How to get from San Miguel de Allende 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 2 ways to travel the 250 kilometres (155 miles) from San Miguel de Allende to Mexico City. You can choose between the bus and private transport. The journey takes 4 hours to 5 hours 10 minutes and the quickest way is by private transport. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 990 MXN ($52).

A direct bus trip is a convenient and affordable way to travel from San Miguel de Allende to Mexico City. The entire journey takes about 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes, including the transfers to and from bus terminals.

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 ($4.20). 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 ($0.40). 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.

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.

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 ($5.30).

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.

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 8,700 MXN ($460) for a 3-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about 2,910 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.

Private Transport options from San Miguel de Allende to Mexico City