Crossing the US-Mexico border by bus is straightforward once you have done it. I have crossed at Nogales more times than I can count, and a few times at Laredo and Ciudad Juarez. The process is basically the same everywhere.
In This Article
Nogales: The Western Gateway
Nogales is the easiest border crossing for anyone coming from Arizona. Tufesa runs direct buses from Tucson and Phoenix. You can also take a Greyhound to the border, walk across, and catch a bus on the Mexican side.
Walking across: park on the US side, walk through the turnstile into Mexico, clear the customs checkpoint, find the bus terminal about 10 blocks south, catch a Tufesa or Estrella Blanca heading south.
The FMM tourist form costs about 600 pesos and is good for 180 days. Get it at the immigration office at the border. Do not skip this — interior checkpoints will ask for it.
What to Bring
Passport is required since 2009. Cash in both currencies. Photocopies of your passport in your daypack. Keep your FMM form safe — you return it when leaving Mexico.
Tucson Shuttle Services
Several shuttle vans run between Tucson and the Nogales border. They drop you right at the crossing. Ask at Tucson hostels for current operators.
From the Border South
From Nogales, buses run south to Hermosillo (4 hours), Guaymas (5 hours), Los Mochis (10 hours), Mazatlan (14 hours) and Guadalajara (20+ hours). Most travelers cross at Nogales and ride to Mazatlan or Guadalajara, then connect from there.