Bus US to the Copper Canyon, Mexico

Tufesa Bus Cross Border from Tucson to Los Mochis

Bus services offer several ways to travel from the USA to the Copper Canyon.  Two bus route options from Tucson, AZ will be covered in this page.

     The buses reach the Copper Canyon Train terminal cities where trains run daily trips the 400 miles of mountain and canyon between the Mexico Pacific Coast town of Los Mochis and the inland, Central Mexico City of Chihuahua.  You can make the train trip from either end

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     To start at the western end of the trip, bus from Tucson AZ through Nogales, Mexico to Los Mochis, on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.   (Bus Info)

     To start at the eastern end of the train trip, shuttle from Tucson AZ to Douglas Arizona/Agua Prieta, Mexico and bus 340 miles to the City of Chihuahua Mexico. (Bus Info)

Train Trip From Western Side

     From Phoenix and Tucson Arizona, the Tufesa Bus offers cross-border, first class service to the town of Los Mochis, 500 miles south of Nogales on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.  At Los Mochis, the Copper Canyon Train starts its run east for 400 miles from the Pacific Coast through the Copper Canyon, and into the City of Chihuahua in North Central Mexico.

Los Mochis

      Los Mochis is a good place to start the train trip for those that want the longest possible train ride.  If it is your choice to travel east from Los Mochis, the best seats for viewing will be on the right side of the train as you face forward. 

On certain days, two trains leave from Los Mochis, a first class and a second class.  The first class train leaves around 6:00 am.   The second class train could be a few cars hitched to the first class train or a second train which runs on alternate days. (schedule)  Second Class train seating cost about half as much as first class and varies little except that there is no dining car on the second class train and, if it is a separate train it will make more stops and arrive later.  A good dining experience is offered on the first class train for those that like train dining.

     A better option for those that don't need the full train ride is to bus into the town of El Fuerte, 50 miles inland from the Pacific Coast City of Los Mochis.

 El Fuerte is a well preserved colonial town that offers a train station for the CHEPE train line where you can buy tickets. 

El Fuerte

El Fuerte is a nice colonial town with good hotels and parking at the train station for those driving.  The train will leave Los Mochis around 6 am and arrive at El Fuerte at 9 am.  

         Good hotels in El Fuerte, a small museum, and a nice zocalo make El Fuerte a good base for the copper Canyon trip.  The fact that the train leaves El Fuerte later in the morning makes it more convenient.  You don't miss much by starting in El Fuerte; the first 50 miles of track from Los Mochis to El Fuerte is through flat farmland offering little to see.   After leaving El Fuerte the train starts to climb into the mountains and the scenery gets interesting.

     For those driving to El Fuerte, find overnight parking with the family at the “camp ground” beside the El Fuerte train station.  The family charges 100 peso per night for parking.  They live at the site and they lock the gate after the evening train arrives from Chihuahua, sometime between 7:30-9:30.  See Copper Canyon Train Schedule

Copper Canyon Best Way

     For those driving from the north, watch for the turnoff to El Fuerte near the border of Sonora State on Route 15.

El Fuerte By Bus
Arriving from Nogales by Tufesa Bus, you will reach the small Los Mochis Tufesa Bus Station.  Buses serve from there, south to Guadalajara and north to Phoenix and Tucson.  From the Tufesa station find the local bus, (second class bus) that reaches El Fuerte.  From the Tufesa bus station taxi to the Hotel America or walk to the Mercardo  Independencia where you will find the second class bus to El Fuerte on Inpendencia Avenue.

     The CHEPE Copper Canyon train, Mexico’s last regularly scheduled passenger train, leaves El Fuerte at 9 am and starts to climb into the mountains.  It will reach the center of the Copper Canyon area in mid afternoon.  The train will stop at three villages that are most popular with visitors where lodging is offered: Posadas Barrancas, (Areponapuchi)  El Divisidero, and the Village of Creel.

     The train reaches Creel at between 4:00 and 4:30 in the afternoon.  Creel offers a variety of lodging options and tours to the various Copper Canyon Villages and sights. (See second class train and save)

Creel offers an ATM machine but they are scarce. It is best to bring peso in small denominations.  The towns in Copper Canyon are small towns and no one will have change or be able to convert dollars or Euros. 

Next Page, The Towns of the Copper Canyon

Easy Hikes In Copper Canyon

Hikes In The Copper Canyon, Easy, Day-Hikes

 There are several easy,  day hikes in the Copper Canyon area that can be done from the village of Creel.  Bus service from Chihuahua can get you to Creel where you can find taxi, lodging, tour agencies, and a Copper Canyon Train stop.  this makes Creel a good base for hiking and biking the Copper Canyon.

Copper Canyon view

 from  Divisidero

• Divisadero, Adventure Park

Divisadero is the site of a new (2010) adventure park built by the Mexican Government.  The park includes a teleferico, (cable car)  a zipline setup down in the canyon with a lengthy ride between two hills.  There is also  a rappelling experience offered which goes over the cliff edge with all the equipment including hard hat.  Nearby there is a restaurant with great views into the canyons.  

You can hike on a trail along the edge of the canyon that leads from the Divisadero, Copper Canyon Train stop to the Adventure Park,  Parque De Aventura.  The hiking trail along the edge of the canyons from the Divisadero bus and train stop is paved in places and offers a three miles round trip.  Two miles beyond the Teleferico you find the Areponapuchi train stop and the inns along the cliff edge. 

• Transportation to Divisadero, Bus

Bus service reaches Divisadero from Creel via the Noroeste Bus.  The first bus leaves at 10:30 am from the small bus station just across from the Chepe, (Copper Canyon) Train Station in Creel.

Train stop in Divisadero 

The bus fare is 60 Pesos one way for the 29 mile trip (44km) over good paved roads.  After hiking, the return to Creel can be by the same bus line.  The last bus of the day from Divisadero to Creel is at 5:00 pm.  Afternoon buses: 2:00, 3:30, 5:00 pm.  Pay on the bus when returning.

Lodging is available in Divisadero at the Hotel Divisadero Barrancas del Cobre just below the train station. There is also lodging two miles southwest of the Teleferico at the  Areponapuchi train stop where inns line the cliff edge.  
Estrella Blanca to Creel from Chihuahua

              Transportation to Divisadero, Train

The Copper Canyon Train will arrive at Creel on its way west from Chihuahua at about 11:30 am.  You can take the second class train to Divisadero from Creel for 240 Pesos.  (400 Pesos first class)

The train will arrive, however, later in the day at Divisadero and could cut the day hiking short.

Lodging at the cliff edge 

in Divisadero, Hotel 

Divisadero Barrancas

Taking the train for a return to Creel from Divisadero can also present problems because the train's arrival at Divisadero from the west end, Pacific Coast town of Los Mochis can vary by an hour or two.  It is best to ask the vendors at the station if the train has arrived yet.  If it has passed, there is the bus option for a return to Creel.  The train from the west usually arrives at Divisadero between 1:30 and 3:30 and on certain days there are two trains, a first class and a second class, economy train.  On other days, the first and second class trains are combined into one train.  (this can change with demand)

Lodging in Divisadero at Hotel Divisadero Barrancas is always an option.  

• Day Hike, Cusarare Falls.

Another good day hike in the Copper Canyon area can be done from Creel, a hike to Cusarare Falls.

·        From Creel

Regional dance performance in Creel

There is a shuttle from Creel that makes a regular run the 14 miles to Cusarare.  The shuttle starts from the road just across from the train station near the small, Estrella Blanca Bus station.

Take the shuttle bus down to the vicinity of Cusarare Cascade and hike in the cascade area.

 Start a hike back and hail the shuttle along the way or pre-arange a taxi pickup at the end of the day. Cabs are available in the center of Creel.

 A map is needed in this area as there are many dirt roads and trails.  The main trail out of Creel follows 

the road, however, as it runs down past the lake and into Cusarare.  
Lodging in Cusarare, Sierra Lodge,    360-588-1290
Reserve inn advance to be sure of lodging

Tour agency in Creel offers rentals and tours, maps and guides

·        Tours to Cusarare

Check with the "Three Amigos" tour agency on the man street of Creel for transportation options, maps, vehicle rentals, bike rental,  etc.  

Check also with the Posada Margarita next to the church in Creel Center for tour options to Cusarare.

See these pages for other tour options

 Copper Canyon Tain Schedule West to East

Train Fares from the Village of Creel.  The fares are in Pesos.  See exchange rates