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.
Nonetheless, 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’ll be able to have a hassle-free journey.
Touring from Mexico Metropolis to Oaxaca Metropolis
Mexico Metropolis is situated within the central area of Mexico, whereas Oaxaca is located within the southern a part of the nation. It’s not the longest journey, but it surely’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 reasonably priced and common possibility, however will take you the longest period of time. Guide tickets on-line with Bookaway or immediately 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 snug possibility however it can price probably the most cash. Click on right here to see all flight choices between Mexico Metropolis and Oaxaca.
Journey Time: 1-hour flight (plus no less than ~ 2 hours airport transit time)
Automotive
Essentially the most versatile possibility with the flexibility to discover independently. Should you don’t have your personal automobile, click on right here to examine 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 extra charges. Nonetheless, this might nonetheless be value it in the event you want to self-drive and go to different sights in Oaxaca State alongside the best way.
Journey Time: variable, however as little as 6 hours (not counting pickup time)
Let’s dive into these choices slightly 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 fee can differ relying on the time of 12 months and the way far prematurely you e book. Tickets can typically be as little as $15 (a technique) with only a carry-on. Should you can snag this deal, I don’t assume it is advisable learn the remainder of this information!
Costs also can 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 lots of baggage, needless to say checked baggage will price further.
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 most well-liked however Felipe Ángeles Worldwide Airport (NLU) additionally providers some flights. Each airports are situated 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 situated about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from town middle and is definitely accessible by public transportation or taxi.
I do know many individuals mechanically take flying out of their choices as they assume will probably be costly. Nonetheless, 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 outdoors of town and home flights solely requiring you to be there an hour earlier than departure, it may possibly really be a handy approach to get to Oaxaca Metropolis.
Getting from Mexico Metropolis to Oaxaca Metropolis by Automotive
The drive takes roughly six-to-seven hours relying on visitors and stops alongside the best way.
There are two primary routes you’ll be able to take when driving: the toll street (Autopista or Cuoto) or the free freeway (Carretera Libre). The toll street is quicker and safer, however count on 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 wish to simply take the toll street.
Whereas buses or flights make far more sense for a point-to-point journey, chances are you’ll wish to think about renting a automobile in the event you’re with a bunch eager to take a street journey by Mexico.
Probably the most continuously requested questions on driving from CDMX to Oaxaca is “Is it secure?”. Whereas some components of Mexico could be harmful, this area is usually thought of secure to drive by. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless advisable to make use of the toll roads, that are well-patrolled and well-kept, and to drive in the course of 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 concentrate on.
Stops alongside the best way
The charming metropolis of Puebla is a well-liked cease between Mexico Metropolis and Oaxaca, full of lovely structure, scrumptious meals, and a wealthy historical past. You possibly can simply spend just a few hours right here exploring earlier than persevering with your journey to Oaxaca Metropolis. You’ll additionally move by scenic mountain roads and small cities alongside the best way.
If you wish to go off the overwhelmed path, think about stopping by the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve, a surprising cacti-filled panorama that was made a UNESCO World Heritage Website as just lately as 2018. You possibly can learn extra about it on this weblog. It’s not but a lot on the vacationer map, however in the event you’re driving by way of Tehuacán you’ll be able to simply test it out.
Past Oaxaca Metropolis, you too can simply attain the attractive Oaxacan Coast. A model new freeway was really inaugurated in 2024 that considerably reduce the journey time from Oaxaca Metropolis to Puerto Escondido to solely 3 hours. For extra particulars, examine my information on easy methods to journey from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido.
The right way to hire a automobile
Renting a automobile in Mexico Metropolis is pretty straightforward. You’ll simply want a legitimate driver’s license and bank card. Nonetheless, 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 soar to a $450 rental if you issue within the drop-off payment. It might be value contemplating a round-trip rental to avoid wasting cash.
You possibly can examine automobile leases in Mexico Metropolis by way of Uncover Vehicles, 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 least expensive possibility 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. Nonetheless, the buses in Mexico are snug and provide facilities corresponding to air con, restrooms, and typically even Wi-Fi. (Generally, the aircon could be approach an excessive amount of, so deliver a jacket!)
The principle 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 jap and southern components of Mexico.
Attending to the bus stations in Mexico Metropolis is simple, TAPO is nearer to town middle and could be reached by way of metro line 1, whereas Terminal Santa Martha Acatitla is situated within the jap a part of Mexico Metropolis. I like to recommend taking an Uber or taxi to the bus station, particularly you probably have baggage.
Shopping for your bus tickets
There are a number of bus firms that provide 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’ll be able to present up at both of those bus terminals and examine the schedules. They’ll put you on the subsequent obtainable one, it could possibly be in 5 minutes, or it could possibly 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 working from Mexico Metropolis to Oaxaca Metropolis all day lengthy beginning at about 5 AM, with about 3 to 4 departures each hour. They price wherever from $20-$60 relying on the velocity of the bus in addition to the facilities provided. I like to recommend taking a first-class bus, which can price barely extra however the buses are far more snug and there aren’t any stops alongside the best way.
The bus will take you on to the guts of Oaxaca Metropolis, dropping you off on the primary bus terminal, which is only a quick stroll north of the outdated middle. From there, you’ll be able to simply catch a taxi or stroll to your vacation spot.
Conclusion
So, what’s one of the best ways to journey from Mexico Metropolis to Oaxaca Metropolis? It in the end will depend on your funds and preferences. Taking a bus is probably the most reasonably priced and easy possibility, with frequent departures all through the day. Nonetheless, if you need a quicker and extra snug journey, think about taking a flight.
For extra concepts on the place to journey in Mexico, don’t miss my Mexico itineraries. I even have heaps of suggestions for Oaxaca Metropolis right here and strategies for the place to remain on the Oaxacan coast.
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Posted NOV 19, 2024
