How to travel cheaply in Mexico?

How to travel from USA to Mexico by bus?

• I'm definitely going; my mind's made up. I just have a question about HOW to get there. I'm leaving the USA for Mexico soon, to teach English as a Foreign Language. I know that there are bus companies that depart from Texas, Arizona, California, etc. and travel to Mexico, but I'm concerned about the costs and the safety. I live in North Carolina now but I know that it's unlikely there is bus service from where I live. No problem, I could take the train to Texas. Exactly what are the companies that travel between USA and Mexico? Do they travel into the heart of Mexico, eg, Mexico City? How much would that cost? I'm either destined for Querétaro or Morelia (Querétaro is safe and hopefully I'll go there; I haven't ruled out Morelia but I am a bit concerned about safety). I'm used to people trying to talk me out of going to Mexico whenever I discuss my plans with them. I just want to know how to get there, because I want to return to Mexico badly and I know this is the right decision.

• Answer:

  You simply need to take Greyhound to a border town...and I highly recommend McAllan , Tx. There is a great bus station there, very nice, new, everyone speaks Spanish and English. MANY bus lines leave from there going to all cities in Mexico all day every day. Mexican buses are FAR better, nicer, cleaner, more comfortable, safer than Greyhound. Sorry, but Greyhound is trash and is excellent at losing your bags, leaving you stranded for hours in ungodly places, and not caring a hoot. If you can possibly fly to San Antonio, then take the bus to McAllen, that would be the best. Check the prices, often flying is NOT more expensive than the train. No matter what city in Mexico you are going to ( unless it is in the very northern part), you must go thru Mexico City...all buses connect there. In Mc Allen, ask for the next avail. bus to Mexico City. All lines are excellent and prices are almost identical. I especially like Senda and ETN. In Mexico City, get a baggage guy to help you and he will take you to the best desk to get a ticket to Queretero...tip him well and he will take good care of you. Now that I think about it, I believe Senda and ETN buses leave from the Reynosa station...just across the border from Mc Allen. There is a local bus that crosses the border from station to station for about $2.00. Or, any line from Mc Allen to Mexico City is fine. The price from Reynosa to Mexico City is about 852 pesos...$67.00usd. The bus from Mexico City to Queretero should be 220 pesos...$17.00usd. I presume you will have your vis with work permit taken cae of before leaving...you cannot enter Mexico on a tourist card and work....unless your employer is going to take care of getting your FM3 with permit after you arrive. If that is the case, you need to get a tourist card when you cross the border. Need to tell the bus driver that as he ordinarily does not stop for that ...they always presume everyone on the bus is Mexican or has a visa or tourist card. Hope al works out well for you.