When we asked our Airbnb host how to get to Teotihuacan from Mexico City by bus, his reaction was unexpected. He looked at us slightly strangely before stating that we’d be better going on a Teotihuacan tour.
“It’s much easier” he said “as getting there by bus is slightly complicated. And getting an Uber to Teotihuacan will be pretty expensive”.
Though we have nothing against tours, wherever possible we prefer to make our own way to places using public transport. However, we know that not everyone is the same as us.
In this post we’re going to detail the three main ways to get to Teotihuacan from Mexico City – bus, Uber, and with a tour. These instructions will cover you for whatever neighbourhood in Mexico City you’re staying in.
We’ve also included a bunch of other useful information about when to visit, how to navigate the site, where to eat, and what to take.
Visiting Teotihuacan From Mexico City Independently
We rightly anticipated that visiting Teotihuacan was going to be an incredible experience.
We wanted to spend as long there as possible and move around it at our own pace. We didn’t think this would be possible in a tour group.
After doing a bit of research and piecing together some of the information we’d read, we got there with absolutely no problems.
Getting to Teotihuacan from Mexico City by bus was both simple, and far cheaper than booking onto a tour.
If you’re up for an adventure and want to do the same, we’ll show you how to get to Teotihuacan from Mexico City by bus.
We’ll also run through some other alternative options that may interest you.
How to Get to Teotihuacan From Mexico City by Bus
Your first step in getting to Teotihuacan from Mexico City is to head to Autobuses del Norte metro station.
It’s on the Yellow Line 5 towards the north of the metro map as you look at it.
The metro system in Mexico City is convenient, efficient and extremely cheap. At only $5 MXN pesos (around £0.22 GBP or $0.28 USD) per journey it’s well worth getting acquainted with.
Lots of people told us to be careful on the metro because there are pickpockets and it gets extremely busy. This was good advice, but certainly not a reason to be put off using it.
The metro here is the same as any big city in the world from Tokyo to London, and a little common sense goes a long way.
Keep hold of your valuables, don’t get distracted, and make sure your bags are in front of you
Buy Tickets for the Bus to Teotihuacan at Autobuses del Norte
When you exit the metro station, the Autobuses del Norte terminal is directly in front of you, you can’t miss it.
Once you’re inside, turn to your left and walk past all of the offices selling tickets to various destinations, and continue right down to the end of the station.
Here you’ll see a sign saying “Puerta 8” and it’s around there that you’ll find the office selling the tickets for the bus to Teotihuacan.
Find the booth that says “Piramides” and it’s here you’ll buy your tickets from. They cost $52 MXN (£2.00 GBP or $2.60 USD) each way (information updated September 2019).
You can either buy a return ticket here or pay for your return directly on the bus back.
It doesn’t really make a difference whether you buy the return or not, but we did just for the security of knowing we had a ticket.
The staff at the ticket booths speak English so don’t worry if your Spanish isn’t up to much. They’ll ask you where you’re going and if you want a return.
The tickets to get to Teotihuacan from Mexico City have the departure time of your bus printed on them. So take note and make sure that you don’t miss it.
We didn’t realise this at first and went off to the shop to buy a drink and a snack. Fortunately our bus to Teotihuacan wasn’t for 20 minutes otherwise we may not have made it!
When we were there the departure times were extremely frequent at every ten minutes.
Once you’ve bought your tickets for the bus to Teotihuacan, go through exit 8 to left of ticket booth.
There’s a small shop here if you do want to buy a drink or snack for the journey and a waiting room.
We always travel with a filter water bottle. Not only does it stop us getting ill, but it means we’re not killing the planet or wasting money on plastic bottles. The GRAYL Geopress is hands down the best on the market & makes water from virtually any source safe to drink.
Find the Right Bus From Mexico City to Teotihuacan
Outside the waiting room you’ll find all of the buses lined up. These buses are going to destinations all over the country so it’s important to get this part right!
It can be slightly confusing which queue to get in. Firstly because not all of the buses are the one you want.
And secondly because depending on how early you are, there may be different queues for different times.
We asked a guy in a high visibility vest and he put us in the right queue, which was not the one we would have got in.
Much better to ask and be safe as this is the only tricky part of the journey from Mexico City to Teotihuacan.
Journey from Mexico City to Teotihuacan
The buses are extremely comfortable and the tickets we bought had allocated seats printed on them so we were guaranteed a place.
However, we have been informed that tickets may no longer come with allocated seating.
From here it should take about an hour so sit back and enjoy the ride.
Some of the scenery on the journey is worth the ticket price alone, so stay awake if you can.
The views of the colourful favela style housing sprawling high into the mountains that surround Mexico City are incredible.
After about 50 minutes, the bus may stop in the pretty town of San Juan. It’s not far from Teotihuacan but don’t get off here or you’ll have a bit of a walk.
Instead, stay on until the driver shouts “piramides” which will be at puerta 2 of the site. If you have a view out of the front window you’ll have already caught sight of the Pyramid of the Sun.
The street is lined with restaurants, bars and street sellers, a surefire indication you’re near to a big tourist site.
Once you’re off the bus just walk in the direction of the Pyramid of the Sun and you’ll see the ticket booth on the left.
How to Get Back to Mexico City from Teotihuacan by Bus
To get back to Mexico City leave the Teotihuacan site through Puerta 2 where you came in and turn right. Cross the road, and about 10 metres along is where the bus will stop.
There’s no physical bus stop so don’t worry too much on exactly where along the road you are. You can wave it down from pretty much anywhere.
The buses stop running back at around 18.00 so make sure you’re on one before then. They can get full up as well so it’s best to leave a bit earlier.
This way you’ll make sure you catch one, plus have a better chance of getting seated because there are no allocated seats on the way back.
How Much it Costs to Get to Teotihuacan From Mexico City by Bus
Metro to Autobuses del Norte – 5 MXN pesos (around £0.20 GBP or $0.25 USD)
Bus from Autobuses del Norte to Teotihuacan – $52 MXN (£2.00 GBP or $2.60 USD)
Total $57 MXN pesos (£2.20 GBP or $2.85 USD) per person each way
Uber to Teotihuacan from Mexico City
If you’re looking to explore the site independently but aren’t keen on getting the bus then catching an Uber to Teotihuacan could be your best option.
Uber is pretty freely available and widely used in Mexico City so you’ll have no trouble catching one. The journey takes around an hour and will cost in the region of $400 – 500 MXN (£15 – 19 GBP or $19.50 – 24 USD) each way.
As with any Uber journey this depends on the demand at the time of booking.
Be sure to put the correct destination in as there are lots of streets called Teotihuacan and we’ve heard reports of people ordering Ubers to Teotihuacan only to end up in the nearby town of San Juan.
If you search for “Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Sun” then it’s impossible to go wrong.
People are often most concerned with the return journey and whether it will be possible to order an Uber from Teotihuacan.
However, getting back to Mexico City from Teotihuacan by Uber is no problem.
You can ordinarily connect with an Uber within a minute or two from any of the entrance gates as there are plenty around.
One thing to note is that the main road between Mexico City and Teotihuacan is a toll road.
Some Uber drivers will require you to pay the toll fee which is $77 MXN (£2.95 GBP or $3.75 USD) so just be sure to confirm before setting off.
Another thing to remember of is that to use Uber requires an internet connection.
Because of this, you’ll need a local sim card, or a U.S. a plan that includes roaming in Mexico. You’ll have no issues with the reception at Teotihuacan, it’s pretty strong.
The journey by Uber to Teotihuacan should take between an hour to an hour and thirty minutes depending on traffic.
The Best Teotihuacan Tour
While we’d definitely suggest heading to Teotihuacan Mexico independently, a tour is a brilliant option if you’re not so confident on public transport or want the ease of having everything sorted and booked for you.
Plus you’ll get a personal guide to explain about the incredible sites you’re seeing during your visit.
This small-group tour is a great choice and will pick you up right from your front door taking all of the hassle out of organising your own journey.
It also includes visits to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica, Mexico’s most important Catholic pilgrimage site, and Tlatelolco.
Check out a selection of other great Teotihuacan tours below:
Entrance Costs & Opening Times for Teotihuacan Mexico
Entrance Ticket – $75 MXN (£3 GBP or $3.95 USD)
There is also an additional charge of $45 MXN (£1.75 GBP or $2.30 USD) to use electronic video recording devices.
However, we asked whether we needed to pay this to record on our phones and cameras and they said no. We think this is just for professional type recording equipment.
Teotihuacan is open between the hours of 9.00 and 17.00 (these are new opening times we have been made aware of as of September 2019).
Still trying to choose your backpack? Look no further! The Osprey Farpoint 70 Travel Backpack is perfect for big trips. It’s lightweight but durable, incredibly comfortable, super spacious and even has a detachable daypack.
Visiting Teotihuacan Mexico Without a Guide
While there’s no set route for visiting Teotihuacan, it pays for various reasons to not just wander aimlessly round.
Firstly, it’s best to do the big sites before they get to crowded.
Secondly, the city is wide open with little to no shade in many parts. Following a route that keeps you out of the midday sun makes sense.
Thirdly, it’s a large site covering a sizable area. While it’s difficult to get lost, it’s easy to miss bits out without a reasonable idea of what’s there.
The Temple of the Sun
This is the biggest pyramid on the site and for many people the most iconic image of Teotihuacan.
It’s directly in front of Gate 2 and the first thing you’ll see, even before you’ve entered the grounds.
The Temple of the Sun should definitely be your first port of call when visiting Teotihuacan.
It’s the main attraction and at busy times it can get so packed that it’s difficult to make it up and down the stairs.
Speaking of stairs, there are almost 250 of them and they’re pretty large and very steep.
You’ll be sweating once you reach the top regardless, but heading up first thing will help avoid any unnecessary punishment.
The Pyramid of the Moon
This is the second highest structure at Teotihuacan, so is second on the list for similar reasons.
However, if the thought of climbing any more stairs fills you with dread, rest easy. You’re only allowed to go halfway up the Pyramid of the Moon.
Despite it being lower than the Temple of the Sun, the vantage point here allows you to take in the whole of the Teotihuacan site.
You get to gaze back at the Temple of the Sun in all its glory as well as look directly down the considerable Avenue of the Dead.
The Palace of Quetzalpapálotl
As you look down the Avenue of the Dead from the Pyramid of the Moon, The Palace of Quetzalpapálotl is one of the nearest structures on the right hand side.
Relatively unremarkable from the exterior, it’s inner courtyard where the magic lies.
Intricate carvings grace virtually every surface including pillars and walls and the roof is painted a stunning shade of regal red.
Avenue of the Dead
Now for the long walk down the ominously named Avenue of the Dead. There are pyramids and buildings the whole way down so explore at your leisure.
You’ll also find a high concentration of hawkers down this mile and a half avenue. So if you’re in the market for some keepsakes, this is a good place to get your haggle on.
Most of the (numerous) sellers sell exactly the same stuff, so don’t be scared to move on if you don’t like the price.
Patio of the Four Temples
Shortly after you pass the Temple of the Sun on your way down the Avenue of the Dead, you’ll come to the Patio of the Four Temples.
It’s a sunken grassy area surrounded by, you guessed it, four more temples.
The Museum
The museum is well worthy of a visit towards the end of the day, especially if you need to get out of the sun. It’s packed full of incredible artifacts and tells the history of the site in great detail.
Outside the museum there is also a stunning garden full of giant cacti and other interesting plants. It’s a nice place to sit and recuperate for a while after all that walking.
Best Time for Visiting Teotihuacan Mexico
Truthfully, this is such an incredible site that there’s no bad time as such for visiting Teotihuacan.
That said, it can and does get extremely busy at peak times, so if you’re not a fan of crowds then there are a few things to consider.
Sundays at Teotihuacan are free entry days for Mexican residents which means they tend to get super crowded.
It’s by far the busiest day in fact, so if you have a choice in the matter it’s best to avoid Sundays altogether.
Saturdays are also popular being the weekend, but slightly less crowded than Sundays.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays see the least numbers of people visiting Teotihuacan. So if your objective is to avoid the masses then these are your days.
Peak times are between 12 and 4 which is why it’s a great idea to arrive early if possible. That way you get a few hours of relative peace before the madness starts.
It’s also far cooler in the morning meaning you won’t be sweating buckets in the midday heat.
Other Tips for Visiting Teotihuacan Mexico
The Teotihuacan site is vast and you’ll be trekking up and down large, steep steps for much of the day. Because of this it’s important to dress accordingly.
Comfortable shoes and clothes that you would ordinarily wear to walk in will do just fine.
You’re able to leave and reenter Teotihuacan without paying again. This means that you shouldn’t feel captive when it comes to lunch, and it’s probably wise to venture outside the onsite restaurant for both price and quality.
One of the most popular additions to a trip to Teotihuacan is a visit to the famous La Gruta restaurant.
It’s just outside Gate 5 and is situated in a cave, and by all accounts is a great experience. However, it’s not cheap and tends to fill up with tour groups.
If you’re after some authentic, reasonably priced fare then you’ll find numerous restaurants on the road that leads to Gate 2.
They all serve similar food, it’s decent quality, quick service, and at relatively cheap prices.
As mentioned earlier, Teotihuacan is very open meaning it can be difficult to find shade when you’re in there. If visiting during the warmer months, take plenty of sun cream, a hat, and dress for the weather.
If you have any questions about getting to Teotihuacan from Mexico City, let us know in the comments and we’ll do our best to help. And if you use these instructions to get to Teotihuacan let us know how you enjoyed it!
You may also find helpful:
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
For a trip to Mexico you need to have a good quality travel insurance in place. While it’s an overwhelmingly safe country for visitors, accidents do happen and it’s not worth going without cover.
Our go to travel insurance provider is World Nomads. They have a no bullshit approach to travel insurance policies & are perfect for adventurous travellers like us. Get a quote here:
Pin Me For Later…
Travel lover, professional writer and football (soccer) obsessive, James loves nothing more than getting outside and exploring little known corners of the globe. He’s also very partial to a drop of Guinness.
Thank you for posting!
Very informative and useful, especially with pictures
of the ticket booths ( bus and archeological site )
There is lots of information on the web but no pictures
to help get a sense of orientation.
Thank you very much for all the effort to share.
Gracias!
Hey Ron, so glad the post was helpful for you & thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Hope you have an awesome time 🙂
Great post. My partner and I have just visited the pyramids today by metro and bus, following your instructions. Superb day and way better than going on an organised tour. Loving México City.
Hey Jill, glad you enjoyed it and found the guide useful.
Mexico City is one of our favourite places on earth, we’re so happy you’re loving it 🙂
thank you for your detailed information and photos.
we always take the Metro and then board a bus but this may take longer than your bus experience. we live in a congested city and can’t stand driving or being stuck in traffic in public transportation so usually try to avoid buses.
Thank you for the post! I’m heading out to Mexico City on Thursday and will be following your guide step by step – it will surely save us time and effort.
Hi! Love how detailed and helpful this is, especially with the pictures. One quick question, if we were to take an Uber to Teotihuacan, but then want to save money and take the bus back to Mexico City, is there a place at Teotihuacan to purchase the return bus ticket?
Hi Julie, glad you found the guide useful. You can buy tickets for the return journey on the bus itself, directly from the bus driver. We had return tickets so didn’t need to but saw other people purchase tickets as they got on. Just be aware the buses back do get pretty busy so I wouldn’t suggest leaving it too late. Enjoy your visit!
it all worked great. Took the bus without a hitch. Thanks!
Great to hear Joseph! Hope you enjoyed your visit as much as we did.
Thank you so much for the detail! The bus station is massive but we knew exactly where to go and what window to look for thanks to you. A few updates as of September 2019. It is $104 pesos round trip for the bus and the pyramids are open from 9-5pm (posted on the sign at entrance). No assigned seats on the bus which was fine heading to the site, but coming back we had to stand. Not the end of the world, but it is a possibility the as you get later in the day. Thank you so much for the detailed directions. Saves a lot of money and let’s you travel with the locals, always a bonus in my book. Teotihuacan is a site not to be missed!
Hi Kim, so glad you found this helpful and that you enjoyed your visit.
Thank you so much for the up to date info, we’re going to update the post accordingly – we rely on this to keep the post updated for other travellers so it’s much appreciated 🙂
Thank you for this helpful guide! The Uber from Roma Norte to the pyramids is now $650mxn :/
Hello, and thank you for the great detail of your post! I’m looking at getting to Teotihuacan as early as possible (will be there in Jan. of 2019). You say the pyramids open at 8am but I have seen on other websites including Google Maps that it does not open until 9am. Is there any way you can clarify this? Thanks!
Hey Kylie, glad you found the post useful. There’s a lot of different info out there on the opening times for sure, it can get pretty confusing. Some people even claim to have gone earlier than 8am.
However, the times listed in this post are based on the times advertised when we visited. The photo you can see in the “Entrance Costs & Opening Times for Teotihuacan” section above shows 8:00 – 17:00, and though we didn’t arrive at 8:00, I believe that’s when the gates do actually open. That’s certainly what’s written on the board. We’ve also spoken to and heard from plenty of people who have arrived at that time or just after (before 9am) and it’s been open.
Hope this helps! Enjoy your trip to Teotihuacan, it’s a truly magical place.
Hello,
I’m originally from Mexico. I found your description very accurate and complete and was about to share it with a friend who is currently in Mexico city, but I cannot. You might consider rewriting the part when you say the housing on the way to Teotihuacan are favela style. I have visited many friends there and I can assure their neighbourhoods are nothing at all like a favela. It breaks my heart to see them stigmatized like that.
I will just explain my friend how to get to the terminal and ride the bus.
Hi there Martín, I’m sorry that you took offence at this description.
The use of the word favela is not stigmatisation, but simply a description of how the arrangement of the colourful houses on the hillside appear visually from a distance through the bus window, hence the use of the term “favela style”. It is not a commentary on the neighbourhoods themselves whatsoever and all of the language used in the description is positive.
If you read anything else we have written on Mexico or follow us on social media you’ll understand that we’re actually actively attempting to break down the stigma around visiting places such as Mexico, which is so often portrayed in a negative light in our media.
Great posting. Went there today and I have a couple of remarks:
1) There was no stop in San Juan
2) No seat assignments on the bus
3) Entrance fee was 75 pesos
Otherwise: fantastic job, thanks a lot. Helped a lot
Hi Pelle,
Thanks so much for this info, we try to keep it all as up to date as possible so have changed the post to reflect it, many thanks.
Glad you found the post useful and hope you had a great time at Teotihuacan.
Hi!
Thank you for this information.
Just to let you know the bus fee is know $60 mxn each way
Thanks so much for the update!
Hi
Thanks for the great guide to the pyramids, we are heading there this weekend. Just wanting to know is there different bus companies that go there from the bus station and are there direct buses, as bit nervous about traveling by bus there.
Hi Rebecca, we’re so excited for you, Teotihuacan is an incredible site and you’re gonna love it!
There is only one bus company that goes from the bus station to the pyramids. It’s really easy to find their desk once your in the station and they speak English if you’re not so confident in Spanish as well.
I think most of the buses do go direct but some also make a stop in a town nearby. Either way, you’ll know when you’re there because you’ll see the pyramids. There’s no need to be nervous, follow the guide and you can’t go wrong 🙂
Followed your directions to Teotihuacan by bus today and it worked great. Thanks for your post, It took all the guess work out. It was really easy to get there and super affordable. We probably wouldn’t have gone on our own before finding your website. Thanks!!!
Hey Laina, great to hear! We’re so glad it made it easy for you, hope you had an amazing time in Teotihuacan 🙂
Hi! Thank you for this very helpful post. Question – are the pyramids open on Mondays? I didn’t see that day mentioned when you were talking about ideal times to go.
Also, if we decide to Uber and leave CDMX around 7:30 AM, what time do you think we’ll realistically be back in CDMX by, given the amount of time you spent exploring?
Thank you!
Hi Eileen,
Unlike many top attractions in Mexico Teotihuacan is open on Mondays, yes. In fact it’s open every day of the year! Monday would definitely be a good day to go.
With regards to what time you might get back to CDMX, you’re probably looking at mid-afternoon, say 3ish. It’s definitely easy to have a great day time there, see the sights and get back a lot sooner if you need to though.
And obviously you could spend far longer there as well depending on what you do and if you’re planning on stopping for lunch etc., but a few hours is a fine amount of time to get a good grasp of the site.
Hope this helps and enjoy your visit to the pyramids, they’re truly incredible.
Thank you so much for posting this! My boyfriend and I are heading to Mexico City tomorrow and were struggling to find something that would work with our schedule. Glad to know Uber is a possibility!
Definitely will explore your blog more. It’s so helpful!
Hey Emilia, hope you have the best time in Mexico City! And enjoy Teotihuacan, it’s such an incredible site.
Awesome post! Many thanks for the detailed explanation. Great work!
Hi, James–This was a really useful guide! A question for you: We wanted to go directly from the Mexico City airport to the pyramids. Do you know if there are buses from the station at the airport to Teotihuacan? Or would one of the authorized taxis at the airport make that trip? If so, any idea of the cost?
Thanks again.
Hey Jim, so happy you found it useful!
With regards to your question I don’t have a solid answer I’m afraid. However, the airport is actually closer to the pyramids than downtown CDMX so I don’t see any reason why a taxi wouldn’t take you directly there. With regards to price I wouldn’t want to take a guess.
Sorry I can’t be of more help on this. If you do the journey feel free to let us know the details and I’ll update the post.
Have a great time in Teotihuacan!
Very informative. We plan on visiting Teotihuacan this weekend by either bus or Uber. Is it possible to hire a guide when we get there?
Hey Joe, yes there are guides you can hire at the site itself.
You will find them both at the entrances and actually wandering around inside Teotihuacan. Have a great visit.
You nailed it here. We used your guide as our blueprint and had a wonderful day. Probably would never have know about La Gruta if we hadn’t read your post. Pure gratitude. Muchas gracias.
Hey Jake, so glad you enjoyed your visit!
Great job guys. This is very helpful. May I ask if there is a toilette on the buses?
Hey Phoebe, there was not a toilet on our bus, no. There are toilets at the bus station though 🙂
Thanks so much for the post, I really enjoyed it! I’m planning a trip to Teotihuacan in a couple of months and this helps me feel much more prepared! One quick question, would you recommend getting pesos at the airport before we head out? I imagine it would be necessary to have pesos, especially for some of the local vendors or restaurants? I’ll be going directly from the airport to the temple. Thanks!
That’s great to hear Kristoffer!
Id definitely recommend getting some pesos, you’re correct in thinking that many local vendors and restaurants only accept cash.
But your best bet is either exchanging before you leave if you can find a place with a good rate, or just withdrawing pesos from a cash machine when you arrive in Mexico City – there are plenty in the airport.
It sounds as though your intention was to exchange money at the airport but we never recommend this because the currency exchange places in airports offer absolutely terrible rates.
We use a card that allows us to withdraw cash overseas without any extra fees, if you don’t already have one of these I’d suggest getting one, you have plenty of time if your visit isn’t for another couple of months 🙂 This will allow you to just withdraw cash as and when you need it.
Hope you have the best time in Mexico and enjoy Teotihuacan, it’s absolutely amazing.
Thanks so much for all the helpful tips! We are going next week and Ubering. As you advised, the plan is to climb up Temple of the Sun right away and then tour the rest of the site with the site. Here’s where I have a question – is it possible to hire a guide near the Temple of the Sun once we come back down? Or do we have to walk all the way back to the entrance to get one? I don’t want to waste money while the guide just waits for us to climb up and and down; from what I’ve read it is very typical to get one for two hours.
Thank you!
Hey Jeremy, no problem, glad you’ve found them helpful. Sounds like a great plan you’ve put together!
There are plenty of guides milling about in the grounds of Teotihuacan so you should be able to find someone once you come down but obviously I can’t guarantee that.
It’s not actually very far to walk from the Temple of the Sun back to the entrance so I wouldn’t worry too much if you can’t find someone anyway 🙂
Hope you enjoy your trip to Teotihuacan!
Thank you for the informative post! I went to Teotihuacan a couple weeks ago with some friends who decided to use Uber, but when another friend comes to visit next week, we are definitely taking the bus. So inexpensive! If you ever go back, I really recommend wandering to Tetitla, just west of the main site. It’s a housing complex with many murals still in place. It was neat to see where people resided back then and it was a Saturday in the early afternoon and we were the only ones there! Thanks again!
Hey Celina, you’re welcome! Glad you found it useful, and you’re right, getting the bus there is so cheap.
Thanks for the tip on Tetitla. We’re definitely hoping to come back so will bear that in mind for when we do.
Hope you have an amazing time with your friend 🙂
Hey guys, your guides are awesome, thank you! I’m using them to plan my 40th! 2 Quick questions:
1. I’ve read about the night light show. Have you experienced it? Is it worth it? Can you head out during the day and then stay on for it (or go out for dinner and come back in?)
2. Do you know anything about hot air ballooning over the ruins at dawn? Are you aware of anyone who has done it?
Thanks so much in advance! Carly
Hey Carly, we’re so happy you’re finding the info useful! We hope you have the best 40th birthday, sounds like some awesome celebrations you’ve got planned. In answer to your questions:
1. We have not been to this light show unfortunately so have zero info on it I’m afraid! If you go and have any details our other users may find useful please drop us another note and we can update the post 🙂
2. We haven’t done the hot air balloon trip, however, our good friend Laura has and she’s also a blogger and writer for Lonely Planet. She lives in Mexico City and her blog is kickass and has huge amounts of info on Mexico in general, so we’d suggest taking a peak at that if you haven’t come across it already and she might be able to provide more info on the hot air ballooning as well. it’s eternal-expat.com
Enjoy your birthday!!
Thanks for the tips, taking the bus was great.
“There’s no physical bus stop so don’t worry too much on exactly where along the road you are. You can wave it down from pretty much anywhere.“
There is a physical bus stop there now and I took a photo of it. I can email it to you guys.
Thanks!
Thanks for your detailed information on how to take the bus to the pyramids. We just got back to Mexico City and your instructions and photographs were a great help.
It is February 18 and even though Mexico City isn’t t that hot we broiled at the site. Take twice as much water than you think you will need. The bus is now 52 pesos one way and entrance into the site is 80 pesos.
We got off at “Puerto uno” (door 1), which is opposite the Temple of the feathered serpent and about a 25 minute walk to the Temple of the sun.
From the Temple of the sun you can walk to the Temple of the moon and then make your way to another Puerto to catch the bus, 2 or 3 or 4 (I believe), but we didn’t do this, so I can’t be 100 perçent sure. It saves walking back to the Puerto you arrived at.
Ona last thing, at Autobuses del nonte, our bus did not say “piramides.” We think it may have been an extra bus added at the last minute. If you ask “officials” on the platform, they will ensure you get onto the correct bus.
Thanks again for the fantastic instructions.
Claire and Henry
One of the best guide I have seen in the topic. Not only does it covers all the options, it also helps with photos at each stage. Great work folks, your blog helped me have great fun at the site.
One thing: can you stop on your way back at the basilica of the Guadalupe?
Hi Ahsaan! Ah thanks so much – so happy we could help. Apologies, I can’t offer much advice regarding visiting the Basilica of the Guadalupe though I’m afraid. Other than to come back by Uber and make a stop there.
Hi, we used these directions for the bus yesterday, and it was super helpful. Thank you! As others have mentioned, there was no stop in San Juan on the way to the pyramids. Instead the first stop was at Puerto 3 (the south end of the site where the citadel is). We got off there, but may have been able to stay on to catch a ride up to Puerto 2 or 1.
Also: Once back in Mexico City, the return bus comes straight down the Insurgentes road, and stopped at a few of the Line 3 Metro stations on the way (the stops weren’t labeled, but the driver could tell you when one is coming up, I was just looking at Google maps on my phone). We got off at Deportivo 18 de Marzo and took the metro south from there, which saved a bit time.
Thanks so much for all that helpful info Adam, really appreciate it.
had a successful trip based on this blog and I didn’t know Spanish. Very detailed an helpful!
Ah that’s great to hear! Happy we could help.
Thankyou so much for writing this. It helped us easily get to Teotihuacan with a problem using the bus from Terminal North. I agree with the comments about bringing water in with you. We didn’t find any sellers inside.
Awesome stuff! And thanks for the clarification RE water.
Bus tickets are still M$52 as of September 2022
Thanks for taking the time to let us know that Alex – super helpful.
We far prefer travelling independently so I’m so grateful to you for posting this. We’ll be in Mexico City in January 2023 and look forward to following your very detailed directions.
I’m just off to explore your site for more inspiration and guidance.
November ‘22; everything exactly as you described. Was a great help. Thanks!
Thanks for taking the time to let us know the Matthias – really helpful.
Great step by step instructions. Easily made it onto the bus and am heading to the Pyramides. Thank you! Girlgonemountainbiking
Great article! Thank you for it! Will helps us plan our trip there. One follow up question: are there any buses that pick you up from Gate 5 to return to Autobuses del Norte terminal? Or do buses just pick you up folks at gate 1, 2 and 3 to return to Autobuses del Norte terminal?
Ooh sorry, I’m not sure about this. You might need to try and ask locally when you get off. Hope you have a great time.
Just did this in March 2023
The bus has increased to 60 each direction
The pyramids entrance fee has increased to 90
Other than that it’s the same as you mentioned. The bus ticket booth is at one end of the station and had a long line. We were worried it wasn’t there anymore until we realised it’s the 2nd to last stop.
Thanks
Thanks so much for the update Mike – really appreciate that!
I used this article all day to and from the site. Very, very helpful, and extremely accurate. Thanks so much! I had a blast! I filmed both the site and the museum—I hope it is helpful.
https://youtube.com/@GentleGypsy