We’ve just come off the back of a one-month backpacking trip around the South and South-East of Mexico. We used buses exclusively to travel around, as you probably intend on as well.
Before visiting Mexico, transport was definitely one of our biggest concerns. And look, we don’t want to come out and say that we were right to worry but what we will say is transport seems to be one of the biggest locations/ places where you make yourself susceptible to a dangerous situation in Mexico
Bus Culture in Mexico
Travelling by bus is a very popular way to get around Mexico by both Locals and travellers. In fact, we took many buses in which we were the only gringos travelling which surprised us.
Is it safe to travel by bus in Mexico?
We’re going to tell you what most other travel blogs won’t and this is from our lived experience. Yes, in general it is safe travelling by bus in Mexico but there is also a lot of risk associated.
Being aware of your surroundings
The most important thing to concern yourself with when travelling via bus in all of north/central/South america is looking after your belongings.
- Lock your bag that goes in the hold. You don’t want anything getting in or out. In terms of someone taking your bag, this wa ssoemthing we were concerned about however when they put your bag in the hold, they put a slip on it and give you the ticket so its very very unlikely someone will be taking your bag.
- Keep you smalled valuables on your person. We would always advise bringing some sort of bum bag (we love the Uniqlo one) and keeping your cash, wallet and passports in it. If possible, ever lock this – top tip. I use a carabiner to just keep the zip shut.
- If your travelling with a bigger day pack like us (with laptops) you need to keep this in your sight at all times and with a lock on it. We do keep ours padlocked and on the floor between our feet because realistically you aren’t going to have it on your lap for 12 hours
Please take precautions but also remember – if you get robbed or something happens to you, it is not your fault. Something has happened TO YOU. so please don’t be hard on yourself, these things happen. Even to us :))
Is it safe to travel by bus at night in Mexico?
There’s a good reason every blog you read will tell you not to travel overnight in Mexico. However, it’s easier said than done. There are some journeys that are so long you need to take a semi-overnight bus or the bus simply doesn’t run in the day.
Where possible try to avoid taking overnight buses but if you do end up on one. Again, be vigilant of your surrounds.
Taking the overnight bus from Chipas to Oaxaca
Getting the ADO bus from San Cristobal de Las Casa (Chipas) to Puerto Escondido (Oaxaca)
Before getting this bus We were so worried, horror stories on reddit about people being held up on the bus, taken off the bus, being felt up and extorted for money. Now, look I’m not saying this is not going to happen, but I think worry about these extreme situations is pointless.
We had some not so pleasent experiences with boarder gaurds and our bus was stopped over 7 times on this journey. Really, we think their aim is just to intimidate. Just act calm, have all your dcuments to hand and also, have the emabssy of your country saved in contacts (We heard this helps if they do try to take you off the bus).
Perhaps, the most scary element of doing such a journey is the idea that is something does happen to you, other passengers or staff aren’t going to step in to help. So just be aware, prepared and stay calm.
Also, don’t carry too much cash for this journey. Have maybe 200-300 pesos and if anything does happen – remember it’s only money and not worth getting in trouble over! The worst thing you can do in a situation like this is try argue back.
We can only speak for the stations in Yucatan/Oaxaca/Chiapas and QR but generally, we were surprised at how clean, organised and on time they were. The stations always had at least one shop and somewhere to eat, somewhere you could pay to store your bag, felt safe enough and best of all the toilets were always very clean (you do need to pay to use them though).
We have heard first hand from many travellers that they have actually been robbed in bus stations so definitely keep an eye on your belongings here but in general, our experience of bus stations in Mexico was positive.
Do they have ATMS in the Bus stations in Mexico ?
It is very common for the bus stations in Mexico to have ATMs in them. In our experience they were always reputable machines and we didn’t pay high fees.
Different Classes of Buses in Mexico
Not all buses are created equal in Mexico and it’s very important to pay attention to the class of bus you are booking.
- Luxury/First-Class Buses (Primera Clase):
- Companies like ADO, ETN, Primera Plus, and OCC provide high-quality services with comfortable seating, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, bathrooms, and sometimes snacks.
- These buses are very safe and popular for long-distance travel.
- Second-Class Buses (Segunda Clase):
- These buses make more frequent stops and are less expensive. They might not have amenities like air conditioning or reserved seating.
- Safety is usually fine, but these buses are less predictable and may not have the same level of maintenance or security.
- Local/Urban Buses (Colectivos or Camiones):
- Used for short distances within cities or between small towns.
- They’re cheaper but often crowded and less reliable.
What is the best Bus company to travel with in Mexico?
Luxury and Premium Options
ADO (Autobuses de Oriente)
- Coverage: Southeastern Mexico, including Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Merida, Oaxaca, and Mexico City.
- Features: Comfortable reclining seats, air conditioning, onboard entertainment, restrooms, and Wi-Fi.
- Premium Services: ADO GL and ADO Platino offer even more space, snacks, and extra comfort for long trips.
- Best For: Reliable and comfortable travel across popular tourist destinations.
ETN (Enlaces Terrestres Nacionales)
- Coverage: Central and northern Mexico, including Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mexico City.
- Features: Extra-wide reclining seats (up to 180°), individual screens, snacks, USB charging ports, and restrooms.
- Best For: Luxury travel with top-notch amenities for long-distance routes.
Primera Plus
- Coverage: Central and western Mexico, including Guanajuato, Querétaro, Guadalajara, and Mexico City.
- Features: Reclining seats, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, personal screens, and snacks.
- Best For: Affordable luxury in central Mexico.
Budget-Friendly and Standard Options
Estrella Blanca
- Coverage: Wide coverage across Mexico, including northern and central regions.
- Features: Basic buses with reclining seats, air conditioning, and onboard restrooms.
- Best For: Budget travelers looking for extensive route options.
OCC (Omnibus Cristóbal Colón)
- Coverage: Operates under the ADO group, covering southeastern Mexico and the Pacific coast.
- Features: Comfortable seating, restrooms, and air conditioning.
- Best For: Affordable and reliable service for medium-distance routes.
Futura
- Coverage: Northern and central Mexico.
- Features: Air conditioning, reclining seats, and basic snacks. Premium service (Futura Select) includes more comfort and Wi-Fi.
- Best For: Standard comfort at reasonable prices.
Regional and Specialized Companies
Autobuses TAP (Transportes y Autobuses del Pacífico)
- Coverage: Pacific coast and northern Mexico, including Mazatlán, Hermosillo, and Guadalajara.
- Features: Comfortable seating, air conditioning, and onboard movies.
- Best For: Pacific coast travel.
Chihuahuenses
- Coverage: Northern Mexico and routes to the U.S. border (Chihuahua, Monterrey, Ciudad Juárez).
- Features: Spacious seats, air conditioning, and clean buses.
- Best For: Travel in the north.
How to buy bus tickets in Mexico?
If you plan on travelling for a short while within Mexico, you might want to get organised and book your buses in advance.
Unfortunately, the ADO bus website is a bit glitchy and didn’t seem to work when not in Mexico. Because of this, we used BUSBUD to book all of our travel. Bus bud adds on a bit of an extra charge however they also offer credits back in return. For the peace of mind of being organised before you leave BUSBUD is a good option.
However, if you are already in Mexico or don’t mind waiting, the ADO website works perfectly and often they offer discounted journeys if its not a popular/busy route.
Some things to know when booking tickets:
- The earlier or more desirable routes are often more expensive so try be flexible with your times
- You can choose which seats you want when booking tickets
- If booking online, download the tickets which you will receive via email as the Wifi in the stations is often quite glitchy
- Most tickets are non-refundable especially if you use a third party website such a BusBud or Bookaway However, a few times we wanted to swap tickets and we went to the station and they were very accommodating and did this for us quite easily!
If you are a little less organised and prefer to book your bus ticket in person, you can do so at the station. Leaving it until half an hour before the journey isn’t really our style but we seen many locals and fellow travellers doing this on many of our journeys.
What are the best seats to book on the ADO bus in Mexico?
If we could give you one piece of advise, it’s don’t sit anywhere remotely near the back of the bus. There are toilets on the buses in mexico and all it takes is for one person to ruin a 12 hour overnight bus journey for you.
How much does it cost to travel by bus in Mexico?
Taking the ADO bus in Mexico is not cheap. If you’ve previously backpacked South-East Asia, set aside any notions of 15euro sleeper buses. A 12 hour overnight bus here is probably going to set you back at least 60-70 euro. And trust us, it’s always better to pay that little bit more for a good bus
Some things to know about taking the bus in Mexico
The buses are usually Freezing
The buses in Mexico BLAST the aircon and are so so cold. Even when travelling during the middle of the day so make sure to bring some sort of outer layer and be prepared.
Movies and screens
The buses often show movies or live concerts on the screens. If you’re on a premium bus they’ll give you earphones but if not, the sound plays in the overhead speaker. A tip is that you can actually turn your speakers off in the overhead console by tapping it (guess who didn’t learn that until their final bus journey in Mexico).
Lot’s of Space
We can talk only about the ADO buses, but we were so pleasantly surprised with the leg room on these buses. You could fully recline your seat without it impacting the person behind you!
No pit stops
The buses rarely make stops in service stations to go to the bathroom or buy snacks. So stock up before getting on board.
Final Thoughts
While buses in Mexico are widely used by locals and tourists alike, your safety and comfort largely depend on sticking to reputable companies and following basic precautions. For most travelers, luxury or first-class buses offer a safe, comfortable, and scenic way to explore Mexico.
FAQ
Do the buses in Mexico run on time?
In general, the buses we took showed up on time and left to the minute. The few exceptions semed to be those long journeys that were delayed incoming and subsequently we were delayed … they always somehow ended up making the time up.
Are there toilets on buses in Mexico?
Yes!! Pretty much all ADO buses have toilets on them. If you’re taking the Gl bus and Platinum, they will even have 2 separate toilets.
