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TBo

Oct 23, 2010, 7:50 PM

Post #1 of 11 (3215 views)

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PV to GTO capital-best way to get there?

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December 18th we're flying into Puerto Vallarta, then traveling to Guanajuato capital for a week, then back to PV and on to Yelapa for 2 weeks, then back home to Seattle. Already have tickets to PV. Since there does not now seem to be direct flights from PV to Leon, we're thinking that the best way to get from there to GTO might be to fly to Guadalajara and then bus to GTO. Does that make sense? How to get from Guadalajara airport to its main bus station? What to expect to pay? Best bus to GTO? Is another way better? Many thanks. Tom

gpkgto

Oct 24, 2010, 7:14 AM

Post #2 of 11 (3185 views)

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Re: [TBo] PV to GTO capital-best way to get there?

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Probably the easiest way would be to take a bus from PV to Guanajuato. You will have to change busses in Guadalajara (depending on which bus line you use) and the entire trip might take 10 hours or so (5 hours from PV to Guadalajara plus wait time to change busses in Guad plus probably about 4 hours to Guanajuato). Take the busline ETN if available--it is the most comfortable. Taking a plane will save little time considering the hassels involved in flying/waiting/travel from airport to downtown/etc.

esperanza

Oct 24, 2010, 8:01 AM

Post #3 of 11 (3176 views)

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Re: [TBo] PV to GTO capital-best way to get there?

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I absolutely second the motion to bus from Vallarta to Guadalajara and then to Guanajuato. Even though it will take the better part of a day on the bus, you would easily spend the same amount of time getting to the Vallarta airport an hour early, waiting for a plane, getting from the Guadalajara airport to the bus station, waiting for a bus, and then riding the bus to Guanajuato. Plus, the money you save by taking the bus rather than flying will be substantial. Use that money for a terrific dinner in Guanajuato!

And by all means take the ETN bus if you possibly can...it's much more comfortable than an airplane! The ETN bus fare from Vallarta to Guadalajara is 395 pesos each way. From Guadalajara to Guanajuato is 375 pesos each way. Check the ETN schedule for departure/arrival times: http://www.etn.com.mx

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

TBo

Oct 24, 2010, 11:10 AM

Post #4 of 11 (3143 views)

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Re: [esperanza] PV to GTO capital-best way to get there?

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We arrive at PV airport on flight from Seattle at 3:30P, 18 Dec. Responding to your suggestions, I've looked at the ETN schedule and the only bus from PV to GTO (via Leon) is overnight, leaving PV at 9:30P, arriving at 7AM in Leon, and 10:30A in GTO.

We'd really like to spend that first night in our hotel bed. We see a flight we could take from PVR to GDL at 5P and a Primera Plus bus from Guadalajara that would get us to Guanajuato at midnight.

The cost difference between these two itineraries for the two of us is about $270 (including taxis). Since our time in Guanajuato is limited, to get most of an extra day of consciousness in the city would be worth it.

Questions:
1) Is it reasonable to think we can make the connection in Puerto Vallarta between our 3:30P arrival at airport, clearing customs, and 4:55P departure on the last flight to Guadalajara?
2) Is it reasonable to think we can make the connection in Guadalajara between our 5:30P arrival at airport and 8:00P departure from the Primera Plus bus station? Is that Central Camionera?
3) In Guanajuato, what would be the scene at the bus station and chances of getting safe and reliable transport to our el centro hotel--Hosteria de Frayle?

Many thanks for the great and kind advice. Tom

PS-Months ago, when we originally booked our flights to PV, we figured when the time got closer we'd reserve one of Mexicana airline's flights from PV to Leon--looked easy peasy. Well, you know about best laid plans.

(This post was edited by TBo on Oct 24, 2010, 11:20 AM)

sioux4noff

Oct 25, 2010, 7:41 AM

Post #5 of 11 (3094 views)

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Re: [TBo] PV to GTO capital-best way to get there?

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On a Saturday afternoon in December, it could be very tight getting from the incoming flight to the outgoing one. Saturday afternoons are extremely busy at the PVR airport, and we have had to wait for people more than a hour, as long as up to 2 hours, numerous times.
Then you still have to go re-check in, and go back through security, again with Saturday being a very busy time there. Although by that time, almost all the outgoing travelers will have checked in and gone through security.
You can look at the bus schedules for PV- Guadalajara and Guadalajara- Guanajuato seperately. Just change buses in GDL. We did that and ended up with almost a direct through trip (maybe 30 minutes between buses) and the cost was less. I have used Primera Plus and their buses were sufficiently comfortable. You will have no problem gettig a cab from the bus station in Guanajuato to your hotel.

prmjcm

Oct 25, 2010, 9:48 AM

Post #6 of 11 (3076 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] PV to GTO capital-best way to get there?

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I was wondering how long a trip from the bus station to airport by cab??

Pat

skier14

Oct 25, 2010, 9:55 AM

Post #7 of 11 (3074 views)

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Re: [prmjcm] PV to GTO capital-best way to get there?

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From the bus station to the Guadalajara airport by cab should take about a half hour without traffic delays, which sometimes happen. Price could be about $200 pesos. This trip is usually outside the taxi meter zone so ask the driver.

sioux4noff

Oct 25, 2010, 11:57 AM

Post #8 of 11 (3056 views)

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Re: [prmjcm] PV to GTO capital-best way to get there?

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If you meant in Puerto Vallarta, it is a 10 minute cab ride from the airport to the bus station.

prmjcm

Oct 25, 2010, 2:00 PM

Post #9 of 11 (3036 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] PV to GTO capital-best way to get there?

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Sorry I meant to say Guadalajara form bus station to airport

esperanza

Oct 25, 2010, 2:09 PM

Post #10 of 11 (3034 views)

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Re: [prmjcm] PV to GTO capital-best way to get there?

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Half an hour is a hopeful time estimate, and 200 pesos is a hopeful price. I suspect it will take a bit more time and a bit more money.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

sioux4noff

Oct 25, 2010, 3:51 PM

Post #11 of 11 (3024 views)

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Re: [TBo] PV to GTO capital-best way to get there?

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You could get an Aeoromexico flight, looks like it's at 6:50 p.m. out of Puerto Vallarta, to Mexico City then change planes to Leon, arriving in Leon at 10:10 p.m. It's not cheap, it looks like it would be about $300 US per person!!
If you took an overnight bus, you could sleep on the bus and arrive in Guanajuato somewhat rested. You are going to be there a week, you would really only lose half a day or so resting up, I'd imagine, by taking the bus all the way from PV. Primera Plus offers a somewhat OK schedule for doing that. It would be about 600 pesos each one way, it looks like.