private driver to SMA

[Ann001]

Anyone have a ballpark figure of what a fair price is to pay a private driver for round trip to SMA? Is there an option--van?--somewhere between taking the bus/ private driver?
Thanks,
Ann

[Blackpool]

I would try Israel Torres. E-mail: israelt2007@hotmail.com. Phone# 473 597 3953. He speaks English well. He has a car and a van. You just need to let him know in advance which one you think you might need. Also, talk to him about pricing. It will depend on how long you need him for the day.

[Ann001]

Okay, thanks for the name and contact info.
Ann

[DonJuane]

You didn't ask so you are likely not interested but for $8US you can ride a luxury bus to San Miguel de Allende. It is very comfortable, takes about 1.5 hrs. A cab can be hailed at the SMDA bus station and will take you anywhere in the city for around 50 - 70 pesos. Check Google for Primera Plus for schedules or for an even better luxury seat similar to a first class airline ticket can be had by taking the ETN bus. Additionally you can catch the city bus in GTO that looks like it has a stove top lantern style construction and it traverses the entire thoroughfare through GTO city and it will take you directly to the GTO bus station for about 7 pesos. In San Miguel you can also catch a city bus for about 7 pesos but get one that says "Centro" on it or you will land somewhere in a park by the old market. The "Centro" SMDA bus will take you to Insurjentes, about 2 blocks from downtown.

[Ann001]

Actually, I was considering the bus--I took it once before. I was just worried about finding my way to the INM office from the bus stop, but I guess a cab would have no trouble. The driver I used recently--who was lovely--was really expensive for my budget--about $200.00 round trip, and although I liked her, I can't afford to keep spending that much money.

[laconstance]

You easily can walk from the SMA bus station to immigration. From the front door of the station, turn left and go along the Main Street a couple of blocks, walk under the overpass and keep on going another couple of blocks to immigration which is on the left.

[Ann001]

perfect! that's what my plan will be when I return for fingerprinting. Bus then walk...

[DonJuane]

Aside from traveling all the way to the bus station to buy your ticket, realize you can also buy a paper ticket for Primera Plus bus at the P.P. ticket counter at the Atrio (passageway between Plaza Baratillo and Union Jardin), any Oxxo cashier, or buy one online paying with Paypal and optionally later showing print out or ticket on smartphone face.

There are bathrooms on the bus. The central bus station in any city can be found by telling a taxi driver "central de autobuses". Always ask the price of where you plan to go when you get in a taxi. If they overcharge you can sometimes summon the police and they will come down to the normal rate, but why create a disturbance by not working out the price beforehand. Ask "cuanto cuesta al central" to get the price to the bus station. Expect to pay around 60-80 pesos for a taxi from downtown GTO to the bus station or 7 pesos for the light brown and tan "lantern top" bus from central GTO to the bus station and allocate a good hour to get from a downtown stop to the station. Part of the long time for the city bus is due to the in-route 10-15 minute stop and wait at the large parking area next to the Mercado Hidalgo and near the La Comercial market downtown.

If you plan to travel on a Sun, Mon, Friday in/out of GTO, buy your tickets well in advance due to traveling students on weekends.