Executive-class buses are not available on all routes; they are usually offered only on longer distance trips — minimum 3-4 hours — as the first-class buses are  adequate and comfortable enough for shorter journeys.

The most well-known executive-class bus lines in Mexico are: ETN, Estrella de Oro’s Diamante Service, Costaline, ADO’s Platino and UNO brands, and Futura.  Bus companies in Mexico are organized regionally, and you can find information about those companies on our extensive guide to bus travel.

Mexico leads the way when it comes to traveling longer distances by bus.  Not only are services here efficient, professional, frequent, and affordable; the executive-class option is all of those things and more.

Executive-class passengers get use of exclusive waiting lounges which are available at most (not all) bus stations.  Baggage allowances are generous and, although they vary by company, most will allow up to three pieces of checked baggage per person at no additional charge. Fees for additional pieces over the allowance are a small fraction of what airlines charge.

Executive-class buses are luxurious and offer the latest in bus technology and comfort.  Inside, the passenger cabin is closed-off from the driver’s cockpit; windows are double-glazed, the cabin is air-conditioned, and the excellent suspension provides support for a smooth ride.

As you board the bus, you’ll be offered refreshment in the form of a beverage and a light snack. Some services offer complimentary coffee and tea on board as well. You’re also welcome to bring your own food and drink, although the rules stipulate that hot foods are not allowed.  You’ll also find at least one restroom at the back of the bus, although most have two.

On-board, you’ll be given a wide and comfortable preassigned seat which reclines generously to become bed-like.  Power sockets near the seat enable you to charge devices like laptops, tablets, and mobile phones. (The sockets are the US-style two-pin variety: bring your own adapters for mobile devices and non-US style plugs.)

Complimentary WiFi is available on some buses, although service availability is dependent on mobile data coverage en-route.

Some buses offer at-seat screens (like airlines do) and others offer a movie on communal screens with the audio piped through headphone sockets situated at each seat.  Note that most films offered through the in-bus entertainment system are dubbed into Spanish without English sub-titles.  As tablets and smartphones are now almost ubiquitous, many people bring along their own entertainment for the journey anyway.

Executive-class buses take the most direct route without intermediary stops and use tolled highways where these are available between destinations.  The drivers are professionally trained and the vehicles have speed limiters installed for safety; some also have satellite tracking systems.

Traveling bus bus requires a more adventurous spirit than traveling by airplane, and you’ll need to speak a little bit of Spanish to get by at the stations.  However, most foreigners who try bus travel (especially executive class bus travel) usually enjoy the experience and those who live here tend to become regular customers.

Our guide to Bus Travel in Mexico is comprehensive and explains how to travel comfortably, safely and affordably by bus across Mexico.

Since the early 1990s, Mexico has invested heavily in its intercity road network.  As a result, the country is today well-served by a series of modern, safe (often tolled) highways which connect together towns and cities across this vast land. (Mexico has nearly two million square kilometers of land space.)

In tandem with the country’s investment in roads, a comprehensive network of bus companies has also flourished.  Modern, professionally-run, and keen to compete for your business, Mexico’s bus companies are a model for the bus travel business in the twenty-first century.

On the most frequented routes, you have a choice of three service levels: first class, second class, and a luxury “executive” bus class, which features the most modern buses (usually manufactured by Volvo or Mercedes) configured with just twenty-four wide seats on board: think of business class on an airplane.   The seats on these executive bus lines recline right back and offer leg rests, too.  The vehicles have modern suspension, speed-limiters, are fully air-conditioned, and have at least one rest-room on board.  The ticket price includes a soft drink and a snack offered when you board.

The executive-class options are usually offered on longer routes (three or more hours of travel).  On shorter routes where the executive-class buses do not run, first class buses offer plenty of comfort and safety and make road travel across Mexico efficient, enjoyable and affordable.

The bus companies use computerized systems to manage their seat inventory, so when you arrive at the ticket counter you’ll be able to pick your seats from a visual map of those still available on your chosen bus.

Most of the time, you can show up at the bus station and purchase a ticket to travel on the next bus out: on popular routes, you seldom have to wait more than 30 minutes for the next scheduled departure.  During busy periods—particularly Easter and Christmas holidays—it’s a good idea to purchase your tickets in advance: you can do this at the bus station, by telephone, or online (read our guide for details about this—link below).

There’s another reason to consider traveling by bus in Mexico: it’s really affordable.  While low-cost airlines occasionally offer promotions, even ‘low-cost’ airline fares are not always low, and in some cases bus travel is more convenient.

Most bus stations in Mexico are not as pretty as airports (although some of the newer ones, like the bus station serving the colonial city of Morelia are every bit as attractive as an airport), and you will have to speak some Spanish to navigate your way across Mexico using the country’s extensive bus network. In return for your intrepidity, you’ll witness varied and fascinating scenery, have more money in your pocket to spend at your destination, and enjoy a really comfortable road trip.

There is an art to traveling by bus in Mexico and, with some local knowledge under your belt, traveling across Mexico by bus is a rewarding and worthwhile transport option which we recommend you take advantage of.  Our guide to bus travel in Mexico offers local knowledge and practical insights.

Several years ago, some of the bus lines began to offer high-speed internet access on-board via local WiFi signal inside the passenger cabin. However, of late, it’s far less common to see WiFi offered on buses.

WiFi internet access first appeared as as a service on some first-class and executive-class buses around 2008, and since then WiFi technologies as well as Mexico’s cellular data networks have evolved significantly.

Most bus companies appear to have withdrawn their WiFi services on-board, possibly because Mexico’s mobile data networks have become increasingly accessible and most customers now prefer to connect their devices directly to the mobile network.  For laptop users, it’s easy enough to connect the computer to the data network through a smartphone’s ‘hotspot’ feature.

Cellular data networks in Mexico are extensive and becoming increasingly reliable. 3G data is available almost everywhere there’s a phone signal, and 4G LTE is also becoming increasingly ubiquitous, especially in bigger towns and cities—and the country’s main intercity highways are, by-and-large, very well served by cellphone coverage.

If you have a smartphone with a Mexican SIM card, Mexico’s mobile phone companies offer remarkably good value cellular telephony packages which can be accessed on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis (no contract needed) and include generous data allowances.

When you’re visiting Mexico and using your smartphone from overseas, you’ll need to contact the phone company providing the service to ask what data plan (if any) is offered while you’re roaming in Mexico.

For details about how to access and get the most of telephony and data services here, connect to our comprehensive guide to Communications in Mexico.

You can learn how to get around using Mexico’s extensive bus network by reading our guide to bus travel in Mexico.

Mexico offers a wide range of transport choices to help visitors and residents get-around the country and local areas.  This section summarizes the options and connects you to detailed guides and resources

Getting Around in Mexico

Mexico offers visitors, vacationers and residents an extensive network of transport systems, both public and private, which make getting around Mexico efficient and affordable.

Arrival in Mexico by Airplane

If you arriving in Mexico by airplane, read this section of the guide to Getting to Mexico for advice about ground transportation options upon your arrival.

Transportation Options for All Budgets

Public transport in Mexico can be very inexpensive, but it can also be a bit daunting if you don’t speak any Spanish and are not accustomed to traveling on buses and metro systems.

Nonetheless, even taxis and private hire is affordable in Mexico; the only service which is readily apparent as being more expensive is car rental; especially in comparison to car rental prices in the USA.

Bus travel is an excellent way to get around Mexico, and we have a complete guide to help you learn about Mexico’s very professionally-run bus services and how to make use of them.

Mexico has a well-developed network of national airports and offers air passengers an ample choice of airlines, including low-cost carriers.

Speaking Spanish

If you plan to travel across Mexico by any means other than flying, then you will need to be able to speak at least a few words of Spanish to get by, especially when using taxis, local public transport (local buses, metro) and national buses. Most car rental agencies at airports will have staff that can speak English, but agencies in smaller towns may require you to make your arrangements speaking Spanish. Also see Learning Spanish here on Mexperience.

See Also: Read current articles about Travel and Transport in Mexico.

Domestic Flights in Mexico

With nearly two million square kilometers of land-space, Mexico covers a big territory and sometimes flying is the best and most effective way to get around.

The country has an extensive network of modern airports and a range of airlines to choose from, including low-cost carriers. Recent ‘Open Skies’ agreements have opened up new routes between US cities and Mexican provincial cities, giving passengers more choice and flexibility than ever before.

Read the guide to Flying in Mexico for detailed information about flights to, from and within Mexico.

Traveling by Bus in Mexico

Since the early 1990s, Mexico has been investing heavily in road infrastructure. As a result, the country has an extensive network of high quality intercity roads connecting all principal towns and cities, and more roads are being built each year to connect otherwise remote areas of Mexico.

For example, getting from Mexico City to Oaxaca City used to be a major undertaking by road. Today, the journey may be done in less than six hours on a safe, modern intercity toll-road.

The development of Mexico’s road network has given rise to a very professionally run and managed national bus network. Traveling by executive or first class bus in Mexico is a “first world” experience in comparison to Greyhound in the USA and National Express in the UK, for example.

Mexico offers travelers three classes of service on the most popular routes and at least two classes of service on most routes. The “Executive” class buses are modern, comfortable buses configured with just 24 seats on board; First Class buses also offer comfort and efficiency with direct routes to most principal destinations across Mexico.

Read the complete guide to Traveling by Bus Across Mexico here on Mexperience to learn about national buses in Mexico and how to make use of this convenient and practical public transport option.

Local Buses in Mexico

Local Buses

Local buses exist in every city and town. They are not regulated from a safety point of view, so don’t expect to see any signs restricting passenger numbers on them. Buses carry as many people as can be packed in—especially at rush hour. Don’t be shocked to see people hanging out of the doors during peak times—both front and back—this is a normal sight in Mexico!

They are very inexpensive to ride (take change with you)—pay when you board. If you want to get around during the day (off peak is after 10 am and before 4 pm in the bigger towns and cities) they are a way of experiencing a piece of the ‘real’ Mexico.

Not for the feint hearted, but independent travelers who are street-wise and know how to get themselves around a place will find the buses OK. Don’t step aboard dripping with your jewelry and wedges of cash! If you’re planning to use public transport of any kind to see a place, wear something casual, like jeans and a t-shirt, and try to blend in a bit. As with any busy populated environment, watch out for pick-pockets!

Micro Buses in Mexico

“Micros,” as they are known in Spanish, started life as VW Combis seating 9 people a few years ago, at a time when they were called Peseros (deriving from the word “peso,” in days when they used to cost just one peso to go from A to B on any given route). Today they have evolved into mini-buses, due to the volume of people relying on their services.

In Mexico City the green and white mini-buses no longer cost just one peso; the price varies on how far you’ll travel in the Federal District with an extra charge for journeys starting or ending in the adjacent State of Mexico, and for traveling after 10 p.m. Like buses, you pay when you get on.  Prices are modest, and subsidized by the government.

The advice for traveling on Micros is the same as that for local buses.

See also: On The Buses

Taxis in Mexico

Getting about by taxi cab is relatively inexpensive in Mexico. Taxis are either metered, not metered or charged by zones. In the latter, your price will vary depending on which zone you’re in and which zone you’re traveling to.

Read the complete Mexperience guide to Traveling by Taxi in Mexico to learn about the different types of taxi, fares and traveling safely by cab in Mexico.

Metro Systems in Mexico

Two of Mexico’s cities—Mexico City and Monterrey—have Metro systems in operation. The Metro can be one of the most effective ways to travel across the cities, especially Mexico City.

Metro Systems in Mexico City

Mexico City has three Metro Systems; two are rail-based, and one is a bus.

Rail Metro

El Metro is the main rail-based mass-transport system in Mexico City. The trains run principally underground, although there are several stretches where the train runs over ground, too. Some four-and-a-half million people use Mexico City’s metro system each weekday. The system has twelve lines which crisscross the capital. The Metro connects most major areas of city together and, where the Metro doesn’t reach, Micros (see Local Buses, above), run frequent axis routes from the Metro stations.

The Tren Ligero (Light Train) is an extension of Mexico City’s Metro system. In years past, the line was a 1950s style Tranvia (Tram), which was upgraded to Tren Ligero status and connects the southern-most Metro terminal, Metro Taxqueña, with Xochimilco, one of the southernmost suburbs in the capital.

See Also: It Takes All Kinds

Metro Bus

In 2006, Mexico City’s government began introducing a new Metrobus service. The service is a dedicated bus lane which runs along Avenida Insurgentes in Mexico City—a boulevard which is over 35 miles long and said to be the longest commercial boulevard in the world.

The boulevard has four lanes each side, with a dividing area in the middle. The fourth (outside) lane on each side has been cordoned-off and made into an exclusive Metrobus lane; stations have been built upon the central reservation at various points along the boulevard.  The format has worked well and is being adopted in other Mexican cities, for example, in Acapulco.

Like the Metro, the Metrobus can be a very efficient way to traverse the busy and congested capital city but, like the rail Metro, the buses can get very full at peak times – see tips, below.

See also: On The Buses

Airport Metro Bus

Line 4 of the Metrobus was introduced in the spring of 2012, a special Metro Bus that connects the downtown area of the city with the capital’s airport. The buses on this line are only two-thirds as long as the articulated ones that run on lines one, two and three, and the stops are like traditional bus stops, whereas the older Metrobus lines have stations accessible via turnstiles. Payment will also be made using electronic cards, but these will be read by a machine on the bus.

The new Metrobus line runs around the Historic Center of Mexico City in a circuit that goes from Buenavista train station to the San Lázaro station, which includes the Metro and the eastern interstate bus terminal, commonly known in Mexico as TAPO. From San Lázaro runs a non-stop extension to both airport terminals.

See also: Smart and Cheap New Buses to the Airport

Paying for Your Metro Rides in Mexico City

On the rail-based Metro in Mexico City, you can use cash to buy small cardboard tickets which will allow you through the turnstiles, or you can use a Metro card.

For transport on the Metrobus and the Tren Ligero, you must use a Metro card, which can be topped-up with credit at machines or at the ticket counter (using cash payments). With your Metro card in credit, you simply press the card against the sensor on the turnstiles.

Advice about Traveling on Mexico City’s Metro Systems

• The capital’s Metro systems (rail and bus) get extremely busy at peak times which are 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Outside of peak times, the Metro systems provide a relatively comfortable, efficient, and very cheap means of traversing the city
• At peak times, women and children are segregated into separated rail-cars on the Metro. We advise you to avoid the Metro at peak hours if you can
• Pick-pockets operate on the Metro every day. Keep wallets and valuables secured
• Baggage is allowed to be transported on the Metro, but note that at peak times, there may simply be no space to put it anywhere
• The Metro is by far the best way of getting into the center of Mexico City. Road traffic congestion in the central areas of the city is virtually constant during daylight hours (and even into the night) and the Metro will transport you straight into the heart of the city faster than a car or taxi can
• The Metro is not, as a rule, frequented by the middle and upper classes in Mexico: it’s a cultural thing. Visitors, including smart tourists, do use the Metro to get about, although it’s best to avoid it during peak hours (see times above)
• The Tren Ligero, which connects the southern terminal of Taxqueña to Xochimilco, is a very congested line. It’s almost impossible to travel comfortably on this line during peak hours.
• If you plan to attend a soccer match or other event at the Aztec Stadium, the Tren Ligero is a great way to get to and from the event. There is a Tren Ligero station (name: Estadio Azteca) with a foot-bridge leading into the stadium: however, we recommend you get there early and leave a few minutes before the event ends to avoid the crush which ensues when everyone leaves the stadium and heads away from the area using the Tren Ligero
• During the rainy season (May-October) the rail Metro system can get bogged down on lines which have outdoor stretches. When the metal tracks get wet, the trains must slow down to avoid skidding. Most rains come in the late afternoons, causing delays (sometimes severe) on evening train services.

Metro Website

Mexico City’s government runs a website about the Metro Systems in the capital, which includes information about the services, maps, etc., visit: http://www.metro.cdmx.gob.mx/

Metro Systems in Monterrey

Monterrey, Mexico’s third largest city, also has rail and bus Metro systems. The rail system is small in comparison to Mexico City’s, with just two lines (crossing each other), and connecting the city’s major areas. It’s called the Metrorrey.

There are also three complimentary systems to the Metro which help people get about the city: The Metrobus, Metro Enlace and Transmetro.

For full details, see the service website at: http://www.nl.gob.mx/metrorrey

Driving in Mexico

About Driving in Mexico

Getting around Mexico by road can be efficient or frustrating, depending on where you are, what time of day, and what the date is. Some highways, especially those connecting Mexico City to Cuernavaca, Puebla, and Querétaro get hugely congested on public holidays. However, once you are out on the open road, driving in Mexico can be a real treat, and sometimes it’s the only way to see places and locations “off the beaten” track which are not well or infrequently served by public transport.

Read the complete guide to Driving in Mexico which includes information about Mexico’s road network, driving tips, night driving, dealing with the police, accidents and breakdowns as well using as toll roads in Mexico.

Car Rental in Mexico

Car rental in Mexico is more expensive than the USA, and about on-par with European car rental costs. Connect to the complete guide on Mexperience about Car Rental in Mexico for details and advice about renting a car here.

Hiring a Chauffeured Car in Mexico

If you want to travel independently by road in Mexico, but you don’t want to do the driving yourself, chauffeured services are available for an all-inclusive for daily rate, which will vary depending on the size of the car and the number of days you hire. Ask the local car rental agency for details.

Maps of Mexico

Digital mapping has revolutionized map reading and today, excellent maps of Mexico can be found readily online with services like Google Maps, Apple Maps and Bing Maps. Connect to the Maps of Mexico page here on Mexperience to get access to maps of places across all of Mexico, using Google Maps.

Walking and Cycling in Mexico

Away from planes, buses, and automobiles, getting around in Mexico by foot and/or cycle can be rewarding, challenging, or both. Here is our advice for walkers and cyclists in Mexico.

Being a Pedestrian in Mexico

Major towns and cities have sidewalks and foot-bridges, although the condition of the sidewalks, in particular, can vary. Most sidewalks in Mexico are not suitable for wheelchairs, and even walking along them can sometimes be a bit of an obstacle course. That’s because tree-roots, loose foundations, and other ‘works’ cause the sidewalk to be raised or lowered.

The principal precaution when walking in Mexico’s town and cities is the traffic. Drivers in Mexico don’t always respect urbanized speed limits and won’t necessarily slow down. Add to this the fact that some streets are in disrepair or narrow (or both) and, losing concentration of your surroundings could cause a nasty accident.

Be especially aware at crossings. Yellow and white stripes indicate ‘pedestrian crossing’, but they are hardly respected. When the lights turn red, it’s a good idea to wait until the front row of cars has come to a stop before you cross as some drivers interpret the amber light as ‘go faster to avoid the red’. Power-cuts are quite frequent in Mexico and they affect traffic lights and crossings, too.

Colonial cities are best explored on foot. The historic centers of many colonial cities are cobbled, and this creates a natural way of keeping traffic speed down. However, there are many narrow streets and sharp (often blind) corners. Not all sidewalks are wide enough for everyone who wants to use them, so people end up walking along the roadways: be cautious at intersections and corner streets.

Cycling in Mexico

It’s not common to see many people long-distance cycling on Mexico’s roads and highways. The free highways are poorly lit at night and the road surfaces vary from good to very poor; the tolled highways don’t really lend themselves to cyclists. In any event, to traverse the mountain terrain which is ubiquitous across much of inland Mexico, you will need a great bike and have to be extremely fit.

Cycling in towns and cities is becoming more common. Mexico City has a network of cycle paths in various states of repair.

Some cities lend themselves well to cycling, others don’t. Usually, older colonial cities built up in the mountains, with their cobbled streets and narrow sidewalks and steep inclines don’t lend themselves well to cyclists. Cities by the coasts, on flatter ground and with flatter road surfaces, like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Campeche, Veracruz, and Acapulco are better.

If you plan to do a lot of biking in Mexico as a way of getting around, a mountain bike, with hard-wearing tires and strengthened suspension is advised. Bring a bike repair kit and a very good bike lock(s).

Adventure Travel Biking in Mexico

Cycling in the hills, valleys and mountains of Mexico’s Great Outdoors is a different proposition altogether. You are provided with properly equipped mountain bikes, helmets and are taken on known paths, tracks and cycle routes amidst Mexico’s fantastic natural landscapes.

See Also: Nature and Adventure Travel in Mexico

Introduction

If you are planning a business trip to Mexico, then part of that planning should include getting to know the part of Mexico that you will be visiting, as well as any nearby areas, either to give you information for light conversation with your contacts in Mexico, and / or so that you can take some time out and see some of the local attractions…

Whether you’re traveling to the Major Cities, near one of Stunning Coastal Locations, visiting some of the Colonial Cities, experiencing the Archaeology Parks, or a combination of these, Mexperience can help you discover them all.

If you’re an active person, you may also want to explore the possibility of taking part in Mexico’s Great Outdoors.

If you’re feeling stressed after some tough negotiating, why not explore the opportunity to relax and unwind at one of the quality Spas nearby?

If you’re looking for ideas about the type of hotels and resorts you might like to stay out, visit our Mexico Hotels page, where you’ll find hotels categorized by type including, for example, hotels with golf courses.

Wherever you need to do business in Mexico, you’ll need to do some pre-trip planning, and Mexperience is the perfect place to get yourself informed. This guide has been written to help you learn about the key things you need to know and plan for your next business visit to Mexico.

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Pre-Trip Planning: Mexico Essentials

Whether you’re going to Mexico exclusively for business, or intend to mix business with pleasure, you’ll need to make some pre-trip travel plans.

Connect to the Mexperience Mexico Essentials guide, where you will find a practical guide covering just about everything you will need to know about planning a trip to Mexico, whether it’s your first business trip to Mexico, or if you’re returning after previous visits.

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Staying in Touch – Communications in Mexico

Mexico offers business travelers a well-developed communications network featuring telephones, excellent cell phone coverage, mobile and fixed line high-speed internet, access to postal courier services, as well as an abundance of internet cafes in every town and city.

Staying in touch on the move is essential when you’re traveling on business.

Our guide to Communications in Mexico shows you how to make the best use of Mexico’s communications networks and how to keep your costs under control in a country that is well known for its high communications costs.

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Learning Spanish

Whether you want to learn a few phrases, or start to make a real effort to learning Spanish, the Learn Spanish guide on Mexperience can help you make your first (or next) steps in learning Spanish.

The guide shares useful information about learning Spanish, offers a series of free Spanish lessons online and also contains details of Spanish Language courses you can undertake at language schools in Mexico. If you’re serious about doing business in Mexico, then you should be serious about leaning Spanish, too.

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Getting to and Around Mexico

Getting to Mexico and knowing how to get around effectively when you arrive here are essential if you’re going to make the best use of your time.

Our Getting Around Mexico guide is comprehensive and includes guides to air travel, taxi travel, bus travel, driving in Mexico, car rental, using toll roads, as well as other local public transport options like metro systems and local buses.

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Car Rental

For maximum flexibility, you might consider renting a car for your next business trip in Mexico.

Our guide to Car Rental in Mexico explains everything you need to know about renting cars in Mexico, and you can arrange your rental car with Mexperience online—we offer pick-ups from all of Mexico’s key airports as well as principal towns and cities across the country using Hertz car rental.

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Taxis Travel in Mexico

Taxis can be an effective and economical way to get around in Mexico; they are plentiful and very affordable in comparison to taxi fares in places like the USA and western Europe.

Certain precautions must be taken when hiring a taxi, especially so in Mexico City. Read our guide to Taxi Travel in Mexico and you’ll arrive here fully prepared to find the right taxi for your needs at the best price.

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Business Accommodation

When you’re traveling on business, you’ll want to find a hotel that is situated in the right location and which offers the right services and amenities for your business needs. Our full-time team of hotel account managers are responsible for negotiating great rates at Mexico’s best hotels.

Mexperience offers you recommendations for hotels in Mexico at over 55 popular destinations, including Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. If our recommendations do not suit your needs, just one click will present you with a full list of hotels at a location of your choice.

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Golf Courses

A round of golf to network and build relationships is as important in business circles in Mexico as it is elsewhere in the world. A couple of rounds can help you to develop that all-important relationship with your contacts and start to build rapport that will lead to (better) business with them. Mexico is host to no less than 3 of the world’s top 10 golf courses.

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Night Life

From late night bars, restaurants and Mexican theme parties to modern techno night clubs, there’s something for everyone looking for nocturnal life in Mexico. To find out what night life is available at the locations you are traveling to, check out the individual travel guide to the locations you’re planning to visit.

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Scroll down for destinations (A-Z) with details of bus companies which operate the routes and, where relevant, which bus terminal in Mexico they operate from.

Approximate distances are those from Mexico City

An asterisk next to the destination name indicates we recommend you FLY instead of take the bus due to the long journey time

Find links to Bus Company web sites on on Guide to Mexico Bus Travel

See Also: Complete Guide to Traveling by Bus in Mexico

This complete guide introduces you to Mexico’s bus network and its features and services, and also shows you how to travel efficiently by bus, using the highly developed, nation-wide network of bus routes in Mexico.

About Bus Travel in Mexico

Traveling by bus across Mexico can be quite a pleasant experience, exceeding many people’s initial expectations. Mexico’s executive class bus service is a world away from, for example, the ‘Greyhound’ services in the USA and ‘National Express’ bus services in the UK.

Since the early 1990s, Mexico has invested billions of dollars in new roads, including high-speed toll-roads which connect all of Mexico’s major towns and cities.

In parallel with Mexico’s investment in its road network, Mexico’s bus companies invested heavily to create an extensive network of bus routes, offering passengers the opportunity to traverse the entire country by bus.

Although there are several classes of bus service in Mexico, the most popular among visitors (and those interested in traveling comfortably) are first and executive class which transport customers in comfort and safety, on high-specification, quiet, modern air-conditioned buses. These buses only travel on the toll-roads (where possible), and very seldom make intermediate stops, thus making the journey fast and efficient.

The bus companies which operate these first class services are extremely professional and the staff are always immaculately dressed in uniform and very courteous. The buses run on time and are direct—they do not stop en-route like many of the lower fare alternatives.

Different companies operate different routes (usually by region), although competition does exist and therefore prices are kept competitive.

If you have concerns about the comfort levels of bus travel, ride a first class or executive bus in Mexico. 6-8 hours is the optimal comfort travel time for these luxury buses; if your destination is further away than this and you enjoy your creature comforts, consider flying across Mexico instead.

Mexico doesn’t have a national bus company, but there do exist several regional companies and one large bus company group. Together they provide extensive bus routes that cover every main town and city in Mexico.

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Bus Stations in Mexico

Bus Stations in Mexico City

Mexico City has four main bus stations, located at the four cardinal “compass points”—North, South, East and West.

Depending upon where you are going in Mexico, you will need to travel from the appropriate bus terminal. The Mexico Bus Routes Table indicates which station you need.

Bus stations in Mexico City are located in, or adjacent to, less than desirable neighborhoods. However, the bus terminal complexes are secure with local security guards policing the area; you just need to look out for possible pick-pockets and bag-snatchers (as in most stations, airports, etc.). See the section about Bus Travel Safety, below, for more details and safety tips.

Getting To and From Bus Stations

When you are departing from Mexico City, it is best to get to the bus stations using secure taxis or App Cabs. If you are traveling very light and know the city, you may take a bus, micro-bus or the metro to the bus station, but for most travelers with luggage and/or valuables, a taxi is the best and safest way to get to and from the bus terminals, especially in Mexico City.

When you are arriving in Mexico City, use the secure taxis available from the bus stations.  Never take a cab from the streets adjacent to bus stations and don’t accept rides from people offering taxi services: go to the secure taxi kiosks clearly marked inside the bus terminal building.  Note that you cannot use App Cab services from bus stations: they are not licensed to pick-up from the bus terminals.

In Mexico’s provincial towns and cities, you may take a local bus or micro-bus (sometimes called a pesero) to and from the bus station, although taxis are best if you have luggage and/or valuable equipment (cameras, laptops, etc): they are not expensive and provide an efficient mode of transport to your hotel, or house. When traveling to bus stations in provincial cities, note that Uber has expanded its services beyond the Mexican capital and provides an additional choice for transport to the bus terminal.

Using Authorized Taxis From Bus Stations

All of Mexico’s City’s bus terminals operate “Authorized Taxis” in the same way that the airport does. Fares are fixed, based on what ‘zone’ you are traveling to. Go to the Authorized Taxi booth (Taxi Autorizado) and purchase your ticket. In Mexico City, you may find a man or woman in a green or yellow jacket offering to carry your bags to the taxi rank. Using the caddy service is optional, but allowing these people to help you with your luggage only costs a few pesos (usually around $10 pesos will suffice) and you’ll find you get “priority service” at the rank, than if you simply carry your own bags there yourself.

In the provinces, some towns and cities operate “authorized” taxis; look inside the terminal for the Taxi Autorizado booth. If not, taxis will be lining up outside of the terminal building waiting for passengers.

Bus Stations Outside of Mexico City

Bus Stations outside of the capital vary. Some, like the one in the colonial city of Morelia, look and feel more like a modern airport than a bus station. However, most bus stations are older buildings, situated in the middle of town (which can be very convenient) and offer varying degrees of services and amenities. Bus stations are generally regarded as safe in Mexico City and very safe in the provinces; with the caveat to keep an eye on your pockets and belongings at all times.

Facilities at Bus Stations in Mexico

The layout of Mexico’s bus stations is pretty standard whichever one you walk into. As you walk-in, you will find rows of counters split up into different sections. Above the counter is a sign advertising the bus company, on the walk behind the counter you will see a table with a list of the destinations that company operates, the class of service, and service times in 24-hour time format (referred to by some as ‘military time’). Buses on the popular routes run all day and all night, seven days a week. Some buses have the schedules posted above the counter, alongside the company’s advertising boards.

Toilets at Bus Stations

All bus stations have public toilets (restrooms) and charge between $3 and $5 for entry— you will need change. The toilets are not the most attractive you’ll see, but they are kept generally clean and tidy.

Other Amenities

Bus stations have small coffee shops as well as locally-run convenience stores selling a variety of foods, confectionery and tobacco. The foods on offer may not be very appetizing, so you may want to bring a pack lunch or simply buy pre-packaged foods from the convenience stores. Many bus stations also have stands selling magazines and newspapers, mostly Spanish-language media and publications. In some of the more tourist-focused cities, you’ll also find stores selling curios, souvenirs and other travel keep-sakes.

WiFi at Bus Stations

Unlike Mexico’s airports, which offer WiFi via Telmex’s “Prodigy” internet service, Mexico’s bus stations do not offer WiFi. Bus stations in Mexico don’t really provide an ideal environment for working on a computer, except perhaps in the executive lounges available at some stations. Some executive-class buses now offer WiFi on board—see Executive Class Buses, further down the page.

Executive Waiting Lounges

Some bus stations have rooms which are reserved exclusively for travelers holding tickets to ride the executive class of bus service offered by some companies in Mexico. The lounges are a little quieter than the main bus station, although most feature a television which is on and turned up most of the time. Some also offer sodas, coffee and biscuits. Although they are more comfortable than the general bus station area, the executive lounges cannot be likened to executive airline lounges offered at many airports.

Baggage Check

All executive-class services and most first-class services offer baggage check facilities. Most companies accept stowed bags 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Some bus stations have a baggage-hold service where, for a small fee, you may leave your bags in storage; this is useful if you arrive very early at the bus station and cannot check your bags right away. Your bag(s) will be tagged and you will be given the tag’s counterfoil that you WILL need to reclaim your bag, so don’t lose it. Keep all valuables including laptops, cameras, purses and wallets, medications, keys etc., on your person in your hand-luggage, just as you would on a plane.

ATMs at Bus Stations

Most bus stations now offer ATM services, provided by one of Mexico’s major banks, e.g. Banamex, Bancomer, HSBC. Money exchange services are not as common at bus stations as they are at airports.

See Also Blog: Bus Stations Versus Airports

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Buses To and From Mexico City

Mexico City is the principal “hub” for bus routes in Mexico. Its four main bus stations serve routes to destinations all over Mexico. Indeed, from Mexico City you can travel by bus to almost anywhere in Mexico. All roads in Mexico lead to Mexico City.

Check the Mexico Bus Routes Table for details about which bus companies travel to which destinations and from which terminal in Mexico City.

We recommend that if you travel by bus from the provinces TO Mexico City, you arrange your schedule so that you arrive in the capital during daylight hours. See the section below entitled “Bus Travel Safety” for more details.

Regional Bus Routes

If you are not in Mexico City, then you will find the intercity bus routes in Mexico are regionalized. Bigger cities (or major tourist centers) usually act as regional “hubs” from where buses depart and arrive. The regional hubs also serve as connecting points between smaller cities and small towns.

Mexico has more than 200 different bus companies operating from over 150 bus stations nation-wide. As a result the route permutations run into tens of thousands. By using the guidance below, coupled with the Mexico Bus Routes Table, you should be able to find a bus company which serves the region you want to travel in and look up its schedules online. You can find links to all major bus company web sites in Mexico on this guide (see below).

The principal “Regions” and the region’s “Hub cities” are:

Pacific North-West: The hub cities are Mazatlan and Los Mochis. Buses from here serve destinations along the northern reaches of Mexico’s Pacific Coast and also east to the colonial (inland) city of Chihuahua.

Central Western Region: Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest city, is the regional bus hub for all routes in the western areas of Mexico, including Toluca, Morelia, Patzcuaro as well as the north-western colonial cities of Aguascalientes and Leon. Guadalajara is also a hub for bus routes to the central Pacific Coast including Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo.

Southern Central: Oaxaca City, Tuxtla Gutierrez and San Cristobal de las Casas are the three principal ‘hub’ cities in the south of Mexico. They serve routes between each other and also to other important locations in the southern regions including the popular Pacific coastal resorts of Huatulco and Puerto Escondido.

Yucatan Region: In the Yucatan Peninsula, the colonial city of Merida and Cancun are the two principal ‘hubs’ for bus routes in the region. Frequent connections run between these two cities and, from them, you can get to most principal towns in the region. Note that bus services in the Yucatan region are not as frequent nor as extensively developed as in the rest of Mexico, so if you plan to explore the region beyond the major towns, you may be better off renting a car for your journey.

Southern Gulf Coast: Campeche, Villahermosa and Tabasco are the principal cities in the region and also the main bus ‘hub’ and connecting points for towns and cities in this region of Mexico. Buses from here also connect to Veracruz (north) and Merida (southeast).

Central Gulf Coast: The port city of Veracruz and the capital city of the state of Veracruz—Xalapa—are the principal cities from where all buses serving this region arrive and depart. Buses from Veracruz also connect to the colonial city of Puebla and travel north to Matamoros, on the border with the USA.

North, North-East: Chihuahua City and Monterrey (Mexico’s third largest city) are the principal ‘hubs’ for all buses serving the northern region of Mexico, including buses to border cities. You can also get buses which travel to and from some principal US cities from Chihuahua and Monterrey.

The Baja Peninsula: Buses are not as frequent or as extensively developed on the Baja Peninsula as they are on the mainland. The main bus company is called Aguila, which runs services between Los Cabos, La Paz, and Todos Santos, as well as routes to Loreto.

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Classes of Bus Service in Mexico

Not all routes offer a selection of class of service, especially on shorter journeys. Longer journeys almost always offer a first or executive class option; shorter distances (less than 30 miles) may only offer an equivalent of second-class, but are usually adequate for the journey time. Here are the three main classes of service and what they offer:

Executive Class Buses

These are luxurious buses and offer the latest in bus technology and comfort. Inside, the passenger cabin is closed off from the driver’s cockpit; windows are double-glazed, the cabin is air-conditioned and the suspension is excellent. You are offered a sandwich and a cold drink as you board, and some services offer complimentary coffee on board as well. A toilet is available, and TV screens also feature to play a film during the journey. Some companies also offer headphones to avoid forcing everyone to listen to the film (although in some cases you have no choice, so you may want to take your own headphones to listen to music via your MP3 player). Executive services also offer wide, reclining seats and leg supports—achieved by configuring the seat arrangement to just twenty-four or twenty-five seats on board in a 2+1 seat arrangement.

WiFi Services on Executive Class Buses

Some Executive Class bus services now offer WiFi services on-board. ETN’s buses (see companies) now offer WiFi on some routes. The service is free and enables you to send/receive email, surf the net and make internet-based phone calls from the bus using a service like Skype. Service quality varies and, depending on where you are geographically, internet signals may not be available at certain points en-route as many of Mexico’s highways traverse mountains and other wild terrains.

Blog Article: Internet Access on Mexico’s Buses

First Class Buses

First Class buses offer many of the services offered on the executive service such as air-conditioning, on-board toilet and entertainment, although the seat configuration will be less generous, meaning that there will be less room for stretching out / sleeping. Some first-class buses are double-decked; if you travel on a double-deck service, try to get upstairs which proffers great views of Mexico’s varied landscapes.

Second Class Buses

Second Class buses might (but usually don’t) offer air-conditioning on the routes they operate, but will be less comfortable than first and executive buses, so unless your budget is really tight, try to avoid these for long journeys. Avoid second-class buses for overnight travel (see Safety, below). Another disadvantage of second class buses is that they take longer to arrive at their destination because they tend to be indirect, and some encounter very frequent stops, sometimes in small towns and villages. This can easily add several hours to your journey time and make you feel very tired at the end of your journey.

How Many Stops?

Buses in Mexico may travel direct to their destination, they may stop every few minutes, or something in-between.

Generally speaking, executive-class buses run non-stop to their destination; first class buses may make an intermediary stop at a major town or city en route; second class buses may stop everywhere. Here is the terminology:

“Sin Escalas” or “Directo” – Nonstop to the destination. Note that Directo, may include one or two stops at major towns or cities.

“Semi-Directo” – Will make a few stops on the way.

“Ordinario” – Will stop where passengers hail the bus from the street.

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Choosing Between Buses and Airplanes

Notwithstanding the lower cost to travel by bus in comparison to air travel, it may sometimes make sense to take a bus even when a flight option is available.

If your journey begins in Mexico City, then there are various instances when taking the bus may be a better option for you. For example, on the Mexico City to Acapulco route: The flying time is about 50 minutes, but you need to get to the airport at least one hour before the flight departs, and you need to get to the airport in Mexico City (or even further away in Toluca if you are flying on a low-cost carrier) and then from the airport in Acapulco to your hotel; many hotels are closer to Acapulco town than the airport. The Acapulco airport is closer to the newly developed Diamante area of Acapulco than to the bay area. But if you are staying in the bay area, you will actually spend about over three hours getting to Acapulco by plane and be forced to pay for an expensive cab ride from the airport to the center of Acapulco.

Executive-class buses to Acapulco, with wide seats (only 24 seats aboard) are available for 50% or less of the normal flight cost. The bus leaves from the south side of Mexico City and takes about five hours. It drops you right in the middle of Acapulco (there is also service to the Diamante area of Accapulco if your hotel is situated there), and you’ll save yourself a lot of money in taxi fares to and from the airport.

Another example would be taking a route from Mexico City to Cuernavaca or Puebla. Both of these cities have airports and you can fly, but a bus may be a better option for the same reasons as traveling to Acapulco by bus.

Bus stations are less attractive than airports, and it will be helpful if you speak some Spanish in order to undertake some bus travel in Mexico as the ground staff will not necessarily speak English. If you’re traveling independently on a budget, the bus will certainly be a lower cost choice.

But even if you’re not on a tight budget; if you’re comfortable traveling around in new places and don’t mind bus travel, it may be worth considering the bus as an alternative to flying.

See Blog: Bus Stations Versus Airports

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Making Bus Reservations in Mexico

Before the advent of internet bookings, you either needed to visit a travel agency or go to the bus station to buy your bus tickets in Mexico.

In recent times, Mexico’s bus companies have been developing their own web sites and some are offering online booking facilities. However, their online systems are not as well developed as the airlines, and most only accept credit card payments from bank cards issued in Mexico.

However, the web sites are worth visiting to learn about the bus company, its services, and to see the bus schedules. Before now, the only way to find a bus schedule was to visit an affiliated travel agency, by visiting the bus station, or telephoning one of the sales offices run by the bus companies.

Making Advance Reservations

Virtually all bus companies offering long-distance routes offer computerized seat booking systems, linked to a national network. This means that you can pre-purchase tickets at any bus station for any routes operated by that bus company nationally. Executive-class and most first-class services offer seat-assignment too; you select the seat(s) you want from a map on the booking screen.

Although the bus companies’ online systems are not good at accepting non-Mexican credit and debit cards, when you buy in person at the bus station, your foreign-issued cards will be welcomed. Most bus companies accept MasterCard and Visa and some also accept American Express at the sales counter.

Popular routes have buses leaving every couple of hours, usually all-day long and at least two or three buses traveling overnight. Other than at peak periods, which are Christmas and New Year, Easter and other school vacation periods, booking in advance is not essential if you are flexible and are willing to wait two to four hours at the bus station for the next service to depart.

Another “advance purchase” method is to go to the bus station a day or two before you intend to travel and purchase your tickets in advance that way; this is the best alternative if you are staying in the city you’re departing from for a time beforehand.

All tickets are sold on a one-way fare basis; that is, there is no discount if you buy a return journey; however, you may want to pre-purchase return tickets at the same time to secure your seats in advance.

Telephone Bookings

If you are overseas and feel you must book your tickets in advance before you arrive in Mexico, you may try to purchase your tickets over the phone. The larger bus companies (especially those offering executive services) have bi-lingual call centers with agents that speak Spanish and English. Some have US and Canadian Toll-Free numbers, but in most cases you will need to call a number in Mexico. Using Vonage or Skype, or some other alternative carrier service can make overseas calls more affordable.

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Bus Travel Safety

Bus travel in Mexico is generally regarded as safe. There are some precautions which are worth observing, to avoid potential safety hazards, based on recent traveler’s experiences.

Safety at Bus Stations

Bus stations in Mexico are safe places to be, even if the neighborhoods which surround them may be rough (this is particularly so in Mexico City). The stations are professionally managed and continuously patrolled by and/or security staff.

The key points to note about bus station safety are:

• Watch your personal belongings at all times; pick-pockets and bag snatchers operate in bus stations just as they do at the airports and the metro stations;
• Keep valuables (laptops, expensive cameras) secured and out of sight;
• Dress casually;
• Use taxis to get to and from bus terminals.

Safety at Bus Stations in Mexico City

Mexico City has four main Bus Terminals; one at each compass point of the city (see section above for details). Bus stations in the capital are situated in less than ideal areas, but this should not put you off traveling by bus to and from Mexico City; you simply need to take some precautions:

• Only take official taxis (Taxi Autorizado) from the bus station to your hotel or next destination in the city. Buy a ticket from one of the official taxi booths situated inside the terminal building. They charge by zone, like taxis from the Airport, but cost less than airport taxis;
• Bus Stations in Mexico City are generally regarded as secure and public security officials patrol them constantly. However, like airports, subways (underground/metro), and bus stations world-wide, they are prime hunting grounds for pick pocket and bag snatching gangs. Always stay alert and keep your pockets and property well guarded.

Night Buses

A popular way to travel by bus, especially on executive-class buses, is to travel overnight; the idea being that you sleep on the bus and arrive at your destination the next morning. Traveling by bus overnight may be a false time economy, unless you know that you and your traveling companions are good at sleeping inside a moving vehicle. Most people arrive at their destination needing a few hours of sleep.

There is an additional risk to taking an overnight bus. Many routes cross remote areas of Mexico and, on odd occasions, highway robberies occur. No one is usually hurt, but you may be relieved of all your worldly goods. The instances of highway robbery are rare, especially on executive-class and first-class buses which take high-speed toll roads insofar as the route permits.

We advise that you avoid second-class buses which travel overnight.

If you are traveling in the southern regions of Mexico, particularly in Chiapas between Tuxtla Gutierrez, San Cristobal de las Casas and Palenque, note that you should not drive or take a bus overnight in this region. Roads are safe during the day, but the roads which connect these places pass through some of Mexico’s most remote and rugged natural territories. You’ll find more advice about night travel on the travel guides to these places here on Mexperience.

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Traveling with Pets on Mexico’s Buses

You can take your cat and/or dog on long-distance buses in Mexico.  The bus companies stipulate that domestic pets (cats and dogs) must be transported in a purpose-made pet transporter, which is placed in the baggage hold.

Guide Dogs on Mexico’s Buses: If you are traveling with a service dog (guide dog) using Mexico’s buses, you are, by federal law, allowed to take the guide dog on board with you. Businesses and transport companies are federally mandated to facilitate the needs of persons traveling with service dogs.  You can read more about guide dogs in Mexico on this page.

Bus Companies in Mexico

Here is a list of Mexico’s principal bus companies with links to their web sites For a summary of the routes they operate by destination, see the Mexico Bus Routes Table.

ABC

Regions Covered: Baja California, Baja California Sur, Veracruz, Puebla, Mexico City and south-eastern Mexico.

Website: www.abc.com.mx

ADO

Regions Covered: Mexico City, Veracruz, Puebla, south and south-eastern Mexico, Yucatan region.

Website: www.ado.com.mx

ADO Platino (the luxury brand of ADO, above).

Regions Covered: Mexico City, Veracruz, Oaxaca, some areas in Chiapas.

Website: www.adoplatino.com.mx

Aguila

Regions Covered: Central and Southern Baja California.

Website: www.autotransportesaguila.net

Autovias

Regions Covered: Mexico City, Michoacan State and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo on the Pacific Coast (west of Mexico City), Colonial Heartland including San Miguel de Allende.

Website: www.autovias.com.mx

Cristobal Colon (OCC)

Regions Covered: Mexico City,Puebla, south and south-eastern Mexico

Website: www.ado.com.mx

Estrella Blanca

Regions Covered: Largest bus group includes companies called Elite, Flecha Roja, Futura, Turistar and Transportes Chihuahuenses; The buses cover many regions including Mexico City, west, north and north-west, colonial heartlands, southern and south-western Mexico. The only regions this group does not cover well are Baja, south-east Mexico and the Yucatan region.

Website: www.estrellablanca.com.mx

Estrella de Oro

Regions Covered: Mexico City, Cuernavaca, Taxco, Acapulco, Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo.

Website: www.estrelladeoro.com.mx

Estrella Roja

Regions Covered: Mexico City, Cuernavaca, Puebla, colonial heartland cities, some Pacific coastal destinations.

Website: www.estrellaroja.com.mx

ETN (Enlaces Terrestres Nacionales)

Regions Covered: Mexico City, Michoacan State (west of Mexico City), north-west Mexico, colonial heartland cities, Guadalajara, and Puerto Vallarta

Website: www.etn.com.mx

Flecha Amarilla

Regions Covered: Mexico City, Michoacan State (west of Mexico City), Manzanillo (Pacific Coast), colonial heartland cities.

Website: www.flecha-amarilla.com

Maya de Oro

Regions Covered: Mexico City, south-east and the Yucatan region.

Website: www.mayadeoro.com

Omnibus de Mexico

Regions Covered: Omnibus operates one of the most extensive bus networks in the country and has routes in about two-thirds of Mexico’s states, principally those north, west and east of the capital. Omnubus does not operate in Mexico’s southern states nor in the Yucatan or Baja regions. Principal routes include Mexico City, the Pacific, the Gulf Coast, the Colonial heartlands, and the north of the country.

Website: www.omnibus.com.mx

Primera Plus

Regions Covered: Mexico City, colonial heartland cities, Pacific destinations including Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta

Website: www.primeraplus.com.mx

Pullman de Morelos

Regions Covered: Mexico City and Cuernavaca

Website: www.pullman.com.mx

UNO (a luxury bus line owned and operated by ADO).

Regions Covered: Mexico City, Puebla, south-eastern Mexico, Veracruz state and Yucatan. This is an executive-class bus service only.

Website: www.uno.com.mx

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Useful Spanish Words for Bus Travel

Staff at Mexico’s bus stations and bus companies generally do not speak English, so you will need to be able to get-by in Spanish to travel by bus in Mexico. Here is a list of Spanish words related to bus-travel in Mexico:

See Also: Learning Spanish

Buying Tickets

Taquilla – Ticket Booth

Comprar Boleto(s) – Buying Ticket(s)

Horario – Schedule

Hora de Salida – Leaving Time

Hora de Llegada – Arrival Time

Destino – Destination

Ruta – Route

Pasajero(s) – Passenger(s)

Tarifa – Fare

Asiento(s) – Seat(s)

Ventanilla – Window Seat

Pasillo – Aisle Seat

Viaje Redondo – Round Trip

Viaje Sencillo – One Way Trip

Paradas or Escalas – Number of Stops

Clase Ejecutiva – Executive Class

Primera Clase – First Class

Segunda Clase – Second Class

At The Bus Station

Terminal de Autobuses – Bus Station

Anden – Platform (for boarding)

Equipaje – Baggage

Facturacion de Equipaje – Baggage Check-in

Guarderia de Equipaje – Baggage Storage

Baños Publicos – Public Restrooms

Taxi Autorizado – Authorized Taxi

Salida – Exit

On Board the Bus

Abordo – Aboard

Abordando – Boarding

Asiento – Seat

Baños – Restrooms

Ocupado – Occupied (restrooms)

Conductor – Driver

Monitor or Television – Monitor or Television

Audifonos – Headphones

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An alternative to flying is to take one of the first- or executive-class buses which crisscross the country regularly and provide an affordable alternative to flying. Traveling longer distances by bus might not be as trendy, or as fast, or as comfortable as flying, but it’s generally cheaper and there are more options, at least as far as price and frequency goes.

Nothing quite highlights the difference between the two modes of travel as the contrast, in the capital at least, between the airport and its proletarian counterparts the bus stations.

To start with, services that are “included” in the price of an airline ticket are apparently optional for those ‘slumming’ it at one of Mexico City’s four intercity bus terminals.

Luggage can’t be checked-in until half an hour before the bus leaves, but for those arriving early there are some luggage-storage services which cost extra even if they’re provided by the same check-in people. For a few pesos, they will stash the bags behind the counter until the time comes for them to be checked on to the bus.

Toilets are five pesos to get in — cleaning costs presumably — which will leave patrons dreading to think what they might be like for free.  Parking is considerably cheaper than at the airport, so too are the taxi services which run from each bus terminal, although with App Cabs now operating in many cities, travelers are not held hostage to the official taxi rank prices as they used to be in years gone-by.

Some other things are pretty much the same, merely on a different level. Prices at shops and cafeterias are marked up in accordance with a captive clientele, and some poor quality food can be had at rip-off rates.

If you’re meeting somebody arriving at the bus station, you won’t be quite so obviously not a traveler as you would at the airport, even when you’re not holding up a piece of card with a name on it.

Passengers disembarking from a long bus trip usually look more bedraggled than their recently airborne cousins. More often than not, they will be hauling along their own bags, not whizzing them along on wheels. Some, rather than hoping they might be recognized, will be hoping the opposite, perhaps to avoid the mutual application of the same stupid question. After all, nobody goes to an airport or a bus station for fun. Do they?