By Plane
Guadalajara's airport (GDL) is a half-hour ride from the city. Taxi tickets, priced by zone, are for sale in front of the airport (235 pesos to downtown).
Major airlines serving Guadalajara are AeroMar (tel. 01-800/237-6627 in Mexico), Aeroméxico (tel. 800/237-6639 in the U.S., 01-800/021-4000 in Mexico), Alaska (tel. 800/252-7522 in the U.S., 01-800/252-7522 in Mexico), American (tel. 800/433-7300 in the U.S., 01-800/904-6000 in Mexico), Continental (tel. 800/523-3273 in the U.S., or 01-800/900-5000 in Mexico), Delta (tel. 800/241-4141 in the U.S., 01-800/123-4710 in Mexico, or 33/3630-3530), and United (tel. 800/538-2929 in the U.S., 01-800/003-0777 in Mexico, or 33/3616-9489).
Of the smaller airlines, Azteca (tel. 33/3630-4615) offers service to and from Mexico City, and from there to several cities in Mexico. Allegro (tel. 33/3647-7799) operates flights to and from Oakland and Las Vegas via Tijuana.
By Car
Guadalajara is at the hub of several four-lane toll roads (called cuotas or autopistas), which cut travel time considerably but are expensive. From Nogales on the U.S. border, follow Hwy. 15 south (21 hr.). From Tepic, a quicker route is toll road 15D (5 hr.; 320 pesos). From Puerto Vallarta, go north on Hwy. 200 to Compostela; toll road 68D heads east to join the Tepic toll road. Total time is 5 1/2 hours, and the tolls add up to 300 pesos. From Barra de Navidad, on the coast southeast of Puerto Vallarta, take Hwy. 80 northeast (4 1/2 hr.). From Manzanillo, you might also take this road, but toll road 54D through Colima to Guadalajara (3 1/2 hr.; 260 pesos) is faster. From Mexico City, take toll road 15D (7 hr.; 550 pesos).
By Bus
Two bus stations serve Guadalajara. The old one, south of downtown, is for buses to Tequila and other nearby towns; the new one, 10km (6 1/4 miles) southeast of downtown, is for longer trips.
The Old Bus Station -- For destinations within 100km (62 miles) of town, including the Lake Chapala area, go to the old bus terminal, on Niños Héroes off Calzada Independencia Sur. For Lake Chapala, take Transportes Guadalajara-Chapala, which runs frequent buses and combis (minivans).
The New Bus Station -- The Central Camionera is 20 to 30 minutes from downtown (125 pesos by taxi). The station has seven terminals connected by a covered walkway. Each terminal houses bus lines, offering first- and second-class service for different destinations. Buy bus tickets ahead of time from a travel agency in Guadalajara. Ask at your hotel for the closest to you. There are several major bus lines. The best service (big seats and lots of room) is provided by ETN.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
