✈️ By Air: The nearest major airports are Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) in New Mexico and Denver International Airport (DEN) in Colorado. Albuquerque is approximately a 3.5-hour drive (165 miles) to Chama, while Denver is about 5–6 hours (260+ miles) to Antonito. A closer option is the regional San Luis Valley Regional Airport (ALS) in Alamosa, Colorado, which has limited flights (from Denver) and is only about 30 minutes from Antonito. Car rental is available at all these airports for the onward journey, as public transport to Chama/Antonito is very limited (this is a remote region with no Amtrak or intercity bus service directly to the towns).

🚗 By Car: Driving is the most common way to reach the C&TS. Chama, NM is located on US Highway 64/84, about 47 miles east of Pagosa Springs, CO (1 hour) and 108 miles north of Santa Fe, NM (2¼ hours). The Chama depot is in the center of the village, along NM-17 (Terrace Avenue). Antonito, CO sits on US Highway 285, about 28 miles south of Alamosa, CO (30–40 minutes) and 115 miles north of Santa Fe, NM (just over 2 hours). The Antonito depot is at the junction of US-285 and State Hwy 17 on the town’s south edge. If you’re driving between the two termini, the route via CO/NM Highway 17 over Cumbres Pass is incredibly scenic (though note it’s a winding mountain road). It’s roughly 48 miles between Chama and Antonito by this highway (allow at least 1 to 1.5 hours). Both depots offer free parking for C&TS passengers – there are large parking lots where you can leave your vehicle for the day (or overnight, if doing a round trip). RVs and trailers can be accommodated in the lots as well. Roads are generally clear in summer, but if visiting in spring or late fall, check weather and road conditions; early snow can occasionally affect the mountain passes.

🏨 Lodging: Accommodations in these small towns are quaint but can fill up quickly in peak season. In Chama, you’ll find a handful of motels, lodges, cabins, and B&Bs (examples include the Chama Station Inn, Branding Iron Motel, Chama Trails Inn, and several riverside lodges)tripadvisor.com. A campground/RV park is also available in town for those with campers. In Antonito, lodging is more limited – options include a couple of motels like the Steam Train Hotel and Narrow Gauge Railroad Inn, and a few B&B/guest housestripadvisor.ca. Many visitors to Antonito choose to stay in Alamosa, CO (30 minutes north), which has a wider selection of hotels, chain motels, and restaurants. It’s a good idea to book your lodging well in advance if you plan to visit during the summer or fall peak periods, as the nearest accommodations are limited in number. Both Antonito and Chama have a small selection of local eateries (expect simple, hearty fare – and be sure to try New Mexican chile in Chama!). Most restaurants close fairly early in the evening, given the rural setting. If you’re overnighting, plan your dinner accordingly (or enjoy the included hearty lunch on the train and a lighter supper).

🚌 Local Transportation: In Chama and Antonito, there is no public transit or rideshare service (no Uber/Lyft), so a car is essential for getting around. The railroad does provide the motorcoach shuttle as part of through-ticket trips (to take you back to your starting point in the afternoon), but this is only for ticketed passengers and runs on the train schedule. If you are traveling with a group and have two vehicles, a common strategy is to “leapfrog” – park one car at each end to avoid the bus (though the bus ride is comfortable and convenient for most). Within the towns, everything is very close; in Chama the depot area can be explored on foot easily, and in Antonito the depot is just off the highway through town.

🗺️ Nearby Attractions: The region around the C&TS is rich in natural beauty and other attractions, making it great for a longer trip. For outdoor enthusiasts, Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado is a must-see and easily combined with an Antonito departure – it’s about an hour’s drive north of Antonito, near Mosca, CO. There you can see the tallest sand dunes in North America backdropped by 14,000-ft peaks (hike the dunes or even try sand-boarding). About 45 minutes west of Chama is Pagosa Springs, Colorado, famous for its hot springs resort – perfect for a soothing soak after a day on the train. Chama is surrounded by the Carson National Forest; places like Heron Lake State Park (20 minutes north) offer fishing, kayaking, and camping. If you’re heading toward New Mexico, the Enchanted Circle scenic drive (through Taos, Eagle Nest, and Red River) showcases more High Country vistas. History buffs can visit Mesa Verde National Park (cliff dwellings) a few hours to the west, or Fort Garland Museum on the drive up from Santa Fe. And for railfans, you might consider making the “Colorado narrow-gauge loop” – after the C&TS, drive about 3 hours west to Durango to ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, another world-famous steam train through the San Juan Mountains. Between the two railroads, you’ll experience the very best of historic mountain railroading in the U.S. Both Antonito and Chama also have small local museums and antique shops worth a quick look. No matter your interests, the scenic Cumbres & Toltec region offers plenty to see and do beyond the train itself, so plan a bit of extra time if you can.