Best way to get around Albuquerque given constraints?

May 2, 2023 8:02 PM

I'm trying to figure out the best way to get from Popejoy Hall to the airport after a Saturday matinee, but I will probably need to go to my hotel to pick up luggage on the way. I'd obviously like to do this without missing my flight. What would a local do if they didn't have a ride from someone they knew?

My usual approach would be to just call a Lyft, but I imagine that it might be a tough situation to get one given a lot of people will be leaving at once, and I don't know how big the Lyft driver pool is there. If you live in ABQ, is there a local taxi service you trust to be on time that would be willing to do this sort of multi-leg ride, and schedule a rendezvous with me near the theater even if they might have to wait a few minutes for the show to get out?

Alternately, I will probably stay at the Sheraton right by the airport. Am I reading the map right that it's really quick to just run straight from the hotel to the airport, or is that a more annoying walk than it appears? Would it make more sense to get dropped off at the Sheraton, get my bags, and walk the rest of the way?

Finally, if you've been to Popejoy Hall, am I right in reading their policies that they are pretty strict about the size of bag we can bring in? Is that actually enforced? Would I be a fool to try and bring my (small!! but not "purse" size) luggage there?

posted by potrzebie to Travel & Transportation around Albuquerque, NM (7 answers total)

I live in Albuquerque. I've been to Popejoy several times and never noticed any bags that weren't purses. I don't know where you could keep your bag during a show, even if you got in with it. They do have ushers at the entrance to the actual theater.

You should have little or no competition for a Lyft or Uber from other Popejoy patrons. They probably all drove there.

I don't think I've ever seen a taxi in this city.

I went to Google maps and measured the distance from your hotel to the airport terminal. It's about half a mile. That seems doable, depending on your bag and your fitness. But I've never seen anyone walking in that area. I don't think there is a sidewalk. I'm not sure about the safety. I don't love Albuquerque drivers.
posted by NotLost at 8:53 PM on May 2, 2023

Use this airport regularly. I wouldn't walk it, and the hotel will have an airport shuttle.
posted by Ardnamurchan at 3:58 AM on May 3, 2023 [1 favorite]

You can pre book a multi-stop Lyft or Uber.
posted by MattD at 4:53 AM on May 3, 2023

Does your timing allow going to the airport early, before your show, and checking in then? You'll be safely rid of your bags and already checked in so will be less stressed about getting to the airport early.
posted by procrastination at 5:58 AM on May 3, 2023 [3 favorites]

I regularly go to Popjoy events. Popjoy doesn't have the staffing to do complicated things like storing oversized bags. The box office staff is probably gone by the end of the event, so storing things there likely isn't an option. I've never even investigated their coat check, so I don't know if that's an option. You could call the box office to ask.

For safety reasons (it's in a high-crime area) I would not walk it. Also, the weather can be unpredictable.

I bet the hotel will let you store your bags at the hotel. I'd reiterate the suggestion of pre-booking a multi-stop Lyft or Uber after the event to the hotel, and then to the airport. They are very close to each other.
posted by answergrape at 7:22 AM on May 3, 2023

I've lived in ABQ for 20+ years. I agree with @procrastination. Before the show, walk your luggage over to the airport and check it in. From the Sheraton, the Sunport is a quarter mile away via the parking lot shortcut. Or you could take the free ABQ 50 bus from the hotel to the airport. Then take the bus from the Sunport to UNM. The bus runs every hour and takes ~20 minutes. After the show, catch the 50 back to the airport.
posted by olopua at 9:19 AM on May 3, 2023

Response by poster: The flight was late enough, and the show long enough, that I couldn't check in luggage before the show. I ended up leaving my bags at the front desk and, reserving a Lyft in advance to my hotel and getting picked up across the street from the theater. It was surprisingly easy to meet up with the driver. Once in the car I asked the driver if she'd mind adding an airport stop, which she was fine with. Grabbed my bags, got back in the car, ended up STUPID early for my flight. ABQ is smaller and easier to navigate than I'd realized.
posted by potrzebie at 3:54 PM on June 21, 2023