Skip to content | Skip to navigation
All aboard! The ABQ BioPark operates two narrow-gauge train rides.
The Thunderbird Express loops through the Zoo. The Rio Line travels between the Aquarium & Botanic Garden, Tingley Beach and the Zoo.
The Rio Grande Botanic Garden also has a few trains, although they are a bit smaller than the people-moving machines. At the Railroad Garden exhibit, visitors get a bird's-eye view of G-scale model trains rolling through villages and rumbling over bridges.
The Thunderbird Express loops around the Zoo for a unique view of our animal collections. The ride includes glimpses of the Africa exhibits, elephants, camels, and more. Conductors give a tour and answer questions along the way.
Board the Thunderbird Express at the Zoo's Africa Train Station.
$2 for Adults (13+)
$1 for Children (3-12)
The Rio Line train travels along the Rio Grande Bosque for about 1.5 miles between the Aquarium & Botanic Garden and the Zoo. The train also stops at the Tingley Train Station.
This ride is an enjoyable way for BioPark Members and BioPark Combo Ticket holders to travel between facilities.
During the summer, only guests with combo tickets or member train tickets can ride the Rio Line on Saturdays and Sundays (through September). No Rio Line train-ride-only tickets are sold on these weekends.
However, on summer weekdays (Tuesdays-Fridays), guests can purchase a train-ride-only ticket for a fun trip through the BioPark and along the Rio Grande bosque. Details on ticket purchases can be found below.
Board at the Zoo's Asia Station, the Tingley Station or the Aquarium & Garden Station.
Summer Schedule for the Rio Line
(May-September)
Station |
Train Departs (Summer Schedule) |
Last Stop* |
Zoo's Asia Station | 15 minutes before and after the hour | 3:45pm |
Tingley Beach Station | On the hour and half-hour | 3:00pm |
Aquarium & Garden Station | 15 minutes before and after the hour | 3:45pm |
*During June, July, and August, trains run on an extended schedule with the last stops at 4:00pm at Tingley Beach and 4:45pm at the Zoo and Aquarium & Garden.
Rio Line Ticket Information
Train-Ride-Only Ticket Availability |
Summer |
Winter |
Aquarium |
Tuesday-Friday | Tuesday-Sunday |
Tingley |
Tuesday-Friday | Saturday & Sunday |
$2 for Adults (13+)
$1 for Children (3-12)
(October-April)
Station |
Train Departs (Winter Schedule) |
Last Stop |
Zoo's Asia Station | 15 minutes before the hour | 3:15pm |
Tingley Beach Station | On the hour | 3:00pm |
Aquarium & Garden Station | 15 minutes after the hour | 3:45pm |
Often on weekends and busy spring/fall days, an additional train will be run to provide service every 30 minutes. Details posted at stations.