The relatively new Platino bus service offered by ADO bus lines in Mexico, provides passengers with luxury bus travel previously unknown. A recent overnight six-hour bus ride on Platino from Oaxaca to Mexico City, necessitated as a consequence of the Mexicana Airlines suspension of service and cancellation of flights, confirmed that Platino is best in every category, far superior to the old UNO, GL and Estrella Roja. Platino also beats car rentals in the airports at both Oaxaca and Mexico City, because it is so user friendly and luxurious, and one does not have to contend with traffic in or when leaving Mexico City, nor the constant congestion in Oaxaca.
Features of the ADO Platino Bus Service for Travel Between Oaxaca and Mexico City: Buying Tickets & More
As at August, 2010, if not earlier, Platino at the first class ADO bus terminal in Oaxaca has a dedicated ticket wicket, meaning no long lines as are often encountered using other classes of bus. The Platino bus service is distinct from ADO general, GL, and of course the discontinued UNO.
The ADO Platino staff is courteous and friendly. They triple check trip particulars to avoid errors, important for those whose Spanish is questionable. Using a computer screen, the Platino representative points out available seats. One side of the aisle has two seats, and the other, single seats, meaning not having to sit beside a stranger, and effectively being guaranteed seating alongside a spouse, partner or child, assuming tickets are purchased sufficiently in advance.
Platino buses have 25 rather than 40 seats, so with ongoing airline problems in Mexico, best to book early. A one-way ticket from Oaxaca to Mexico City on Platino costs 734 pesos (a bit less slow season). For those in Oaxaca planning to fly out of Mexico City upon arrival in the nation’s capital, buy tickets at Oaxaca’s ADO first class bus terminal or at anther ticket office in the city, for arrival at the TAPO terminal in Mexico City, closest to the airport, as opposed to Norte. Of course try booking online.
At the Oaxaca ADO bus terminal there is a special lounge for passengers waiting to board Platino. The air conditioned spacious room offers complimentary coffee, and boasts two big screen TVs. But best of all there is no waiting in the main terminal with throngs of travelers in queue to check suitcases; the Platino lounge has its own luggage staff.
Bells and Whistles of Platino Buses for Traveling Oaxaca to Mexico City
As one prepares to board the bus, ADO staff offers a choice of soft drink, juice or water, and a bag containing a package of granola, ear phones, hand sanitizer, mints and eye covers for sleeping.
The best way to describe the bells and whistles, is that it approaches first class airline service but without stewards on the bus. However, once everyone is seated the driver stands and addresses passengers, indicating estimated travel time, regarding plug-ins for cellular phones and computers, and other tidbits of information.
Seats are wide and comfy. Footrests are adjustable, as of course are the seats, reclining to almost completely horizontal, like a padded chaise lounge. Each seat has its own TV screen on the back of the seat in front, and independent remote control. Each passenger therefore has a choice of movies, television shows, news, and music.
But for the night bus ride, all one hopefully needs is to close the window blind, then the velour drapes, turn off the overhead lamp, and snooze. A Dramamine or sleeping pill (arguably extreme measures) often aids, depending upon one’s tendencies. For the overnight Platino bus ride, why not sleep. The highway is excellent and ride smooth, and therefore one need not have concerns, as distinct from night-time bus rides from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido or Huatulco. On those trips, it’s best to travel during daytime hours, for safety and to appreciate the scenery. Certainly the panoramic vistas en route from Oaxaca to Mexico City are worth seeing, the point simply that one can be assured of a safe trip on the Oaxaca – Mexico City toll road, taking the overnight ADO bus, Platino or otherwise.
As one would expect, there are pillows and blankets. LED lighting at the front of the bus indicates date, time and temperature. At the back there are two washrooms. There is also complimentary coffee service.
Arriving at the ADO Bus Terminal in Mexico City (TAPO) and Getting to the Airport
Once one gets off the bus, taxi service in the Mexico CityTAPO bus terminal is a two minute walk. Tickets are purchased at a booth, charge depending on destination. In August, 2010, the 15 minute ride to the airport cost 115 pesos.
Alternative ADO Bus Service, Mexico City to Oaxaca, Without Taxi Ride: Estrella Roja & GL
As an alternative to the Platino ADO bus service between Oaxaca and Mexico City, for those who do not relish the idea of having to taxi to the airport once in Mexico City, ADO also offers a combined Estrella Roja – GL bus service. It lacks the luxury of Platino, but is comfortable and efficient.
Starting off at the airport in Mexico City for a trip to Oaxaca, one can take Estrella Roja from the airport and arrive at the CAPU terminal in Puebla in about two hours, then wait at the terminal an hour or two, and take another bus, the GL service, from CAPU, right to Oaxaca. This second bus trip takes about 4 ½ hours. This affords the option of spending a couple of days in a colonial city very different from Oaxaca.
The Estrella Roja bus from the Mexico City airport to Puebla costs 194 pesos, and the GL bus from CAPU in Puebla to Oaxaca, costs 360 pesos. While lacking the luxury of Platino, the combination of Estrella Roja from Mexico City to Puebla and then GL to Oaxaca provides a pleasant alternative. But top vote still goes to ADO’s Platino bus service, all the way.
Alvin Starkman - Alvin Starkman runs Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast. He is a paid contributing writer for Mexico Today (http://www.mexicotoday.org).
