How to Get From San Miguel de Allende to Mexico City
Bus · Private Transport
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In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 250 kilometre (155 miles) distance from San Miguel de Allende to Mexico City. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly how to get there — whether you want to travel on a budget, reach Mexico City as fast as possible, or enjoy the ride in comfort. We base our information on verified schedules, ticket prices, and on-the-ground insights from recent travellers.
What are the 2 ways to travel from San Miguel De Allende to Mexico City?
There are two ways to travel the 250 km distance from San Miguel de Allende to Mexico City. You can choose between the bus and private.
The journey takes between 4h–4h 30m and the quickest way is by private (4h). If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 885 MXN ($51).
4h 30m - 5h 10m
885 MXN ($51)
4h
8,000 MXN ($460)
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.
Already in Mexico City?
Onward from Mexico City
Once you're in Mexico City, here's where to next — 9 researched onward routes to pick from.
San Miguel de Allende to Mexico City by Bus
Step 1: San Miguel de Allende City Centre to Bus Terminal
Local buses bound for Mexico City depart from the Central de Autobuses in San Miguel de Allende, just about 2 km west of the city centre.
The easiest way to get to this bus station is via an Uber, which costs about 80 MXN ($4.60). No internet? No problem. You can hail a taxi instead — it usually costs about the same as an Uber.
If you’re looking for a cheaper option, you can also take a bus from Jardin Allende to the bus station. A bus ticket only costs 8 MXN ($0.50). The only slight disadvantage is you might have to wait a while for the bus, which could end up being longer than the actual ride.
Step 2: San Miguel de Allende to Mexico City by Bus
There are two bus companies operating between San Miguel de Allende and Mexico City: Primera Plus and ETN.
Primera Plus is the faster option, with four trips daily and a travel time of just under 4 hours. Their buses typically run non-stop, making it a great choice if you’re in a hurry.
Meanwhile, ETN offers more departure times throughout the day but takes a bit longer. Most of their buses make a stop in Querétaro and in Tepotzotlán for a quick break.
Booking Tip
We recommend booking your Primera Plus bus tickets online through BookAway — it’s easy and convenient. If you’re travelling with ETN, keep in mind that you can only book directly on their website if you have a Mexican credit card.
You can also buy your tickets at the bus station, but we recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before departure.
Step 3: Northern Bus Terminal to Mexico City Centre
Buses park at the Northern Bus Station in Mexico City, also known as Central del Norte. From here, the easiest way to get to the city centre is by taxi or Uber.
A ride to the city centre takes around 30 minutes, depending on the traffic. Taxi or Uber rates start from 100 MXN ($5.80).
A cheaper alternative would be to take the Metro. But keep in mind that there are no direct trains from Central del Norte to downtown Mexico City. If you don’t mind changing trains twice, you can get a metro ticket for as low as 6 MXN ($0.30).
Here's a quick Metro guide from Autobuses Central del Norte to Mexico city centre:
- Start at the Autobuses del Norte metro station, located right in front of the bus terminal. Take line #5 towards Pantitlan and get off at the next station called La Raza.
- From there, switch to line #3 heading to ‘Universidad’ and wait until you reach Hidalgo Station.
- Finally, transfer to line #2 and after three stops, get off at Zocalo Station, located right next to the main square.
If you are heading to a different area, we recommend using Moovit, a specialised public transport app that will help you compare different options and possible routes.
San Miguel de Allende to Mexico City by Private Transport
Taking your own private transfer is the easiest way to get from San Miguel de Allende to Mexico City International Airport. You’ll have more control of your schedule so you can be sure that you’ll arrive on time for your flight. Also, private shuttles are at least an hour faster than taking the bus.
The only downside is that luxury, of course, comes with a price. Rates for private transfer start at 8,000 MXN ($460) for a 3-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about 2,670 MXN ($155) each.
We recommend booking your private transfer through BookAway for professional drivers and spacious cars. You can also ask for your hotel’s help in finding a trusted taxi company.
Our favourite places to stay in Mexico City
Here are our favourite places to stay in Mexico City for every budget.
Treat YourselfCasa Emilia
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
Treat YourselfCasa Pancha
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
Mid-RangeStanza Hotel
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
BudgetCasa Indigo
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 San Miguel De Allende 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
The distance from San Miguel De Allende to Mexico City is 250 km.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
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.
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