How to Get Around Northern Mexico

Flying is the practical way into the region: Monterrey, Chihuahua, Hermosillo, Los Mochis and Durango all have good domestic connections, and the distances are continental.

The Chepe railway is both transport and the main attraction. It runs between Los Mochis and Chihuahua with a tourist service and a cheaper regional one; book ahead in high season and plan to break the journey rather than ride it end to end in a day.

Buses are excellent and long — first-class services between northern cities are comfortable, with journeys of eight to twelve hours being routine.

A hire car gives you Cuatro Cienegas, Paquime and the desert. Distances are large, fuel stations can be far apart, and driving at night is strongly discouraged for both road and security reasons.

Toll roads are worth paying for — they are better maintained and considered safer than the free alternatives.