William Hui has been fascinated with public transportation for as long as he can remember.
So it only made sense that the 40-year-old systems engineer would challenge himself to travel from his hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia, to Tijuana, Mexico, solely on public buses and trains.
On 24 June, Mr Hui set out to do just that, taking a nine-day journey along the US Pacific coast.
Mr Hui told the BBC he only had a few rules for his trip: absolutely no Greyhound buses or Amtrak trains were allowed, and walking between bus stops had to be kept to a minimum.
“At no point in this trip did I have to walk more than maybe 15 minutes from one bus stop to another,” he told the BBC on Friday.
“It was just remarkable to see how the different services connected, especially in rural areas,” he added.
This was not the first time Mr Hui set out on an unusual journey.
In 2013, he tried to travel as far south from Vancouver as he could, but only made it to Salem, Oregon.
“I wanted to go further, I just couldn’t because there was no transit pretty much crossing Oregon into central California,” Mr Hui said.
But earlier this year, he learned of a new, four-hour bus route that links Eureka, a city in northern California, to another city named Ukiah, about two hours north of San Francisco.
He called that route “the missing link”, which finally allowed him to make the journey all the way to Mexico more than a decade later.
Mr Hui said a lot has changed from that initial trip, including how more public transit buses now are equipped with WiFi and accept credit or debit card payments.
Some, however, still only accept cash. “I went to the currency exchange before I set out on this journey and asked for 50 $1 bills just so I had exact change,” he said.
Another thing Mr Hui noted was the difference between public transport in bigger cities, like Seattle or San Francisco, and smaller rural areas, where one bus would travel several hours to link people over the span of hundreds of kilometres.
When it came to international borders, Mr Hui said he crossed them by foot.
At the US-Canada border, he said he was met with scepticism by border agents as he tried to explain the purpose of his journey.
“There are not that many people who cross the (northern) border by foot,” Mr Hui said.
By contrast, he noticed a more well-travelled route between San Diego, in California, and Tijuana, Mexico, and generally more foot traffic at the southern border.
In all, Mr Hui spent a total of about $200 (£157) on bus tickets. But the views along the way, he said, were priceless.
“I was absolutely amazed by the Oregon coastline when I passed through central Oregon,” he said, and was also “awestruck by the redwoods” as he travelled through northern California.
“And I’ve been saying this to folks who have asked: I was really there for the journey, not so much the destination,” he said.
Mr Hui, who works at TransLink - the transportation authority in Vancouver - said his fascination with public transport stems from his appreciation of the “logistics puzzle” behind transit systems that allow buses and trains to get to their intended destinations on time.
He added that he enjoys the novelty of experiencing a new system of public transport, and the role these systems play in helping connect people from one place to another.
“One thing that struck me on this trip is how important transit is to the communities it serves,” Mr Hui said.
“At no point was I alone on the bus for extended periods of time,” he said.
Another thing that surprised Mr Hui is the minimal delays throughout his trip.
“That was the amazing part,” he said. Even with the notoriously lengthy Los Angeles traffic, Mr Hui said he had enough time to make his next connection and did not have to resort to any back-up plans.
For anyone who wants to set out on a similar journey, Mr Hui advised to research ahead of time and to pack light since there are typically no luggage racks or baggage space available.
He added that it is good to also plan out bathroom breaks.
“Shopping centres, libraries, community centers, those are great places to find a washroom during a short stop,” Mr Hui said.
And perhaps the most important tip: “Know when the bus comes.”
FAQs
For locals, buses are the most popular and cost-effective mode of transport in Mexico. An extensive network connects cities, towns and remote areas. Visitors will find that Mexico's bus system is well-developed, with various classes of buses catering to different budgets and comfort levels.
What is the most popular transportation in Mexico? ›
Within Mexico, buses (long-distance buses are called camiones rather than autobuses in Mexican Spanish) are by far the most common and efficient form of public transport.
How do most people travel to Mexico City? ›
The best way to get around Mexico City is via Uber or a taxi. The metro is another option.
Is public transportation good in Mexico? ›
Bus travel is an excellent way to get around Mexico, and we have a complete guide to help you learn about Mexico's very professionally-run bus services and how to make use of them.
Why do people leave move to Mexico? ›
Lower Cost of Living
Per Newland Chase, the cost of living for monthly expenses (besides accommodation) are lower than many states and Americans who have made the move to Mexico can live the lifestyle they are accustomed to or enjoy living on less. Here are some average costs per month in Mexico City (in USD):
Does Mexico City have public transportation? ›
Additionally, like other cities around the world, Mexico City has public taxis, public buses and share taxis and rickshaws.
Who travels to Mexico the most? ›
Who Else Loves Mexico?
- United States - An overwhelming majority of tourists (nearly 25 million!) ...
- Canada - In second place was Canada which accounted for 5.4 million visitors.
- Colombia - Around 1.3 million Colombian tourists visited Mexico in 2019.
What is the famous train journey in Mexico? ›
El Chepe, also know as Chihuahua Pacifico, is the only train for travellers from Mexico. Across the 650 kilometres of railway line that it covers, majestic landscapes pass before your eyes. Indeed, it crosses the Copper Canyon, called the Barranca del Cobre by Mexicans.
What is the best crossing into Mexico? ›
The three most popular crossings are San Ysidro, Tecate and Mexicali East. San Ysidro (Tijuana): By far the most common, it's also much more hectic due to congestion and empties into the bustling city of Tijuana.
What is the most crowded city in Mexico? ›
List of municipalities in Mexico by population
- 1 – Mexico City.
- 2 - Tijuana.
- 3 – León.
- 4 – Puebla.
- 5 - Ecatepec de Morelos.
- 6 – Juárez.
- 7 - Zapopan.
- 8 - Guadalajara.
Since 2013, the abbreviation "CDMX" (Ciudad de México) has been more common, particularly in relation to government campaigns. The city is colloquially known as Chilangolandia after the locals' nickname chilangos.
Can you visit Mexico City if you don't speak Spanish? ›
Learn key phrases in Spanish: Although in many tourist areas you will find English speakers, learning some basic Spanish phrases (greetings, ordering in restaurants, how to ask for directions) will not only help you navigate the city, but will also show respect for the local culture.
What is the safest transportation in Mexico? ›
Taxis operate under several distinct sets of rules. "Turismo" and Sitio Taxis -- These are by far the safest way to travel within Mexico City. Turismo taxis are unmarked cabs, usually well-kept luxury cars assigned to specific hotels that have special license plates.
Is it safe for US citizens to drive in Mexico? ›
Carjackings, theft, and common scams are plentiful in Mexico, especially in small rural towns. Executives driving their vehicles stand out as targets of organized criminals, creating dangerous situations for all business travelers.
Is Mexico friendly for tourists? ›
While the vast majority travel safely, visitors should consider the following when planning their vacation or traveling in Mexico: Crime: Crime, including violent crime, can occur anywhere in Mexico, including in popular tourist destinations.
What does Mexico use instead of Uber? ›
During 2019, Uber concentrated 80 percent of the ride-hailing market in Mexico. It was followed by Cabify with 14 percent. Overall, the revenue of Uber in Latin America was expected to increase recently.
Does Mexico use Uber or Lyft? ›
Popular destinations in Mexico City
Uber makes Mexico City travel easy. While riders can use Uber to request a ride to pretty much anywhere, some destinations are more popular than others. Uber riders getting around Mexico City request rides to Life Power Center Neza more than any other spot.
What is the major method of transporting goods in Mexico? ›
Today, the country boasts a robust rail network primarily operated by companies like Ferromex and Kansas City Southern de México, which facilitate the transport of various goods across the nation.