How to get fromAcapulco 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 Acapulco to Mexico City

The 3 ways to travel the distance of 380 kilometers (236 miles) from Acapulco to Mexico City are by: bus (5 hours 35 minutes to 6 hours 35 minutes), Shared minivan (5 hours 10 minutes) and flight (2 hours 30 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 2 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours 35 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from 350 MXN ($17.10) for the shared minivan.

Shared Minivan options from Acapulco to Mexico City

Travelling to Mexico City from Acapulco by bus is a good option, especially if you enjoy scenic views. Daytime buses are great for catching some amazing landscapes along the way — just sit on the side opposite the sun for the best experience.

There are multiple bus departures every day so you can be flexible with your schedule.

Buses bound for Mexico City depart from Acapulco de Juarez Central Bus Station, 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 ($2.40).

Two bus companies operate on the Acapulco to Mexico City route: Estrella de Oro Pluss and its luxury sub-branch, Diamante.

Both bus lines have vehicles equipped with AC, reclining seats and separate toilets for men and women. If you are looking for extra perks, Diamante offers bed-type seats, cafeteria on board, snacks, charging ports and individual screens.

There are departures roughly every hour between 01:00 and 23:59. On average, the bus journey from Acapulco to Mexico City takes around 5-6h.

The bus will drop you off at the southern bus terminal, 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.

Getting to the city centre:

• By metro: 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 30 minutes. The closest stations to the main square are Zocalo and Pino Suarez.

• By taxi or Uber: 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 ($7.60).

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 hours 30 minutes, but of course, there’s always that additional mandatory waiting time for your flight.

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

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 240 MXN ($11.80) 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 365 MXN ($17.70) for a 3-seater car.

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 1h15m.

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 ($1.50). 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 ($14.60).

If you have internet access, Uber is a more affordable private transfer. A ride to the city centre can cost between 150 MXN ($7.30) and 220 MXN ($10.70). 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.