hoyas1

My wife and I are considering a month in San Miguel de Allende this winter. Which airport in the San Miguel region (from Chicago) would be most convenient for arrival? and what is the best way to travel from the airport to San Miguel? Thank you

MmePerdu

I haven't made the trip yet but I've been advised that the best airport is Leon/Guanajuato (BJX) and then a taxi to SM.

baldone

The 2 closest would be Queretaro (QRO), and as mentioned, BJX; they are pretty much the same distance/time. I would not suggest taking a taxi, as your driver will likely not know San Miguel and may have difficulty finding your hotel/lodging. Rather, a shuttle service such as Bajiogo would be a better choice @ $29 PP, with service to your door. If you can get direct flight, another option might be Mexico City. Primera Plus has bus service from MEX to Queretaro. From there, Bajiogo can pick you up as well. But the MEX option only makes sense if the airfare is considerably cheaper and if other routes have layovers of 3-4 hours. That said, Volaris has one way, non-stop from ORD to MEX for about $150 US, depending on your dates, or the special they are offering, or how much luggage you'd have. One time we found a cheaper fare flying out of QRO and returning to BJX.

Stewbear

Just one additional comment. I had a arranged for a private car to take me to BJX to pick up my wife & return to Guanajuato.
He had car problems & was a no show so I took a cab over & a airport cab back. The return trip was a comedy of errors as although I know GTO well the driver refused my directions/instructions taking us high into the hills near by but several 100's of feet or so above my apartment.
It, after some time turned into a shouting match with the driver finally following my directions we arrived at our apartment. I shudder to think if I had not known the correct route allowing him to wander the hills for who knows how long it would have taken to find our way.

Weekender

Last Thanksgiving, we flew United from Chicago (via Houston)into Leon (BJX). Our hotel arranged for a private car service for the 1-1/2 hour trip to San Miguel. I want to say it was about $90-100 each way.

Christina

I flew into BJX to go to Guanajuato and just took a taxi. The rate is regulated, so doesn't matter on the traffic, it's a flat rate. I have read the same thing about San Miguel, that it's a fixed rate from the Queretaro airport (but not from BJX) but haven't done it.

ekscrunchy

Is there not a direct bus from MEX to San Miguel?

I'm asking because I will be arriving from SE Florida in February and was just wondering about how to get to San Miguel from either Miami, West Palm or Ft Lauderdale….(want to fly AeroMexico if possible)

Sorry for the intrusion..

baldone

eks, no, there isn't. Primera Plus from MEX only goes to Queretaro. I think like $350 pesos or so. And if you do take that bus, be aware there are 2 terminals in Queretaro, the main, and 5 de Febrero. So, if you do arrange transfer from Queretaro, you'll need to know in advance which terminal you'd arrive in. Unless you grab a taxi.

ekscrunchy

Thanks, Baldone. So 3.5 hours bus from MEX to Queretaro and then a taxi drive to SMA. Sounds kind of grueling after a flight from US…(friend will be coming from JFK)

What about private driver from MEX? Any idea of people who do this and how much it would cost? One hotel online said the cost would be about $150 US for the drive but who knows when that was written. (Suppose we should ask the house owner as well)

baldone

I've used Bajiogo.
http://bajiogo.com/shuttle/

ekscrunchy

Baldone thank you for the link. I am puzzled at the meaning of "OR" Can you figure that out?

http://bajiogo.com/shuttle/


From their site:

"Shared Service
The shared shuttle is BajioGo’s flagship service, used dozens of times every day by hundreds of satisfied clients. Shared shuttle service pairs you up with other passengers who are arriving or departing at the same time as you, allowing you to save money while we save time and reduce gas usage, greenhouse gas emissions and wear-and-tear on our vehicles. It’s a win-win!

Our shared shuttles service the León (BJX), Querétaro (QRO) and Mexico City (MEX) airports 24 hours a day.*

Shared shuttles have no minimum of passengers and — for your comfort and convenience — have a maximum of three pick-ups on outgoing trips and will only wait for other passengers arriving at the same or similar time as you on incoming trips.

The rate of our shared shuttle service is:

$29US per passenger to OR from BJX OR QRO airport (no minimum of passengers)
$75US per passenger to OR from MEX (2 passenger minimum)
* Shared shuttle service departs San Miguel de Allende on a pre-arranged schedule which may be subject to variation depending on the time of year and other factors. Shared shuttle service is always available to pick you up at the arrival time of your flight, no questions asked."

(Private driver from MEX to OR is listed as US$209 for two passengers)

baldone

To "or" from BJX "or" QRO. Don't know why they are YELLING.

ekscrunchy

Goodness I never would have figured that out! Thanks!!

ekscrunchy

For those who have used the shuttle from MEX to SMA...what was your experience? Did you have to wait long for other pax to deplane before setting off?

Trying to decide if two of us should book a private transfer or use the shuttle....

aAlso, I arrive at MEX at 9:30am.....any idea of where I can wait , with my luggage, until my friend's flight arrives about 2pm? Lounge, restaurant??

baldone

Hi eks, I admit that to MEX I've used Bajiogo, but return I always take the Primera plus bus to Queretaro, then shuttle/taxi to SMA. But my experience with them from BJX is that I've never had to wait for other pax more than what it takes them to clear customs/immigration after me, like only 5 minutes or so. But that's BJX,(with likely only 1 arrival) not MEX. Sometimes they wait for me! Usually the only delay with a shared shuttle is the drop off in San Miguel. If there are other pax, and their hotels/lodging is not close to yours, it can take another 15 minutes or so to get to your hotel/house. Luck of the draw who gets dropped off first! I'd maybe ask your potential shuttle service for their input? But if it were me, I'd be tempted to just spend the extra $$ for the private shuttle, since the difference for 2 pax between private/shared is not that much.

ekscrunchy

Thanks..I was thinking the same...I have to get to Miami airport for 7am flight and am an hour-plus away from there so it will be a long day..donnot want to think now of getting up at what...4am??

baldone

Brutal. We have a friend who just left yesterday for Ft. Myers that had a 3 AM pick up in San Miguel to get to Leon by 5. I don't think she slept at all.

ekscrunchy

Hello, again! Leaving for San Miguel, via MEX, this weekend, and have booked the BajioGo car from MEX. Price for two is US$180 for the four hour drive.. Should I tip the driver and if so, what would be an appropriate amount..equivalent of $20US?

baldone

I don't think $10 PP is out of line, especially if the trip is uneventful and pick up is on time. Even at that, delays happen between CDMX and SMA that are out of the driver's control. Sometimes, not always, these drivers use their own cars. Some might lump these types of drivers in with taxis, who normally don't get a tip.
Weather looks to be perfect, last week was really cold.

ekscrunchy

That's great, Baldone. Thank you for all the helpful information here.