FlyWithX

Transportation - Mexico

Mexico City

Mexico City Airports

  • Primary: MEX
  • Secondary:
    • NLU: the new airport, northeast of the city. Served by Tren Suburbano.
    • TLC: Toluca, west of CDMX, primarily serving Toluca. The closest train station is Metepec of El Insurgente, about 15 min drive from TLC.

Microbuses (Pesero)

The small, often green, public transport vehicles in Mexico City, known as microbuses or "micros," are actively being replaced as part of a major government modernization effort.

  • The Goal: The Mexico City government is working to replace the older, highly-polluting microbuses with new, more modern, and less-polluting units (often larger buses with better features like GPS, security cameras, and enhanced accessibility).
  • The Scale: The plan is to phase out a significant number of these microbuses. For example, by the end of 2024, approximately 5,800 to 6,000 microbuses were targeted for removal. The ultimate goal is to remove all the antiquated units, with a target of completing the process by 2025.
  • Modernization Efforts: This replacement is part of a broader push to modernize public transit in Mexico City, which also includes expanding the Metrobus (Bus Rapid Transit) system, adding electric buses to existing Metrobus lines (like Line 3 and Line 4), and expanding the trolleybus network and cable bus lines.
  • The Reason: The microbuses are notoriously high-polluting and often operate under a less-regulated, concession-based system that can lead to safety, efficiency, and comfort issues for passengers. The modernization aims to improve air quality, increase safety, and make public transport more efficient and accessible.

The new purple and white CDMX branded minibuses are operated by companies like Autotransportes Metropolitanos del Oriente Periferico (AMOPSA), with some units manufactured by DINA. They are described as being among the "most prominent and smartest" buses in the city

Monterry

Metrorrey, 3 existings lines and 3 planeed lines (targeting 2027). Line 6 may be extended to the airport in the future.

Cities with BRT and Light Rail Systems:

  • Mexico City: The capital boasts an extensive public transportation network. It has a comprehensive Metro system, a large Metrobús BRT system with seven lines covering over 140 kilometers and serving 1.24 million passengers daily. Mexico City also operates the Xochimilco Light Rail (Tren Ligero), a single line connecting Metro Tasqueña to Xochimilco in the southern part of the city, which originated from a former tram line and was upgraded to modern light rail in the 1980s.
  • Guadalajara: This city features a light rail system known as the Tren Eléctrico Urbano (SITEUR). Its Line 3 is noted as one of Mexico's most modern transit lines, with mostly elevated, aesthetic viaducts and spacious stations.
  • Puebla: The city of Puebla has a BRT system known as RUTA Puebla.
  • León: León operates its own BRT system, referred to as SIT Optibús León.
  • Acapulco: Is also listed as a city with a BRT system.

Intercity Buses

Mexico's long-distance bus network is extensive, professionally managed, and an affordable way to travel across the country, often exceeding travelers' expectations.

Primary Companies and Serving Areas

Several major companies dominate the long-distance bus market, often specializing in certain regions or classes of service:

  • ADO (Autobuses de Oriente): One of Mexico's largest and most prolific bus companies, ADO primarily serves Central and Southern Mexico, including Mexico City, the Yucatán Peninsula, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Tabasco, Veracruz, Guerrero, Morelos, Puebla, and Hidalgo. It is a major hub from Mexico City's TAPO terminal. However, it does not cover the entire country, particularly areas north of Mexico City.
  • ETN Turistar: Known for its luxury services, ETN operates primarily in Central Mexico, connecting major cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, and Puerto Vallarta. It also serves some destinations in northern and eastern Mexico, as well as Oaxaca.
    • Turistar is not a separate company from ETN; ETN Turistar is the brand name for the luxury bus service operated by ETN (Estrella Nueva) in Mexico.
  • Primera Plus: This company has a comprehensive network primarily in Central Mexico, serving destinations such as Mexico City, Guadalajara, San Miguel de Allende, San Luis Potosi, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Querétaro, Guanajuato, and Michoacán.
  • Omnibus de México: This company boasts wide coverage, serving over 70% of Mexican territory. Its routes extend across numerous states, including Aguascalientes, Coahuila, Colima, Chihuahua, Mexico City, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and Zacatecas.
  • Estrella Blanca Group: This group, which includes brands like Futura and Chihuahuenses, primarily serves central and northern Mexico, and offers routes connecting to the United States.
  • Senda Group: With subsidiaries like Del Norte and Turimex, Senda focuses on northern and central Mexico, also providing bus routes between Mexico and the United States.
  • Other regional companies: Smaller companies like Ovnibus (serving Mexico City north to Hidalgo and San Luis Potosí), Flecha Roja (from Cuernavaca through Mexico City to Querétaro), Estrellas del Pacífico and Autobuses ABC (mostly northern Mexico and Baja California), and Anguilla (Baja Peninsula) also operate. Greyhound also offers routes connecting the US, Canada, and Mexico.

Target Markets and Classes of Service

Mexican long-distance buses offer different classes of service to cater to various budgets and preferences:

  • Luxury/Executive Class (Clase Ejecutiva/Clase de Lujo): This is the most comfortable option, comparable to business class on an airplane. Companies like ETN Turistar are renowned for this, offering features such as extra-wide reclining seats that approach a bed position, individual entertainment screens, USB charging ports, Wi-Fi, spacious interiors, and multiple restrooms. ADO's Platino and GL services also fall into this category, providing air conditioning, restrooms, onboard entertainment, and power outlets. Omnibus de México also offers executive class with amenities like Wi-Fi, reclining seats, and AC.
  • First Class (Primera Clase): Popular for comfort and safety, these buses are modern, air-conditioned, and usually travel on high-speed toll roads. They generally run on time and make fewer stops (sometimes "Directo" or "Sin Escalas") compared to lower classes. Primera Plus is often likened to ADO's first-class service, providing comfortable, slightly reclining seats, bathrooms, and entertainment.
  • Second Class (Segunda Clase): These buses are more basic and tend to make more frequent stops.
  • Affordable Options: ADO is known for offering very affordable tickets, as is Omnibus de México.

General Information for Travelers

  • Amenities: Many long-distance buses are equipped with air conditioning (often powerful, so a sweater is recommended), restrooms, and increasingly, Wi-Fi and power outlets at each seat.
  • Safety: Bus travel is considered one of the safest ways to travel in Mexico. First and luxury class buses typically have seatbelts, and drivers on long journeys switch out regularly to avoid fatigue. Buses are also equipped with radios for emergencies.
  • Booking: Tickets can be purchased online through company websites or third-party booking agencies (like Busbud or Wanderu). Many Mexican bus company websites may primarily accept credit/debit cards issued in Mexico, so third-party sites can be convenient for international travelers. Tickets can also be bought in person at bus terminals, which are often centrally located. Booking in advance is advisable for longer trips or during holidays.
  • Terminals: Major cities have large, well-organized bus terminals (often called "central" or "terminal"). Authorized taxis or ride-sharing apps are usually available at these stations.

ETN Turistar and Viva

Grupo IAMSA owns ETN Turistar and Viva! Both can use Doters.

How to visit Tula

Take Ovnibus from CDMX: https://ovnibus.com.mx/

  • Take the subway to Autobuses del Norte station.
  • Walk across the street into the bus station Autobuses del Norte.
  • Turn left and go all the way to the end of the hall to Sala 8.
  • At the last ticket counter, ask for a ticket to Tula Directo. The buses run every hour. It takes about 1h40m to get to Tula.
  • From the bus station in Tula de Allende, take a short taxi ride to the Zona Arqueológica de Tula..

Mexico City-Querétaro passenger rail line will stop at Tula in 2029

Guadalajara

Chapala Plus: from CENTRAL VIEJA to Lago de Chapala and cities along the way, including the airport.

From the Airport

  • GDL airport - Mi Transporte Eléctrico (C98)
  • Chapala Plus to Central Vieja