How to get from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende

Why visit San Miguel de Allende?

San Miguel de Allende is a popular tourist destination relatively near Mexico City. It’s on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites and has been listed as one of the best cities to live in the world several times.

Locals, travellers and expats love this town and its colourful buildings. It has a gorgeous mix of colonial and baroque architecture and picturesque cobblestone streets. Most restaurants and bars have lovely terraces where you can enjoy a local wine or beer while watching the sunset.

San Miguel de Allende is also a thriving cultural hub teeming with galleries and ateliers. It’s easy to lose track of time in its many museums, craft markets and gorgeous gardens. A few days in town and you may find it hard to leave.

Apart from its many amazing offerings, San Miguel de Allende is a good gateway point for day trips to nearby towns like Dolores Hidalgo, Celaya, and Atotonilco.

There are 2 ways to travel the 250 kilometres (155 miles) from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende. You can choose between the bus and private transport. The journey takes 4 hours to 6 hours 10 minutes and the quickest way is by private transport. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 880 MXN ($47).

Taking a direct bus is a convenient and affordable way to get from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende.

The bus ride itself takes around 4 to 5.5 hours, but you’ll want to add at least an extra 30 minutes to get to the bus terminal in Mexico City, which is a little outside the city centre.

In total, the journey may take anywhere from 4 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes.

Buses to San Miguel de Allende depart from Central de Autobuses del Norte, about 8 km northeast of downtown Mexico City.

The easiest and most direct way to get to Norte Bus Terminal is via an Uber or taxi that takes 30 minutes. Rates from the city centre start from 100 MXN ($5.30).

A more budget-friendly option would be to take the Metro, which only costs 6 MXN ($0.30). However, there is no direct line from Mexico City to Central de Autobuses del Norte. You’ll have to make several train transfers with a total travel time of 45 minutes.

Here is a quick Metro guide from Mexico city centre to Central de Autobuses del Norte:

• From Zocalo Station in the historic centre, take Line #2 until you reach the station Hidalgo.
• At Hidalgo, switch to Line #3 and get off at La Raza.
• Finally, change trains to Line #5, and it is just one stop to Autobuses del Norte Station, which is right in front of the Norte Bus Terminal.

If you are coming from a different area, we recommend using Moovit, a specialised public transport app that will help you compare different options and possible routes.

Three companies operate buses from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende: Futura Select, Primera Plus and ETN.

Futura Select is the cheapest option. It offers comfortable buses that come equipped with AC, spacious reclining seats, charging ports, snacks and a toilet. But note that it only has one daily departure at 7:45.

If you need to depart in the afternoon, we recommend taking Primera Plus. It offers more departures and is also faster. Travel time is under 4 hours because its buses typically run non-stop.

ETN offers trips from morning til afternoon, but booking online can be tricky. Their website has problems accepting international cards.

Prices for bus tickets from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende start from 720 MXN ($38.50). The bus trip takes 3h 50m - 5h 30m.

The bus terminal, Central de Autobuses San Miguel de Allende, is on the west side of the city centre, around 10 minutes away.

The easiest way to get from the bus station to the city centre is by Uber or taxi. An Uber ride to the main square costs around 80 MXN ($4.30).

A cheaper option would be to take one of the local buses that pass in front of the bus terminal. Take a bus with a “Centro” signboard. You will be dropped off by the main square or Jardin Allende, where many accommodations are within walking distance. A local bus ticket costs only 8 MXN ($0.40).

Are you coming from Mexico City International Airport? If you’re carrying a lot of luggage, a private transfer to San Miguel de Allende is the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes 4 hours, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.

But, of course, this convenience does come at a price. Rates for private transfer start at 8,700 MXN ($460) for a 3-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about 2,890 MXN ($155) each.

We recommend booking your private transfer through BookAway. They offer reliable drivers and spacious vehicles that make the journey much more comfortable.

Private Transport options from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende