Mexico is well connected because many of its major cities are popular with tourists all over the world. Travelling within Mexico is also relatively easy.
This Mexico Transportation Guide lists in detail how to both get to and from Mexico, as well as the best ways of getting around Mexico. A great to see this wonderful country is by taking one of the many interesting local Mexico tours on offer. We also have some useful information on Mexico so you can learn more about the country. We currently have local transportation information for:
- Yucatan
Mexico Transportation Guide
Getting to Mexico
By Air
The international airports in Mexico City and Cancun receive direct flights from South and Central America, Canada, Europe and Havana (Cuba). Most American cities are connected by direct flights to most of Mexico's airports; a few airports, however, receive only a flight or two.
By Train
There are no scheduled passenger train services from Mexico to the Mexico-US border. However the border is accessible from the United States. The San Diego Trolley operated by Amtrak runs from downtown San Diego to the border of California and Baja California. Rail services operated by Amtrak also service the border between El Paso (United States) and Juarez (Mexico), which is just at a stone's throw away from the Rio Grande.
By Bus
Mexico is said to have
one of the most efficient bus networks in the world. There are many
Mexican bus companies with branches in the major cities of the US. The operators communicate mainly in Spanish and cater to Mexican nationals and Hispanics living in the United States of America.
By Boat
Mexico can be accessed by sea from Guatemala. There are also many cruise ships that operate between the United States and Mexico.
Getting Around Mexico
By Car
In the nineties, the government undertook some projects under which many toll roads were laid. These toll roads are well maintained and the best
roads in Mexico. Auto insurance in Mexico is not mandatory but it is strongly recommended because the absence of insurance, in the event of even a minor accident, could lead to imprisonment.
By Air
It is advisable to travel longer distances by air if the airfares are favourable, because the only other alternative is to cover the distance by bus. All the larger cities of Mexico and many of the smaller ones have airports which service domestic flights. Mexicana, AeroMexico, Aeromar and Aviacsa are domestic airlines that operate an extensive network of
flights around Mexico. There are also low cost carriers like Click de Mexicana, Viva Aerobus, Alma de Mexico, Volaris and InterJet.
By Metro
The underground
metro railway in Mexico City is efficient, quick, cheap and one of the best ways to get around the city. Monterrey and Guadalajara also have well connected metro rail systems.
By Bus
Directo or Express buses are highly recommended. They operate direct routes and have fewer stops. First class buses are also very popular as they too run on direct routes. Second class buses are as comfortable as their first class counterparts, but they stop very often and at most of the smaller stops. After the establishment of the NAFTA, bus companies operate direct services from the US cities. Primera Plus, Grupo Ado, Estrella de Ori (Estekka de Ori) and Estrella Blanca (White Star Group) are some of the
major bus operators in Mexico. Bus stops in Mexico are not very common. Tourists are expected to signal to the bus driver, where required, in order to get in or get off the bus. Adding to the chaos of the public transport are small coloured buses called "peseros". The routes taken by the ‘pesero' are written on pieces of cardboard and stuck to the windshield. Peseros are very popular with the Mexicans.
By Train
Monterrey and Mexico City have subway rail services which are comfortable. In some other parts of Mexico, people are allowed to travel in freight cars. But
passenger trains in Mexico are few. The
Chihuahua Pacific Railway, one of the few passenger rail lines, runs from the famous Copper Canyon in the state of Chihuahua to Tobolobampo, which is a city on the Pacific Coast in the state of Sinaloa. The
Tequila Express is another famous rail route from Guadalajara (the capital of Jalisco) to Tequila, a small town which gives the name to this service.