahua-Los Mochis route on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. It goes the other way on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
- Cost: People who want to book the Turista class on the El Chepe Regional must pay 3,604 pesos or $177 for the trip. People who book the Economy class expect to pay 1,891 pesos or $93 for the journey. The second option is used mainly by locals but is sometimes used by tourists.
People taking the El Chepe Regional to Copper Canyon have the option to stop at three stations for a minimum of one night at no additional cost. However, the train stops at 16 stations, so people might get lost which ones to choose to stop and stay at.
- Recommended: When taking the El Chepe Regional, people are advised to stop at Divisadero/Posada Barrancas to take in the most breathtaking views. They must also stop at Creel, which features the most scenic stretch.
People are also recommended to book their Turista class tickets in advance. Those can only be bought from the ticket counter at Los Mochis or Chihuahua stations on the day of the trip. On the other hand, Economica or Economy class tickets on El Chepe Regional can be exclusively purchased from the conductor on the train.