How to get from Oaxaca to Mexico City
Why visit Mexico City?
Mexico City is a destination that will keep any type of traveller entertained for days on end. Interesting history, rich culture, endless shopping and vibrant nightlife are just a few of the many things Mexico City has to offer.
A fun fact, with over 150 museums, Mexico City has the highest number of museums in the world. When you’re museumed-out, there are plenty of other things to do in Mexico City. Visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, explore Frida Kahlo’s house, or take a boat trip along the canals of Xochimilco.
What are the 3 ways to travel from Oaxaca to Mexico City?
There are 3 ways to travel the 462 kilometre (287 miles) distance from Oaxaca to Mexico City. You can choose between the bus, private transport and flight. The journey takes 2 hours 10 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 940 MXN ($53).
Where to stay in Mexico City?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Mexico City at the bottom of this page.
Oaxaca to Mexico City by Bus
Several buses run daily on the Oaxaca to Mexico City route, with a travel time of around 7 hours 5 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes.
If you’re looking to save a night on accommodation, you’ll find plenty of overnight bus options.
Step 1: Getting to the bus station in Oaxaca
Different bus companies in Oaxaca have separate departure points, so it’s important to check where your bus leaves from before your trip.
- ADO, ADO GL and ADO Platino depart from Central de Autobuses de Oaxaca in the city centre.
- AU has two departure points:
- Terminal Periferico, near the tourist area
- Terminal Santa Rosa, about 5 km northwest of the city centre
The best way to reach any of these stations is by taxi, with fares starting from 50 MXN ($2.80). If you’re staying near Terminal Periférico, you can walk — it’s just a 15-minute stroll from Oaxaca’s main square.
Step 2: Oaxaca to Mexico City
The main bus company for the Oaxaca–Mexico City route is ADO, Mexico’s most popular bus operator. They offer reliable service and comfortable buses. Aside from their standard ADO buses, ADO’s sub-brands also operate on this route:
- AU – the cheapest option, but basic and doesn’t have a toilet on board.
- ADO GL – a step up from the standard ADO buses.
- ADO Platino – a luxury bus offering comfortable seats, individual screens, snacks and Wi-Fi. It’s the most expensive, but it also gets good reviews.
All of these buses come with AC and comfy seats. ADO GL and ADO Platino offer extra perks like separate toilets for men and women, coffee onboard and charging ports.
With multiple departures daily, you have the flexibility to choose a schedule that suits you. Bus ticket prices from Oaxaca to Mexico City start from 880 MXN ($49.50) and travel time is around 6h 40m - 7h 50m.
Book your ticket at least a day in advance for the best chance of getting seats on your target travel dates — especially if you’re travelling around big holidays like Christmas, Easter and the Day of the Dead.
If you prefer to buy tickets at the bus station, it’s best to get there at least 30 minutes before your desired travel time. Otherwise, tickets may be sold out and you’ll have to wait for the next available bus.
Step 3: Mexico City Bus Terminal to the City Centre
In Mexico City, buses arrive at Terminal de Autobuses de Oriente or TAPO. It’s about 6 km east of downtown Mexico City, between the city centre and the airport.
For a cheap and easy option, take the Metrobus for 6 MXN ($0.30). Board at San Lazaro Station, right in front of TAPO. Take Line #4 and you’ll reach the city centre in about 20 minutes.
The Metro is also a good choice if you’re travelling light. Take Metro Line #1 from Metro San Lazaro to the city centre. A ticket costs 5 MXN ($0.30).
If you’re travelling at night or with lots of luggage, an Uber takes 15-20 minutes, with fares from 120 MXN ($6.70).
Oaxaca to Mexico City by Flight
Taking a direct flight from Oaxaca to Mexico City is the fastest option. Getting to the airport from Oaxaca city centre takes about 30 minutes, followed by the 1-hour flight to Mexico City, and then another 45 minutes from Mexico City Airport to the centre. Total travel time is around 2 hours 10 minutes.
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 Oaxaca Airport
All flights from Oaxaca to Mexico City depart from Oaxaca International Airport, about 8 km south of the city.
The fastest and most comfortable option is to take a taxi for around 250 MXN ($14). Travel time is about 25 minutes.
Step 2: Oaxaca to Mexico City
Flights from Oaxaca to Mexico City are available daily from 05:50 to 19:00. Flight time is approximately 1 hour.
Three airlines cover this route: AeroMexico, Viva Aerobus and Volaris.
If you’re after comfort and flexibility, AeroMexico is your best bet. They’re a bigger airline, offering five or more departures a day and excellent service — but expect to pay a bit more.
If you’re watching your budget, Viva Aerobus and Volaris are great options. They each offer one direct flight daily and usually offer the lowest fares.
PRO TIP: The earlier you book, the better your chances of snagging a great deal! Airfares typically start at around 2,200 MXN ($125), but with early booking, prices can drop as low as 910 MXN ($51).
Step 3: Mexico City Airport to the City Centre
Your flight arrives at Benito Juarez Airport (MEX), about 10 km east of Mexico City. From here, you have two main options to reach your hotel: Metrobus or a private transfer.
We recommend taking the Metrobus because it’s both cheap and convenient. Take Line #4 and you can get straight to the city centre in around 45 minutes. If you’re aiming for Mexico City’s main square, commonly called Zocalo, then you can get off at the nearest bus stop, which is Republica de Argentina.
A Metrobus ticket costs 30 MXN ($1.70). You will find the buses at Entrance 7 of Terminal 1 and Entrance 2 of Terminal 2.
If you prefer a private ride, you can hail an Uber with rates from 110 MXN ($6.20), but note that they sometimes take a while to arrive. Alternatively, you can book your private transfer in advance — a 3-seater car costs 640 MXN ($36) on BookAway.
Why we don’t recommend taking the Metro from Mexico City Airport
Although the Metro is the cheapest option at 5 MXN ($0.30), it is not ideal if you have luggage. Large bags are not allowed, and the trains can get extremely crowded, especially during peak hours. Plus, no direct line goes to the city centre, so you may need to make multiple transfers.
You can check our Mexico City Airport page for a more detailed guide.
Oaxaca to Mexico City by Private Transport
A private transfer from Oaxaca to Mexico City is the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes 6 hours to 6 hours 30 minutes, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.
Prices for private transfer start at 8,000 MXN ($445) for a 3-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about 2,660 MXN ($150) each.
Private Transport options from Oaxaca to Mexico City
Best places to stay in Mexico City
Casa Emilia - Treating Yourself
Staying at Casa Emilia will make you feel like you’re staying in a cosy jungle retreat, rather than in a massive metropolitan city. All of the spaces around the hotel are designed for ultimate comfort and luxury, which it certainly achieves. You can relax on the terrace, in access hall or in the hotel’s sunroom.
Two of our favourite experiences at the hotel are the delicious breakfast and the huge, comfy beds offering a great night’s sleep. If you’re looking to treat yourself, this is the place to do it.
- Incredible breakfast
- Cosy jungle design
- Bike rental available
- Excellent location
Double rooms start from $80 per night
Casa Pancha - Treating Yourself
Located in the neighbourhood of Condesa, Casa Pancha mirrors the atmosphere of the area. The hotel’s culture is certainly one of its selling points, offering simplicity, originality, community and connection.
With a mixture of dorms and private rooms, it’s an easy place to meet people whilst maintaining privacy. The hotel is bright and natural throughout, with both a backyard and a balcony area to relax in. The staff are super friendly here and their love for the hotel quickly spreads through the space.
- Dorms and private rooms available
- Private garden and balcony
- Amazing staff
- Perfect location
Double rooms start from $80 per night
Stanza Hotel - Mid Range
If there’s any neighbourhood that you want to stay in Mexico City, La Roma should definitely be up there. And that’s where Stanza Hotel is located. It puts you close to the tree-lined streets that are brimming with hip cafes and bars.
The hotel rooms are clean and modern, offering everything that you could ask for. The beds are also huge and super comfy. If you don’t fancy leaving the hotel one night for dinner, the onsite restaurant serves delicious Mediterranean-Mexican fusion food.
- Great location
- Clean and modern rooms
- Onsite Mediterranean-Mexican fusion restaurant
- Helpful, English-speaking staff
Double rooms between $40-$80 per night
Casa Indigo - Budget Friendly
This place gets booked out fast (we’re talking months in advance)! The location is perfect and it’s super affordable. Casa Indigo is close to the historic centre, plus the rooms are clean and beautifully decorated.
The host, Salvador, will make your stay unforgettable with his friendliness and warm welcome. On top of all of that, you can enjoy a large roof terrace offering stunning views over Mexico City.
- Great location
- Huge roof terrace
- Friendly host
- Fully equipped kitchen
Double rooms between $15-$40 per night
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Oaxaca to Mexico City. 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!
Frequently Asked Questions about Oaxaca to Mexico City
What are the top sights in Mexico City?
Mexico City is unlike many of the country’s popular destinations that are known for their beaches and turquoise waters. In Mexico’s vibrant capital, it’s all about history and culture.
The main square called Zocalo is on top of our list of sites to visit, along with the city’s many parks like Chapultepec (one of the largest in the whole country). For art and architecture, visit the Palace of Fine Arts. If you’re interested in ancient ruins, you will find the Teotihuacan archaeological complex just an hour away from the city.
What are the best things to do in Mexico City?
There are lots of things to do in Mexico City — whether you’re travelling with children or with your special someone.
Start it off with a walking tour around the historic centre. Some organisations even offer this for free (yes, no hidden fees at all)! Visit one (or more!) of its 150 museums. Take a boat tour on the canals of Xochimilco. And our favourite, go on a DIY taco tour! You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to taquerias in the city.
Got questions? Check out our guide for the 14 Best Things to do in Mexico City.
When is the best time to go to Mexico City?
The high season in Mexico City is from March to May — when the average temperature is (24°C) during the day and (7°C) at night. That’s great weather to comfortably walk around its busy streets. But that also means a great number of people will be exploring the city, too.
Hotels can get fully booked early. So book your accommodations well in advance.
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.
Selene is a writer who loves coffee, travel, and planning. After spending a decade in Manila, she left the city and her career in banking to embrace a more laid-back lifestyle. Now, she is discovering the beauty of slow-paced travel and finding joy in meaningful experiences.
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.
