Exploring New Mexico: Travel Options For Arizona Residents

can arizona residents travel to new mexico

Arizona and New Mexico are neighbouring states in the US, with a distance of around 340 miles between them. There are several ways to travel between the two states, including by plane, tram, car, or bus. The fastest way to travel from Arizona to New Mexico is by plane, which takes around 3 hours and costs $190-$750. Alternatively, travelling by bus is the cheapest option, costing between $30-$220, but the journey takes almost 10 hours. During the pandemic, travel between the two states was restricted, with Mexican visa-holders unable to cross the border for non-essential reasons.

Characteristics Values
Travel methods Plane, tram, car, bus
Cheapest travel method Bus
Fastest travel method Plane
Distance 341-342 miles
Road distance 464.5-468.3 miles
Average duration of bus travel 8h 47m-9h 44m
Cheapest bus price $30
Most expensive bus price $210-$220
Average duration of plane travel 2h 18m-3h 5m
Cheapest plane price $130-$190
Most expensive plane price $550-$750
Time difference Arizona is 1 hour behind New Mexico

quartzmountain

Travel by plane, tram, car, or bus

Arizona residents can travel to New Mexico by plane, tram, car, or bus. Here are some detailed instructions for each option:

Plane

The distance between Arizona and New Mexico can be covered by plane in about 3 hours, with prices ranging from $45 to $750 for a one-way ticket. There are several flight routes available, including:

  • Phoenix (PHX) to Albuquerque (ABQ)
  • Phoenix (PHX) to Santa Fe (SAF)
  • Phoenix (PHX) to Durango (DRO)
  • Phoenix (PHX) to Cortez (CEZ)
  • Albuquerque (ABQ) to Phoenix (PHX)
  • Santa Fe (SAF) to Phoenix (PHX)
  • Durango (DRO) to Phoenix (PHX)
  • El Paso (ELP) to Phoenix (PHX)

Tram

To travel by tram from Arizona to New Mexico, you can take the tram from Jefferson/1st Ave to 44th St/Washington in Arizona. From New Mexico to Arizona, you can take the tram from 44th St/Washington to Washington/Central Ave.

Car

Driving is a feasible option, with a road distance of about 465-468 miles. The drive will take approximately 7 hours.

Bus

Taking the bus is the cheapest option, with tickets costing between $30 and $220. However, it is also the longest, with an average journey time of about 9 hours. There are no direct bus services between the two states, so transfers will be necessary. Greyhound USA operates bus services between Phoenix Bus Station in Arizona and Albuquerque Bus Station in New Mexico.

quartzmountain

Travel without a passport

Arizona residents can travel to New Mexico without a passport. However, if you plan to travel beyond the immediate US border area, you must carry a passport and obtain an FMM (Multiple Immigration Form) visa. This visa is free for stays up to seven days or $500 for a valid visa for up to 180 days.

If you are a US citizen, you can travel to Mexico without a passport if you have a passport card or Enhanced Driver's License (residents of some US states can get these) at the border. However, it is always a good idea to have an up-to-date passport book with at least six months' validity and some blank pages when travelling. A passport book is required for any entry by air.

If you enter Mexico by land and travel beyond the immediate border area (approximately 20 kilometres into Mexico), you must obtain an entry permit, also known as a tourist card or Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM). You will be required to present a valid passport to receive the entry permit, and you may also be asked to present your passport and valid entry permit at immigration checkpoints.

For travel to some countries, a passport needs to be valid for at least six months beyond the date of travel. However, this is not the case for Mexico, and your passport only needs to be valid for the entire period of your trip.

If you are travelling by air, you must have a valid passport. You cannot fly internationally with a passport card, and you cannot travel to Mexico with a Real ID. You will also need a Mexico tourist card, which is a government form declaring that you have stated the purpose of your visit to Mexico to be tourism. This must be carried with you while you are in Mexico. If you are flying, you will be given the tourist card on the plane, and if you are driving, you can get it at or near the border.

If you are travelling by land or sea, you can use a passport card or an Enhanced Driver's License. The following documents are also valid for land and sea travel to Mexico:

  • Trusted Traveller Cards (SENTRI or FAST)
  • State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (when available)
  • Enhanced Tribal Cards (when available)
  • US Military ID with military travel orders
  • US Merchant Mariner credential when travelling in conjunction with official maritime business
  • Native American Tribal photo ID card
  • Form I-872 American Indian Card

Please note that outside of a passport, the above documents are only valid for land and sea travel to Mexico.

quartzmountain

Travel time and costs

There are several ways to travel from Arizona to New Mexico, each with different costs and travel times.

By Plane

The fastest way to get from Arizona to New Mexico is by plane, which takes around 3 hours and costs between $130 and $750.

By Car

The driving distance between Arizona and New Mexico is approximately 467-468 miles. The total driving time is around 7 hours.

By Bus

Taking the bus is the cheapest way to travel from Arizona to New Mexico, with tickets costing between $30 and $220. However, it is also the longest journey, taking around 8-9 hours.

By Tram

It is possible to travel from Arizona to New Mexico by tram, although the total time and cost of this journey are unclear.

quartzmountain

Travel restrictions due to COVID-19

As of April 2022, there are no COVID-19 travel restrictions in place for entry into Mexico. However, passengers must wear masks at the airport, and masks are required in some regions and areas of the country.

In March 2020, the US implemented restrictions on non-essential travel across land ports of entry, barring Mexican nationals with tourist visas from entering. Mexico did not reciprocate these restrictions. However, in 2020, the US and Mexico agreed to restrict non-essential travel at ports of entry along the border to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This included restrictions on tourism and recreation. Essential travel was defined as US citizens and permanent residents returning, individuals traveling for medical emergencies, school, or work, and individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade.

In August 2021, Mexico announced new restrictions on non-essential travel at its northern and southern borders, but these do not appear to have been implemented, with commuter traffic moving uninterrupted.

In 2020, New Mexico implemented a 14-day self-quarantine requirement for travelers entering or returning to the state, with exceptions for essential workers. As of September 2023, New Mexico has allowed two new exceptions to the self-quarantine requirements: people seeking medical care and those taking day trips for essential parenting duties.

Travel Days: California vs. Texas

You may want to see also

quartzmountain

The benefits of expanding the travel zone

Arizona and New Mexico share a border and are around 340 miles apart. There are several ways to travel between the two states, including by plane, tram, car, or bus. The best way to get from New Mexico to Arizona without a car is by bus, which takes around 8-9 hours and costs $30-$220. The distance between the two states is around 460 miles by road, and it takes approximately 7 hours to drive.

The expansion of the travel zone for Mexican tourists in Arizona, despite pandemic restrictions, offers several advantages and opportunities for both visitors and the state's economy:

  • Economic benefits: Expanding the travel zone is expected to boost the economy, particularly in the tourism and retail sectors. Mexican shoppers are anticipated to bring an additional $181 million in spending to Arizona within the first year. This influx of spending will be beneficial to businesses, especially those hit hard by the pandemic.
  • Attracting more visitors: By expanding the travel zone, Arizona can attract more Mexican visitors and encourage them to explore different parts of the state beyond the previous 75-mile limit. This will benefit cities across Arizona, including Phoenix, Sedona, and Flagstaff, which were previously off-limits to many Mexican visitors.
  • Strengthening bilateral relations: Greg Stanton, the representative from Arizona, emphasized the importance of a hospitable relationship with Mexico. By being more welcoming to Mexican visitors, Arizona stands to benefit economically and strengthen its partnership and business relationship with its southern neighbor.
  • Reciprocal benefits: Felipe Garcia from Visit Tucson pointed out the potential for reciprocal benefits. The expansion of the travel zone in Arizona could lead to the Mexican government loosening restrictions on U.S. visitors to Sonora and northern Mexico, creating a mutually advantageous situation for cross-border tourism and economic activities.
  • Supporting local businesses: The travel zone expansion will particularly benefit retail businesses near the Arizona-Mexico border, which have struggled due to travel restrictions. By allowing Mexican residents with Border Crossing Cards to travel throughout Arizona, these businesses can attract more customers and recover from the pandemic-induced sales slump.
  • Increased tax revenues: Municipal leaders anticipate that the travel zone expansion will result in greater tax revenues for cities across Arizona. This additional revenue can be used to fund various municipal services and development projects, benefiting the state's residents.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, Arizona residents can travel to New Mexico. There are 6 ways to travel from Arizona to New Mexico: tram, plane, bus, or car.

The fastest way to get from Arizona to New Mexico is to fly, which takes approximately 3 hours and costs $190-$750.

The cheapest way to get from Arizona to New Mexico is by bus, which costs $30-$220 and takes approximately 9 hours.

The distance between Arizona and New Mexico is approximately 342 miles. The road distance is approximately 468 miles.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment