About Albuquerque
Albuquerque is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Mexico. Founded in 1706 as La Villa de Alburquerque by Santa Fe de Nuevo México governor Francisco Cuervo y Valdés, and named in honor of Francisco Fernández de la Cueva, 10th Duke of Alburquerque and Viceroy of New Spain, it was an outpost on El Camino Real, linking Mexico City to the northernmost territories of New Spain. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County.
Cheap flights to Albuquerque
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $1,116 from Dublin, travelling 11 Nov – 18 Nov. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- LON London to Albuquerque29 Nov – 6 Dec · ABQ from$1,337
- DUB Dublin to Albuquerque11 Nov – 18 Nov · ABQ from$1,116
- CPH Copenhagen to Albuquerque1 Nov – 5 Nov · ABQ from$1,401
- EDI Edinburgh to Albuquerque23 Dec – 10 Jan · ABQ from$1,752
- GLA Glasgow to Albuquerque24 Dec – 10 Jan · ABQ from$1,661
- PRG Prague to Albuquerque1 Jul – 31 Jul · ABQ from$1,472
- BHX Birmingham to Albuquerque27 Oct – 2 Nov · ABQ from$1,804
- HEL Helsinki to Albuquerque13 Jun – 19 Jun · ABQ from$1,491
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Finnair, Aer Lingus.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to AlbuquerquePlaces to visit in Albuquerque
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Old Town Albuquerque
Neighborhood · 1 mi from centreThe original heart of the city, centered on a leafy plaza and the adobe San Felipe de Neri Church, with shops selling Native American jewelry, small galleries and New Mexican restaurants serving red and green chile.
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Sandia Peak Tramway
Viewpoint · 12 mi from centreThis long aerial tram climbs from the city's edge to the crest of the Sandia Mountains, where viewing decks and hiking trails overlook the Rio Grande Valley, especially striking at sunset.
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Petroglyph National Monument
Nature · 7 mi from centreOn the city's west mesa, short desert trails lead past dark volcanic boulders carved with thousands of images made by ancestral Pueblo people and early Spanish settlers centuries ago.
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Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Museum · 2 mi from centreOwned by the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, the center presents Pueblo history, art and traditional dances, and has a restaurant serving Native cuisine and a shop with authentic crafts.
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ABQ BioPark
ZooA combined zoo, aquarium and botanic garden along the Rio Grande, linked by a small train, with a Japanese garden, desert plant displays, a sandy riverside beach area and animals from around the world.
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National Museum of Nuclear Science and History
Museum · 7 mi from centreExhibits trace the atomic age from the Manhattan Project and Cold War to nuclear medicine and energy, while an outdoor heritage park displays rockets, missiles, a submarine sail and military aircraft.
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Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum
Museum · 8 mi from centreNext to the Balloon Fiesta grounds, this airy museum explains the science and history of ballooning with real gondolas, giant envelopes, flight simulators and stories of record-setting long-distance flights.
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Albuquerque Museum
Museum · 1 mi from centreA short walk from Old Town, the museum covers four centuries of regional history, including Spanish colonial armor and artifacts, alongside Southwestern art galleries and a pleasant outdoor sculpture garden.
Where to stay in Albuquerque
Popular hotels in Albuquerque, out of 153 properties you can book.
Nativo Lodge
From $106 per night
Comfort Inn Albuquerque Airport
From $107 per night
Hyatt Place Albuquerque Airport
From $114 per night
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Albuquerque
From $102 per night
Bw Airport Albuquerque Inn Suites Hotel & Suites
From $114 per night
Embassy Suites by Hilton Albuquerque
From $259 per night
Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel
From $112 per night
Days Inn & Suites By Wyndham Albuquerque North
From $59 per night
Days Inn by Wyndham Albuquerque Downtown
From $53 per night
Econo Lodge Old Town
From $70 per night
Homewood Suites by Hilton Albuquerque Uptown
From $159 per night
Hampton Inn and Suites Albuquerque Airport, NM
From $117 per night
Best time to visit Albuquerque
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Albuquerque is April to May and October, when average daytime highs are around 72–81°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Albuquerque weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 77° 51° 24%
- Thu 22 Oct 74° 64° 75%
- Fri 23 Oct 73° 60° 75%
- Sat 24 Oct 73° 61° 27%
- Sun 25 Oct 69° 57° 23%
- Mon 26 Oct 70° 60° 14%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/DenverUTC−6
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Albuquerque
These are the airports closest to central Albuquerque. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- ABQ Kirtland Air Force Base4 mi (6 km) from the city centre
Getting around Albuquerque
Albuquerque is a heavily planned city. In much of the city, the major roads are lined primarily with businesses with residential mazes on the insides. The city is divided into four quadrants, with street addresses taking the form "12345 Main St. (NE/NW/SE/SW)" in which the NE/NW/SE/SW suffix denotes the quadrant of the city containing the address. The railroad tracks, which run parallel to I-25, are the east–west dividing line, and Central Ave. is the north–south dividing line.
By car
If you're driving, be prepared for frequent road construction. The city government web site gives information on major construction projects, but there are always minor ones going on. Several radio stations try to give traffic reports during morning and afternoon rush hours, but the service tends to come and go, and it's best to inquire locally as to which stations are offering it. KKOB-AM, 770 on the dial, seems to be fairly reliable for these reports.
By bus
ABQ Ride, ☏ +1 505 243-RIDE (7433), is Albuquerque's public transit system. Despite some strides in ABQ Ride's development, Albuquerque is still primarily a driving city, so with the exception of Central Avenue public transit is still for the most part very underdeveloped. Most of ABQ Ride's routes spur out of the Alvarado Transportation Center in Downtown at Central Avenue & First Street, which also serves as Albuquerque's Amtrak station and Greyhound depot as well as a Rail Runner station.
By bike
Albuquerque is fairly bikeable, but it's a sprawling Western city and things are spread out. It's hillier than it looks; Old Town and Downtown attractions are several hundred feet lower than things in the heights on the eastern side of the city; plan accordingly.
Albuquerque travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Albuquerque?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Albuquerque is April to May and October, when average daytime highs are around 72–81°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.
What is the weather like in Albuquerque?
July is usually the warmest month in Albuquerque, with average highs of 94°F (35°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 26°F (-3°C). The wettest month is typically March, with about 33 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Albuquerque?
Kirtland Air Force Base (ABQ) is the closest airport, about 4 miles (6 km) from the centre of Albuquerque.
How much are flights to Albuquerque?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Albuquerque in the last 30 days was $1,116 from Dublin, travelling 11 Nov – 18 Nov. November is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $1,116.
What time zone is Albuquerque in?
Albuquerque uses the America/Denver time zone (currently UTC−6). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Albuquerque?
Albuquerque is a heavily planned city. In much of the city, the major roads are lined primarily with businesses with residential mazes on the insides. The city is divided into four quadrants, with street addresses taking the form "12345 Main St.
What are the best places to visit in Albuquerque?
Top sights in Albuquerque include Old Town Albuquerque, Sandia Peak Tramway, Petroglyph National Monument and Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. The original heart of the city, centered on a leafy plaza and the adobe San Felipe de Neri Church, with shops selling Native American jewelry, small galleries and New Mexican restaurants serving red and green chile.
Where should I stay in Albuquerque?
Popular areas for hotels in Albuquerque include Northern Albuquerque, Albuquerque International Sunport Airport and Downtown. Well-reviewed options include Nativo Lodge and Comfort Inn Albuquerque Airport.
How many hotels can I book in Albuquerque?
Destina Holidays currently lists 153 properties in and around Albuquerque, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
