Ultimate Guide to Long Bus Trips in Mexico
Guide to Long Bus Trips in Mexico
Are you wondering what bus travel in Mexico is like?
Sometimes the bus is a much better deal than a flight, but is it worth it to take the bus in Mexico rather than fly?
Well, here is your ultimate guide to long bus trips in Mexico. Let me know what you think in the comments section below.
Good to Know First!
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Our Trip!
My husband and I decided to take a last minute trip from Tulum to the State of Mexico.
There were no good flights left, so we decided to go on a bus adventure!
I am going to share all of our experiences starting from arriving at the Tulum bus station to arriving at the bus station in the State of Mexico.
Our bus left Tulum at 6:40pm in the evening.
What is it like at bus terminals in Mexico?
Of course, every bus terminal is different, but on average they have many similarities.
They usually have a washroom that cost between 5 to 10 pesos to enter.
At some bus terminals, the washroom is located upstairs, and there is not an elevator, while others have an accessible washroom on the main floor.
It can also be quite busy, and sometimes the lines for the washrooms or the ticket kiosks do not move very quickly, so I recommend arriving early.
The staff at the bus terminal recommend that you arrive 15 minutes before your bus leaves.
Often the bus stations are open concept, or have an indoor/outdoor area.
For example, the bus station in Tulum, where my husband and I left from is only open concept, meaning there is no closed-in inside area, whereas the bus station in Mexico city has an inside building because it can be colder there in the winter time.
There is usually a snack booth and convenience store, and some of the bigger bus stations have 1 or more fast food restaurants inside or attached to them.
How can I buy tickets for a bus in Mexico?
You can go to some websites such as Primera Plus or ADO to buy bus tickets online.
As well, you can go to the bus station and line up at the ticket booth.
The bus terminals often have the schedules posted around the stations.
When we bought our tickets, we had to wait in a long line that moved slowly. There were 2 staff working at the ticket kiosk area. Our option was ADO for our specific route.
We bought a ticket and were given a seat, but you can ask to pick your seat.
Depending on the person. they may or may not ask you to pick your seat.
We chose our seats when we bought our ticket 1 day before.
I recommend trying to get your ticket in advance if you can as they do sell out at times.
In most, if not all stations, you can pay with cash or card. All of the prices are in Mexican pesos.
TIP: Make sure you bring ID with you. You may be asked to show your ID when you buy your ticket or when you board the bus. It doesn't happen every time, but there are signs saying that you need ID and it says that you must show your original ID to buy your ticket and before boarding.
What should I take with me on the bus in Mexico?
- Here is my list of non-food items that we packed for our long bus ride.
- First of all, your ID. You need it to board the bus, you may not be asked each time, but they have the right to ask for it. Also, you could be denied boarding if you don’t show your ID when boarding.
- Your ticket… obviously, just a reminder to not forget it if you bought it in advance
- A sarong! There are so many uses for a sarong!
You could roll it up and use it like a pillow or for your lower back. Also, you could use it as a blanket if you’re cold.
If you want to know some of the many other great uses for a sarong check out 17 Ways to Use a Sarong while travelling.
- toilet paper or kleenex because sometimes the buses or the bus stations may have run out of toilet paper
- a sweater because sometimes the air conditioning can get quite cold on some buses
- socks so that you can keep your feet warm because sometimes it gets cold. Also, so you can keep your feet clean from the bus floors.
- With such a long bus trip, especially if you’re travelling throughout the night like we were, it’s important to pack comfortable clothing that makes it easier for you to sleep while on the bus.
- I packed some comfortable and loose pants, a t-shirt or tank top and a sweater and socks.
Our particular bus route had a 30 minute stop that we didn’t know about to restock the bathroom, get gas and give the driver a break. We stopped at a little market with a few restaurants, snack shops and souvenirs.
- Because the bathroom was not restocked for 12 hours, it could have run out of toilet paper, so I always pack some rolled up toilet paper in my bag. It’s better to have it, than to not have it…
- Pack Mexican pesos in smaller bills and coins
- Lastly, I always pack hand sanitizer. We were so happy that we had sanitizer because… the washroom ran out of water to wash your hands with, so had to use the hand sanitizer instead.
Useful words to know at the bus station and on the bus
Here are a list of some words that you may want to know in Spanish to communicate with the bus driver or at the bus station.
Ticket – Boleto
Ticket kiosk – Taquilla
Bus -Autobus
Washroom – Baño
Seat – Asiento
Bus stop -Parada (de autobus)
Bus station – Terminal de Autobuses, or Centrales de Autobuses
Cash – Efectivo
Debit – Debito
Card – Tarjeta
Luggage -Equipaje
Bag – Bolsa
Food – Comida
When – Cuando
Where – Donde
Help – Ayuda
These are a few useful words to use during your travels on long bus trips in Mexico.
What to expect on a long bus trip in Mexico
Now, let’s go over some common questions about what it’s like while travelling by bus for a long trip.
Is there air conditioning on buses in Mexico?
Although many basic city buses do not have air conditioning, many of the buses that go longer distances do.
So yes, if your taking a bus that leaves the city or town that you’re staying in in Mexico, then there is air conditioning.
There are adjustable vents above each seat like on an airplane.
Are there washrooms on long bus trips in Mexico?
At the back of the bus there is a washroom that is very similar to an airplane washroom.
Expect that the roads are more bumpy and take caution while in the washroom. There are handles to help you to keep your balance in the washrooms.
Sometimes the washroom may run out of toilet paper, soap or water, so be prepared.
There is usually only 1 washroom on the bus.
Are there lots of stops on long bus rides in Mexico?
YES, we had a stop in Chetumal, Villahermosa, Minititlan, Orizaba, and our final destination. Those stops were written down on our tickets.
At each stop we were stopped anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes.
Also, if it’s a long bus ride like ours, expect a 30 minute break too. This was not on the ticket, it was just a place to get some lunch, or buy something to bring on the bus.
It also gave the bus driver a break and allowed time for the bus driver to get gas, and restock anything on the bus. * Everyone must get off of the bus for this kind of stop.
TIP: If you're getting off of your bus for any reason take a picture of your bus number with your phone. There are so many buses coming and going and many of them look alike. If your bus parked in 1 spot it may return in a different spot of the bus station. Having a picture with the number will eliminate any confusion for you and give you peace of mind.
Expect the unexpected at times
I already spoke about 1 unexpected extra stop.
On our trip, everyone had to get off of the bus for 30 minutes at a stop so that it could be stocked and we could get some food.
So, we were given the opportunity to order a late lunch at a stop with 3 different restaurants and some shops inside.
We used the time to stretch our bodies and to walk a bit too.
There were a few other short stops where vendors come on to the bus to sell things like chips, nuts, fruit, drinks, sandwiches, candy, popcorn, and more.
Expect that your trip may take longer than you thought.
Our bus trip took 3 hours longer than what we were told. There was an accident, traffic jams, stops that took longer and more traffic…
While in Mexico, sometimes you need to expect the unexpected, such as these Unexpected Road Trip Stops and just roll with the punches.
Can I buy food on long bus trips in Mexico?
So, you can buy from the vendors that come on the bus, but they are most often snacks rather than full meals.
If the driver announces the time, such as a 20 minute stop, you can get off the bus and order food at the station.
If you’re a vegetarian, here is Everything you need to know about being a vegetarian in Mexico.
My husband and I chose to buy some food and bring it on the bus before we left for dinner and breakfast.
We made sure that we washed everything before the trip.
We bought some bananas and muffins which were our breakfast. We also bought a pear and some apples for snacks.
Lastly, we bought 2 donuts for if we wanted something sweet. We also had a take out order each for dinner. My husband ordered tacos and I ordered a ‘torta’ which is a sandwich on a bun.
We made sure that everything was in plastic bags just in case of any bugs or germs on the bus, plus we reused the plastic bags as garbage bags as we ate things.
Can I bring checked luggage on a bus trip in Mexico?
Yes, there is a compartment under the bus that is large for holding lots of check luggage and parcels.
There is not a charge to put large luggage under the bus like on an airplane.
You will get a ticket like the one shown above.
One half attaches to the luggage and the other half goes to you.
Now, a note of caution. I have seen times where they ask for your ticket and remove the luggage and match it to yours, then give you your luggage. On the other hand, I have also seen that people just start grabbing their luggage and no one is checking it. So, keep an eye on your luggage if this is the case.
Make sure that you take a smaller carry on with you on the bus with your essentials, food, and water. Also, bring things to help you to enjoy the trip and feel comfortable too.
Having the things that you need in your carry on bag is crucial in helping you to enjoy and feel comfortable on your long bus trip in Mexico.
These Ultimate Carry on Packing Tips will help you to make sure that you don’t forget anything!
Are there movies on buses in Mexico?
Yes, there are usually 4 to 8 TVs on the buses that are all showing the same movie.
We saw about 7 movies in the time that we were on the bus.
Between each movie we saw all of the credits, listened to a bit of music, a couple of announcements, then on to the next movie!
At night time after around 11:00pm to 11:30 pm the TV’s were turned off and the music too. The lights were also dimmed to make it easier for people to sleep.
Although, you don’t often have a choice while you’re on a bus, here are some Movies that make you want to travel and some Travel Inspiration by Movies if you’re looking for some travel inspiration or just some great movies!
Extra tips to help make your long bus trip better
- Take time to move and stretch.
- Expect the roads to be bumpy
- Use the adjustable head pieces on the seats.
- Use your packed warm clothes, sarong, or blanket.
- Wear comfortable clothing and foot wear
- Eat light or familiar foods
- Pack water
- Log in to the wifi for the bus for watching videos
- As for tips for travelling in general in Mexico, these are some of the Best Mexico Travel Tips! (Read Before You Go).
- Bring some entertainment like a deck of cards, book, activity book and more.
Here are some other tips for long trips: How To Be Prepared for a Long Trip and How to stop boredom while on a long flight. Many of these tips about long flights can also apply to long bus rides.
Tips for sleeping on long bus trips
- Of course, as I talked about, wear loose fitting comfortable clothing that will keep you warm if there’s cold air conditioning.
- You can pack ear plugs, an eye mask, head phones, and a travel pillow to help you to be comfortable for sleeping on the bus.
- Use your sarong to keep you warm while you sleep.
- Adjust the head pieces on the top of the seat as shown in the picture below.
- Lower the blinds on the bus
- Close the curtains and seal them shut with the velcro to keep any street lights or daylight out
- Use the hooks and pockets to put your non-valuables out of your way.
- Keep your valuables safely hidden away, and on you. I recommend keeping your valuables touching you, so you can feel is someone tries to open your bag. This can give your peace of mind to let yourself drift into a solid sleep. (This has never happened to me, but I would rather be safe than sorry.)
If you’re looking for some tips to help you sleep better while travelling in general, you can follow these 15 Tips to Sleep Better at your Hotel.
We were able to sleep during the night on the bus, my husband more than I. We woke up due to bumps in the road, the noise of other people or stops along the way. It wasn’t a solid 8 hours, but we did get some good sleep.
How to keep safe while on a long bus trip in Mexico
Here are some tips to help keep you and your things safer while on a long bus trip in Mexico.
- Hold on to the seats or handles as you’re walking throughout the bus, using the washroom, and standing up. Mexican streets have big speed bumps and some holes in the roads.
- The buses have seat belts, so feel free to use the seat belt to keep you safer as well.
- Keep your purse and bags closed and zipped. Don’t leave your bags unattended at all.
- Drink enough water to keep hydrated.
- When you sleep have your purse or bag with valuables on you. Sleep with your hand or arm covering the bag and the opening or zipper.
- Hide your money, wallet, devices, jewelry and valuables in different areas of your bag. For example, put some money in a sock, or hide your wallet at the bottom of your bag under clothing. Anything that makes it more difficult to steal.
- Be aware of your surroundings, notice what is going on around you.
- Dress simply, who needs to wear a fancy tiara and gold watch while on a long bus trip. 😉
- When the bus stops, if you have luggage underneath, go check to make sure that it remains there if it’s not your stop.
- Don’t do online banking or other confidential and sensitive things on the open wifi of the bus. Just use the wifi to watch videos of other simple and non-confidential activity.
Get phone service in Mexico
Get your own e-sim card with Viator so that you can use your phone freely while travelling in Mexico.
You can choose a plan that includes data and this way you don’t have to worry about joining wifi networks which are unsafe.
You can also pick for how long you want your plan to last. You can download the app and get started so that you’re free to use google maps to see where you are and how much longer until you arrive. (We did this a lot… only 17 hours left! lol)
You can research tours and hotels on your phone if you haven’t booked yet.
You can also keep in touch with friends and family to let them know where you are and that you’re safe.
Check out some of the Best Ways to Keep in Contact While Travelling if you’re interested too.
Tours in & around Mexico
Are you looking to book some tours for your Mexican destination?
You can check out your options, and even book your hotels and excursions like cenotes, boat cruises, snorkelling, tours or ruins and much more right here with Viator.
Where to Stay
When you arrive it may be night, and who wants to be without a place to go in a new place at night…
I recommend checking out where the bus station is in relation to your destination.
Especially if you arrive at night, I recommend booking your hotel in advance with booking.com.
Check out what area you want to be close to.
Would you take a long bus trip in Mexico?
So, what do you think? Would you take a long bus ride in Mexico like this?
Or would you just op for a flight instead?
Besides being a travel blogger, I am also a travel writer, Amazon author and an English teacher. Check out my services here!
