How to get fromOaxaca to Mexico City

What to expect when visiting Mexico City

Mexico City is a destination that will keep any type of traveller entertained for days on end. Interesting history, rich culture, endless shopping and vibrant nightlife are just a few of the many things Mexico City has to offer.

A fun fact, with over 150 museums, Mexico City has the highest number of museums in the world. When you’re museumed-out, there are plenty of other things to do in Mexico City. Visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, explore Frida Kahlo’s house, or take a boat trip along the canals of Xochimilco.

3 ways to get from Oaxaca to Mexico City

The 3 ways to travel the distance of 462 kilometers (287 miles) from Oaxaca to Mexico City are by: bus (6 hours 55 minutes to 8 hours 10 minutes), private transport (6 hours to 6 hours 30 minutes) and flight (2 hours 10 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 2 hours 10 minutes to 8 hours 10 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from €19.30 for the bus.

There are several buses departing every day from Oaxaca to Mexico City, with the journey taking 6 hours 55 minutes to 8 hours 10 minutes. The good thing is that most of these are overnight buses, which means you’ll get to save day time as well as one night on accommodation.

Different bus companies have varying departure points in Oaxaca. So it’s important to know beforehand which bus company you’re travelling with.

• ADO, ADO GL and ADO Platino depart from Central de Autobuses de Oaxaca in the city centre.
• AU has 2 departure points. One is Terminal Periferico, which is also located near the tourist area.
• The other AU bus station is at Terminal Santa Rosa, situated some 5 km northwest of the city centre.

The best way to get to any of the 3 bus stations is to take a taxi. Rates start from 50 MXN (€2.30). If you’re staying close to Terminal Periférico, you’ll be able to walk because it’s just 15 minutes from Oaxaca’s main square.

The main company covering the Oaxaca-Mexico City route is Mexico’s most popular bus company, ADO. It offers good service and comfortable bus trips. Besides the main ADO buses, some of ADO’s sub-branches also operate on this route, including:

• AU – the cheapest option, basic and doesn’t have a toilet on board.
• ADO GL – an upgraded version of the basic ADO buses.
• ADO Platino – a luxury bus offering comfortable seats, individual screens, snacks and Wi-Fi. It’s the most expensive, but it also gets good reviews.

All of these buses come with AC and comfy seats. The ADO GL and ADO Platino buses offer additional perks like separate toilets for men and women, coffee onboard and charging ports.

Another bus operator available is Dolphins Autobuses, which offers competitive rates and could be an alternative to ADO depending on your preferred travel time and distance from your hotel (as they depart from a different station).

There are a good number of bus trips you can choose from daily so you can be flexible with your schedule. Bus ticket prices from Oaxaca to Mexico City start from €16.60 and travel time is more or less 6h 30m - 7h 45m.

In Mexico City, you’ll be dropped off at Terminal de Autobuses de Oriente or TAPO. It’s located about 10 km east of downtown Mexico City, between the city centre and the airport.

The great thing about this bus station is that it’s the closest to the city centre and the 20-minute taxi/Uber ride costs only around 70 MXN (€3.30).

You can also get to the city centre by Metrobus for just 6 MXN (€0.30). You’ll need to board the Metrobus at San Lazaro Station, right in front of TAPO Bus Terminal. Take line #4 and you’ll reach the city centre in about 20 minutes.

Taking a direct flight from Oaxaca to Mexico City is a lot quicker. Getting to the airport from Oaxaca city centre takes about 30 minutes, followed by the 1-hour flight to Mexico City, and then another 45 minutes from Mexico City Airport to the centre. Total travel time is around 2 hours 10 minutes.

If you’re worried about the cost, taking a flight between the two cities is also not that more expensive than the bus when you book your tickets early.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

All flights from Oaxaca to Mexico City depart from Oaxaca International Airport, located about 8 km south of the city. It takes around 25 minutes to get there by car.

The fastest and most comfortable option is to take a taxi for around 250 MXN (€11.70).

Flights from Oaxaca to Mexico City are available daily from 06:40 to 20:00. Flight time is approximately 1 hour.

There are 3 airlines covering this route; AeroMexico, Viva Aerobus and Volaris.

In terms of service, AeroMexico is a bigger airline and offers 3 or more departures a day with superior service, but this usually comes at a higher price. Viva Aerobus and Volaris offer only one departure a day each but are the most affordable options.

Keep in mind that the earlier you book your tickets, the higher the chance of getting a low price. Airfares generally start from 800 MXN (€37). Good deals await when you book early, though. Rates can go as low as 640 MXN (€30).

There are a few airports in Mexico City, but you will arrive at Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX), about 15 km east of the city centre. It’s easily accessible by many different public transport options: a 45-minute bus, a 25-minute taxi/Uber, a 30-minute shared minivan, and a 50-minute Metro.

The MetroBus offers the most value for money. Take line #4, which departs right outside of Terminals 1 and 2. The rate is just 30 MXN (€1.40) and it takes about 45 minutes to reach Republica de Argentina, the closest stop to the main square Zocalo.

The most convenient option is a 20-minute taxi or Uber. Taxis are prepaid via the taxi counter at the airport. Rates depend on your destination, but prices start from 300 MXN (€14.10). If you have internet access, Uber is a cheaper alternative with fares from 200 MXN (€9.40).

You can check our Mexico City Airport page for more detailed information on how to get to the city from the airport.

A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Oaxaca to Mexico City.

Travel time is around 6 hours to 6 hours 30 minutes.

Private Transport options from Oaxaca to Mexico City