Albuquerque - Transport

ABQ Ride Buses (tel: (505) 243 7433; www.cabq.gov/transit) operates more than 35 bus routes throughout the city. The main bus station is at 100 First Street SW. Buses are mostly used by locals, however, as visitors usually find that a car is the most convenient and practical way to explore this sprawling city.

Main taxi providers include Albuquerque Cab Company (tel: (505) 883 4888) and Yellow Cab Company (tel: (505) 247 8888).

The minimum age for hiring a car varies from 21 to 25 years. Car hire agencies change an extra premium to drivers under 25. A valid driving licence or an International Driving Permit is required. Costly insurance can be part of the hire arrangement, but you should check your car insurance to see if your policy covers hire cars.

Car hire providers include Alamo (tel: 1 800 327 9633; www.alamo.com), Avis (tel: 1 800 331 1212; www.avis.com), Budget (tel: 1 800 527 0700; www.budget.com), Dollar (tel: 1 800 800 4000; www.dollar.com) and Hertz (tel: 1 800 654 3131; www.hertz.com).

In and around Albuquerque, there are trails, bike routes and paths that provide bike riders with both scenic and practical alternatives to motorised travel. The city has one of the most extensive bikeway systems in the country. Download a copy of the CABQ Bike Map at www.cabq.gov/bike.

You can hire bikes at Tingley Beach (tel: (505) 768 2000; www.cabq.gov/biopark/tingley) near the Bosque Trail (summer only) as well as mountain bikes at the Sandia Peak Ski Area (tel: (505) 242 9052; www.sandiapeak.com), which rents mountain bikes during the summer months.