How to get from Puebla 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.

There are 4 ways to travel the 135 kilometre (84 miles) distance from Puebla to Mexico City. You can choose between the bus, minivan, private transport and car rental. The journey takes 1 hour to 4 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 350 MXN ($19.70).

The bus journey from Puebla to Mexico City should take around 2 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes.

There are departures all throughout the day, so you can pick a time that suits you — whether you’re heading to Mexico City or straight to Mexico City Airport.

Most buses operating from Puebla to Mexico City depart from Centro de Autobuses Puebla or CAPU, 5 km northwest of downtown Puebla. You can get there in around 20 minutes by taxi or Uber.

While taxis are available on the streets of Puebla, Uber normally offers cheaper rates. So we recommend that you hail a ride through the Uber app. Uber fares from the city centre to CAPU start from 80 MXN ($4.50).

Local Buses are cheaper, but take longer

It’s also possible to go by bus through Puebla’s Metrobus System, the Red Urbana de Transporte Articulado or RUTA. Look out for any of these routes which can take you the bus terminal entrance:

• RUTA 10 (9 stops): Passes spots like Fayuca, Plaza San Pedro, TELMEX, and Wal-Mart San Manuel before reaching C.U.
• RUTA BLVD-C.U. (16 stops): Covers destinations such as Centro Escolar Morelos, Mercado Hidalgo, Blvd. 5 de Mayo, and Plaza Dorada.
• ENLACE 2010 (14 stops): Includes Blvd. Norte, China Poblana, Parque Ecológico, and La Margarita.

The bus ride takes about 50 minutes to reach the bus terminal, depending on traffic — that’s more than double the travel time of taking an Uber. But if you prefer budget over speed, you can get a bus ticket to CAPU for only 6 MXN ($0.30).

If you’re staying around Zócalo de Puebla (the main square), the nearest bus stop is near the Convention Centre.

Just remember: RUTA buses don’t take cash. If you don’t have one yet, you’ll need to grab a prepaid RUTA card from one of the vending machines at the bus stop.

Buses going to Mexico City Airport

Buses bound for Mexico City Airport depart from either CAPU or a newer bus station called Paseo Destino, 9 km south of Puebla city centre. The best way to get there is a 20-minute Uber ride with fares from 125 MXN ($7).

ADO and AU are the bus companies operating on this route. ADO offers a more comfortable ride with better seats and onboard toilets, while AU is the cheaper option with simpler buses and no restrooms. Check out our Mexico Transport Guide for a full comparison of their bus types and amenities.

A bus ticket from Puebla to Mexico City costs around 270 MXN ($15) and the bus trip takes 1h 55m - 3h 40m.

Different bus companies have varying arrival stations in Mexico City:

• Terminal de Buses de Oriente TAPO
• Central Mexico Norte
• Benito Juarez International Airport
• Mexico Felipe Angeles Airport

If you’re arriving at any of the two bus stations (TAPO or Central Mexico Norte), they both have 24/7 authorised taxi services available. Both stations are also well-connected to the public transport in the city.

The most direct way to get to the city is by taxi or Uber. It takes about 15-30 minutes and a ride to the city centre should cost around 80 MXN ($4.50) – 150 MXN ($8.40).

On a budget? Below we explain the public transport from the bus stations to the city centre.

The Terminal de Autobuses de Oriente, also known as TAPO, is located 8 km east of Mexico City, in between the city centre and the airport.

It’s the closest station to the city centre and a taxi or Uber ride from TAPO usually takes about 15-20 minutes and costs around 120 MXN ($6.70).

You can also get to the city centre by Metrobus for just 6 MXN ($0.30). You’ll need to board the Metrobus at  San Lazaro Station, right in front of TAPO bus terminal. Take line #4 and you’ll reach the city centre in about 20 minutes.

From Central Mexico Norte Bus Terminal, an Uber ride to the city centre takes around 30 minutes. Rates start from 125 MXN ($7).

It also has access to the Metro, but going to the city centre can be a bit of a hassle as you may have to switch lines twice. The total Metro journey takes around 1 hour and costs 5 MXN ($0.30).

You can find the Metro station — Autobuses del Norte — right in front of the bus terminal. Hop on Line #5 towards Pantitlán and get off at the next stop, La Raza. From there, transfer to Line #3 heading towards ‘Universidad’ and ride until you reach Hidalgo Station. Finally, switch to Line #2 and after three stops, you’ll arrive at Zócalo Station, right next to the main square.

To help with planning your route, you can check the maps at the entrance of each stop. If you have internet access, you can use apps like Moovit, a specialised public transport app that will show you the best options available to get to your accommodation.

There is also an option to rent a car from Puebla to Mexico City. With this option, you can be more adventurous as you can make a stop anywhere you want between the two cities.

Car rental prices from Puebla to Mexico City start at around 495 MXN ($28) per day, including insurance. If you’re renting for three or more days, you might find even cheaper deals. However, if you’re planning to drop the car off in Mexico City instead of returning it to Puebla, be aware that one-way rentals usually come with higher fees.

For the cheapest car rental rates and an extensive selection of car rental companies, we recommend renting a car through Skyscanner.

A minivan ride from Puebla to Mexico City costs around 770 MXN ($43). The minivan journey takes about 1 hour, depending on traffic.

There is one company operating on this route: Turismo Tlaxcala.

What we like about this option is that it picks you up directly from your hotel and takes you straight to the airport. It saves you the hassle and extra cost of arranging separate transport.

Minivan options from Puebla to Mexico City

A private transfer from Puebla to Mexico City is the easiest and most convenient transport option. The journey takes 2 to 3 hours, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation or the airport — no need to worry about extra transfers.

The taxi apps, Uber and Didi, are also available on this route. They are usually the most budget-friendly option, with prices starting at 1,360 MXN ($76) for a 4-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about 340 MXN ($19) each.

If you prefer booking in advance, a platform like BookAway is a great choice. They’re very reliable but comes with a higher price tag, starting at 2,860 MXN ($160).

Private Transport options from Puebla to Mexico City