What's the most cost efficient way to travel to Guadalajara?

Question

I'm looking for a way to get to Guadalajara from Chicago at a financially manageable cost. Airline tickets are getting more and more exensive - does anyone know a website with the cheapest ticket prices? Driving is out of the question as I would be traveling alone - although I may consider taking a bus at some point. Since I've never travelled alone, it's really scary for me, but I really need to go, so I have to figure something out. Please help!

Answer 1

Don't listen, these guys don't know what are they talking about  the cheapeast way is by plane because by bus you will save about 100 dollars roundtrip but it takes about 40 hours sitting (EACH WAY) and you still have to buy lunch, there are really god deals on airefares just look around, I bought a nonstop for july rountrip for 430 dollars in aeromexico at travelocity.

Answer 2

The best option would be to fly and I checked many different airline companies before I came and Continental had the best prices.  You don't want to take a bus here in Mexico, just believe me...you'll see after you get here.  Driving is not all that bad, I did it just fine by myself....but then again it is very expensive....try Continental.

Answer 3

Let me just say, if you come to Guadalajara with a "I want to save money" attitude, you will not have a good time. What I would recomend you do is, make a budget, an amount of money that you want to spend, for instance 3 grand or so, and just say to yourself that that is all your going to spend. When you are traveling, just keep an open objective mind as to what you really want to get, if it's necessary or just worthless. You'll be happy out of the money you save of your prognosed budget. Have fun, and do go to El Centro de Guadalajara, just enjoy the view and have some ice cream. As far as hotels go, just don't stay at the Hilton Hotel (unless you want to spend a bundle and support you know who). Hope my opinion helps, and have fun.

Answer 4

Driving is very expensive. The one way toll to Guadalajara from Nuevo Laredo 733 pesos which is about 1/3 the cost of bus fare all the way from Chicago to Guadalajara.

   Bus fare is $200 each way on Greyhound, but it takes over 2 days (each way). Sometimes airfare (with a stop in Houston on Continental Airlines) can drop as low as $500 round trip. I have seen non-stop as low as $750 on American or Mexicana.

  The low cost airlines in Mexico don't fly to Chicago (yet). They usually go to Los Angeles, or Texas or Vegas.

  It is difficult to beat air-fare. Ground transportation initially looks cheap, but when you add in the additional costs and the boredom of being in a bus or a train that long it rarely saves you much (if anything).

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OK. I checked Amtrak from chicago to San Antonio & it is $125 one way (32:40 hours) if you have a student advantage.

Leaves 1:45 pm to 10:25 pm.

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There is a Greyhound (#9391) that leaves San Antonio for Guadalajara at 12:30am - 06:00pm   (17:30 hours). Refundable is $109 (non-refundable is $97) with the possibility of additional discounts for student saver (you must apply).

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The AMTRAK station is about a mile from the Greyhound station. You have 2 hours so you should be able to find cab. It's a little risky since the train might be late, and you have to spend the night in San Antonio.

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If you bring food and books you might save some money. Riding a train is a more tolerable than riding a bus for 50 hours.

Answer 5

"You don't want to take a bus here in Mexico, just believe me...you'll see after you get here."

This is nonsense. Mexico has one of the best inter-city bus systems in the world.

The discount airlines are often about the same as taking a long distance bus, sometimes cheaper. If you can get to Austin, TX, Alma de Mexico has cheap flights to Monterey with connections from there to GDL.

For prices on flights from Chicago, check with sidestep.com. Don't expect any great bargains. Prices have increased.

Answer 6

I know that some of the bus companies in Mexico use very nice coaches, and are much nicer that a regular greyhound bus. Good Luck

Answer 7

Try aeromexico.com, is one of the most large airlines in MX and is lately experienced big competition from small cheap airlines ergo it's prices and promotions are good deals sometimes.

Answer 8

Go to Yahoo! Travel.

It scours various websites (direct airlines and sites like Expedia) for various offers and lists them by order price.

Yahoo! is great... and I'm not just saying that cuz I work here. Hehe!