Bus travel is one of the safest and most affordable ways to travel through Mexico! There are plenty of bus lines in Mexico. We took the Guadalajara to Mexico City overnight bus with ETN. We were shocked at how nice and comfy these buses were. Here’s everything you need to know before your
PUERTO VALLARTA TO GUADALAJARA BUS
HOW TO BOOK
You can book in person at the train station or book online using the ETN website. ETN runs hundreds of routes and lines every day, so you can compare prices and see which route is the cheapest.
COST
Based on demand, the cost of the ticket will vary. The route we chose was MXN 774 ($44 USD) per person. Expect to pay between MXN 810 and MXN 1200 ($46-70 USD) for the ride from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara. Yes, bus travel is not cheap in Mexico – you may even be able to find flights for cheaper, but bus travel in Mexico is very safe, comfortable, and easy.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The ETN bus terminal, located in near the airport in PV, and is where the bus departs from. ETN has a specialised air conditioned waiting room that also has free wifi.
Once our bus arrived, we lined up to stow our luggage in the bottom compartment of the bus. The luggage fees were included in the booking price, so it didn’t cost any extra money to stow.
SEATING AND COMFORT
ETN prides itself on comfort. The seats are not your typical cramped bus seats; they’re more like plush armchairs that recline to a nearly horizontal position. It was very comfortable and easy to sleep on the bus. Each seat has curtains to block out any light.
ENTERTAINMENT
Every seat has a personal TV screen offering a selection of movies, TV shows, movies etc. to keep you entertained. You can request headphones from ETN while you are boarding. We did not utilize these features because all the shows were in Spanish, but many other guests on our bus did! There are phone charging ports at every seat as well.
BATHROOMS?
Every ETN bus comes equipped with 2 bathrooms. They were very clean, didn’t smell bad, and had toilet paper.
REST STOPS?
Because there are bathrooms on board, the ETN buses do not make any rest stops. Make sure to pack your own snacks and food because you won’t be stopping anywhere along the way.
THE RIDE
The drive from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara is fairly direct. There was one section of the road that was a big winding, but after we entered the state of Jalisco it was a straight shot on the highway to Guadalajara. The drive through the Mexican countryside was stunning, and we saw Agave farms for as far as the eye could see! The ride took about 5 hours, but 2 of those hours were stuck in city traffic in Guadalajara. The traffic in the city is no joke, so it can take a while to arrive at the bus station.
ARRIVAL IN GUADALAJARA
Our bus arrived at the Guadalajara bus terminal after about 5 hours, and we were able to easily call an Uber to our accommodation. The Guadalajara bus station has many little shops and restaurants, as well as free wifi.
TIPS AND TRICKS
- Pack Snacks: Because the buses are all equipped with bathrooms, they don’t make any unscheduled stops. Make sure you bring some food and snacks to keep you satiated on the ride!
- Book Early: Especially during high season, make sure you book your bus in advance.
Bus travel in Mexico is a practical, efficient, and safe mode of transportation. The buses are affordable, nicely kept, and the scenic views of the Mexican countryside are a great perk!
To check out our full Guadalajara gallery, click here!