How to get from Mexico City to 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.
2 ways to get from Mexico City to Guadalajara
There are 2 ways to cover the 550 km (341 miles) from Mexico City to Guadalajara: a 7.5-hour bus ride or a 2.5-hour flight (including transfers). Fares are from 710 MXN ($41.00) and 810 MXN ($47.00), respectively.
The flight is the fastest option when travelling from Mexico City to Guadalajara. It’s also not that expensive especially if you book your tickets early. Several airlines fly this route daily so rates are very competitive. Combined fares start from 810 MXN ($47.00). The actual flight takes only a little over an hour, but the entire journey takes around 2.5 hours when you add the airport transfers.
If you do choose to fly, consider including a carbon compensation fee to help reduce your impact on the environment.
The bus is the cheapest option and not at all a bad idea. Mexico City to Guadalajara bus services are quite comfortable. And although the bus trip takes around 7.5 hours, there is a night bus available so you can save on both day time and accommodation. Bus fares from Mexico City to Guadalajara start from 710 MXN ($41.00).
Mexico City to Guadalajara by Flight
Surely 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 advance to get the best prices.
Both airports are highly transited and big so make sure you arrive early enough and inform yourself of the terminal you will be departing from.
Step 1: Mexico City Centre to Airport
All flights to Guadalajara depart from Mexico’s Airport Benito Juarez, with a driving distance of around 11 km from Mexico City centre. The airport is easily accessible through public transportation, as well as with taxis or Uber.
If you are staying in the city centre, line #4 on the Metrobus is a cost-efficient way to get to the airport. The closest bus stop to the main square is called Republica de Argentina. A Metrobus ticket costs just 30 MXN ($1.70) and the bus makes a stop at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of Mexico City Airport.
If you prefer a little more comfort and speed, you can use Uber/taxi. Rates from the city centre to the airport start from around 150 MXN ($8.50) with Uber and 300 MXN ($17.50) with a regular taxi. Depending on traffic, the ride can take 20 to 35 minutes.
Step 2: Mexico City to Guadalajara by Flight
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 05:40 to 23:20.
Three airlines fly daily from Mexico City to Guadalajara: AeroMexico, Viva Aerobus and Volaris.
AeroMexico is the biggest of the 3 airlines and their rates are often the most expensive. Viva Aerobus and Volaris offer a low-cost commercial flight and tend to be cheaper.
Airfares start from 30 MXN ($1.70), but can even be lower when you book flights in advance. To get the best prices, check Skyscanner well ahead of your travel date!
Step 3: Guadalajara Airport to the City Centre
Flights from Mexico City to Guadalajara arrive at Guadalajara Airport, located 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 300 MXN ($17.50). 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 150 MXN ($8.50).
By Shuttle Bus
There is also a shuttle service provided by Shuttle GDL, which costs 100 MXN ($5.50). You just need to look for the counter at the arrivals hall and buy your ticket. Shuttles depart every hour from 05:00 to 23:00 on weekdays and from 07:00 to 22:00 on weekends.
Shuttle GL’s final stop is at their office located in the area known as Minerva, pretty close to 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.
Mexico City to Guadalajara by Bus
The bus is a cheaper way to get from Mexico City to Guadalajara, but takes a little over 7 hours. There are two main bus companies operating on this route: ACN and Autotravel.
ACN Autobuses are faster, but their bus stop in Mexico City is located outside the city centre. Autotravel buses are more luxurious, but their travel time is longer.
Step 1: Mexico City Centre to Bus Stop
Buses from Mexico City to Guadalajara depart from different terminals.
Getting to ACN Bus Stop
ACN buses don’t depart from the main bus stations in Mexico City but from the ACN Bus Station, which is located close to Mexico City Airport on Zaragoza Road.
By Taxi
We recommend using a Taxi or Uber, which will bring you in about 20 minutes from the city centre to the ACN bus station. Rates for a taxi ride start from 150 MXN ($8.50), while an Uber ride costs about 90 MXN ($5.00).
By Metro
There is one Metro station just a couple of blocks away from the bus stop. However, we don’t recommend walking in that area at night.
If you still want to take the Metro, you can use line #1 from the station Pino Suarez in the city centre. Make sure you take the Metro going towards Pantitlan. Get off at the station Zaragoza after about 20 minutes.
A Metro ticket costs 5 MXN ($0.20).
Getting to Autotravel Bus Stop
If you are staying in the city centre, Autotravel comes in handy as it departs from the Starbucks located along Republica del Uruguay Street. This is just a couple of blocks away from the main square. They will also drop you off within Guadalajara city centre.
Step 2: Mexico City to Guadalajara
ACN and Autotravel are the two bus companies offering Mexico City to Guadalajara bus services. Both are comfortable and receive good reviews, but offer different levels of comfort.
ACN autobuses come equipped with A/C, reclining seats and a toilet. Meanwhile, Autrotravel offers first class service that also includes individual screens, charging ports, snacks and water, as well as more comfortable seats.
Bus ticket prices start from 610 MXN ($35.50).
ACN
The advantage of a bus trip with ACN autobuses is that they depart at night and you will arrive in Guadalajara early the next morning. This way, you will save money on accommodation and won’t lose almost an entire day on travelling.
If you decide to book with ACN, make sure you select Guadalajara Portales as the arrival point. The other stop offered is on the other side of Guadalajara city centre, which will result in an extra hour of travelling to the city centre.
Autotravel
Autotravel rates are higher but comes with more convenience as they depart and arrive in the city centre. The downside is that they depart at noon, so you will spend all afternoon travelling.
Bus schedule from Mexico City to Guadalajara
Trips are limited so we highly recommend that you buy your bus ticket online beforehand through BookAway. If you’re heading back to Mexico City after visiting Guadalajara, you can also book round trip tickets to get up to 20% discount.
If you prefer to buy your tickets onsite, make sure to arrive at the bus station around 30 minutes before departure time.
Step 3: Guadalajara Bus Terminal to the City Centre
Buses from Mexico City to Guadalajara arrive at different bus stations, depending on which company you travel with.
ACN drop-off point
If you travelled with ACN, you will be dropped off at the stop Parada Portales, just a few blocks from Guadalajara’s main bus terminal, on the east of the city. To get to the city centre you can use the light rail, a taxi or an Uber.
If you want to use the light rail, you just have to walk two blocks to the station Central de Autobuses. It is easy to spot as the light rail runs on an elevated road.
A light rail ticket costs 10 MXN ($0.50). It’s the first station on the line TL3, so you won’t need to worry about picking the right direction. After around 20 minutes or 8 stops, you will arrive at the station Guadalajara Centro, which is right next to the main square.
If you prefer, you can also use one of the authorized taxis outside the bus terminal. An average ride to the city centre is around 130 MXN ($7.50). Uber is another good alternative if you have mobile data. A ride costs around 90 MXN ($5.00).
Autobus drop-off
If you used Autotravel, the bus will drop you off directly at the Old Bus Station by the city centre.
Guadalajara to Mexico City
Heading the other way around? You can also check out our guide from Guadalajara to Mexico City.
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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.
