Trains at the BioPark

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.

• Both trains operate from 10:00am to 3:30pm, Tuesday-Sunday.

• There is no service on Mondays, except on some holidays. (The train will run on September 7, 2009.)

• There are no transfers between the Thunderbird Express and the Rio Line.

• Trains are wheelchair accessible.

• School groups cannot use the Rio Line train to transport students between the Zoo and the Aquarium/Garden, and should plan to use school buses instead. School groups are welcome to buy tickets for and ride the Zoo's Thunderbird Express.

• For tickets, schedules and routes, check the details below for the Thunderbird Express and the Rio Line.

On a Smaller Scale

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.

 

Thunderbird Express at the Zoo

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.

Station Location

Board the Thunderbird Express at the Zoo's Africa Train Station.

Download a Zoo map.

Schedule for Thunderbird Express

• Round-trip journey lasts 20 minutes.
• Train operates at 30-minute intervals from 10:00am to 3:30pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

 

Ticket Information for Thunderbird Express

• Guests with BioPark Combo Tickets can ride the Thunderbird Express for free.

• BioPark Members can purchase a member train ticket for $2 per person (ages 3+) from cashiers at the Zoo or Aquarium & Garden entrance. This special wristband gives you unlimited train rides for the day.

• Guests visiting with Zoo-Only Tickets can buy tickets for the Thunderbird Express at the "Out of Africa" Gift Shop. Train tickets are sold form 10:00am-3:00pm.

  $2 for Adults (13+)

  $1 for Children (3-12)

 

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Rio Line between the Zoo and the Aquarium & Garden   

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.

 

Station Locations

Board at the Zoo's Asia Station, the Tingley Station or the Aquarium & Garden Station.

 

Summer Schedule for the Rio Line

(May-September)

• Round-trip journey lasts 60 minutes.
• Trains operate at 30-minute intervals from 10:00am to 3:30pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

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

• Guests with BioPark Combo Tickets can ride the Rio Line for free.

• BioPark Members can purchase a member train ticket for $2 per person (ages 3+) from cashiers at the Zoo or Aquarium & Garden entrance. This special wristband gives you unlimited train rides for the day.

• Train-Ride-Only Ticket Availability	Summer (May-Sept.)	Winter (Oct.-April)
  Aquarium Gift Shop	Tuesday-Friday	Tuesday-Sunday
  Tingley Train Station	Tuesday-Friday	Saturday & Sunday

  Guests can sometimes purchase a train-ride-only ticket. Ticket availability is limited; please see table for details. When available, train-ride-only tickets are sold from 10am-3pm. (Please note that you cannot disembark and visit the Zoo with this type of ticket.)

  $2 for Adults (13+)

  $1 for Children (3-12)

 

 

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Rio Line Winter Schedule

(October-April)

• Train operates at 60-minute intervals from 10:00am to 3:30pm, Tuesdays through Sundays, during the winter.

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.

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