Buses (ADO)
ADO is Mexico's premium long-distance bus company. The buses are clean, on-time, and the seats are bigger than business class on most airlines. Book online or at the bus station.
Always pick the GL or Platino class for overnight journeys — wider seats and toilets work.
Internal flights
Volaris, Viva Aerobús and Aeroméxico run a dense network of cheap internal flights. Booking 2–4 weeks ahead, you can usually find one-way tickets for $40–80.
Ride-share apps
Uber and DiDi work in every major city. They're cheaper and safer than street taxis. Use them in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Mérida and Oaxaca.
Renting a car
Skip rentals for cities. Rent only for: Yucatán cenote loops, Baja road trips, and Pueblos Mágicos away from bus routes. Insurance is mandatory and quoted separately from the headline rate.
Many car-rental headline prices online don't include the mandatory Mexican liability insurance. Expect to pay $20–35 per day extra at the counter.
Trains
Mexico has very few passenger trains. The two scenic exceptions: the Chepe (Copper Canyon) and the Tren Maya (Yucatán) which opened in late 2023.
Buses (ADO)
ADO is Mexico's premium long-distance bus company. The buses are clean, on-time, and the seats are bigger than business class on most airlines. Book online or at the bus station.
Always pick the GL or Platino class for overnight journeys — wider seats and toilets work.
Internal flights
Volaris, Viva Aerobús and Aeroméxico run a dense network of cheap internal flights. Booking 2–4 weeks ahead, you can usually find one-way tickets for $40–80.
Ride-share apps
Uber and DiDi work in every major city. They're cheaper and safer than street taxis. Use them in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Mérida and Oaxaca.
Renting a car
Skip rentals for cities. Rent only for: Yucatán cenote loops, Baja road trips, and Pueblos Mágicos away from bus routes. Insurance is mandatory and quoted separately from the headline rate.
Many car-rental headline prices online don't include the mandatory Mexican liability insurance. Expect to pay $20–35 per day extra at the counter.
Trains
Mexico has very few passenger trains. The two scenic exceptions: the Chepe (Copper Canyon) and the Tren Maya (Yucatán) which opened in late 2023.