Route information for Copan Ruinas to Utila has been sent to us from the adventure traveller at atewasabi.com. A big thanks to Alex for this contribution!
!! MUST leave early (7am) to reach the island the same day, as the ferry runs only twice a day: 9am & 4pm. The slow ferry was broken with no estimated time to repair.
#1: 8:30 shuttle bus from Copan bus terminal to La Entrada – 70 Lempiras, hop off and hop on the new bus
#2: 10:36 chicken bus to San Pedro Sula – 100 Lempiras, arrive at 12:40 at a very big bus terminal. If you take the same bus, don’t waste time in the bus terminal and try to get the first bus out to Ceiba (sellers will tell you their bus goes first. Check!).
#3: 13:45 bus to Ceiba 115 Lempiras (another company would sell the ticket for 125 Lempiras). Arrive at 18:00 to Ceiba (there is Walmart and lots of fast foods, and a hostel right in front of the bus stop) – 10USD/night with AC.
#4 Taxi to the ferry (the next day)- 50 Lempiras/person (6 people)
We took the 4 a.m. Bus from Copan to San Pedro Sula (160L). We arrived at 8 a.m. and took the bus from SPS to La Ceiba (Kairo Agency 180L) at 9:45 we arrived in La Ceiba at 3 p.m. and made it in time for the ferry at 4:30 p.m.
March 2024 update. Did this today, getting the 6am Casasola bus from Copan Ruinas and didn’t make it in time for the ferry.
There is currently a 4am, 6am and 7am Casasola bus from Copan to SPS. We thought about taking the 4am to be sure we’d make the ferry but was worried about travelling in the dark and the 6am seemed to have worked for most people.
The bus made frequent stops and we got to SPS just before 11am (just under 5 hours driving). We wanted to get the Cristina 11.15am bus but it was full, and their next bus was at 1pm. So we searched around. The earliest bus we could get was 12pm so we had an hour in the station.
The bus was with Mirna and it was 30 minutes late, departing at 12.30pm. It made many stops to let people on and off so wasn’t express like advertised. It also stopped for a lunch break at 1.30pm despite the fact we’d only been on the road for an hour and had just left the bus station full of shops!! Anyway, it was no surprise to miss the ferry and we got into Le Ceiba at around 5pm. Even if it had left on time we’d still have missed the ferry!
We’d booked our accommodation on Utila already so have to pay for a night there we won’t use, and are staying in a hotel in Le Ceiba and getting the boat tomorrow. My advice would be to do this option, plan to have a night in Le Ceiba. The day travelling will be a lot less stressful (no watching the clock!) and you can book the ferry online and get the discounted priced tickets. Taking the public buses and spending the night in Le Ceiba is still cheaper than taking the tourist shuttle.
Hi,
I made this journey today and just made the ferry. Some updates below.
We arrived at 4:45am and found that there was no Casasola until 6 (160pp). This bus arrived at about 10:30 in San Pedro Sula. We then took the 11:15 Transportes Cristina bus to La Ceiba (180pp), which arrived at 4pm. We were straight in a taxi (240 – probably ripped off but no time to argue) and made it for 4:20, ten mins to spare.
I’d not recommend trying this as if there were any bad traffic etc we would not have made it. If you could get to San Pedro Sula before 9:30 there is a bus then.
Might be a special case, but I missed the ferry today taking the 6am bus from Copan ruinas. First bus was from 6am-10:45am. Transferred buses in SPS and it took about 5 hours (11:30am-4:30pm). I’d do the 5am just to be safe.
Hola,
We took the 0500 from copan for 140L, and arrived in San Pedro Sula a few minutes past 0830.
We missed the 8:30 to La Ceiba, the next was 0900 or 0930. We went with Transported Cristina at 0930 for L125. Most companies was either L115 or L125. All the offices are on the top floor of the station, but if you buy the ticket downstairs it is a bit cheaper. Arrival in La ceiba at 13:22.
There is either taxi to the ferry or local bus to the parque Central and from there a bus for L10 to the ferry.
There is only one ferry now, departs at 0900 and 1640. Cost L600 + L25 la ceiba port departure tax bullshit.
We took the 0500 and made it to la ceiba with lots of time to spare. The 0600 will make it too, but the taking the 0700 is cutting it a bit close in my opinion.
The times for the bus
Copan Ruinas => La Ceiba: L140
0400
0500
0600
0700
1400
Hello
We left today at 6.00 am from Copan to Utila and we catched the ferry.
We arrived in San Pedro Sula at 10.30. Somebody was already coming to us to show where we have to buy the tickets and where the bus is. The bus directly left when we get in and we were in La Ceiba at around 14.30. We heard afterwards that the bus from San Pedro Sula had 1 h delay.
When we arrived in La Ceiba we took the taxi and had easy time.
But I do not know when the buses are leaving normally San Pedro Sula.
The prices are right.
Thank you
Thank you, Ben!
Hey,
This is a really easy trip on public transport and saves $30USD compared to the shuttles.
A minibus leaves copan ruinas at 6am and 7am to San Pedro Sula. To get to Utila in 1 day you need to take the 6am bus. It costs 140L and you should arrive 15mins early to get a decent seat.
We took the 7am bus which arrived at San Pedro Sula at 11.20.
We took the 12.45 (only actually left at 1.15) Diana Express bus to La Ceba for 115L which arrived at 6pm. There were quite a few companies that left at 11am which should arrive at La Ceba in time for the 4.40 ferry.
We stayed overnight at a hotel next to the bus terminal before taking a taxi the next day for 100L to the ferry.
Thank you!