Pyramid Trip

[anniebc]

Here is the deal.

I have found a company that will rent us a bus for 9 hours.

The bus is airconditioned, seats 40 people (more than we need), has tv s, etc.

It would pick us up at the hotel at 9 a.m., drive us directly to the pyramids, wait for us, and then bring us back at whatever time we wish, as long as we do not exceed the 9 hour limit.  (consider 2 hours there and 2 hours back, leaving us 5 hours at most to do what we want.)

The bus would be only for us, it would not take us to any souvenier shops, but just what we want.

Excluding the cost of 50 pesos to get into the pyramids (which we have to pay regardless), the total cost would be 4,300 pesos (or approximately $430.00 us).

Divided by 20 people, the individual cost would be approximately $21.50.

The biggest advantage to this is we would be picked up at the hotel, taken directly to the pyramids, the bus waits for us, and brings us directly back.

Compared to the potential difficulty of getting to the North bus station, catching the regular bus to the pyramids (which is obviously cheaper), catching the bus back, and then getting taxis from the North bus terminal back to the hotel, this seems like a much better option.

Any thoughts?

hugs
Jan

[Dennis]

Thanks for researching this Jan.  Personally, I prefer to make this trek on my own.  It gives me an opportunity to experience more of the culture and the people of the country.  A drawback I see to this is what if people want to return earlier while others want to stay. 

However, if this is what the majority decides then I'm in.

How far is the hotel from the north bus terminal?

Dennis

[mjmel]

I believe this to be the better option, Jan.
Hiring the bus is hassle free and we have 5 hrs to run around and check out the pyramids. Ofcourse it won't take that long to view pyramids......but the time frame does allow for all to get back to the bus on time.
I do believe that will have to be decided once we all arrive in MC as so many are busy with last minute stuff and some (like MUM & MINI) will be traveling on Tuesday.

Can't wait to give hugs all around too.
Mike

P.S. RAB can't type at all, poor guy. tsk. tsk. tsk. Seems like you do a fine job, however.

[Ric Wilke]

Thom and I like Jan's proposed transportation to the pyramids.  Dennis makes some good points, but we like keeping the group as tightly linked as possible.  We like the idea of "hotel door to pyramid stairs" very much.  The price seems like a very good value.  We say yes.

[anniebc]

Hi there

I havent checked where the North bus terminal is mainly because I cant see it on any of the maps I have, as far I as can see there is no subway near us and the public transport is pretty awful from what we have seen.

Doing it this way saves us the hassle of getting 5/6 taxis to the North station and we have no idea how big the buses are at the North station that will take us to the pyramids, they run every half hour so if we miss one we may have to stand around for awhile, not something you want to do in this heat, trust me, its also  possible we will have to take seperate buses, there is no telling how many tourists will be there.

9 hours is our limit but we can dedcide how long you want to stay at the pyramids and we can return when everyone has had enough, there are cafes at the pyramids so if needed you can rest and have a cuppa, thats something we can all decide on when you all get here...for a bus of our own and a hassle free trip the price is really good.

Hope to hear from you all soon, we need to confirm the bus late Wednesday.

see you all soon.

Hugs
Jan

[Miss Philicia]

Terminal de Autobuses del Norte (Av. Cien Metros 4907, Col. Magdalena de la Salina. 55/5587-1552)
Is the largest of the four and is located about 3 miles north of the Zócalo.
Autobuses del Norte subway station, Line 5 (yellow)

I would assume you can easily take the subway to this bus terminal.  It's just like using a bus out of the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan, etc.

I'd have no problem winging it on public transportation, but doing it with you folks would frighten me to no end.  The extra $20 is worth the lack of drama (or should I say conflama?)

ps:  you folks suck at google 

A further poke around the internet seems to indicate that the price quoted to Jan may be double what it should be (but hey, do whatever you want -- not complaining but just thought I'd show what it says... I'm not going to quibble over $10):

source for complete entry:  http://wikitravel.org/en/Teotihuacan

By bus - Buses to Teotihuacán leave from Mexico City about every half hour from two bus stations: Terminal Autobuses del Norte (outside Autobuses del Norte Metro station, Line 5) or from the bus terminals outside Indios Verdes Metro station (Line 3). A one-way ticket will cost $31 pesos from either station. From Terminal del Norte, walk towards Gate 8. There is a ticket booth almost at the end of the concourse. Check that your bus goes to the site entrance of Teotihuacán ruinas and not just to the town of San Juan Teotihuacán nearby. From Indios Verdes, exit the metro station and look for bus terminal J, which is the one at the end. Go to the far end of the platform, past the peseros and look for white buses that go to Piramides -- they mean the pyramids of Teotihuacán. The trip will take around an hour, and the buses run until about 6pm -- check the last departure before you leave. You will be dropped off at Puerta 1 (closest to the Pyramid of the Sun) and you'll be able to catch a return bus from the same location.

By tour bus - most travel agencies offer half or full day tours to the site, often combined with the Plaza de las Tres Culturas and the Basilica of Guadalupe, both of which are outside the city center. It’s a convenient way to combine the three, but note our comments above about getting to the site early. The price is around $200. As with guided tours everywhere in the world, these tours will waste much of your time by promoting gift shops, but they are still a convenient way to get here for Mexico City-based tourists.

[adeh]

Hi guys; pardon me for sticking my nose in, but I live in Mexico City and the bus idea sounds great. You will need about 5 hours in Teotihaucan. It's a huge site, not something you can see in 2 hours. The food there is not very good and very expensive, if you want to eat go to the town that is next to the site. If you want to go by public transport there are two ways from Fiesta Americana, one is by metrobus and metro and the other is by metro to the north bus station. The metro stops outside the bus station and both the metro and the metro bus are about 10-15 minutes walk from FA [if that's where your staying]. Dont get into taxis in Mexico City if you do not know the city....you can end up kidnapped or worse. Mark.

[Miss Philicia]

Thanks, Mark.  You should try and hook up with us during our trip somehow.  (You need to post 2 more times on this forum before you can activate your private messaging abilities, by the way)

[adeh]

No worries. Are you staying in Fiesta Americana?...I live about two blocks from there.

[Lou-ah-vull]

It is worth the peace of mind and sanity that Annie's bus option provides a group of our size.   I support this option as well.

Gary

[Robert]

Jan.  I think this is a great idea.  Especially when you consider that Saturday morning in the morning after our Friday night...the Meet/Greet event and we all know that takes on a life of its own.

I know if history is any indicator, I'm going to need all the help I can get come Saturday morning. 



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[minismom]

Mini and I are happy with whatever everyone else decides.  When living in Honduras, public transportation tended to be a wee bit "interesting" to say the least, but we never had any problems.  I do like the idea of the bus being just us and having more say in where and when we go places.  Either way, we are game for plenty of adventure.

As Mike said, Wee One and I will be heading out later today.  It's darned chilly here in WV - lows in the 60's and highs in the 70's.    See you all in 2 days!!!!

Mum

PS - HANG IN THERE JAN! Progesterone is on the way!

[Jody]

Sounds great Jan.

Jody

[Cliff]

I like the bus idea.  Less hassel and probably better able to hang out.

I'm in.

[David_CA]

The bus trip sounds like fun.  Count us in.
David

[thunter34]

The bus trip sounds like fun.  Count us in.
David

It has such a Priscilla  ring to it, doesn't it? 

[anniebc]

Hi Mark

Yes we are at the fFiesta Americana, it would be nive to see you here if you can make it, if possible please get in touch.

Once you have replied to this post i can send you a PM with our room numbers.

Hugs
Jan and RAB

[adeh]

Sounds great....Mark

[RAB]

Sounds great....Mark

Maerk

I have just sent you a pm

Thanks buddy

RAB

[David_CA]

It has such a Priscilla  ring to it, doesn't it? 

Sure does, especially considering I have a bus somewhat similar to the one you reference!

[Miss Philicia]

I HOPE SOMEONE BRINGS BUTTERFLIES AND A FEATHERED BOA.

[pozniceguy]

Hey Jan  thanks for the research ..I am in ..love the idea of the group bus ride...   how to pay???
I will be there Thurs afternoon.... see you.....

Nick

[Basquo]

I HOPE SOMEONE BRINGS BUTTERFLIES AND A FEATHERED BOA.

 

There's a shitstorm of drama going on in my vicinity but I will do my best to find some butterflies to pack.

[Miss Philicia]