El Paso Streetcar
Ride El Paso's historic streetcar for free! Explore downtown and UTEP with this charming, accessible, and eco-friendly transit option.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, smoother rides
El Paso Streetcar
Best Time
Fewer crowds, smoother rides
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Ride El Paso's historic streetcar for free! Explore downtown and UTEP with this charming, accessible, and eco-friendly transit option.
"A cool, clean, free, air-conditioned, handicap lift ride from UTEP to Downtown El Paso."
Free Ride! 🤩
The El Paso Streetcar is completely free to ride! Download the Sun Metro app to find stops and track your ride.
Bike Friendly 🚲
Each streetcar is equipped with bike racks, making it easy to combine cycling with your streetcar journey.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Historic Route Exploration
Downtown El Paso & UTEP
Glide through historic districts and connect to UTEP on this charming, free streetcar. A unique way to see the city's sights.
Architectural Insights
Along the streetcar route
Discover El Paso's architectural gems with guided tours that utilize the streetcar, offering a unique perspective on the city's past.
Local Business & Community Hub
Downtown El Paso
The streetcar serves as a platform for local events and community discussions, promoting shopping local and sharing entrepreneurial stories.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Ride for Free, Explore with Ease
Historical Charm Meets Modern Transit
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Free Ride! 🤩
The El Paso Streetcar is completely free to ride! Download the Sun Metro app to find stops and track your ride.
Bike Friendly 🚲
Each streetcar is equipped with bike racks, making it easy to combine cycling with your streetcar journey.
History Buff's Delight 📜
Drivers like Mr. Valentine share fascinating El Paso history and stories behind the trolleys. Ask them questions!
Smooth & Accessible ✅
Enjoy a clean, air-conditioned ride with handicap seating and lifts. It's a comfortable way to travel.
Tips
from all over the internet
Free Ride! 🤩
The El Paso Streetcar is completely free to ride! Download the Sun Metro app to find stops and track your ride.
Bike Friendly 🚲
Each streetcar is equipped with bike racks, making it easy to combine cycling with your streetcar journey.
History Buff's Delight 📜
Drivers like Mr. Valentine share fascinating El Paso history and stories behind the trolleys. Ask them questions!
Smooth & Accessible ✅
Enjoy a clean, air-conditioned ride with handicap seating and lifts. It's a comfortable way to travel.
Plan Your Stops 📍
While scenic, the route can be slow. Use the app to know where to hop on and off for your desired destinations.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the El Paso Streetcar as a free, clean, and accessible way to experience downtown and connect to UTEP, often highlighting the historical charm and knowledgeable drivers. However, some find the route slow and not ideal for practical commuting, noting limitations in reaching certain destinations.
"El Paso Trolley is s cool clean way to travel from UTEP and the Downtown area of El Paso. It's about a 45 minute round trip. I caught it at the UTEP Don Haskins and above ground parking."
Jesse Dryer
"Free Air conditioned handicap lift ride from UTEP to Downtown many stops very clean has bike racks inside handicap seating plenty of room standing room straps also. Super Smooth a Nice thing to do on any day. Park at Glory Road Parking Garage 🙌 ride everywhere!"
Albert Sandoval
"We enjoyed the #elpasostreercar a lot during our stay (May 1st- 3rd for the Luis Miguel concert). Mr. Valentine (Valentín) is a great driver, he provided excellent service, he told us the story behind the trolleys 🚃 and a lot of the El Paso history around during our ride. We found him on his trolley #1504, next day we saw him at another trolley #1506 as he was covering the lunch break for the driver and he gave us the rest of the tour that we didn’t have a chance to hear the day before. And the third day we saw him again! in another trolley 🚃 #1514 or #1511 (we don’t remember, it was like an orange color one) for very short drive but he will remember us every time and he was very nice all the time!"
Hilda Woo (Chinis)
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The El Paso Streetcar has multiple stops throughout Downtown El Paso and connects to the UTEP campus. You can catch it from various points downtown or near the UTEP Don Haskins center. Parking is available at the Glory Road Parking Garage.
Yes, the El Paso Streetcar is completely free to ride! This makes it an incredibly budget-friendly way to explore downtown El Paso.
The streetcar runs a loop connecting key areas of Downtown El Paso and extending to the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). It's a great way to see many of the city's attractions.
Absolutely! The streetcars are equipped with bike racks, allowing you to easily combine cycling with your streetcar journey.
Yes, the streetcars are accessible and feature handicap seating and lifts, ensuring a comfortable ride for all passengers.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No tickets are required! The El Paso Streetcar offers a free ride, making it accessible for everyone to enjoy.
Operating hours can vary, and it's best to check the Sun Metro app or their official website for the most up-to-date schedule.
The streetcars run on a schedule, but frequency can vary. Using the Sun Metro app will help you track real-time arrivals.
Yes, special tours like architecture tours and community events are sometimes hosted on the streetcar, offering unique experiences. 
The streetcar has designated stops along its route. While convenient, some users note that the route doesn't reach every desired spot, like specific grocery stores.
🎫 📍 Onsite Experience
The ride is generally smooth, clean, and air-conditioned. It's a pleasant way to see the city, though some find the pace slow for commuting.
The route covers key areas of Downtown El Paso, including historic districts, and connects to the UTEP campus. It's a good way to get a feel for the city's core.
Yes, the large windows offer great views for photography. Special events like music sessions have also been held on the streetcar, providing unique photo opportunities.
As a tourist novelty, it's highly recommended for its charm and unique experience. Drivers often share local history, enhancing the visit.
A round trip on the El Paso Streetcar can take approximately 45 minutes, depending on stops and traffic.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, the streetcar route passes through Downtown El Paso, which has numerous restaurants, cafes, and bars. You can easily hop off to find dining options.
While not explicitly stated, it's generally advisable to consume food and drinks discreetly or avoid messy items to keep the streetcars clean for all passengers.
Downtown El Paso offers a variety of cuisines. Exploring areas around the San Jacinto Plaza or the El Paso Arts District will yield many dining choices.
📸 📸 Photography
The historic architecture in Downtown El Paso, the UTEP campus, and the general street scenes offer great photographic opportunities. The large windows provide good vantage points.
Yes, you can take photos inside the streetcar. Many visitors capture the interior details, the views from the windows, and even the drivers.
Yes, events like 'Salvage Trolley Sessions' or architectural tours offer unique backdrops and experiences for photographers.
Early mornings or late afternoons can offer softer light for photography. However, the streetcar operates throughout the day, providing different lighting conditions.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider downloading the Sun Metro app to track the streetcar's arrival, minimizing wait times with little ones. Drivers often share interesting facts, which can engage curious young minds. It's a low-cost, high-fun way to explore downtown El Paso and see the sights without the hassle of parking.
💰 Budget Travelers
Pairing the free streetcar ride with exploring free attractions like San Jacinto Plaza or simply walking through the historic districts makes for an incredibly affordable day out. It's a smart way to get around and see the city without breaking the bank.
🚶♀️ Solo Explorers & Day-Trippers
Drivers often share local insights, providing a personal touch to your exploration. You can hop off to visit museums, grab a bite to eat, or simply soak in the atmosphere, then easily catch the next streetcar to continue your journey. It’s a convenient and engaging way to discover El Paso’s core.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating the El Paso Streetcar System
To make the most of your ride, it's recommended to download the Sun Metro app. This app provides real-time tracking of the streetcars, helping you plan your journey and know exactly when and where to catch your ride. While the streetcar is a charming way to see the city, some users note that its pace can be slow for daily commuting, with occasional long stops. However, for sightseeing and experiencing the city's historic core, it's an excellent option.
Historically, the El Paso streetcar system was once the only one to connect two nations, linking El Paso, Texas, with Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, until its closure in 1974. The modern iteration brings back this beloved mode of transport, offering a nostalgic yet functional experience.
Experiencing El Paso's History and Culture via Streetcar
Beyond the historical narratives, the streetcar has become a venue for community events and local initiatives. From architecture tours that highlight the city's built heritage to 'Streetcar Conversations' promoting local businesses and startups, the streetcar fosters a sense of community and engagement. Musicians have even hosted 'Salvage Trolley Sessions,' turning the moving vehicle into a unique performance space.
+2For visitors, riding the streetcar offers a relaxed way to absorb the city's atmosphere. It allows for easy access to downtown attractions, shopping areas, and the UTEP campus, all while enjoying the unique charm of vintage-style transit. It's a tourist novelty that provides genuine insight into El Paso's identity.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit