Brian J. Cantwell: Flying Down Mexico's Highways in a First-Class Bus Brian J. Cantwell - The Seattle Times
go to original September 24, 2013

Modern Volvo buses are used by ADO, a prominent Mexican intercity bus line. This is the GL-class bus, akin to Business Class. “Platino” is the top-of-the-line service. (Brian J. Cantwell/The Seattle Times)

OAXACA, Mexico — You can still find the fabled “chicken bus” in Mexico, but if you’re traveling between sizable cities, that’s a long-outdated stereotype. Mexico’s modern intercity bus lines are among the best in the world — and also quite affordable.

Traveling overnight back and forth between Oaxaca and San Cristobal de las Casas, in Chiapas, I compared the two premium services offered by ADO (say “Ah-Day-Oh”), one of Mexico’s largest bus operators. The top-of-the-line “Platino” service, modeled after first-class airline comforts, has just about everything but a flight attendant plumping your pillow.

At the modern and shiny first-class bus terminal on the northern edge of downtown Oaxaca, I discovered the first difference when I made the mistake of trying to check my luggage at the “ordinary” bag-check counter. I was pointed around the corner to the private, guarded Platino waiting room with its own bag counter, private restrooms, big-screen TVs, water cooler and free coffee. As I boarded, I was offered a free soft drink or chilled water.

The bus itself had only three seats across the width of the vehicle, in a two-and-one configuration. Traveling alone, I had booked one of the single seats, with the best of both worlds: both a window and an aisle. The down side, I discovered, was that the single row had significantly less leg room between seats than on the side with two seats abreast. It was an unhappy situation as soon as the big man in front of me reclined all the way back and the top of his head was under my nose.

Read the rest at The Seattle Times

TicketBus.com.mx is useful for checking schedules and prices.  It gives users a choice of Spanish or English. But when I went through all the laborious steps to reserve a ticket, the website responded with an “error” message. I heard from another traveler of a similar experience. So you might do best to use the website for schedule info (and seating charts, even) but actually purchase your ticket at the bus station. If you’re concerned about getting a seat, purchase a day or two in advance at your departure station.

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