How to get from Cancun to Mexico City

Why visit 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.

There are 2 ways to travel the 620 kilometre (385 miles) distance from Cancun to Mexico City. You can choose between the bus and flight. The journey takes 3 hours 55 minutes to 1 day 7 hours and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by flight with tickets starting at 860 MXN ($48.50).

With a flight distance of 1,296 km., flying from Cancun to Mexico City is the easiest and most convenient option.

Plenty of flights cover this route daily, especially during peak tourist seasons (December – February, Easter). This means that if you plan ahead, it’s likely you’ll get a good rate even during busy periods.

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

Flights bound for Mexico City depart from Cancun International Airport, 18 km south of Cancun city centre. That’s a 30 to 45-minute bus journey.

You can board an ADO bus from ADO Centro Cancun. Buses start running as early as 01:00, and then departs every 30 minutes from 04:00 to 22:30. You can book a bus ticket online via BookAway from 135 MXN ($7.60).

If you’re in a group and prefer a private transfer, Uber is the more affordable option at 335 MXN ($19). You can also pre-book one on BookAway with pick-up from your hotel in the city centre or the Hotel Zone. Prices for a 5-seater car start at 660 MXN ($37.50), making it a pricier choice.

For more info, you can check out our page for Cancun Airport.

Flight departures from Cancun to Mexico City are frequent. They depart every hour from 04:00 to 23:00, with a flight time of approximately 2h 40m.

Three airlines fly direct from Cancun to Mexico City: AeroMexico, Viva Aerobus and Volaris. In terms of service, AeroMexico has the best standard, but its price is often the highest. Viva Aerobus and Volaris offer cheaper fares.

Prices for airline tickets can go as low as 695 MXN ($39.50) when you book at least a few weeks ahead. Regularly check Skyscanner for the cheapest flights!

Your flight arrives at Benito Juarez Airport (MEX), about 10 km east of Mexico City. From here, you have two main options to reach your hotel: Metrobus or a private transfer.

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.

If you prefer a private ride, you can hail an Uber with rates from 110 MXN ($6.20), but note that they sometimes take a while to arrive. Alternatively, you can book your private transfer in advance — a 3-seater car costs 640 MXN ($36) on BookAway.

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

Although the Metro is the cheapest option at 5 MXN ($0.30), 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 to the city centre, so you may need to make multiple transfers.

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

If for whatever reason, you couldn’t or didn’t want to fly, you can also take the bus from Cancun to Mexico City.

Direct buses are available, but it’s important to note that they take around 1 day 4 hours to 1 day 7 hours to complete the journey. Also, bus tickets are quite expensive. Even last-minute flights and round-trip flights are cheaper!

But if you’re really determined to take the bus, we recommend stocking up on water, snacks and a podcast or five. And wear comfortable clothes! Luckily, the views will help keep you distracted from time to time.

You will find ADO Cancun Bus Station in the city centre. It’s accessible by foot or via a short taxi ride.

If you’re staying in the resort or beach area, you can take a 15-minute taxi for 200 MXN ($11.30). On a tight budget? Alternatively, you can take a bus from the Hotel Zone. Line R-1 will drop you off at Avenida Tulum, right in front of the bus terminal. A bus ticket costs 13 MXN ($0.70).

Buses from Cancun to Mexico City are operated by ADO. There are several departures a day and travel time is around 1d 3h - 1d 6h.

ADO is Mexico’s most popular bus company, offering comfortable, air-conditioned buses with reclining seats and onboard restrooms. For this route, you can book Primera Clase. See our Mexico Bus Guide for the differences between ADO’s bus types.

Prices start from 2,000 MXN ($115). They vary daily and the earlier you book, the higher the chance of you getting cheaper rates.

Mexico City has a number of bus terminals, but the buses coming from Cancun will drop you off at Central Mexico Norte or Central de Autobuses del Norte, about 10 km north of the city centre.

After coming from quite a long journey, it’s really best to just take a taxi to your hotel. Travel time is around 30 minutes and rates start from 210 MXN ($11.90). You can also get an Uber for around 145 MXN ($8.20).

A cheaper option would be to take the Metro from Autobuses del Norte Station. A ticket only costs 5 MXN ($0.30), but you’ll have to make at least two transfers to the city centre. We don’t think that’s a good idea after a 30-hour bus ride. Also, if you’re carrying luggage, that’s not allowed on the Metro!