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How to get from Acapulco to Mexico City
Mexico City is a vibrant city with over 20 million inhabitants. But don’t let that number put you off. It’s one of the main reasons Mexico’s capital has a thriving and lively atmosphere that’s bursting with different cultures.
You will never run out of things to do in Mexico City. Head downtown for a deeper understanding of its history, culture, and traditions. Check out the Aztec architecture of Templo Mayor, the sinking Metropolitan Cathedral (which took 240 years to build!), and the 110-year-old victory column called the Angel of Independence (El Angel).
Other must-visit neighbourhoods are the bohemian Coyoacan, the canals of Xochimilco, the historic Tlatelolco, and the bustling city centre. Wherever you go, make sure to sample Mexico City’s explosive cuisine, especially their street food! Among our must-eats include tamales, tlacoyo, and camotes. And if you’ve had enough of the busy city, you can always take a break and lounge at one of its many beautiful parks.
New to Mexico City? Our compact Mexico City guide shows you the best areas to stay, restaurants you don’t want to miss and many more tips for your visit to Mexico City!
2 ways to get from Acapulco to Mexico City
The road distance from Acapulco to Mexico City is 380 km (236 miles) and you can travel this in 2 ways: a 5.5-hour bus or a 2.5-hour flight (including transfers). Bus tickets cost around 657 MXN ($38.00) and flight tickets (plus transfers) start from 1,163 MXN ($67.00).
We recommend using the bus because it’s the cheapest option and you don’t need to spend much on transfers to and from airports. On top of that, the bus is the most environmentally friendly option.
Flights between Acapulco and Mexico City take only a little over an hour. But since both airports are located outside the city centre, total travel time may take around 2.5 hours, plus the waiting time at the airport for your flight. In the end, taking a flight doesn’t really save you a lot of time compared to taking the bus.
But if you do choose to fly from Acapulco to Mexico City, it is good to consider the impact on the environment. We recommend adding a carbon compensation fee to reduce the impact of your flight.
Acapulco to Mexico City by Bus
Travelling to Mexico City by bus is the most affordable way. You will also get some nice landscape views if you travel during the day.
There are multiple bus departures every day so you can be flexible with your schedule.
Step 1: City Centre to Acapulco Bus Terminal
Buses bound for Mexico City depart from Acapulco’s Cuahutemoc bus terminal, which is very close to the city centre and just a few blocks from the beach. Many accommodations are just within walking distance from the bus terminal.
If yours isn’t, you can simply take a taxi. The rate will depend on the distance but starts from around 50 MXN ($2.90).
Step 2: Acapulco to Mexico City by Bus
There are 2 bus companies operating from Acapulco to Mexico City: Estrella de Oro and their luxury sub-branch called Diamante.
Both bus lines have vehicles equipped with AC, reclining seats and separate toilets for men and women. In addition, Diamante offers bed-type seats, cafeteria on board, snacks, charging ports and individual screens.
There are departures roughly every hour between 01:30 and 23:59. On average, the bus journey from Acapulco to Mexico City takes around 5 hours.
Bus schedules from Acapulco to Mexico City
Schedules may vary daily so we recommend checking and booking your tickets online at least a day before your trip. This way you can guarantee yourself a seat without having to wait on a later bus.
Step 3: Mexico City Bus Terminal to the City Centre
The bus will drop you off at the southern bus terminal, also known as Terminal Taxqueña. It is located very close to Coyoacan (a well-known tourist area), but about 12 km south of the city centre.
If your hotel is located in the Centro, the easiest and cheapest way to get there is through the metro. A ticket costs just 5 MXN ($0.20).
To take the metro, get out of the bus terminal and cross the street. You will find the station Taxqueña. Once there, take line #2. You will reach the city centre in around 25 minutes. The closest stations to the main square are Zocalo and Pino Suarez.
If you prefer, you can also use a taxi or Uber to get to the City Centre. Rates from Terminal Taxqueña start from 155 MXN ($9.00).
Acapulco to Mexico City by Flight
Flying from Acapulco to Mexico City is a bit faster than the bus, but not enough to make a real difference. Travel time including airport transfers is around 2.5 hours, but of course, there’s always that additional mandatory waiting time for your flight.
Step 1: City Centre to Acapulco Airport
Acapulco’s International Airport is located around 25 km (15 miles) southeast of the city centre. You have 2 ways to get there: via a 40-minute bus or a 30-minute taxi.
The shuttle bus is the cheaper option and the one we recommend for solo travellers. A ticket costs 242 MXN ($14.00) and there’s a departure every hour. You will be picked up at your hotel and then taken straight to Acapulco Airport. For guaranteed awesome customer service, we recommend booking your shuttle ride through BookAway.
If you’re travelling with at least one other person, it will be more cost-efficient to take a taxi from Acapulco city centre to the airport. You can hail a taxi from the street, or you can book one beforehand via BookAway, which offers better cars with trusted drivers. Rates start from 363 MXN ($21.00) for a 3-seater car.
Check Shuttle Tickets with BookAway
Step 2: Acapulco to Mexico City
The flights from Acapulco to Mexico City are offered by Aeromar, VivaAerobus, Volaris and AeroMexico. Aeromar offers more departures and usually has the most affordable rates.
Combining the 4 airlines, there are roughly 8 departures a day between 06:00 and 20:50. The flight time is around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Step 3: Mexico City Airport to the City Centre
Flights from Acapulco arrive at Benito Juarez Airport (MEX), located about 10 km east of Mexico City. You’ll have 3 options to get to your hotel: Metrobus, metro, or taxi/Uber.
We recommend taking the Metrobus because it’s both cheap and convenient. Take Line #4 and you can get straight to the city centre in around 45 minutes. If you’re aiming for Mexico City’s main square, commonly called Zocalo, then you can get off at the nearest bus stop, which is Republica de Argentina. A Metrobus ticket costs 30 MXN ($1.70). You will find the buses at Entrance 7 of Terminal 1 and entrance 2 of Terminal 2.
A cheaper option is to take the Metro, which only costs around 5 MXN ($0.20). The only slight disadvantage is that there is no direct line going to the city centre. You may have to make a couple of transfers depending on where you’re headed in the city. You can board the train at Terminal Area Station, about a 7-minute walk from Mexico City Airport Terminal 1.
If you’re travelling in a group or just prefer a private ride, you can also take a taxi. You can prepay for your taxi at one of the counters inside the airport. The rate will depend on the distance to your destination but it usually starts from 300 MXN ($17.50).
If you have internet access, Uber is a more affordable private transfer. A ride to the city centre can cost between 150 MXN ($8.50) and 220 MXN ($12.50). For both taxi and Uber, travel time is around 20 minutes.
You can check our Mexico City Airport page for more detailed information on how to get to the city from the airport.
Our favourite places to stay in Mexico City
Casa Emilia - Treating Yourself
Staying at Casa Emilia will make you feel like you’re staying in a cosy jungle retreat, rather than in a massive metropolitan city. All of the spaces around the hotel are designed for ultimate comfort and luxury, which it certainly achieves. You can relax on the terrace, in access hall or in the hotel’s sunroom.
Two of our favourite experiences at the hotel are the delicious breakfast and the huge, comfy beds offering a great night’s sleep. If you’re looking to treat yourself, this is the place to do it.
- Incredible breakfast
- Cosy jungle design
- Bike rental available
- Excellent location
Double rooms start from $80 per night
Casa Pancha - Treating Yourself
Located in the neighbourhood of Condesa, Casa Pancha mirrors the atmosphere of the area. The hotel’s culture is certainly one of its selling points, offering simplicity, originality, community and connection.
With a mixture of dorms and private rooms, it’s an easy place to meet people whilst maintaining privacy. The hotel is bright and natural throughout, with both a backyard and a balcony area to relax in. The staff are super friendly here and their love for the hotel quickly spreads through the space.
- Dorms and private rooms available
- Private garden and balcony
- Amazing staff
- Perfect location
Double rooms start from $80 per night
Stanza Hotel - Mid Range
If there’s any neighbourhood that you want to stay in Mexico City, La Roma should definitely be up there. And that’s where Stanza Hotel is located. It puts you close to the tree-lined streets that are brimming with hip cafes and bars.
The hotel rooms are clean and modern, offering everything that you could ask for. The beds are also huge and super comfy. If you don’t fancy leaving the hotel one night for dinner, the onsite restaurant serves delicious Mediterranean-Mexican fusion food.
- Great location
- Clean and modern rooms
- Onsite Mediterranean-Mexican fusion restaurant
- Helpful, English-speaking staff
Double rooms between $40-$80 per night
Casa Indigo - Budget Friendly
This place gets booked out fast (we’re talking months in advance)! The location is perfect and it’s super affordable. Casa Indigo is close to the historic centre, plus the rooms are clean and beautifully decorated.
The host, Salvador, will make your stay unforgettable with his friendliness and warm welcome. On top of all of that, you can enjoy a large roof terrace offering stunning views over Mexico City.
- Great location
- Huge roof terrace
- Friendly host
- Fully equipped kitchen
Double rooms between $15-$40 per night
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
