What to expect when visiting Teotihuacan
The ancient city of Teotihuacan is a very well-known destination worldwide because it has some of the most enigmatic archaeological ruins in the world. With enormous pyramids, ancient temples and the iconic feathered serpent, it is also known as the City of the Gods, certainly a must see for anyone visiting Mexico.
Even if you are planning to go to other ruins around Mexico, Teotihuacan stands apart from the rest. The Pyramid of the Sun, its largest pyramid, is also one of the largest in Mesoamerica. Interestingly, there’s very limited information on who built the site. It also hasn’t been identified as part of the Mayan or Aztec empires due to its unique style, leaving it as somewhat of a mystery.
3 ways to get from Mexico City to Teotihuacan
There are three ways to travel the distance of 50 km (31 miles) from Mexico City to Teotihuacan: by bus (1hr 20m), organised day trip (9h) and private transfer (1 hour). The journey takes between 1-9 hours and the quickest way is by private transfer. The lowest priced tickets start from 52 MXN ($2.90) for the bus.Mexico City to Teotihuacan by Bus
The bus is the only public transport you can take between Mexico City and Teotihuacan. Apart from being cheap, the great thing about taking the bus and doing this trip on your own is that you can explore the complex at your own pace.
Buses depart from the north bus station in Mexico City, Central Mexico Norte, which is easily accessible from any part of the city by Metro. Take line #5 and get off at Autobuses Norte Metro Station.
When you arrive at the bus station, look for module 8. The company operating from Mexico City to Teotihuacan is called Autobuses Teotihuacanos. They don’t have the option to book online so you’ll need to buy your tickets directly at the counter at the bus terminal.
If you’re returning on the same day, you can buy a round-trip transportation ticket for [usd104 MXN]. If not, a one-way ticket costs 52 MXN ($2.90). The bus journey takes around 1 hour 20 minutes.
Buses from Mexico City to Teotihuacan depart every 15 to 20 minutes and run from 06:00 to 22:00. Keep in mind that the opening hours for the pyramids are from 08:00 to 18:00. We recommend heading out early for an early morning tour, before the rush hour traffic and ahead of the tourists that often flock to the area.
The way back by Bus
Going back to Mexico City from Teotihuacan is very easy. If you bought a round-trip public bus ticket, you just need to show up at entrances #2 or #3 of the ruins and look for the same bus that brought you there.
If you didn’t buy a return journey ticket, you can buy one directly on the bus for 52 MXN ($2.80).
Buses depart roughly every 20 minutes or when they reach capacity. The ride takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes and buses also operate between 06:00 and 22:00.
The bus will drop you off at the same station you departed from, Central Mexico Norte. To return to your accommodation, you can take the Metro via the station Autobuses Norte.
Mexico City to Teotihuacan by Private Transfer
A private transfer is a convenient way to visit Teotihuacan, especially if you’re coming from Mexico City Airport with all your luggage. With a private ride, you’ll be brought straight to your hotel in Teotihuacan in just around an hour.
We highly recommend booking your ride through BookAway for guaranteed comfy cars and professional drivers. A 3-seater private transfer from Mexico City Airport to Teotihuacan costs 1,335 MXN ($76.00). The journey takes about an hour.
Mexico City to Teotihuacan by Organised Day Trip
Organised day trips to Teotihuacan from Mexico City are plenty and you won’t have a hard time finding a tour that suits your taste. GetYourGuide often offers the most competitive rates, although there are also some great options on Viator.
To help you break down all the amazing guided tours available, we’ve already sorted them out for you!
Option 1: Group tours are the cheapest
If you’re on a budget, joining a small group tour from Mexico City to Teotihuacan is already a great choice. Group tours often include:
We recommend joining GetYourGuide’s Teotihuacan Early Access Tour, which also offers an obsidian workshop with a Teotihuacan family. Ticket prices start from 815 MXN ($45.00) and the group tour takes around 9 hours.
Option 2: Private tours are expensive, but more convenient
A private tour from Mexico City to Teotihuacan offers almost the same inclusions as a group tour – the only difference is that you’ll have your own private ride to and from the Teotihuacan pyramids. Also, you’ll be picked up and dropped off at your hotel’s doorsteps.
A Private Full-Day Teotihuacan Archaeological Tour costs 2,250 MXN ($120.00) per person for a 2-person group. It’s worth noting that the bigger the group, the lower the cost per person. For example, if there are 3 people in your group, then the rate goes down to 1,585 MXN ($87.00) per person.
Option 3: Hot Air Balloon Tour for the ultimate experience
There is also an option to view the massive pyramids of Teotihuacan from a hot air balloon. If money is not an issue, then we highly recommend this tour. A balloon ride through the Teotihuacan Archaeological Zone – the massive Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, and more – is a surreal experience and definitely one for the books.
After the balloon flight, you will also have an option to visit the complex and explore the Teotihuacan Avenue of the Dead on foot. Here is a breakdown of what you can enjoy with this tour:
If you decide to take this Teotihuacan Air Balloon Flight & Breakfast, expect to pay 2,600 MXN ($140.00) per person. Note that this does not include actual entrance tickets to the famous pyramids, which costs 80 MXN ($4.40).
Frequently Asked Questions about Mexico City to Teotihuacan
How far is Teotihuacan from Mexico City?
How to get to Teotihuacan by bus?
You can get to Teotihuacan by bus from Mexico City. Buses depart from Central Mexico Norte Bus Station, which you can reach by Metro from anywhere in the city.
There are plenty of buses available daily. The Mexico City to Teotihuacan bus schedule is every 20 minutes from 06:00 to 22:00.
How much is a taxi from Mexico City to Teotihuacan?
Can you get an Uber to Teotihuacan from Mexico City?
You can easily hail an Uber from anywhere in Mexico City. Rates for a Mexico City to Teotihuacan Uber ride range between 400 MXN ($23.00) and 500 MXN ($28.50).
Make sure to key in the right destination, though. There are a number of places named “Teotihuacan” around Mexico City. The best keyword to look for on Uber would be “Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Sun.”
Are there day trips from Mexico City to Teotihuacan?
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Mexico City to Teotihuacan. 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!
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.
