How to get from Mexico City to Guadalajara

Why visit Guadalajara?

Guadalajara is the second most populated city within Mexico and is often also called Mexico’s cultural capital. It’s home to several important cultural events such as the International Film Festival, The Mariachi and Charreria Festival and the Tequila Festival, just to name a few.

During the day you can get lost exploring the city centre and admiring its 17th and 18th-century buildings. You can also find several museums, art galleries and theatres. Some of the most famous sights are the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Libertad Market, the Degollado Theatre and the Libertad Square.

Guadalajara is the perfect city for tequila lovers and for those who want to experience nightlife in a traditional Mexican way. This city is the birthplace of Mariachi music and has some of the coolest bars you can find within Mexico.

There are 2 ways to travel the 550 kilometers (342 miles) from Mexico City to Guadalajara. You can choose between the bus and flight. The journey takes 2 hours 45 minutes to 9 hours 20 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by flight with tickets starting at 1,110 MXN (€49).

The easiest and fastest way to get from Mexico City to Guadalajara is to take a flight. Cheap flights are available all year round, but we recommend booking in advance to get the best prices.

Both airports are big and often very bus so make sure you arrive early enough and inform yourself of the terminal you will be departing from.

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

Your flight departs from Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX), 10 km east of the city centre. The best ways to get there from the city centre are a 45-minute Metrobus and a 30-minute taxi/Uber.

For a combination of budget and convenience, we recommend taking the Metrobus, which only costs 30 MXN (€1.30). Take Line #4. You can ask the assistance of your hotel for the nearest bus stop or you can board one at Republica de Argentina, the closest bus stop to the main square.

If you prefer a private and fast ride, we recommend hailing an Uber with rates from 110 MXN (€4.90). But if you want to book in advance, a 3-seater private transfer costs 640 MXN (€28) on BookAway.

Why we don’t recommend taking the Metro to Mexico City Airport

Although the Metro is the cheapest option at 5 MXN (€0.20), it is not ideal if you have luggage. Large bags are not allowed, and the trains can get extremely crowded, especially during peak hours. Plus, no direct line goes from the city centre to the airport, so you may need to make multiple transfers.

You can check our Mexico City Airport page for a more detailed guide.

Flights from Mexico City to Guadalajara are frequent as the route has a high demand for both business and tourism. You can find a direct flight every hour from early morning to late at night.

Three airlines fly daily from Mexico City to Guadalajara: AeroMexico, Viva Aerobus and Volaris.

AeroMexico is the biggest of the 3 airlines and its rates are often the most expensive. Viva Aerobus and Volaris offer low-cost commercial flights and tend to be cheaper.

Airfares can go as low as 790 MXN (€35) when you book flights a few weeks in advance. To get the best prices, check Skyscanner well ahead of your travel date!

Flights from Mexico City to Guadalajara arrive at Guadalajara Airport, at the southeast border of the city. It takes around 30 minutes to get to the city centre from the airport.

By Taxi

The easiest and fastest option is to take a taxi for around 400 MXN (€17.80), but it can go higher if you travel between 22:00 and 06:00. A cheaper alternative, if you have a cell phone and data, is to use Uber. An average Uber rate to the city centre is around 290 MXN (€12.90).

By Shuttle Bus

There is also a shuttle service provided by Shuttle GDL, which costs 250 MXN (€11.10) per person. You just need to look for the counter at the arrivals hall and buy your ticket. Shuttles depart every hour from 06:00 to 20:00.

The final stop is at Shuttle GDL office, a few blocks away from Glorieta de la Minerva in the city centre. Unfortunately, this is not a door-to-door service, but you can let the driver know where your hotel is so he can drop you off as close as possible.

The bus journey from Mexico City to Guadalajara takes around 7 hours 20 minutes to 9 hours 20 minutes. That’s about three times longer than a flight, and often pricier too.

On the plus side, many buses leave Mexico City in the late evening and arrive in Guadalajara the next morning. This can help you save both daytime hours and the cost of a night’s stay.

Buses from Mexico City to Guadalajara depart from different terminals. Double check the departure station near your accommodation.

Central Mexico Norte and Mexico Poniente are two of the main bus stations in Mexico City. If you will depart from any of these bus stations, you can take the Metro or Uber from the historic centre.

Central Mexico Norte

You can reach Central Mexico Norte Bus Terminal via a 30-minute Uber for 145 MXN (€6.50).

A more budget-friendly option would be to take the Metro, which only costs 5 MXN (€0.20). But, you’re going to have to make several transfers because there are no direct trains from the city centre to Central Mexico Norte.

Mexico City Poniente

Taking an Uber is the most convenient way to go to Mexico City Poniente Bus Station. A 40-minute Uber ride from the historic centre costs 170 MXN (€7.60).

There are two other ways to reach the bus station via Observatorio station: by bus or Metro.

You can take a public bus or the RTP (Red de Transporte de Pasajeros de la Ciudad de México) and catch Line 1 at Balderas, which is 3.2 km from the historic centre. The bus fare is 4 MXN (€0.20), and the journey can take an hour or more depending on traffic.

Alternatively, the Metro is a faster option, taking around 35 minutes. But the final stop on Metro Line 1 is currently closed for remodelling.

Two bus companies operate from Mexico City to Guadalajara: Primera Plus and ETN Turistar.

Primera Plus runs tourist buses with air conditioning, reclining seats, an onboard toilet, TV, and Wi-Fi, though the connection isn’t always guaranteed. ETN Turistar also offers air conditioning and Wi-Fi, but not all buses have a TV or onboard toilet.

Both companies provide comfortable rides, but it’s worth checking the amenities when booking to match your preferences.

Ticket prices start from and the journey takes around 6h 30m - 8h 30m.

All buses park at Guadalajara Central Bus Station, about 10 km from the city centre. You can use a 20-minute light rail or 30-minute Uber to get to the city centre.

The TL3 light rail train can take you to Guadalajara Centro. From the bus terminal, walk about 500 metres to Central de Autobuses station — it’s easy to spot since the tracks run on an elevated road. After about 20 minutes or eight stops, you’ll reach Guadalajara Centro station, which is right next to the main square.

A light rail ticket costs 10 MXN (€0.40).

If you’d rather take an Uber and have mobile data, a ride costs around 140 MXN (€6.20)

Guadalajara to Mexico City

Heading the other way around? You can also check out our guide from Guadalajara to Mexico City.