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Maritsa

Jan 18, 2011, 8:11 AM

Post #1 of 6 (4430 views)

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bus trip to Mexico City

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I am thinking about going to Mexico City for about 2 weeks. I checked plane tickets, but it seems you can't purchase a ticket for any less than two weeks in advance. I can take the bus from NC to Mexico City, but I am wondering what to do about a visa, etc. I am assuming that I can't buy a ticket back to the US without a delay as well. Is this true, or can I leave MC sooner? If I take the bus back to the US, do I surrender my visa at the border? Do I get a visa at the border on the way down? The bus crosses the border at Laredo, I believe. I was in Mexico for 3 months in 2006, but I never purchased a visa and I flew out with no problem. I am just wondering if things have changed and what I should do. Thanks for any suggestions. I have not seen Timoteo in 14 monhs and I am afraid that I may never see him again if I don't go now.

Maritsa

Reefhound

Jan 18, 2011, 9:52 AM

Post #2 of 6 (4400 views)

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Re: [Maritsa] bus trip to Mexico City

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The bus will stop at immigration at the border on the way down. You may have to get off and carry your bags through a scanner for customs. Sometimes not. At that time you can go into the immigration building which is right next door and get your FMM tourist "visa". If your bus has mostly Mexican nationals, be sure to let the driver know you need a FMM and to wait for you. It costs about $25 although is usually included in your airline tickets.

You should have had one before and I'm not sure how you got in last time without one since plane passengers are given the form just before landing and then funneled through the immigration line where you get it stamped. Then you must give it back to them when returning on the plane.

On the way back you should stop at the same building and turn in the FMM. In my experience, the bus will not stop there automatically. Be sure to tell the driver.

Another change since 2006 just so you know, you need a U.S. passport now.

Maritsa

Jan 18, 2011, 10:08 AM

Post #3 of 6 (4397 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] bus trip to Mexico City

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When we we to Mexico in 2006 Timoteo went with me. We flew to San Diego and took a bus across Mexico. We were stopped and checked but no one ever said anything about a visa and I didn't know at that time that I needed one. I do have a passport. I went from Tijuana to Chiapas for three months. When I returned to the US I purchased a plane ticket and came back by myself. No one questioned me or asked anything about a visa.

My other question is about changing money. I know it is expensive at airports, etc, so should I exchange some money at the border? I don't want to exchange a lot and draw attention to myself. Not that I will have a lot, but should I exchange maybe $500 and then exchange some later?

RickS

Jan 18, 2011, 10:21 AM

Post #4 of 6 (4394 views)

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Re: [Maritsa] bus trip to Mexico City

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"but it seems you can't purchase a ticket for any less than two weeks in advance"
" I am assuming that I can't buy a ticket back to the US without a delay as well"

Either I am misunderstanding you or you do not have the correct information. One can surely purchase an airline ticket (either one-way or round-trip) within a two-week time-frame. Sometimes it is more expensive to purchase short term or better said it might be cheaper to purchase after one-week or two-weeks advance but this is not a cardinal rule.... especially in today's market. For example I just looked at the cost of a ticket from Raleigh/Durham to Mexico City and one can fly one-way later this week for about $227 (the round-trip fare coming back 2/2/11 is $458). This flies from Raleigh to Houston to Mexico City via United. There are others too.

The price of your airline ticket includes getting an FMM visa, good usually for 180 days. You will get it on-board before you land in MC and they (the airline) will take it back from you when you board the plane back to NC.

With respect to getting pesos.... yes, the airport money changers have a slightly less favorable exchange rate but for one trip I personally think they are OK (and a lot more convenient). Just last year the Mexican government, in an attempt to make money-laundering harder?, passed a law that made it a LOT harder to exchange US Dollars for Pesos in Mexico. Banks will no longer do so. Many people (now and for quite a while previously) just use their debit card at an ATM. This will get you the best exchange rate but of course there is also a (minimal) service charge. If you go this route, remember to tell you bank that you will be traveling in Mexico and using your card. Otherwise they may block its usage for security reasons.

(For these fares I used a site called www.kayak.com )

(This post was edited by RickS on Jan 18, 2011, 10:32 AM)

Anonimo

Jan 18, 2011, 11:14 AM

Post #5 of 6 (4379 views)

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Re: [Maritsa] bus trip to Mexico City

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Quote

My other question is about changing money. I know it is expensive at airports, etc, so should I exchange some money at the border?

Our experiences (although it's been about 6 years since we've done so) is that ATMs at Mexico City Airport give some of the most favorable exchange rates in the city. (On an ATM card, not a credit card.)

We haven't used those ATMs recently, as we live in Mexico and carry enough pesos to facilitate our return. Once in Mexico City, we normally use an ATM-debit card from our Mexican bank to withdraw cash from that bank's machines.

Saludos,
Anonimo

Reefhound

Jan 18, 2011, 5:00 PM

Post #6 of 6 (4338 views)

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Re: [Maritsa] bus trip to Mexico City

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When you arrive by plane, you are handed the form on the plane to fill out. When you arrive by land, no one asks you about it because you are not required to have one in the border zone for short stays. But the past is the past, who knows why something was handled a certain way. Bottom line, you'll need to fill out the FMM tourist this time for D.F. which is a simple form and costs under $30.

For one trip the exchange rate is really not worth worrying about. You'll probably find better rates at cambios around town near the tourist spots but the airport rate will be better than the rate you'll get from a merchant if you have to use dollars. A lot of merchants will just use 10 to 1. You'll get the best rate from an ATM but check bank fees first. Some U.S./Mexico bank combinations work better than others.