Getting Around Mexico

The Chepe train crossing the Copper Canyon. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Mexico is a bus country: the long-distance bus network is excellent, with comfortable first-class (primera) services linking every city. Domestic flights are cheap for the long hops; the Maya Train now links the Yucatan peninsula.

Buses

ADO and its premium lines (ADO Platino, UNO) dominate the southeast; ETN and Primera Plus cover the center, north and west. Primera class means reclining seats, air conditioning and onboard toilets.

Book online or at terminals; overnight buses save a hotel night on long routes like Mexico City to Oaxaca.

Flights

Volaris and Viva Aerobus are the low-cost carriers; Aeromexico is the full-service airline. Book domestic hops like Mexico City to Merida or Tijuana in advance for the best fares.

Mexico City has two airports: Benito Juarez (MEX, close to the center) and Felipe Angeles (NLU, farther out, low-cost carriers).

Trains

The Chepe (Chihuahua-Pacific) runs from Los Mochis to Chihuahua through the Copper Canyon: the country's great rail journey.

The Maya Train links Cancun, Merida, Campeche and Palenque around the Yucatan peninsula.

The Jose Cuervo Express runs from Guadalajara to Tequila as a tourist train.

Taxis and ride-hailing

Uber and Didi work in most cities and are safer than street hails. At airports, buy authorized taxi tickets inside the terminal.

Colectivos (shared vans) cover short hops like Playa del Carmen to Tulum and are the local way to travel.