Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende

Want to know how to get from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende? In this post, we’ll share a summary of the two ways to get there and compare each option on duration, costs and level of comfort. For each option, we go into more detail to help you decide which transport provider to book with and where to buy your tickets.

What to expect when visiting 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.

2 ways to get from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende

There are two ways to travel the distance of 250 km (155 miles) from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende: by bus (50 minutes) and private transfer (4 hours). The journey takes between 50 minutes - 4h and the quickest way is by bus. The lowest priced tickets start from 742 MXN ($42.50) for the bus.

Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende by Bus

Duration: 50 minutes

Starts from: 742 MXN ($42.50)

Duration: 50 minutes

Cost: 742 MXN ($42.50)

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

It’s worth noting that the bus terminal in Mexico City is located a bit outside the city centre. So although the bus trip takes only around 4 hours, the total journey may take up to 5 hours.

Step 1: Mexico City Centre to Bus Terminal

Duration: 30 minutes

Costs: 100 MXN ($5.50)

Duration: 30 minutes

Costs: 100 MXN ($5.50)

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

The easiest and most direct way to get to Norte Bus Terminal is via a 30-minute Uber or taxi. Rates from the city centre start from 100 MXN ($5.50).

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.

From Zocalo station in the historic centre, take line #2 until you reach the station Hidalgo. Once there, switch to line number #3 and get off at La Raza, then change trains again to line #5. From La Raza, there is just one more stop until you reach Autobuses del Norte, which is the metro station in front of 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.

Step 2: Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende

Duration: 4hrs 10m

Costs: 612 MXN ($35.00)

Duration: 4hrs 10m

Costs: 612 MXN ($35.00)

There are two bus companies operating buses from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende: Futura and ETN.

Futura is the cheapest option and the one we recommend. It offers comfortable buses that come equipped with AC, bed-style seats, charging ports, snacks and a toilet.

If you need to depart in the afternoon, then you can take ETN, which offers more departures. However, there’s no guarantee you can book online. Their website has problems accepting international cards.

Prices for bus tickets from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende start from 612 MXN ($33.50). The bus trip takes a little over 4 hours.

Bus options from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende

Step 3: San Miguel de Allende Bus Terminal to the City Centre

Duration: 10 minutes

Costs: 30 MXN ($1.70)

Duration: 10 minutes

Costs: 30 MXN ($1.70)

The bus terminal in San Miguel de Allende is located 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 can be as low as 30 MXN ($1.60), while the taxi will charge something around 60 MXN ($3.30).

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, from where many accommodations are just within walking distance. A ticket for the local bus service costs only 7 MXN ($0.30).

Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende by Private Transfer

Duration: 4 hours

Starts from: 5,265 MXN ($300.00)

Duration: 4 hours

Cost: 5,265 MXN ($300.00)

Are you coming from Mexico City International Airport? Assuming you’re carrying a lot of luggage with you, it’s also worth considering taking a private transfer to San Miguel de Allende. With a private ride, you won’t have to worry about finding your way to and from bus terminals. You’ll be dropped off right at your hotel.

But of course, there’s a price for this convenience. Rates for a private ride from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende start from 5,265 MXN ($300.00). We recommend booking your private transfer through BookAway, which offers professional drivers and spacious cars.