Submitted by jen and boys on Mon, 09/28/2009 - 13:04.
We are coming in from Amarillo,Texas and visiting the balloon fiesta for the first time and are unaware of how the whole process works. Do all visitors have to take the buses, or can we drive our own van to the actual festivities?
Yes, you can drive your own vehicle into the Balloon Fiesta. The parking fee is $10. I strongly recommend that you get an early start because our traffic can get quite heavy.
The Balloon Fiesta will provide buses for pre-purchase ticket holders at the Los Ranchos station. If we have room we will then accommodate as many people as we can, we are working hard to make this happen.
If you pre-purchase your ticket for the Balloon Fiesta Park & Ride using the Rail Runner (which you have to buy your Rail Runner ticket separately) we can track how many riders and have the buses allocated.
When you purchase your Fiesta Express Park & Ride ticket it includes the round trip bus ride from Los Ranchos station to Balloon Fiesta and admission into the Balloon Fiesta. Plus you can save $5 per adult if you buy in advance. Don't forget to print your ticket and bring it with you.
Rail Runner tickets are purchased separate from Balloon Fiesta tickets. Exit the train at the Los Ranchos station and take the Fiesta Express shuttle bus to Balloon Fiesta Park. Select and purchase the correct Fiesta Express ticket here:
Submitted by kristinemeow on Wed, 09/30/2009 - 18:37.
If you don't get stuck in traffic going in, you'll get stuck going out. Take the park and ride. You'll spend more time seeing balloons, and less time stuck in the car. Last year we never even made it to the balloon firesta park in time for the launch because the traffic was so bad. They must have stopped letting people in, because all of a sudden, the traffic just stopped moving, and there we were on Pan American Freeway and Tramway, parked, and watching the balloons launch.
Fiesta Express Park & Ride times can be found on the main Park and Ride page.
Weekend Morning Sessions:
Buses start at 4:30 am from remote lots. Last buses leaves remote lots at 7:00 am. First bus leaves Balloon Fiesta Park at 8:30 am. Last bus leaves Balloon Fiesta Park at 11:30am (unless there are lines remaining).
Please clarify about parking. During the week, do you expect to have enough parking at the Balloon Fiesta parking area or should people plan to park at the Park N Rides? Thanks,
Submitted by ZIALANDER63 on Wed, 09/16/2009 - 22:26.
Not one single park and ride south of I-40??? What's up with that? University Football Stadium has an enormous parking lot and not one football game is scheduled there during the balloon fiesta.17
Submitted by ZIALANDER63 on Wed, 09/16/2009 - 22:26.
Not one single park and ride south of I-40??? What's up with that? University Football Stadium has an enormous parking lot and not one football game is scheduled there during the balloon fiesta.17
We have many bus companies involved this year including ABQ Transit. We do not utilize he ABQ Ride bus stops since we need to park many vehicles at the lots. Our Park & Ride remote lots are generously provided by Cliff's Amusement Park, Coronado Center, Hoffmantown Church, Intel and Sagebrush Community Church.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the Balloon Fiesta does not run the Fiesta Express Park and Ride. Parking is readily available on those days and, as a reminder, we only have morning sessions on those days. Thursday and Friday the activity level picks up resulting in the parking and traffic becoming busier. The Fiesta Express Park & Ride will be a great way to get in the Balloon Park. Whichever way you arrive we hope you have a great time!
You should be able to purchase your Fiesta Express Park & Ride ticket now for the connection at the Los Ranchos/Journal Center Rail Runner station. The Rail Runner has made the decision to have their tickets purchased in the normal manner which is on the train or on-line at their website. You would then purchase your ticket for the Park & Ride here by going to the quick links to the left and scroll down to Park and Ride and select purchase tickets then follow the prompts.
You are correct; we do not have a Park & Ride location south of I-40. The University Stadium and The Pit parking areas are both used during athletic events. We have used the The Pit in the past which worked well but when the University has homecoming we can not use the parking area which results in an ever changing schedule from year to year. This leads to confusion for the guests of Balloon Fiesta. The University Stadium parking area has never been offered for use and The Pit is under renovations and the parking lot is unavailable.
Submitted by chrisbadura on Fri, 09/25/2009 - 12:06.
Visiting the Balloon Fiesta from the East Coast for the first time. Will be staying with friends in Sante Fe. Which bus location would be best to park at. (easiest to get to and safest) What is Rail Runner?
Welcome to the great Southwest! You can check out the Rail Runner service at this website: http://www.nmrailrunner.com/ . It has a station in Santa Fe and has one scheduled in-bound run to Los Ranchos/Journal Center station where the Balloon Fiesta can pick you up and bring you into the Balloon Park. Please be aware that you may not see the Dawn Patrol but you will be in time for the Mass Ascensions. We encourage you to buy your tickets in advance so we can track the numbers and have adequate buses for our guests. Rail Runner has chosen to sell their tickets separately from the Balloon Fiesta Park & Ride tickets so you would have to make two purchases. One for our Park & Ride service/admittance ticket and one for the Rail Runner. If you chose to ride the Rail Runner you can board the train and the conductor will come by and scan your credit card for your ticket purchase. You can buy your P & R ticket on our website and if you purchase in advance you save $5. Coming from Santa Fe I would suggest the Rail Runner or driving in your vehicle since you are coming from the north.
Comments
Can we not drive our own car to the Balloon Fiesta?
We are coming in from Amarillo,Texas and visiting the balloon fiesta for the first time and are unaware of how the whole process works. Do all visitors have to take the buses, or can we drive our own van to the actual festivities?
Driving in from Texas
Yes, you can drive your own vehicle into the Balloon Fiesta. The parking fee is $10. I strongly recommend that you get an early start because our traffic can get quite heavy.
Fiesta Express Park & Ride
The Balloon Fiesta will provide buses for pre-purchase ticket holders at the Los Ranchos station. If we have room we will then accommodate as many people as we can, we are working hard to make this happen.
If you pre-purchase your ticket for the Balloon Fiesta Park & Ride using the Rail Runner (which you have to buy your Rail Runner ticket separately) we can track how many riders and have the buses allocated.
When you purchase your Fiesta Express Park & Ride ticket it includes the round trip bus ride from Los Ranchos station to Balloon Fiesta and admission into the Balloon Fiesta. Plus you can save $5 per adult if you buy in advance. Don't forget to print your ticket and bring it with you.
Rail Runner Tickets
Do I have to purchase Rail Runer tickets to and from the park and ride location at Rio Rancho
location or the ticket from Isleta Pueblo a round trip ticket? Where can I purchase a bus ticket
to the Balloon Fiesta from the Rop Rancho location?
Rail Runner tickets are
Rail Runner tickets are purchased separate from Balloon Fiesta tickets.
Exit the train at the Los Ranchos station and take the Fiesta Express shuttle bus to Balloon Fiesta Park.
Select and purchase the correct Fiesta Express ticket here:
https://www.balloonfiesta.com/?q=park_and_ride/form
Select the Rail Runner train leaving from the station nearest your location and exit the train at Los Ranchos.
Here is the Rail Runner website:
http://www.nmrailrunner.com/
Price
Why aren't the prices listed before you add to cart on the Buy Tickets page?
And why is an adult Park & Ride ticket $10 when it was only $2 to go to the NM State Fair? Does it include park admission?
Also, how much will it cost to park your car at Balloon Fiesta Park this year?
Thanks!
Ticket Prices
Thanks for you question.
Prices are now displayed on the ticket selection page.
The ticket price does include transportation and admission.
Be sure to buy early.
Prices go up after 12 midnight for morning events and 12 noon for afternoon events.
Albuquerque Local's Advice... Take the Park and Ride
If you don't get stuck in traffic going in, you'll get stuck going out. Take the park and ride. You'll spend more time seeing balloons, and less time stuck in the car. Last year we never even made it to the balloon firesta park in time for the launch because the traffic was so bad. They must have stopped letting people in, because all of a sudden, the traffic just stopped moving, and there we were on Pan American Freeway and Tramway, parked, and watching the balloons launch.
What time do the Park and Ride shuttles start running on Sat?
Is it different depending on site?
Park and Ride Times
Fiesta Express Park & Ride times can be found on the main Park and Ride page.
Weekend Morning Sessions:
Buses start at 4:30 am from remote lots. Last buses leaves remote lots at 7:00 am.
First bus leaves Balloon Fiesta Park at 8:30 am. Last bus leaves Balloon Fiesta Park at 11:30am (unless there are lines remaining).
Need Railrunner and Bus Services
Will there be combined Railrunner and Bus services available to the Balloon Fiesta like last year? If so, when will this be available on-line?
Weekday parking
Please clarify about parking. During the week, do you expect to have enough parking at the Balloon Fiesta parking area or should people plan to park at the Park N Rides? Thanks,
park and ride locations
Not one single park and ride south of I-40??? What's up with that? University Football Stadium has an enormous parking lot and not one football game is scheduled there during the balloon fiesta.17
park and ride locations
Not one single park and ride south of I-40??? What's up with that? University Football Stadium has an enormous parking lot and not one football game is scheduled there during the balloon fiesta.17
Park and Ride
Who is providing bus service this year? With the 5 sites listed, it looks like ABQ RIDE is not going to be involved this year.
Park & Ride
We have many bus companies involved this year including ABQ Transit. We do not utilize he ABQ Ride bus stops since we need to park many vehicles at the lots. Our Park & Ride remote lots are generously provided by Cliff's Amusement Park, Coronado Center, Hoffmantown Church, Intel and Sagebrush Community Church.
Weekday Parking at Balloon Fiesta
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the Balloon Fiesta does not run the Fiesta Express Park and Ride. Parking is readily available on those days and, as a reminder, we only have morning sessions on those days. Thursday and Friday the activity level picks up resulting in the parking and traffic becoming busier. The Fiesta Express Park & Ride will be a great way to get in the Balloon Park. Whichever way you arrive we hope you have a great time!
Balloon Fiesta and Rail Runner
You should be able to purchase your Fiesta Express Park & Ride ticket now for the connection at the Los Ranchos/Journal Center Rail Runner station. The Rail Runner has made the decision to have their tickets purchased in the normal manner which is on the train or on-line at their website. You would then purchase your ticket for the Park & Ride here by going to the quick links to the left and scroll down to Park and Ride and select purchase tickets then follow the prompts.
Thank you for the question.
No Park & Ride south of I-40????
You are correct; we do not have a Park & Ride location south of I-40. The University Stadium and The Pit parking areas are both used during athletic events. We have used the The Pit in the past which worked well but when the University has homecoming we can not use the parking area which results in an ever changing schedule from year to year. This leads to confusion for the guests of Balloon Fiesta. The University Stadium parking area has never been offered for use and The Pit is under renovations and the parking lot is unavailable.
Railrunner busses
The Railrunner schedule says to take the Los Ranchos station from Santa Fe, but I don't see a park and ride picking up there. What's up?
Help needed
Visiting the Balloon Fiesta from the East Coast for the first time. Will be staying with friends in Sante Fe. Which bus location would be best to park at. (easiest to get to and safest) What is Rail Runner?
Thanks!
Visiting Santa Fe
Welcome to the great Southwest! You can check out the Rail Runner service at this website: http://www.nmrailrunner.com/ . It has a station in Santa Fe and has one scheduled in-bound run to Los Ranchos/Journal Center station where the Balloon Fiesta can pick you up and bring you into the Balloon Park. Please be aware that you may not see the Dawn Patrol but you will be in time for the Mass Ascensions. We encourage you to buy your tickets in advance so we can track the numbers and have adequate buses for our guests. Rail Runner has chosen to sell their tickets separately from the Balloon Fiesta Park & Ride tickets so you would have to make two purchases. One for our Park & Ride service/admittance ticket and one for the Rail Runner. If you chose to ride the Rail Runner you can board the train and the conductor will come by and scan your credit card for your ticket purchase. You can buy your P & R ticket on our website and if you purchase in advance you save $5. Coming from Santa Fe I would suggest the Rail Runner or driving in your vehicle since you are coming from the north.
Hope you have a great visit and Balloon Fiesta!