Travelling on the El Chepe train through the Copper Canyon or Barrancas del Cobre is a unique experience. Located in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range, this canyon is larger and, in some places, deeper than the Grand Canyon.
The canyon only became accessible in 1960, when the railway project was completed. El Chepe is an important form of transport for the locals and perfect for exploring some of Mexico's most fantastic natural landscapes.
El Chepe covers 653 kilometres, passing through 37 viaducts and 86 tunnels between Chihuahua and Los Mochis - a journey that takes around 16 hours. You can do the journey in one go or stop along the way - which is recommended. This is a complete guide to enjoying your trip through the Barrancas del Cobre in a relaxed way.
El Chepe - a train for everyone
What is the El Chepe train?
It is a regular passenger train that crosses the Sierra Madre region, through the interior of the Barrancas del Cobre. There are two different trains: the Chepe Regional and the Chepe Express.
The differences and prices are immense and depend on the type of journey you want. The regional train is the one that allows you to get in touch with the locals in a relaxed atmosphere, but without any comforts, and it runs the entire route between Chihuahua and Los Mochis. The Chepe Express route starts at Creel station and ends in Los Mochis.
The Chepe Express is a luxury train with a dining car, television and panoramic windows. The Chepe Regional has tourist and economy fares, less comfort but more authenticity.
When I was in Mexico I travelled on the Chepe Regional and I don't regret it. On the luxury train you can get off at four stops: Creel, Divisadero (Barrancas), El Fuerte, Los Mochis, while on the regional you'll have around 10 stops.
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How much does a ticket to El Chepe cost?
Tickets to cross the Barrancas del Cobre on the Chepe Express start at 5,400 Mexican pesos (€255) for a one-way ticket between Creel and Los Mochis (or vice versa) in business class, with meals included. If you're travelling in tourist class on the same train, you'll pay 2900 Pesos (135€) for the same journey - without meals. The price varies depending on the time of year and how far in advance you buy it.
On the regional train, the price of a ticket to El Chepe is 1,891 Pesos (87€) in economy class, while in tourist class you'll have to pay 3,276 Pesos (150€) for the same journey. You can check the current rates on the official website.
How to buy tickets for El Chepe
Economy fare tickets are a kind of public transport, they cannot be booked and can only be bought a day in advance (at Chihuahua or Los Mochis stations) or on the train. As these tickets can only be bought one day in advance, you can only buy one segment at a time, although you can buy the next ones on the train.
Tickets for the Chepe Express (tourist and business class) and tourist class on the Chepe Regional must be bought (and printed) in advance, as they are not on sale on the train or in the ticket offices.
The ticket purchasing process is still primitive, so you can only buy Chepe Express or Regional tickets by phone, email or at the stations in Los Mochis or Chihuahua.
If you choose the electronic route, send an email to [email protected] with your name, age, desired class, start and end date of the journey, boarding and disembarking station and any stations where you wish to get off en route.
You can pay by bank transfer or credit card, but in the latter case you will need to request the payment link.
How far in advance should I book
On both trains (Express and Regional) - if you're travelling during July, August, December and Easter week - it's recommended that you book your seats at least three or four months in advance.
El Chepe timetable
Chepe Express
Creel - Los Mochis (Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays)
Departure: 7.30 a.m. | Arrival: 4.35 p.m.
Los Mochis - Creel (Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
Departure: 7.30 a.m. | Arrival: 5.14 p.m.
Regional Chepe
Chihuahua - Los Mochis (Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
Departure: 6h00 | Arrival: 16h35
Los Mochis - Chihuahua (Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays)
Departure: 6am | Arrival: 9.30pm
Do I have to do the whole journey without stopping?
In the case of the Chepe Regional, the ticket allows you to get off at three different stations in the Barrancas del Cobre, but you'll have to indicate which ones when you buy the ticket. And, don't forget, due to the train's timetable you'll have to stay overnight in each town for at least 2 nights.
In the case of the Chepe Express, you can get off at two different stations and stay at least one night in that location, stating which places you want to stop at when you buy your ticket.
Money
It is recommended to travel with cash in your pocket, as there are only ATMs in a few places along the route, such as Creel, El Fuerte and, of course, Chihuahua and Los Mochis, although they are not always in operation.
On board the Chepe Express you'll have a Wi-Fi connection, while on the regional train you'll be cut off from the world, but you'll have a bar at your disposal (if you pay, of course). You are not allowed to take food on board any train.
Best time to travel in Chepe and visit the Barrancas del Cobre
I visited the Barrancas del Cobre in May, the heat was immense (at the limit of what was bearable) and many rivers had dried up. The best time to visit the Barrancas del Cobre is between September and November, but these are also the most popular months to embark on El Chepe.
Extra information
How to get to Barrancas del Cobre
The easiest way to get to the Barrancas del Cobre is to take an internal flight, perhaps from Mexico City to Los Mochis or Chihuahua. I always use Skyscanner to quickly search for international and internal flights. The times I've been to Mexico I've used several airlines to cover large areas of Mexican territory, including companies like Volaris, Interjet or Viva Aerobus.
Hotel in Barrancas del Cobre
There aren't many hotels in the Barrancas del Cobre, so if you want to take this train journey aboard El Chepe, I recommend that you book everything in advance. And if you want to stay in a special hotel or want to surprise someone with breathtaking views, choose the Hotel Divisadero Barrancas or, alternatively, the Hotel Mirador Posada Barranca. In both cases, the panoramic views are breathtaking and so are the hotels.
These are some of the other hotels I recommend in the towns where the El Chepe train passes through:
Hotel in Chihuahua
I recommend the Microtel Inn and Suites hotel, very cosy and excellent for a night before boarding the train early. Another excellent option is the Sheraton Chihuahua Soberano. The price is similar in both cases (60€). If you prefer something more basic and with a lower price tag (less than 50€), I recommend the One Chihuahua Fashion Mall and the obvious Ibis in Chihuahua.
Hotel in Los Mochis
If you have no choice but to stay in Los Mochis, you'll find an affordable hotel with good quality. The nicest option, in terms of price and quality, is the Hotel Fenix, with prices starting at 27€. The Ibis Los Mochis also has great references and a price to match (37€). Other excellent options for an overnight stay in Los Mochis are the City Express Los Mochis or Fiesta Inn Los Mochis, although at higher rates than I recommend above.
Hotel in Creel
With rooms that accommodate up to eight people, the Hotel Ecológico Temazcal is an excellent option. It's just a short walk from the train station and a night in a double room costs just 28€.
If you want something on a higher level, opt for the Hotel La Estacion, with its tasteful décor. If your purse allows it and you want to escape the heat and enjoy an even more relaxing place, then you can choose the Best Western PLUS The Lodge Hotel & Spa.
Hotel in El Fuerte
The best hotel in El Fuerte is undoubtedly the Hotel Posada del Hidalgo. As well as being an exquisite hotel with a swimming pool and spa, it is supposedly the birthplace of Zorro. The hotel, created from a 19th century mansion, is spectacular, beautifully decorated and serves food that leaves you salivating.
If you want something cheaper, I recommend Hotel Rio Vista or Hotel El Fuerte.
Hotel in Los Cabos
If you decide (like me) to take the ferry to bathe in the beautiful waters of Los Cabos in Baja California, then I suggest a few hotels where you can sleep soundly.
In Cabo San Lucas there are plenty of hotels to choose from and for all budgets. For example, the Cabo Vista Hotel (from €50), the Marina View Villas (€112) or even a hostel by the marina with great customer reviews - Mayan Monkey Hostel Cabo - from €18 for a dorm bed and €93 for a night in a double room.
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