Mexico City to Acapulco
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What to expect when visiting Acapulco
Acapulco is a popular destination on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. It is relatively close to Mexico City and therefore a local favourite beach destination. Some of its most popular beaches are Punta Diamante, Playa Caleta, La Condesa and Puerto Marques.
The beaches in Acapulco are calm and pleasant, perfect for water activities like paddleboarding and kayaking. But if they’re not enough for you, you can always take a boat to explore the lovely shores of nearby Isla Roqueta. The surf isn’t so great except for a few spots in the south by Punta Diamante.
You shouldn’t miss the traditional cliff diving show at a spot known as La Quebrada, where experienced divers jump from heights of 25m to 35m after climbing the cliff without any ropes. We recommend spending your sunsets at any of the restaurants by the bay, admiring the skyline backdropped by the sky’s changing hues.
Beyond the beaches, Acapulco also offers interesting historic and cultural spots like the Fort of San Diego, the Acapulco Historical Museum and the area around the Zocalo. If you are interested in wildlife and bird watching, Tres Palos Lagoon is home to beautiful mangroves, lush flowers, countless fish and colourful birds.
3 ways to get from Mexico City to Acapulco
There are three ways to travel the distance of 380 km (236 miles) from Mexico City to Acapulco: by bus (10 hours 05 minutes), shared minivan (5 hours 10 minutes) and flight (2 hours 30 minutes). The journey takes between 2h 30m - 10h 05m and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from 345 MXN ($21) for the shared minivan.Mexico City to Acapulco by Shared Minivan
A minivan ride from Mexico City to Acapulco costs around 345 MXN ($21). The minivan journey takes about 5 hours 10 minutes, depending on traffic.
So far there is only 1 company operating on this route: Reserv Van. What we like about this option is that it offers free hotel pickup and drop-off. This saves you the hassle and extra cost of finding your way to and from bus stations.
Mexico City to Acapulco by Bus
There are several direct buses leaving from Mexico City to Acapulco every day. Including transfers to and from bus stations, the entire trip takes around 10 hours 05 minutes.
The bus terminals in the two cities are easily accessible by public transport.
Step 1: Getting to the bus station in Mexico City
Buses to Acapulco depart from Mexico City’s southern bus terminal, also known as Terminal Taxqueña. This terminal is near Coyoacan, a well-known tourist area, and about 12km south of the Centro.
If you are coming from the city centre, the bus station is easily accessible by Metro. A ticket costs just 50 MXN ($3).
You can board the train from Zocalo or Pino Suarez station. It should be a direct ride through Line #2 going to Taxqueña, which is the last stop. The train station is located right in front of the southern bus terminal.
If you prefer, you can also use a taxi or Uber to get to the bus station. Rates from the city centre are around 155 MXN ($9.30).
Step 2: Mexico City to Acapulco by Bus
You can choose from two bus companies when travelling from Mexico City to Acapulco: Edo Pluss and Diamante.
Both bus lines offer first-class service 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.
Their daily buses depart roughly once every hour between 00:30 and 23:30. The bus trip from Mexico City to Acapulco is around 5 hours.
If you prefer to buy your tickets at the bus station, make sure to be there at least 30 minutes before your preferred departure time. Otherwise, you may have to wait for the next trip!
Step 3: Acapulco Bus Terminal to the City Centre
Your bus trip ends at 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.
If your hotel is located a bit outside of the city centre, you can also take a taxi. The rate will depend on the distance but starts at around 50 MXN ($3).
If you prefer to buy your tickets at the bus station, make sure to be there at least 30 minutes before your preferred departure time. Otherwise, you may have to wait for the next trip!
Mexico City to Acapulco by Flight
Although the two cities have their own airports, we don’t think you get to save a lot of time by taking a flight from Mexico City to Acapulco.
While the flight itself only takes a little over an hour, airport transfers make the travel time at least 2 hours 30 minutes. Add the mandatory waiting time at the airport and it’s almost as long as taking a direct bus.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: City Centre to Mexico City Airport
Flights to Acapulco depart from Benito Juarez or Mexico City International Airport (MEX), which you can find 10 km east of Mexico City. You can get there in 3 ways: via Metrobus (45 minutes), Metro (50 minutes), or taxi/Uber (25 minutes).
If you are staying in the city centre, Line #4 on the Metrobus is the easiest way to get to the airport. The nearest bus stop to the main square is Republica de Argentina. A bus ticket to the airport costs 30 MXN ($1.80) and the buses stop at both Terminals 1 and 2 of Mexico City Airport.
For more comfort, you can use Uber/Taxi. Rates from the city centre to the airport start from around 300 MXN ($18.10).
If you’re coming from outside of Mexico City centre or just looking for the cheapest option possible, you can take the Metro. A ticket only costs 5 MXN ($0.30). But do note that bulky luggage is not allowed at the Metro and there are no direct trains from the city centre to the airport.
For more info, check out our detailed guide for Mexico City Airport.
Step 2: Mexico City to Acapulco by Flight
Flights from Mexico City to Acapulco depart around eight times a day from 10:00 to 19:00 and the flight time is approximately 1h 15m.
Four airlines fly this route daily: Aeromar, Aeromexico, VivaAerobus and Volaris. The most popular is Aeromar, but you can find good deals with VivaAerobus and Volaris as well. The most expensive flights are usually with AeroMexico.
Since this route has a high demand, it’s better to plan ahead and book some weeks in advance to get the best rates.
Step 3: Acapulco Airport to the City Centre
Acapulco’s International Airport is about 25km southeast of the city centre. To get to your hotel, you can either take a taxi (30 minutes) or a minivan (40 minutes).
The taxi is convenient and the option we recommend if you’re travelling with at least one other person. Fares start from 400 MXN ($24) with the airport taxis. But we recommend pre-booking your ride via BookAway for cheaper fares and trusted drivers. With BookAway, you can get a 3-seater car from 365 MXN ($22).
If you’re a solo traveller looking to save some bucks, you can also take a minivan from Acapulco Airport to the city centre. These minivans are available 24/7 and will drop you off right at your hotel’s doorstep. Tickets cost 240 MXN ($14.60) per person.
For guaranteed seats, it’s best to book your minivan ride online beforehand via BookAway.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mexico City to Acapulco
What is the distance from Mexico City to Acapulco?
The distance from Mexico City to Acapulco is 380 km (236 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Mexico City to Acapulco?
The fastest way to get from Mexico City to Acapulco is by flight and takes 2 hours 30 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Mexico City to Acapulco?
The cheapest way to get from Mexico City to Acapulco is by shared minivan with ticket costs starting from 345 MXN ($21).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Mexico City to Acapulco. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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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.
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muy util esta pagina , gracias !!
Muchos gracias por dejar un comentario Enrique. ¡Disfruta de tu viaje!