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From the high plateau, El Chepe climbs to about2,480mand then falls to the Pacific in 654 kilometres of canyon.

The practical guide to Mexico’s Copper Canyon by train: schedules checked against the operator, where to stop, where to sleep, and what the line looks like from the inside.
Ride the line

  • Chihuahua1,458 m
  • Cuauhtémoc2,040 m
  • Creel2,348 m
  • Divisadero2,236 m
  • Bahuichivo1,618 m
  • Témoris1,031 m
  • El Fuerte101 m
  • Los Mochis15 m

Ride the line from Chihuahua to the sea

This is the real profile of the railway, mapped kilometre by kilometre. Scroll, and the train comes down the Sierra Tarahumara with you.

Kilometre 0 from Chihuahua

Chihuahua

Where the Chepe Regional starts. It leaves Chihuahua city on Tuesdays and Saturdays and is booked by phone or at the ticket office, not online.

Things to do in Chihuahua
Things to do in Chihuahua - Cathedral
Things to do in Chihuahua - El Chepe
Things to do in Chihuahua - Chihuahua Gate

Kilometre 297 from Chihuahua

Creel

Where the Chepe Express starts. It leaves Creel at 08:00 for Los Mochis on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Things to do in Creel
A rounded grey boulder the size of a house on bare rock near Creel, pines behind it
Lake Arareco flat as a mirror at dusk, a dark line of pines along the far shore
Rock formations and a mushroom rock rising out of golden grass and young pines near Creel

Kilometre 306 from Chihuahua

The top of the line

About nine kilometres past Creel the track reaches its highest point. From here it is downhill to the Pacific.

How the train works

Kilometre 355 from Chihuahua

Divisadero

The famous canyon viewpoint, about 1 hour 55 minutes from Creel. The Express toward Los Mochis stops here at 09:55.

Things to do in Divisadero
The Copper Canyon opening out below the Divisadero rim, ridge behind ridge to the horizon
A side canyon cutting into the main gorge below Divisadero, bare rock above green slopes
An old oak leaning over the canyon rim at dusk, pale cliffs and hazy ridges beyond

Kilometre 402 from Chihuahua

Bahuichivo

The station for Cerocahui, a village about 20 minutes away by road. The Express toward Los Mochis stops at 11:25.

The stations of El Chepe
The stone mission church of Cerocahui behind a lawn and a tall cross
Deep folded canyons stretching to the horizon from the Cerro Gallego lookout
The Urique canyon dropping away in hazy layers, oak branches framing the view from Cerocahui

Kilometre 572 from Chihuahua, approximately

El Fuerte

Down in Sinaloa, one hour behind Chihuahua. The Express toward Creel leaves El Fuerte at 09:20 on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Things to do in El Fuerte
Stone steps lined with cacti and bougainvillea lead up to the gate of the fort-style museum in El Fuerte
A courtyard with palms, a statue and arched colonial galleries in El Fuerte
The river beside El Fuerte and the roofs at the edge of town, seen from above

Kilometre 654 from Chihuahua

Los Mochis

The end of the line, 15 metres above the sea. The Express leaves at 07:00 for Creel.

Things to do in Los Mochis

Track, tunnels and bridges © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: INEGI, Continental relief, 2016. Elevations are calculated along the mapped track and rounded; expect a margin of a few tens of metres.

Three numbers to know before you buy a ticket

  1. 364days ahead is the earliest you can buy Chepe tickets.
  2. 0refunds. Changing the date costs MXN 350 per ticket, and nothing can change in the last 72 hours.
  3. 4months a year (May, June, August and September) when the Express runs only Thursday to Sunday.

Checked on September 15, 2026 against the operator’s terms and conditions and schedules.

Are you ready for one of the most scenic train journeys in the world? Start planning your visit to Mexico’s Copper Canyon now.

Visit Copper Canyon

Looking for a unique new travel destination? Travel aboard El Chepe, a train that traverses Mexico’s Copper Canyon, and experience the many sides of northern Mexico.

Whether you’re looking for a new place to visit, planning your next trip, or backpacking around Mexico this site will help you on your way. Copper Canyon has something to offer every traveller from adventure and outdoor activities to leisure and relaxation to family fun.

Find detailed train information, itinerary suggestions, transportation options, things to do and much more.
Click to get started now!

Lookout at Divisadero, Mexico

Where is the Copper Canyon?

The Copper Canyon, or Barranca del Cobre, is a massive canyon system in the northwestern state of Chihuahua, Mexico. It's part of the American Cordillera mountain chain that stretches from North America all the way to South America.

The Copper Canyon, although much larger than the Grand Canyon in the U.S., is better known as the backdrop to one of the most scenic train rides in the world, El Chepe.

The places mentioned on this page, on a map.

Open the map in Google Maps

El Chepe plots a course from Chihuahua to Los Mochis, right through the canyon system, delivering breathtaking views to its riders. Along the way it makes a few stops where travellers can disembark and spend a few days further exploring the Copper Canyon or simply relax and take in more of the incredible views. The map shows the Chepe route and major stops.

  • Chihuahua1,458 m
  • Creel2,348 m
  • Divisadero2,236 m
  • Bahuichivo1,618 m
  • El Fuerte101 m
  • Los Mochis15 m

654km90 tunnels
95 bridges

The mapped track of El Chepe, with its tunnels in dark. Drawn from OpenStreetMap relation 5977762.

Along the route

  1. Copper Canyon Train El Chepe
    El Chepeon board
  2. Things to do in Chihuahua - Cathedral
    Chihuahua1,458mkm 0
  3. Creel Copper Canyon Valley of the Monks
    Creel2,348mkm 297
  4. Divisadero Mexico Viewpoint
    Divisadero2,236mkm 355
  5. Copper Canyon Train stop Bahuichivo - Cerocahui church
    Bahuichivo1,618mkm 402
  6. El Fuerte, Sinaloa, Mexico- the fort
    El Fuerte101mkm 572

Each photo sits at the elevation of its stop: the line climbs from Chihuahua to Creel and then falls 2,333 metres to the Pacific.

Every guide on the site, in the order you need them

Before you buy a ticket

Tickets go on sale 364 days ahead and they are not refundable. Read these first.

7 guides

  1. 10 Facts You'll Want to Know About Mexico's Copper CanyonWhat is Mexico's Copper Canyon? Find out more about this incredible landscape and all that it has to offer travellers. Is this your next travel destination?Updated September 2026Copper Canyon Mexico
  2. Best Time to Visit Copper Canyon: Weather and Train Schedule by MonthWhen to visit Copper Canyon, month by month: official climate normals for Creel and El Fuerte, the rainy months, and the days El Chepe runs in 2026.Updated September 2026Layer after layer of canyon ridges under a blue sky, seen from the rim at Divisadero
  3. How to Buy El Chepe Tickets: Online, by Phone and at the StationWhere El Chepe tickets are sold, how far ahead to buy, how to pay, and the no-refund and 72-hour change rules, checked against the operator's terms in 2026.Updated September 2026The track running away between two rock walls of a cutting, sunset light at the far end
  4. Copper Canyon by Train: 3-, 5- and 7-Day ItinerariesCopper Canyon train itineraries for 3, 5 and 7 days on the 2026 Chepe Express schedule: which day to start, where to sleep and what to do if you miss a train.Updated September 2026El Chepe curving through a wide green valley, the whole train visible from the last car
  5. Copper Canyon Packing List: What to Wear and Pack for El Chepe, Season by SeasonA printable packing list for each season, built on official climate normals for Creel and Los Mochis, plus what El Chepe lets you bring on board.Updated September 2026A carry-on bag open on a bed with a camera, a laptop and a charger packed inside
  6. Travelling to Copper Canyon, Mexico - Safety ConsiderationsIs it safe to travel to Mexico's Copper Canyon? Find out what safety issues you should consider and tips to stay safe on your journey through the Copper Canyon, Mexico.Updated September 2026An empty wooden walkway beside the track at Posada Barrancas, yellow safety line on the planks
  7. Purchasing the Right Travel Insurance for MexicoHeading to Mexico? Not all travel insurance companies cover all regions in Mexico. Find out what questions to ask before you make your purchase and get tips to find the best travel insurance for Mexico.Updated September 2026Mexico Travel Insurance

On the train

Which train, which class, and how the ride itself works.

5 guides

  1. How to Visit Copper Canyon by TrainFind out how to plan your own trip to Mexico's Copper Canyon by train. Learn about El Chepe, how to purchase tickets, what to see and much more.Updated September 2026El Chepe crossing a curved bridge through the pines, seen from a window further back on the train
  2. Chepe Express vs Chepe Regional: Which Copper Canyon Train Should You Take?The Express is the tourist train between Los Mochis and Creel; the Regional is the local train that starts in Chihuahua. Days, times and rules for 2026.Updated September 2026The red and cream cars of El Chepe on a straight stretch of track through dry brush country
  3. El Chepe Accessibility: Wheelchairs, Guide Dogs, Medical Needs and Altitude on the Copper Canyon TrainWhat El Chepe's operator says about wheelchairs, guide dogs and medical needs, what to tell them before you buy, and how altitude affects older travelers.Updated September 2026Track-level view of the rails running between the two wooden buildings of Posada Barrancas station
  4. Chihuahua to Creel: Train, Bus, Transfer or TourThe Chepe Express doesn't reach Chihuahua city. How to get to Creel instead: the Regional train, a private transfer, a tour or the bus, compared for 2026.Updated September 2026The single track cut into a rocky ravine, climbing through pine-covered sierra
  5. Driving to Copper Canyon: Road Distances to Creel, Paperwork for U.S. Drivers and Safety AdviceRoad distances to Creel from Chihuahua, Ciudad Juárez, Parral and Guachochi, the permits and insurance a U.S. car needs, and what the U.S. advisory says.Updated September 2026A dirt track crossing a high valley near Creel at first light, mackerel clouds over the pine ridges

Stop by stop

Where you get off the train, in the order the line reaches them. Each stop shows its elevation and the kilometre it sits at.

Chihuahua

1,458mkilometre 0

Visit Copper Canyon - Chihuahua
  1. Things to do in ChihuahuaAre you planning a trip to Chihuahua or the Copper Canyon? Find things to do in Chihuahua, how to get to there, where to stay, itineraries and more.Updated September 2026Quinta Gameros in Chihuahua city, an early-1900s mansion with green scalloped roofs and a domed tower

Creel

2,348mkilometre 297

Visit Copper Canyon - Creel
  1. Things to do in CreelFind things to do in Creel, how to get to there, where to stay and itineraries for a trip to Creel in the Copper Canyon, Mexico.Updated September 2026Tall rock pillars of the Valley of the Monks near Creel, rising above a pine forest
  2. Where to Eat in Creel: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Coffee in the Copper Canyon's Sierra TownWhere to eat in Creel by time of day, with the kind of food, a price range and a dish to try, plus the local dishes to order and how meals work on El Chepe.Updated September 2026Grey rock formations and boulders at the edge of a meadow near Creel, under a sky of small clouds
  3. Cusárare Waterfall near Creel: Distance, the Trail and the Mission MuseumA 30 m waterfall at the end of a 3 km forest trail from the Cusárare mission, 22 km south of Creel: how to get there, when to go and the mission's museum.Updated September 2026Cusarare waterfall dropping in white sheets over a dark rock ledge
  4. Lake Arareco near Creel: Entry Fee, How to Get There and What to DoA horseshoe-shaped lake run by the Rarámuri community of San Ignacio de Arareko, 10 minutes from Creel: entry fee, boats, cabins and how to get there.Updated September 2026Lake Arareco near Creel, with rounded boulders at the shore and a pine forest behind
  5. Valleys of the Frogs and the Mushrooms near Creel, with the San Ignacio MissionThe rock valleys of the Mushrooms and the Frogs and the San Ignacio mission, about 4 km from Creel: how to get there, when to go and what to bring.Updated September 2026A mushroom-shaped rock standing on its narrow stem in dry grassland near Creel
  6. Creel Emergency Numbers: 911, Medical Care, Roadside Help and the U.S. EmbassyWho to call in an emergency in Creel: 911, health centers and hospitals with official numbers, Green Angels roadside help and the U.S. Embassy. Printable.Updated September 2026The stone mission of San Ignacio de Arareko behind its wall, on a dirt road outside Creel

Divisadero

2,236mkilometre 355

Visit Copper Canyon - Divisadero
  1. Things to do in Posada Barrancas and Divisadero, MexicoLooking for things to do in Divisadero, Mexico? Find activities, hotels and more around Divisadero and Posada Barrancas in Mexico's Copper Canyon.Updated September 2026The cable-car wires of Divisadero running out over a forested rock peak above the canyon

Bahuichivo

1,618mkilometre 402

Visit Copper Canyon - Bahuichivo

No guide for this stop yet.

El Fuerte

101mkilometre 572

Visit Copper Canyon - El Fuerte Church
  1. Things to do in El Fuerte, SinaloaLooking for things to do in El Fuerte, Sinaloa? Find information about the town, how to get there, where to stay, itineraries, activities to do, and how to visit Mexico's Copper Canyon.Updated September 2026The church of El Fuerte and its bell tower, with large colorful letters spelling the town's name in front

Los Mochis

15mkilometre 654

  1. Things to do in Topolobampo & Los Mochis, SinaloaHeading to Los Mochis, Sinaloa? Find information about the city and the nearby town of Topolobampo. How to get there, where to stay, what to do, and more.Updated September 2026The long wooden boardwalk at El Maviri beach, palm-roof palapas on one side and calm sea on the other

Across every stop

  1. Where to Stay in Copper Canyon: Creel, Divisadero, Bahuichivo and El FuerteWhere to sleep at each stop of El Chepe, from Chihuahua to El Fuerte: altitude, train times and our hotel picks, plus how to book the nights around the train.Updated September 2026The sheer cliff below the Divisadero rim, with a building and pines standing on the flat top
Visit Copper Canyon Landscapes
El Chepe in Copper Canyon

Plan Your Trip

Learn how to buy train tickets, get itinerary suggestions, transportation options, things to do and much more.

We’re always expanding this section so check back regularly for more updates!

About the author - Visit Copper Canyon

About

Visit Copper Canyon is written and edited by Alejandro Núñez, from Chihuahua, the state El Chepe crosses.

Every schedule, fare and phone number on this site is checked against the train operator or the official source, and the date we checked it is printed next to the fact. When something we published stops being true, we add a dated note instead of quietly rewriting it.

More about the site and how we check things.