Overview
El Paso sits at the far western tip of Texas, where the United States meets Mexico across the Rio Grande and the Franklin Mountains rise from the Chihuahuan Desert. It is a warm, unhurried city with a strong Mexican-American culture, big desert skies and some of the best sunshine records in the country. For UK travellers it works well as a relaxed city break, a hiking or climbing trip, or a gateway to New Mexico and the wider Southwest.
Best time to fly to El Paso
Spring (March to May) and autumn (late September to November) are the most comfortable times to visit, with warm days, cool evenings and low humidity. Summers are very hot, often above 35C, with short afternoon thunderstorms from July to September. Winters are mild and sunny by UK standards, though desert nights turn cold. Fares from the UK tend to rise around Christmas, Easter and the summer holidays, so check the When to book chart above to see how prices move through the year.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to El Paso, so you will connect through a US hub. Common routings are American Airlines and British Airways via Dallas/Fort Worth, or American via Charlotte or Phoenix; United connects through Houston, Newark or Chicago, and Delta through Atlanta. London to Dallas is around 10 to 11 hours, with a short onward hop of under two hours to El Paso, so allow roughly 14 to 17 hours in total depending on your layover.
Things to do in El Paso
El Paso rewards travellers who enjoy the outdoors, history and hearty Tex-Mex food. A few highlights:
- Franklin Mountains State Park: one of the largest urban parks in the US, with hiking and mountain-biking trails and sweeping desert views.
- Scenic Drive Overlook: a short, winding road to a viewpoint over the whole city and into Mexico, best at sunset.
- El Paso Mission Trail: the historic Ysleta, Socorro and San Elizario missions, among the oldest in Texas.
- Hueco Tanks State Park: world-renowned bouldering and ancient rock paintings, about an hour east of the city (advance booking required).
- Downtown arts district: the El Paso Museum of Art, the restored Plaza Theatre and lively plazas, all walkable.
At El Paso International Airport (ELP)
El Paso International Airport is about six miles north-east of downtown, usually a 10 to 15 minute drive. Taxis and ride-hailing services wait outside arrivals, and Sun Metro city buses connect the terminal with downtown. As the city and wider region are spread out, many UK visitors hire a car at the airport, where all the major companies have desks.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to El Paso
- Book roughly two to five months ahead for the best choice of connecting fares; last-minute prices are rarely kind.
- Fly midweek and avoid UK school holidays where you can, as Tuesday and Wednesday departures are often cheaper.
- Use flexible date search to compare a spread of days, and look at the price charts on this page before you commit.
- Compare hubs as well as airlines, since a connection through Dallas, Phoenix or Houston can vary a lot in price.
Travel essentials
Most UK travellers visit under the US Visa Waiver Programme with an approved ESTA, valid for stays of up to 90 days; apply online before you fly and check your passport meets current US rules. The local currency is the US dollar, so plan your budget in pounds and carry a card that is good for overseas spending. No special vaccinations are required. If you plan to cross into Ciudad Juarez, read the latest FCDO advice first and take sensible precautions.
