Bus lines
 

We ended up using 3 different bus lines travelling between Queretaro, CDMX, and Puebla.

ETN was incredible. AU was pretty good and ADO was OK. Does anyone have recommendations of other lines to try or avoid?

I've only used Premier Plus and ADO. I had no issues with either. Why do you think ADO was just ok? Many times it's not the actual bus is the problem it's the route/passengers/driver. But again, I had no issues with the ones I have used. I was going to try ETN but I needed to get an XL or XXL Uber there and they aren't available in certain areas of CDMX unless you are going to the airport, so I had to travel to the airport and catch the Premier Plus bus. I like their solo seats in the back near the restrooms, that are completely shut off and enclosed.

It will be helpful if you explain why you gave each these opinions.

Just remember, you asked for it 😉 I will be offended by TLDR response.😜

We rode ETN from Queretaro to CDMX. The managers of the buses were very diligent about calling out the bus in the waiting room and checking tickets. They would call out for passengers before departure. Once on the bus, it felt like each of us had a plush sofa and maximum foot room. It was a better than flying experience.

The AU bus from CDMX to Puebla was a step down in all respects, but there really were no problems. It was simply lesser across the board, like going from a Cadillac to a Ford Taurus.

The ADO bus from Puebla back to Mexico City was just a little less comfortable than the AU. It might have been our particular seats, but less room. Like going from a Taurus to a Sentra. There was no sense that if we didn't have our act together that ADO would have checked for ticketed passengers. Their ground operation seemed to be the driver alone.

All of them were close or on schedule. All were well piloted. My feeling was that I could go the length of Mexico on ETN in fine comfort. I could also do it on the others, but I'd break it up on them.

We used 4 different bus terminals. Queretaro's was top notch in all respects. The Mexico City Norte was big but well laid out. Santa Martha Acatlitla was small and clean with a lot of dogs to keep you entertained. Puebla's is huge and signage a little less clear. I gave myself extra time to get around there. TAPO San Lazaro in CDMX was pleasant enough that I'd have hung around to eat in the open air.

Caminante for going MEX to Toluca
 

I have used Caminante to get to/from Toluca and MEX. Cheap (usd$15), not luxurious but high frequency and comfortable, modern fleet, not fancy.

I really like Premier Plus from the CDMX airport. They are professional and everything is super comfortable with reclining leg rests. I don't particularly enjoy the other bus stations since you have cabbies constantly harassing you. The #1 thing I like is you can catch an Uber to/from the bus without going outside in the elements since the bus stations are connected to the terminals directly.

Deadly Bus Crash north of Mexico City
 

"Ten people were killed and 41 others were injured when a freight train slammed into a double-decker passenger bus in México state on Monday morning, the México state Civil Protection chief said.

The crash occurred on the Atlacomulco–Maravatío federal highway in the México state municipality of Atlacomulco, located about 120 kilometers northwest of Mexico City."

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/10-...t-mexico-city/

Video of the crash below. Terrible 😞

That is awful. From the video it looks like the bus driver stopped and waited long enough for there to be more than enough space to fully get across the tracks, but the news article says the driver "tried to beat the train." At the same time, how is it possible there this at-grade crossing on such a busy road did/does not appear to have any signals or barriers? I see this at many highway-rail grade crossings in Toluca. Makes me nervous - when I drive there I ALWAYS stop at RR crossings- I dont care how many people start honking their horns.