Buses to and from Creel:

(times do change without our knowing it so please take this list as a helpful tool and not as the gospel.)

There are only 3 bus lines that go into Creel from Chihuahua. One is Estrella Blanca, which has always been a very second class bus line, although they have tried with new buses and marketing images, they still have never seemed to get it right. Although it is a well known line, most of it's buses are old and run down.

Departure times from Chihuahua to Creel: vary throughout the day and season but run usually every 2-3 hours daily ~ cost is $25US per ticket ($200 pesos)

Departure times from Creel to Chihuahua: vary throughout the day and season but run usually every 2-3 hours daily  ~ cost is $20US per ticket ($200 pesos)

Noroeste is aother line and although it has less departures it is a slightly better bus line with newer buses and better trained drivers. Departure times from Chihuahua to Creel: 6am, 10am, 2pm and 5:30pm ~ Cost is $20US per ticket ($200 pesos). Departure times from Creel to Chihuahua: 9:15am, 11:30am & 3pm. ~ Cost is $20US per ticket ($200 pesos).

Rapidos de Cuahtemoc has added in Creel as a destination recently but we don't much about it yet at this writing.

Buses from Creel to Batopilas:

This trip is provided by a privately owned bus or van that leaves from in front of the Amigos office daily except Sundays. Cost is ~ $20US per person each direction. This bus is usually dependable but has been known to not run if it doesn't feel like it.

Departure times from Creel to Batopilas:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:30am Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 7:30am

No buses on Sundays.

Departure times from Batopilas to Creel:

Every day, except Sundays, at 5am (designed this way so you can catch the 11am train to Los Mochis).

No buses on Sundays.

Trains from Chihuahua or Los Mochis:

The Chihuahua and Los Mochis 1st class train leaves every day at 6am but the 2nd class train now has a different schedule and runs only 3 days per week in each direction. The 1st Class train has a bar and restaurant car. You may not bring your own beverages or food on this train.

NOTICE: The 2nd class train is no longer running daily. As of Feb. 26th, 2009, the 2nd class train will only run on the following schedule:

• Chihuahua to Los Mochis - departing Chihuahua at 7am on Mon. Thurs. & Sat. only
• Los Mochis to Chihuahua - departing Los Mochis at 7am on Tue. Fri & Sun. only
• No 2nd class trains on Wednesdays in either direction.

Best thing to do is get off in El Fuerte and spend the night, enjoy yourself in this colonial town, take a river tour and then take a bus, taxi or private transfer to Maviri Beach for the rest of the day, then a taxi or bus or private transfer over to Topolobampo around 6pm to avoid the rush.

The 2nd class train is used by more locals so it does not have carpet or reclining seats in the cars. Nor does it have a bar or dining car. You may bring your own food and beverage on the 2nd class train. The 2nd class train costs about 1/2 of what the 1st class prices are but it is only running 3 days per week now in each direction.

Best thing to do is get off in El Fuerte and spend the night, enjoy yourself in this colonial town, take a river tour and then take a bus, taxi or private transfer to Maviri Beach for the rest of the day, then a taxi or bus or private transfer over to Topolobampo around 6pm to avoid the rush.

Prices for 1st class train (approximate only):

• Chihuahua to Creel - $80US - ~ 5 hours
• Creel to Los Mochis - $95US - ~ 10 hours
• Creel to El Fuerte - $80US - ~ 8 hours
• Chihuahua to Los Mochis - $200US - ~ 16 hours

Chepe Irregularities: The times you may see posted on the Chepe site and on the tickets are not actually the 'normal' arrival and departure times. You should ALWAYS check with your local hotel or taxi driver to be sure about the 'normal' arrival and departure times as certain times of the year do vary greatly. Also, there are many freight trains as well as 2 other trains going in the opposite direction every day so you'll find yourself stopped sometimes for long periods of time in order to let them pass, which can cause delays. Trains must stop and wait if they are closest to a station so that the other train can pass. It is always a good idea to arrive at least 1/2 hour to 45 minutes earlier than the time recommended to be sure you don't miss a train that may be running early too!

'Normal' Departure and Arrival Times

• Los Mochis 6am El Fuerte 9amish
• El Fuerte 9amish Bahuichivo 1pmish
• Bahuichivo 1pmish Divisadero 3pmish
• Divisadero 3:15pmish Creel 4:30pmish

• Creel 4pmish Chihuahua 10:30pmish

• Chihuahua 6am Creel 11:30am

• Creel 11:30am Divisadero 1:30pmish
• Divisadero 1:45pmish Bahuichivo 3:15pmish
• Bahuichivo 3:15pmish El Fuerte 7pmish
• El Fuerte 7pmish Los Mochis 10pmish

Note: The second class trains leave both stations at around 7am and get into their prospective end terminals at around 11:30pm so you can figure out the stops from there using the same basic formula above, give or take.

Note about Seat Reservations on the Chepe train

We'd like to mention here that everyone who comes to the canyons has 'heard' that they should ride on the right side of the train going from Los Mochis to Creel and vice versa going from Chihuahua to Creel. I'd like to point out here that all of the windows are huge and you can see quite well from any seat. Also, one may get up and move around at will, change seats for a time, sit in the bar or dining car or even stand in the area between cars where the open windows are for picture taking. Therefore it is not necessary to ask for seats on the right/left side of the train, nor is it possible to give it to everyone, otherwise the train would just flip over as there would be passengers on only one side.

Chepe will assign seats before departure only from Los Mochis or Chihuahua City. Assigned seats can NOT be arranged at any other station. As you board the train at other stations, you will be assigned a seat by the conductor. Sit down in your seat, stow your luggage and patiently wait about 15 minutes until the conductor comes around and confirms your seat and destination.

If you have not pre-paid for tickets, you can buy them now from the conductor directly. Even if you plan to pay for your tickets in cash from the conductor, it is always a good idea to have a reservation made in your name to be sure there is room for you and your traveling companions.

The Chepe fills up completely during Christmas, New Years and Semana Santa and the week after Semana Santa (Easter) as well as several weeks in summer, particularly in the month of July. You will NEED reservations at these times for sure and well in advance to be sure you can get on. Reservations at other times of the year are not 'usually' necessary but we do recommend them as there are many groups traveling at any time of the year and if there is a high influx of normal travelers traveling at the same time, the Chepe can become overfull and misjudge the number of cars needed.

Baja Ferry Information:

The Baja Ferry has recently changed its departure times so please make a note of it as all the guide books are now wrong.
The Ferry carries about 1000 people and takes 6 hours to do the crossing in either direction. There is a restaurant and bar aboard and private cabins with private bathroom are available at an extra cost.
Cost per person is roughly $75US for adults and kids 3-11 go for $38US. The private cabins sell for an additional $76 to $120US more and vary by ship used.
Vehicle cost for a normal car or truck is about $100US with tow or bigger vehicles the cost goes up past $500US. See their link for more info.: http://www.bajaferries.com

Topolobampo to La Paz:

Schedule changes often without notice. Please see website.

La Paz to Topolobampo

Schedule changes often without notice. Please see website.