How To Get From Mexico Metropolis To Oaxaca Metropolis

The central location of Mexico Metropolis and the cultural and culinary richness of Oaxaca usually lead each cities to be included in the identical itineraries.

Nevertheless, given they’re fairly far aside, chances are you’ll surprise how greatest to journey between Mexico Metropolis and Oaxaca. Let me break down the choices for you so you possibly can have a hassle-free journey.

Touring from Mexico Metropolis to Oaxaca Metropolis

Mexico Metropolis is positioned within the central area of Mexico, whereas Oaxaca is located within the southern a part of the nation. It’s not the longest journey, however it’s additionally not the shortest, with Oaxaca being round 300 miles (480 kilometers) from Mexico Metropolis.

In a nutshell, the three hottest modes of transportation are:

Coach Bus

Essentially the most inexpensive and standard choice, however will take you the longest period of time. E book tickets on-line with Bookaway or instantly with ADO, which is the most important coach bus firm in Mexico. There are 3 to 4 buses going each hour.

Journey Time: approx. 7 hours 

Airplane

The quickest and most comfy choice however it’s going to price essentially the most cash. Click on right here to see all flight choices between Mexico Metropolis and Oaxaca.

Journey Time: 1-hour flight (plus at the very least ~ 2 hours airport transit time)

Automotive

Essentially the most versatile choice with the power to discover independently. In the event you don’t have your individual car, click on right here to test automobile rental choices in Mexico Metropolis. That is advisable primarily in the event you plan to return to Mexico Metropolis, since dropping off your rental automobile in Oaxaca can incur further charges. Nevertheless, this might nonetheless be value it in the event you want to self-drive and go to different sights in Oaxaca State alongside the way in which.

Journey Time: variable, however as little as 6 hours (not counting pickup time)

Let’s dive into these choices a little bit deeper.

Getting from Mexico Metropolis to Oaxaca Metropolis by Airplane

A number of airways provide every day flights between Mexico Metropolis and Oaxaca, together with Volaris, VivaAerobus, and Aeroméxico. The associated fee can range relying on the time of 12 months and the way far prematurely you e book. Tickets can generally be as little as $15 (a technique) with only a carry-on. In the event you can snag this deal, I don’t assume you have to learn the remainder of this information!

Costs may also get properly into the $100 – $200 vary, however on common, a flight from Mexico Metropolis to Oaxaca Metropolis ought to run about $50 a technique. If you’re touring with plenty of baggage, remember the fact that checked baggage will price additional.

There are two totally different airports in Mexico Metropolis, so be sure you know which one your flight is departing from. Benito Juárez Worldwide Airport (MEX) is the preferred however Felipe Ángeles Worldwide Airport (NLU) additionally companies some flights. Each airports are positioned throughout the metropolis, making it straightforward to get to and from them utilizing public transportation or a taxi.

As for arrivals, Oaxaca Metropolis has one airport, Xoxocotlán Worldwide Airport (OAX). It’s positioned about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from town middle and is well accessible by public transportation or taxi.

I do know many individuals mechanically take flying out of their choices as they assume it will likely be costly. Nevertheless, with the low-cost carriers talked about above, it’s undoubtedly value trying out flight choices and evaluating costs. Plus, with the airport solely being a 30-minute journey exterior of town and home flights solely requiring you to be there an hour earlier than departure, it will probably really be a handy solution to get to Oaxaca Metropolis.

Getting from Mexico Metropolis to Oaxaca Metropolis by Automotive

The drive takes roughly six-to-seven hours relying on site visitors and stops alongside the way in which.

There are two foremost routes you possibly can take when driving: the toll street (Autopista or Cuoto) or the free freeway (Carretera Libre). The toll street is quicker and safer, however anticipate to pay round $30 in toll charges a technique. The free freeway is a bit slower and fewer well-maintained. It provides nice views of the Mexican countryside, however be careful for the potholes!

Most vacationers will most likely need to simply take the toll street.

Whereas buses or flights make way more sense for a point-to-point journey, chances are you’ll need to take into account renting a automobile in the event you’re with a bunch desirous to take a street journey by Mexico.

One of the vital continuously requested questions on driving from CDMX to Oaxaca is “Is it protected?”. Whereas some components of Mexico may be harmful, this area is usually thought-about protected to drive by. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless advisable to make use of the toll roads, that are well-patrolled and well-kept, and to drive throughout the day. When driving the native roads in Oaxaca and Puebla states, occasional potholes and poorly marked velocity bumps are the most important risks to pay attention to.

Stops alongside the way in which

The charming metropolis of Puebla is a well-liked cease between Mexico Metropolis and Oaxaca, full of gorgeous structure, scrumptious meals, and a wealthy historical past. You may simply spend just a few hours right here exploring earlier than persevering with your journey to Oaxaca Metropolis. You’ll additionally cross by scenic mountain roads and small cities alongside the way in which.

If you wish to go off the crushed path, take into account stopping by the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve, a surprising cacti-filled panorama that was made a UNESCO World Heritage Web site as just lately as 2018. You may learn extra about it on this weblog. It’s not but a lot on the vacationer map, however in the event you’re driving through Tehuacán you possibly can simply test it out.

Past Oaxaca Metropolis, it’s also possible to simply attain the gorgeous Oaxacan Coast. A model new freeway was really inaugurated in 2024 that considerably lower the journey time from Oaxaca Metropolis to Puerto Escondido to solely 3 hours. For extra particulars, test my information on find out how to journey from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido.

The best way to lease a automobile

Renting a automobile in Mexico Metropolis is pretty straightforward. You’ll simply want a legitimate driver’s license and bank card. Nevertheless, in case you are planning on selecting up the automobile in Mexico Metropolis and dropping it off in Oaxaca Metropolis, be ready for exorbitant drop-off charges. A $35 dollar-a-day automobile can shortly bounce to a $450 rental once you issue within the drop-off charge. It might be value contemplating a round-trip rental to avoid wasting cash.

You may test automobile leases in Mexico Metropolis through Uncover Automobiles, which aggregates all rental choices from each worldwide model names and native rental firms.

Getting from Mexico Metropolis to Oaxaca Metropolis by Bus

The slowest however most cost-effective choice for touring from Mexico Metropolis to Oaxaca Metropolis is by bus. The journey takes round seven to eight hours, relying on the route and variety of stops. Nevertheless, the buses in Mexico are comfy and provide facilities resembling air-con, restrooms, and generally even Wi-Fi. (Typically, the aircon may be method an excessive amount of, so deliver a jacket!)

The primary bus terminals in Mexico Metropolis that service Oaxaca Metropolis are Terminal Santa Martha Acatitla and Terminal de Autobuses de Pasajeros de Oriente (TAPO), which offer buses to the japanese and southern components of Mexico.

Attending to the bus stations in Mexico Metropolis is simple, TAPO is nearer to town middle and may be reached through metro line 1, whereas Terminal Santa Martha Acatitla is positioned within the japanese a part of Mexico Metropolis. I like to recommend taking an Uber or taxi to the bus station, particularly when you’ve got baggage.

Shopping for your bus tickets

There are a number of bus firms that supply direct routes from Mexico Metropolis to Oaxaca Metropolis, together with ADO, OCC, and Estrella de Oro. You should buy tickets on-line or on the bus station, although personally I often purchase my tickets by the ADO app.

If you wish to purchase your ticket in particular person, you possibly can present up at both of those bus terminals and test the schedules. They’ll put you on the subsequent out there one, it may very well be in 5 minutes, or it may very well be an hour or so, relying on the time of day and demand. It’s additionally doable to purchase tickets for later journeys on the bus terminal.

Buses are operating from Mexico Metropolis to Oaxaca Metropolis all day lengthy beginning at about 5 AM, with about 3 to 4 departures each hour. They price anyplace from $20-$60 relying on the velocity of the bus in addition to the facilities supplied. I like to recommend taking a first-class bus, which can price barely extra however the buses are way more comfy and there are not any stops alongside the way in which.

The bus will take you on to the center of Oaxaca Metropolis, dropping you off on the foremost bus terminal, which is only a brief stroll north of the previous middle. From there, you possibly can simply catch a taxi or stroll to your vacation spot.

Conclusion

So, what’s the easiest way to journey from Mexico Metropolis to Oaxaca Metropolis? It finally is determined by your funds and preferences. Taking a bus is essentially the most inexpensive and easy choice, with frequent departures all through the day. Nevertheless, in order for you a quicker and extra comfy journey, take into account taking a flight.

For extra concepts on the place to journey in Mexico, don’t miss my Mexico itineraries. I even have tons of ideas for Oaxaca Metropolis right here and solutions for the place to remain on the Oaxacan coast.