Major city · United States
Marfa
Two nights, Wednesday–Saturday, with your own car: galleries and Chinati open midweek to weekend, most of the town shuts Sunday–Tuesday.
Marfa is a town of about 1,600 people in the high desert of the Trans-Pecos, known for two things: large-scale minimalist art left by Donald Judd and the unexplained Marfa Lights out on US 67. It is small, spread out and car-dependent, and the art that draws people here runs on a Wednesday-to-Saturday rhythm. Come for two nights, book the Chinati tour ahead, and treat the town as a base for Fort Davis and Big Bend rather than a standalone stop.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jun–Aug (desert heat), and Sunday–Tuesday for the art
- Airports
- ELP · MAF
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Marfa911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Marfa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyCrime is low and the town is small.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportELP El Paso International (About 190 mi west by car; the usual arrival airport, then rent a car.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car to reach most sights; the galleries and restaurants between the Presidio County Courthouse and the post office are walkable from each…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner main$15–30
- BeerDraught beer or margarita$6–12
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30
- Budget bedVintage trailer or tent site, a night, per roomUS$60
- Mid-range bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$180
- High-end bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$320
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$160 · High US$300
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ELP El Paso International (About 190 mi west by car; the usual arrival airport, then rent a car.) · MAF Midland International Air and Space Port (Roughly the same distance as El Paso; also a car-rental arrival point.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Aug (8 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Marfa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
3 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
3 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
3 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
4 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
3 rd
Dec
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car to reach most sights; the galleries and restaurants between the Presidio County Courthouse and the post office are walkable from each other. Fuel up before long drives — it is possible to go almost 200 mi between towns on US 90.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Fort Davis and McDonald Observatory
goDoor to door: About 40 min
US 67 north about 30 min by car
Star Parties after dark at the observatory; book ahead and drive back late.
Alpine
goDoor to door: About 30 min
US 90 east about 26 mi
Bigger town with more food and fuel; useful on a Sunday when Marfa is shut.
Van Horn
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
US 90 west to I-10
Mostly a fuel and Interstate stop; not worth the round trip on its own.
Study Butte-Terlingua and Big Bend
overnightDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
US 67 south to Presidio, then TX-118 north, or via Alpine
Too far for a comfortable return day: sleep near the park.
Fort Stockton
skipDoor to door: About 1 h 45 min
US 67 northeast via Alpine to I-10
An Interstate service town; only useful as a fuel or overnight link.
Pecos
skipDoor to door: About 2 h
TX-17 north to I-10 at Saragosa, then west
No reason to add it to a Marfa trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown Marfa (Highland Ave and San Antonio St)
Walkable to galleries, restaurants and the courthouse; Hotel Paisano and the Thunderbird are here.
Highway 90 east edge
Motel-style rooms on the way in; you will drive to dinner.
El Cosmico, South Highland Ave
Trailers and tents on the south edge of town; book far ahead for weekends.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–140 excl. bed
- Mid
- $140–230 excl. bed
- High
- $230+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or inn double room1 × 2 nights × US$180 | US$360 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$160 | US$640 |
| Chinati Foundation guided tour2 × US$15 · check | US$30 |
| Car hire, one day, compact1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| Fuel, about 200 mi of driving1 × US$25 · check | US$25 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$112 |
| Trip total≈ US$307 per person per day, bed included | US$1,227 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Slice of pizzaWhole pie around $12–20 (check) | $2–4 |
| Sit-down dinner main | $15–30 |
| Draught beer or margarita | $6–12 |
| Chinati Foundation tourcheck | $10–25 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Street lights in town go off around 10PM: carry a torch and know your way back to your room.
- Most shops, galleries and restaurants close Sunday–Tuesday; plan the art days midweek to weekend.
- Chinati's collection is seen by guided tour only: reserve online ahead, and check which days it runs.
- Distances are long and cell coverage thins outside town; carry water and keep the tank above half.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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MarfaMarfa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates in Marfa; nearest consular offices are in El Paso (Mexico) and larger missions in Dallas, Houston and Austin.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chinati Foundation tour: $10–25, guided, reserve online (check)
- Fuel, Marfa to Fort Davis and back: about $10–15 (check)
- Marfa to El Paso by car: about 190 mi, 3–3.5 h (check)
Say or show
- Where is the gallery? — Where is the gallery?
- Is it open today? — Is it open today?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How far is it? — How far is it?
- A table for two, please — A table for two, please
- Thank you — Thank you
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Marfa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (desert heat), and Sunday–Tuesday for the art · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for ELP and MAF: last sensible departure, rental desk hours, overnight rung in Marfa.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: courthouse and Highland Ave, San Antonio St galleries, Chinati, the US 67 lights platform.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Chinati, Blackwell School, Hotel Paisano, the lights platform) and eat pages with last orders.
- Sunday–Tuesday closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.