Greyhound, 800/231-2222
Greyhound can take you to every major border town starting as low as $51 round-trip (Laredo) to $208 (El Paso). Greyhound is in cahoots with most other buslines, which means that tickets purchased from other companies often involve a transfer to a Greyhound bus at some point. Greyhound offers small discounts to seniors and students on all regular fares and on all other buslines where Greyhound is involved (Student discount line: 800/333-2920).
916 E. Koenig, south of Highland Mall.
Kerrville Bus Lines, 389-0319
Somewhat cheaper than Greyhound, traveling to small towns Eagle Pass, Del Rio, El Paso, and Presidio. Depending on your eventual destination in Mexico, this can save time and money. They do not have lines which go to the larger border destinations.
Buses depart from Greyhound Station, 916 E. Koenig, south of Highland Mall.
Valley Transit-Greyhound Bus Company, 473-8344
Valley Transit in Austin offers 50% off all tickets to college students with a valid ID. Students who purchase a round-trip ticket three days in advance can have a friend ride free. They travel throughout the Valley, into Ruynosa, Mexico, and will soon feature an express bus directly to Monterrey, Mexico.
12th & I-35, next to the Super 8 Motel.
Lucano Transports, 476-4682
Lucano travels directly to Monterrey ($36 one-way) and Mexico City ($95 one-way). The bus boards at the Texaco station at 381/2 & I-35 at 10pm every night. Ask for Esterlina Vasquez Rodriguez. One word of caution: Before calling, make sure your Spanish is up to par. Ms. Rodriguez is a friendly lady, but if she can’t understand you, there’s no way she can help you.
Texaco, 38 1/2 & I-35, 10pm every night.
– Bryan Mealer
This article appears in May 29 • 1998 and May 29 • 1998 (Cover).