Hello,

Final stretch of preparing for our Mexico trip and we wondered whether we should be trying to buy our bus tickets before we arrive or can buy them when we're in Mexico (as we have done on previous trips, has anything changed in that sense)? A reminder that we are planning to travel by bus from SLP to SMdA, from SMdA to Guanajuato, and from Guanajuato to CDMX.

Thanks, as always, for the help

If I recall correctly, you are travelling over the Christmas period? if so, I would definitely book in advance just in case seats are in short supply. Also if planning on travelling on first class/ luxury service - - IME they were always full.

I agree with booking ahead if during a holiday period. I recently travelled from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido & back over Day of the Dead festivities. Accommodations during that week were unavailable in Oaxaca City so I figured the bus would be full, too. It was, though there were plenty of seats when I booked about a month in advance at the ADO terminal.

Buy in advance if you're taking an ETN double-decker bus and want the front row seats for the view & leg room.

Thank You.

We have used ADO previously, is that the way to go? As it has been a while since I have been to Mexico, is there a big difference between 1st and 2nd class? We are travelling from SLP to SMdA and then on to Guanajuato and back to CDMX.

Thanks

ADO doesn't serve that part of the country. You'll want ETN or Primera Plus. I like the former, they're roomier & and the double decker buses have the front row seats for the view. Don't take 2nd class; they typically stop to pick up passengers roadside (which takes longer & is less secure) and may not have bathrooms.

Thanks bald0ne, that's really helpful advice

And just to be sure, do ETN only offer first class buses anyway? I can't see a difference in options on their website but wanted to check

The ETN website (likewise Primera Plus's) is 1st class schedules only. With a few exceptions, 2nd class carriers in Mexico don't have websites.

Perfect, thanks so much. If we're planning to stay at NH Collection Reforma in Mexico City, which is the best station to catch a bus to in Mexico City from Guanajuato, as I see that there are quite a few bus stations in Mexico City? Thanks

Norte. And I believe that route probably has a stop or 2, probably Irapuato & Tepotzotlán, but you won't be changing buses.

Thanks. They all seem to be indirect on ETN, but I assume you don't change, you just stop over at those places, so indirect here doesn't mean changing but just that it has more than one stop?

You're correct, no bus change. When we've take ETN from San Miguel to CDMX it stops in Queretaro & Tepotzotlán, but no changes. The Tepotzotlán bus station is right on the northbound side of the highway as you're heading into cdmx, but passengers walk to the southbound side via a pedestrian bridge so it's a pretty quick stop since the bus doesn't actually pull into the station. The Irapuato station is located near Centro, so a bit more time consuming. That said, Primera Plus is about a half hour faster and only has 1 stop, in Salamanca. Much of the route between guanajuato & CDMX is pretty industrial, & not terribly scenic, except the 47D from Celaya to connect with 57. So if you're taking etn primarily for the view from the front seats you'd not be missing much on that leg if you took PP instead. The more scenic parts of your trip will be between slp & sma & between sma & Gto. Imo.