A major contender to join the list of “Best Train Rides in the World”, the Chepe Express takes you on a train journey through one of Mexico’s most unforgettable landscapes. It’s a perfect experience for those seeking panoramic views, a little adventure, small towns, and slow travel.

I took the whole journey during my travels through the state of Chihuahua, seeking to see a more undeveloped, lesser-known part of the country where nature takes precedence over development. And I am so glad that I did! Here is a short recap of what you should know before booking your own train ticket.

Where Does This Train Go?

The train only has four stops on its entire route. It starts and finishes in the towns of Los Mochis (in Sinaloa) and Creel (in Chihuahua). In between, you can get off at El Fuerte, Bahuichivo, and Divisadero. This trip takes nearly 10 hours and covers 350 km (217.48 miles for us Americans).

The Chepe Express primarily serves tourists, both from around Mexico and internationally. It can be expensive even with the currency exchange. Not great for someone on a budget trip. Yet the train was never fully occupied the entire route. There was plenty of open seating and a mid-sized number of other tourists. I didn’t feel like there was enough room for me.

Tip: If you need a break from the train and want to stretch your legs, when you get to your next stop, the train staff are okay with you stepping off onto the platform for a few minutes while they load and unload the other passengers. Just be ready to get back on as soon as they say.

You can purchase your tickets here or at the local station.

Best Time to Go

The peak season for coming is Spring (March to May) and Fall (September to November). The weather is consistently nice and mild thanks to the higher altitudes. Once it gets closer to winter, you’ll notice the chilly weather and even possibly snow as you go through the mountains. The Summers can be brutal with high temperatures, so you may prefer to stay inside as much as possible.

On the Chepe Express

Seating

The train consists of six modern passenger cars. You have the option of selecting from three classes: First Class, Executive Class, and Tourist Class. The first two offer comfortable and spacious reclining seats, while the third is standard but still spacious. There are HD television screens on the wall playing popular music videos and showing the progress of the route. Even with this, I was able to nap peacefully, especially with the twists and turns of the train.

Restaurant

While all three classes have access to the restaurant, there are a few differences. The First Class gives you preferred access and an on-board meal from their Urike restaurant. The menu features classic dishes like burgers, as well as regional specialties from both Sinaloa and Chihuahua. But what makes it unique is that you get to enjoy it from the spectacle of the dome dining cart with the kitchen below.

Those who choose Executive Class and Tourist Class can enjoy plenty of seating, with their own car and a bar at the restaurant. Before serving, the wait staff will take your order a few hours in advance, so you will be given your meal almost immediately after being seated.

Open-Air Terrace

The highlight of the Chepe Express is the open-air terrace at the end of the train. With a bar/lounge area and comfortable stool seating, the windows are down, and you can enjoy high-speed wind blowing through your hair and fresh air as you want here—a great place for some lovely photos without the window reflections.

Since I went in mid-November, it can still get pretty hot with the humidity, so it’s nice to take occasional breaks and head inside for some nice A/C. It usually fills up quickly as soon as it is open, but eventually calms down as people come and go throughout the day.

Scenic Views

The main attraction is the vast, open landscape you will see as the train passes through the Copper Canyon and the Sierra Tarahumara. You will go through a whopping 86 tunnels, cross over 37 bridges, and enter numerous picturesque valleys. Some of the vantage points you’ll have are amazing. It is constantly changing, with something new almost every other hour.

But sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. After a while, the continuous views of nature start to look the same and can get boring, especially without Wi-Fi. The internet service is sporadic, so at times you’ll be completely cut off from the world, which is why you need to break it up into smaller parts so you don’t lose interest.

If you are staying for the entire Chepe Express, bring some games for entertainment, read a book, or listen to downloaded music in between.

Enjoy Small Town Mexico

Instead of riding the whole Chepe Express through, choose one of the stops and step off into small towns for a bit of culture, food, and rest. This isn’t an overnight sleeper car, so you will need to make reservations for other accommodations. Creel and El Fuerte are considered Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns) by Mexico’s Tourism Board. The country’s own version of UNESCO World Heritage sites, these places offer guests cultural richness, hospitality, and historical significance.

See the Indigenous Communities

Along the Chepe Express route, you will see parts of the even smaller, remote rural communities scattered across the mountains and valleys that make up the indigenous Tarahumara, otherwise known as the Rarámuri. At specific stops, they approach the train, offering woven baskets and other handmade crafts. Depending on the time of day, when you are on the train and are in the open-air terrace, you will see groups of kids walking along the tracks on their way to school.

Conclusion

The Chepe Express can be one of those memorable experiences you will have in Northern Mexico. It requires you to go out of your way, which makes the journey even more fun. You get to connect to this place in a unique, outside-the-norm way. Plan your trip and enjoy the freedom and safety of this top train ride.