How to Make Mexico Bus Reservations

How to Get a Seat on a Long Distance Bus in Mexico

Mexico bus reservations are easy, though they seem tricky if (1) you don't speak / read Spanish and (2) because Mexico buses may not have websites or accept reservations from outside Mexico. Know this: Mexico first class buses are usually not full, and you'll probably get on a bus by showing up at the station right up until the moment the bus leaves; if you're hoping to get on a second class bus, show up at the station an hour or so early and you'll likely get lucky.

Can't make a reservation online on a Mexico bus, and can't call Mexico on your cell phone? In that case, you may feel antsy because (for instance) you're hoping to get straight onto a bus after getting off an international plane and want the security of a reservation. One solution we tried:

• Find a local (to the city in which you're getting on the bus) Mexico travel agent with an email address (or call a local Mexico travel agent using Skype) and make arrangements to buy bus tickets through the travel agent. You can grab a cab to the travel agent's office and pick up your bus tickets once you arrive in your target city, or arrange to pick up your tickets at the bus company's window at the bus station, or ask the travel agent to meet you at the bus station. We did this last with a wonderful Puerto Vallarta travel agency, Travel and Tour Puerto Vallarta (ask for Leigh Vanderslice), and they were fabulously helpful, meeting us at the international gate and handing over tiockets to a bus that was leaving for Guadalajara in 20 minutes.

Mexico Bus Websites

Several veteran Mexico bussers have some terrifically detailed websites listing all the Mexico bus companies:

• Mexico bus schedules (mostly links) and bus lines' websites
• Excellent and chatty info about Mexico buses, the Yucatan in particular
• Larpman's Mexico bus info - this fellow will also put together a schedule for you for a couple of bucks (can be hard to do yourself online)

How to Find and Ride the Bus in Mexico

Learn all about riding the bus in Mexico:

• All About Buses in Mexico

And see some photos of bus stations and bus interiors:

• Mexico Bus Photos

Enjoy the journey!