The Mexico Guides

Getting Around Mexico: Transport Guide

· 3 min read Practical
Mexico City metro and bus station — the main ways to get around Mexico

Contents

  1. Buses: the backbone of Mexico travel
  2. Colectivos
  3. Domestic flights
  4. Uber and rideshare
  5. Renting a car
  6. Getting around cities

Mexico has excellent intercity bus infrastructure and a competitive domestic airline market — getting between cities is rarely difficult. The choice between bus and plane usually comes down to journey time, cost, and the scenery en route.

Buses: the backbone of Mexico travel

ADO (Autobuses de Oriente) operates the largest first-class bus network in Mexico, covering most major cities in the southeast, Yucatán, Oaxaca, Veracruz, and Mexico City. Buses are air-conditioned, have reclining seats (semi-cama or cama class have wider seats that recline further), and run on time. ADO’s first-class tickets are bookable online at ado.com.mx or at bus terminals.

ETN, Estrella Roja, and Omnibus de México serve different regions:

  • ETN: luxury class (fewer seats, wider recline), Mexico City to Guadalajara, Monterrey, and the north
  • Estrella Roja: Mexico City to Puebla (fastest and most frequent service on this route, ~2 hours)
  • Omnibus de México: the north and northwest

Second-class buses: cheaper, slower, stop more frequently, and often the only option for smaller destinations. Perfectly functional for shorter routes.

Colectivos

Shared minivans or taxis running fixed routes between nearby towns — the most important transport option for the Riviera Maya and Yucatán Peninsula. Examples:

  • Cancún → Playa del Carmen → Tulum: colectivos run every 10–15 minutes along this corridor for ~MXN 30–70 per leg
  • Tulum → Cobá: colectivo twice daily
  • Around the Oaxaca Valley: colectivos serve the villages for MXN 20–40

Colectivos depart from designated points (usually near the central market or second-class bus station) when full. No advance booking — just turn up.

Domestic flights

Mexico’s domestic airline market has three main players:

  • Aeromexico: the flag carrier; more reliable but pricier
  • VivaAerobus: budget carrier, good prices if booked early
  • Volaris: budget carrier, extensive network, frequent sales

Book 3–6 weeks in advance for MXN 800–2,000 on most routes. Last-minute bookings can be 3–4× more expensive.

Most useful domestic routes:

  • Mexico City → Oaxaca: 1 hour (vs. 6 hours by bus)
  • Mexico City → Tuxtla Gutiérrez (for San Cristóbal): 1.5 hours
  • Mexico City → Mérida: 2 hours
  • Villahermosa → Mexico City: 1.5 hours (useful when exiting the Chiapas/Palenque circuit)

Uber and rideshare

Uber operates in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Mérida, Oaxaca, and most other large cities. It’s generally reliable and cheaper than street taxis in cities. InDriver is a popular alternative in some cities (bid-based fare model).

In tourist areas (Cancún Hotel Zone, Tulum beach road), Uber can have long wait times — street taxis or colectivos are often faster.

Renting a car

Useful for the Yucatán (Uxmal and the Ruta Puuc are poorly served by public transport), Oaxaca valley villages, and Pacific coast destinations. Major international agencies operate at all airports. Check carefully for:

  • Third-party liability insurance (mandatory in Mexico and different from home-country coverage)
  • Toll road costs (Mexico has an extensive but expensive toll road network)
  • Breakdown assistance coverage

Driving in Mexico City is not recommended for visitors — traffic is severe and the city’s hoy-no-circula (no-drive day) system restricts vehicles by number plate.

Getting around cities

Mexico City: the Metro is extensive, cheap (MXN 5 flat fare), and fast when not overcrowded. Metrobús (BRT) covers corridors the metro doesn’t reach. Ecobici (bike share) is available in central neighbourhoods.

Other cities: taxis are metered or use fixed zone rates. Confirm the fare before getting in where meters aren’t used.