Take your Family on an Adventure!

Climb into the past, aboard any of our old fashion Rail Road Trains: Thunderbird Express and Rio Line.

 

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Thunderbird Express

Take a relaxing behind-the-scenes tour that loops around the Rio Grande zoo. Our friendly Conductors offer a guided, behind the scenes view of the zoo: Find out what baby animals have been born, and when new exhibits will be open. Smile, waive and have a great time being part of what makes the BioPark so remarkable. This is a 20 minute non-stop loop ride, and it departs from the African depot. Prices for individual tickets are $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children 3-12. (Children under 3 ride free). Buy a BioPark Member Train Wristband for both trains and unlimited rides all day. (Sponsored by Sandia National Laboratories and Lock-heed Martin Corporation).

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Rio Line

Sit back and enjoy the ride as the 1890's style replica Rio Line Train takes you to the Rio Grande Zoo, Tingley Beach, Albuquerque Aquarium and Rio Grande Botanic Garden. Watch the dragonflies swiftly glide along the water, travel into the past to the Heritage Farm, and enjoy the breeze through the open windows. Catch a view of our up-and-coming attractions, or just sit back, close your eyes, and enjoy the ride.

The train conductors will give you a guided one hour round-trip ride. The Rio Line runs every half-hour through the day, leaving from the Tingley Depot, the Aquaium/Botanical Garden Depot and the Zoo Asia Depot; see map for depot locations.

Tingley Depot - located at Tingley Beach on on Tingley Drive. You may park to the north or the south of the depot and than walk in.

First train leaves at 10 am to Aquarium/Garden.
Last train leaves to Aquarium/Garden at 3 pm.

Aquarium/Garden Depot - located in the aquarium-garden parking lot at the intersection of Central and Tingley Drive.

First train leaves at 10:15 am heading to Zoo
Last train leaves at 3:45 pm, heading to Zoo.

Zoo - Asia Depot - located at the north end of the Zoo beyond the giraffes and elephants (follow the signs)

First train leaves at 10:15 am to Tingley and Aquarium/Garden.
Last train to Tingley and Aquarium/Garden leaves at 3:45 pm.

Rio Line Tickets

Buy a combo ticket to ride both trains, all day, at the entrance to the Zoo.

• A one-day Aquarium/Garden day ticket can be purchased at the Aquarium Gift shop (you may not get on or off at the Zoo with this ticket).
• A one-day ticket can be purchased at the Tingley Gift Shop - you may not get on or off at the Zoo with this ticket, but you MAY get off at the Aquarium/Botanical Gardens station.
• A one-day Zoo ticket People with a one-day Zoo ticket may not ride the Rio Line from the Zoo, but can purchase tickets for the Zoo Train from Africa.
• New Mexico BioPark Society Member Train Wristbands

Member wristbands entitle you to ride the Rio Line AND the Thunderbird Express unlimited all day. Wristbands can be purchased at the front gate until 3 pm Tuesday through Sunday. They are available ONLY at the front gate of the Zoo, or the Aquarium and Botanical Gardens.

Cost: $2.00 per member.

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Schedules
All trains run Tuesday through Sunday. Times are listed below.
NOTE: Trains DO NOT RUN on Monday due to maintenance.

 

RIO LINE TRAIN DEPARTURES

TINGLEY

10:00

10:30

11:00

11:30

12:00

12:30

1:00

1:30

2:00

2:30

3:00

3:30

4:00 *

4:15 *

AQUAR/GARDEN

10:15

10:45

11:15

11:45

12:15

12:45

1:15

1:45

2:15

2:45

3:15

3:45

4:15 *

4:45 *

ZOO ASIA

10:15

10:45

11:15

11:45

12:15

12:45

1:15

1:45

2:15

2:45

3:15

3:45

4:15 *

4:15 *

* Extended Summer Hours: Saturdays & Sundays — June, July & August

Purchasing Rio Line train tickets:

Buy a combo ticket at the front gate of either the Rio Grande Zoo, or Albuquerque Aqurium and Rio Grande Botanic Gardens. The combo ticket includes Zoo, Aquarium and Botanic Gardens admission, and all trains unlimited for the day. (Sold only until 12:00pm daily).

Combo Prices
Seniors 65 and over: $5.00
Adults 12-65: $12.00
Children 3-12: $5.00
Children 0 - 3: Free

Purchase Rio Line train tickets for a one-time round-trip ride from the Tingley Gift Shop or the Botanic Gardens Gift Shop. Passengers may not get off the train.

One-time Round-trip Prices
Adults: $2.00
Children 3 - 12: $1.00
Children 0 - 3: Free

Have fun and enjoy the ride!