How to Get From Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara: Safe Transportation Guide
Wondering how to get from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara? In this article, I’ll cover the main ways to get between the two cities to help you decide which transportation method is best for you.
Guadalajara is the largest city in the Mexican state of Jalisco and a popular destination for those looking to escape the touristy beach towns and learn more about Mexican culture.
The city makes a great base for visiting nearby towns like Tequila, where you can tour local distilleries, and the popular lakeside towns of Ajijic and Chapala.
Whether you’re planning to spend a few days in Guadalajara or just passing through on your way to the airport, this guide will outline the best options for getting there from Puerto Vallarta.
Where is Guadalajara?
Guadalajara is located in the state of Jalisco, on the western side of Mexico. It is situated approximately 280 km (174 miles) from Puerto Vallarta.
The bus trip from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara is advertised as about 4.5 hours, but the actual driving time depends on traffic and road conditions. A flight from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara takes approximately 80 minutes, but of course, you must allow for wait time at the airport before your flight.
Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara buses
The simplest way to get between Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara is by bus. Several companies run buses between these two cities, with multiple departures every day. The ride is slightly twisty in parts but, overall, very scenic. So, if you plan to take the bus to Guadalajara, I’d recommend going during the day to admire the mountains and agave fields along the way!
You’ll depart from the Central de Autobuses in Puerto Vallarta, which is very close to the Puerto Vallarta airport.
Which bus lines run from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara?
The following bus companies run between Vallarta and GDL. They all offer a very similar service, but some are a little more luxurious than others.
- ETN
- Futura
- Primera Plus
- Pacifico
- Vallarta Plus
ETN is the most luxurious of these companies and will have the highest prices. Futura and Primera Plus are pretty comparable in my experience– Primera Plus may be slightly nicer. I haven’t traveled with Pacific or Vallarta Plus, but I think they’re slightly more basic.
I took Primera Plus on my most recent trip, and it was comfortable. Each seat had its own entertainment center and complimentary headphones. There was always free Wi-Fi onboard (though it was pretty slow) and separate restrooms for men and women. The coach was also air-conditioned.
Guadalajara bus stations
Guadalajara has a few different bus stations, and depending on where you’re planning to go in the city, one might make more sense than others. You might also choose your station depending on scheduling.
In most cases, when traveling from Puerto Vallarta, it will make the most sense to choose either Nueva Central or the Zapopan bus station.
I’ve circled them both in pink on the map below:
Nueva Central
La Nueva Central is the main bus station in Guadalajara. Most buses from Puerto Vallarta will give you the option to end your trip here. This a massive station (larger than some airports!) and it’s a hub for most bus companies operating in the western part of Mexico. You can catch buses here to go almost anywhere in Mexico.
La Nueva Central is located southeast of Guadalajara’s Centro Historico and is probably the best choice if you are traveling to Tonala, Tlaquepaque, or the Guadalajara airport because it is situated close to those areas.
From my observation, La Nueva didn’t seem to be located in the best part of town. If possible, I would avoid arriving here late at night.
When I arrived, I was met with an abundance of taxi drivers right outside, which was really overwhelming as they each started jostling for me to get in their cars. I opted to call an Uber instead because I wanted the peace of mind of in-app navigation.
Zapopan
If you’re staying in La Colonia Americana, Centro Historico, Zapopan, or anywhere else on the west side of the city, purchase a ticket to the Zapopan bus station.
It’s a much smaller station on the western edge of Guadalajara. Landing here will save you from having to backtrack across the city from Nueva. (Heads up, traffic can be terrible in Guadalajara).
The smaller size of the Zapopan station makes getting in and out of it much less stressful than the Nueva Central, at least in my opinion. I would choose this station over Nueva any day!
On my recent trip from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara, I took the Primera Plus bus from Vallarta to Central Nueva because I hadn’t bothered to look up the location of either bus station in relation to my hotel. I ended up taking a 30-minute Uber back across town to La Americana. I lived and learned, so you don’t have to!
How to book bus tickets to Guadalajara
There are several ways to book your bus tickets to Guadalajara.
- Buy them at the bus terminal: Unless you’re traveling on a busy holiday (such as Día de Muertos or Christmas Eve), booking your bus tickets ahead is probably unnecessary. You can show up at the bus station shortly before departure (I suggest 30 minutes) and buy tickets in person.
- At a convenience store: If you want to book ahead but don’t feel like venturing all the way to the bus station, head to your local Oxxo, Kiosko, 7/11, or really any convenience store in Puerto Vallarta.
- Through the bus company website: Once you select a bus company to travel with, head to their website to purchase your ticket online. I bought my bus ticket to Guadalajara directly through the Primera Plus website, and they emailed me the ticket as a QR code. All I had to do was show up and board the bus! If you have any issues with the Primera Plus site (sometimes they reject foreign credit cards), you can also book through GottoGo, a third-party transportation aggregator.
- Using Busbud: Busbud is a popular transportation aggregator for purchasing tickets online. They charge a small commission on top of the ticket price, but their website is in English, and they take foreign credit cards. This is the best option for anyone who would prefer an English-language site or if you’re having issues getting the bus company site to accept your credit card. Click here to book travel to Guadalajara on Busbud!
Flights from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara
Flying is another option for getting between Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. Both cities have major airports, and you can find multiple flights between them daily.
The Mexican airlines VivaAerobus and Volaris both offer nonstop flights from PVR to GDL. These are both budget airlines. I’ve flown with both several times and always had good experiences. If I had to choose, I’d go with Volaris because the planes (in my experience) are a little newer and more comfortable.
You can often find flights from PVR to GDL on AeroMexico as well, but they have a stopover in Mexico City, making the total travel time over 4 hours. AeroMexico is a great airline, but flying all the way to Mexico City and back feels nonsensical to me!
Naturally, prices vary depending on seasonality and demand. The winter high season or holidays like Semana Santa will likely drive prices up.
I’ve seen prices under $700 MXN for a one-way flight to Guadalajara. That wouldn’t include baggage fees or seat selection, though. Even so, it’s worth comparing flight prices to bus ticket prices, as you may come out ahead.
Flight time from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara is about 55 minutes, but don’t forget to account for time spent waiting at the airport when you calculate total travel time.
I like to use Skyscanner to search for flight prices across the different carriers.
Driving from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara
If you’re the type of traveler who appreciates the independence of having your own set of wheels, you may prefer to drive to Guadalajara. This could be advantageous as Guadalajara is a large, sprawling city and there are several attractions you may wish to visit beyond the city limits as well.
Having your own vehicle will undoubtedly save you time navigating public transportation and give you the freedom and flexibility to check out some harder-to-reach points of interest (such as the Guachimontones archaeological site!)
If you plan to rent a car, Discover Cars is my preferred platform to find the best deals on rental cars in Mexico. They aggregate prices across all the different rental companies so you can compare prices and features to find the best deal. It’s important to read Google reviews of the different companies and make an educated selection, though, because they are not all equal. Unfortunately, the lowest rate doesn’t always mean you’ll get the best service.
The road from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara is pretty straightforward. There are two routes: one uses a toll road (called a cuota), and the other sticks to the free road (called libre). The toll route is advisable as the road is better maintained and faster.
The driving time between Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara varies depending on traffic, but generally, it takes 4 to 5 hours to travel on the cuota.
According to TollGuru, the expected cost of tolls from Vallarta to Guadalajara for a standard-sized vehicle (car, SUV, or pickup truck) is about $1,055 MXN.
I’ve included a map of the recommended driving route below for your reference.
Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara travel FAQs
How much is a bus ticket from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara?
Bus ticket prices vary depending on the bus line you choose, but you can expect to pay about $780 MXN for a one-way ticket on a first-class bus.
How much is a taxi from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara?
You could book a private transfer from the Puerto Vallarta airport to Guadalajara for about $275 USD, but I don’t think there’s much point in it. In most cases, it would be more affordable and comfortable to fly.
Is Guadalajara worth going to?
Yes! I do think Guadalajara is worth a visit. It’s a traditional Mexican city with lots of culture and plenty for visitors to experience. You can learn about Mexican and Jalicense history, check out the vibrant arts district of Tlaquepaque, soak up the city’s incredible gastronomy in the Colonia Americana, learn about Tequila production in the nearby pueblo mágico of Tequila, and so much more!
How many days is enough for Guadalajara?
Guadalajara is a large city with a lot to offer curious travelers. I’d recommend at least 3 days to see the highlights, but you could easily spend a week or more.
Mexico Travel Planning Resources
🌡️ Do I need travel insurance?
Yes! Healthcare in Mexico is affordable for minor ailments, but travel insurance will give you peace of mind if an emergency arises. Plus, you can add coverage for trip interruption, theft, etc. Get a quote from SafetyWing.
🏨 What’s the best way to find accommodation in Mexico?
I use a mix of Booking, Airbnb, and Hostelworld.
Booking.com is awesome for booking hotels and resorts, Hostelworld is great for hostels, and Airbnb specializes in apartment rentals, making it a great place to find long-term stays.
💸 How should I exchange money in Mexico?
Use local ATMS to withdraw cash. US travelers should open a Charles Schwab bank account because they’ll refund ATM fees at the end of the month.
Travelers from outside the US should open a Wise account to secure the best currency exchange rates.
📱 Where can I buy a local SIM card in Mexico?
Pick up a Telcel SIM card at any convenience store. Or, buy an Airalo eSIM online so you’re connected as soon as you land.
🗣️ Do I need to speak Spanish in Mexico?
No, but it definitely helps you feel more confident and connected.
RocketSpanish is my favorite program for learning the foundations of the language. If you’re more focused on improving your conversation skills, hire a tutor through iTalki to prep for your trip.
✈️ What’s the best way to find affordable flights?
I use Skyscanner because it makes it easy to compare rates across different travel days.
🚖 How do I find a safe airport transfer?
I recommend GetTransfer for airport transfers anywhere in Mexico.
🚗 What’s the best way to find rental cars in Mexico?
I recommend Discover Cars because they aggregate prices across rental car companies, making it easy to find competitive rates.
🚐 How do I book bus tickets online in Mexico?
Plan your routes with Rome2Rio, and book your tickets with Busbud — the site is in English and takes foreign credit cards. (Read more here)
🤿 How do I find cool activities and tours in Mexico?
I recommend Viator and Get Your Guide. Viator usually has more options, but it’s worth comparing offerings across both platforms.
🇲🇽 How can I experience Mexico like a local?
Solo female travelers can hire a local female guide through Greether. Greeters will tailor tours based on your interests— it’s basically like experiencing a destination with a local bestie!
🧳 What’s the best luggage for Mexico?
Unless you’re staying at a resort, a travel pack is recommended. I’ve used this one from Osprey for the last 8+ years.
👯♀️ How do I connect with fellow travelers in Mexico?
Join my Female Travelers in Mexico Facebook group, a supportive community of fellow Mexico travel enthusiasts, where you can find answers to all your travel questions!
