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How to Get to the Teotihuacan from Mexico City instruction with pictures 2024 !
If you are planning to visit Teotihuacan on your own, you are in the right place.
It is easy to do DIY Teotihuacan from Mexico city.
The Teotihuacan complex is the largest ancient city ruins in the Americas, thriving from the 4th to the 6th century. Known for its mysterious and beautiful landscapes and the massive pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, it has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In addition to these, there are a few other must-visit spots, such as the Temple of the Feathered Serpent and the Palace of the Jaguars.
2024-Teotihuacan without a Tour ! 7 Must See Spots
It is possible to visit as a day trip from Mexico City, either by package tour or by do-it-yourself local transportation. Be sure to stop by when you are traveling in Mexico City!
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1, How to get to the Teotihuacan from Mexico City
Options to get to the Teotihuacan from Mexico City are buses, Uber, taxis, and guided tours. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, but personally, I opted for the most affordable choice, which is the bus.
Bus | Uber/Taxi | Tour | |
Prons | ・Cheap ・On your own pace | ・Transportation with no hassle | ・Transportation with no hassle |
Cons | ・Traffic congestion | ・High cost | ・High cost ・Traffic congestion |
Cost | 60 peso (3.50USD) | 800 peso ~ 1,000 peso (46USD ~ 60USD) | 850 peso〜(50USD) |
Note | Buses run every 15 to 20 minutes | ・toll road may also be charged ・Uber may only pick you up at Teotihuacan parking lot P1 (Pueta1) | *Prices are approximate. Prices vary depending on tour content |
※Taxi, Uber, and tour prices are based on reference prices found online. It may change depending on the season and tour company.
1-1, Teotihuacan from Mexico City by bus
You can easily access Teotihuacan by taking the bus departing from the northern bus terminal called Terminal Autobuses del Norte.
It takes approximately 40 minutes to 1 hour without traffic.
See below for more details on how to get there.
↓↓
◆Departure: North Bus Terminal (Central de Autobuses del Norte)
◆Arrival: Teotihuacan
◆ Required time: approx 1 hour
◆Bus fare: 60 peso (3.50 USD) one way / per person
First you need to get to “Northern Bus Terminal / Central de Autobuses del Norte”.
・By metro: get off at “Autobuses del Norte station” on the yellow line
・Uber: approx 180 peso (11USD) from the center of Mexico City to the Northern Bus Terminal (*reference price)
Transportation options from Mexico City to the Central de Autobuses del Norte bus terminal are local buses, taxis, and Uber, but I recommend using the metro or Uber.
I took the metro from my hotel in Mexico Centro and it cost about 5 pesos each way. Although I changed trains twice, it was still cheap.
If you want fast, less waiting time, and safety, Uber is your option. Uber works just fine in Mexico city.
- Tips
Once you get off the Autobuses del Norte station, follow the signs “SALIDA TERMINAL DE AUTOBUSES” to the bus Terminal exit. When you go up the stairs, you can see the entrance to Northern Bus Terminal / Central de Autobuses del Norte.
Commonly known as Norte (meaning north) or Northern Bus Terminal, it is the largest terminal in the north of Mexico City.
When you enter the bus Terminal, there is a ticket office at the back on the left. Find the ticket booth with “AUTOBUSES TEOTIHUACAN” sign. It is located near gate 8.
You can purchase one-way or round-trip tickets. no discount for buying round-trip tickets.
・One-way fare: 60 pesos (3.50USD) per person
- Tips
*Cash only.
*You can just buy a one-way ticket. When you get on the bus to return to Mexico City, you can just pay ticket directly to the driver. Again it is cash only.
The bus waiting area is located behind the ticket counter. Access is available from Gate 8.
There was no sign or easy to know where to line up for the correct bus. I recommend just show your ticket to the staff, they will let you know the correct queue.
Buses seem to run every 15 to 20 minutes.
The day I went was on a Saturday morning, and there was a long line, but when the previous bus was full, the next bus came quickly.
- Tips
The ticket has an assigned seat number, so I sat in the designated seat.
Arrival at the Teotihuacan site in about an hour. The drop-off location is at P2 (Pueta 2) (see the map I made below). The entrance fee for Teotihuacan is 95 pesos (5.54USD)
- Tips
The bus will make several stops before the Teotihuacan area, but when the driver shouts ‘Pyramid’ that’s when you’ve arrived.
- Tips
P2 (Pueta2) is the closest drop-off point to reach the famous Pyramid of the Sun and Moon.
- Tips
If you want to stop at the Temple of Quetzalcoatl first, you can get dropped off at P1 (Pueta 1). From P1 (Pueta 1) it will take 25 minute walk to the famous Pyramid of the Sun and Moon.
The bus from Teotihuacan to Mexico City parked on the opposite side of the road from where I got off at P2 (Pueta2).
Check if the bus is going to Mexico City (there is a sign displayed on dashboard), pay the driver 60 pesos in cash, sit wherever you want to sit and you are good to go back !
- Tips
There were no signs at the bus stop, and there was no schedule available.
Ask your bus driver where to wait for Mexico City return bus to make sure.
However, Teotihuacan is a popular tourist destination, there should be frequent buses. I boarded a bus around 3:30 PM to go back to Mexico city.
2, About Teotihuacan
What is unique about Teotihuacan?
From the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE, Teotihuacan flourished as the largest religious city-state in ancient Mesoamerica on the Central Mexican Plateau.
The cause of its demise remains unclear, with theories suggesting invasions by northern tribes or volcanic eruptions.
Around the 12th to 13th centuries, the Aztecs discovered the already abandoned city and named it “Teotihuacan,” meaning “the place where the gods gather.”
The Teotihuacan archaeological site is a meticulously planned city that reflects the cosmology and religious beliefs of its inhabitants.
Key structures, such as the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, and the 5-kilometer-long “Avenue of the Dead,” are arranged around central points.
Recent excavations have revealed the tradition of offering sacrifices to the gods.
Prominent ruins include the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, and the Temple of the Feathered Serpent (Quetzalcoatl).
Teotihuacan Trivias
What does Teotihuacan mean?
In Nahuatl, an Aztec language, it means “place of the gods” or “sacred city”
What led to the demise of Teotihuacan?
There are multiple theories about the destruction of Teotihuacan, but the exact cause is unclear. Some researchers have various theories about the cause, including environmental changes, overuse of resources, and volcanic eruptions, and the truth is still unclear.
What are the main architectural features of Teotihuacan?
Pyramid of the sun
Pyramid of the moon
Temple of Quetzalcoatl
Quetzalpapalotl’s Palace
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Who built Teotihuacan pyramid?
Scholars once believed the ancient Toltec civilization may have built the massive city, based largely on colonial period texts. But the Toltec culture (900-1150 A.D.) flourished hundreds of years after Teotihuacan peaked. Other scholars believe the Totonacs, a tribe from the east, built and inhabited the city.
Is Teotihuacan UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Teotihuacan covers a total surface area of 83 square kilometers (32 sq mi) and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Is Teotihuacan older than Chichen Itza?
Teotihuacán is even older than Chichén Itzá, with its famous Pyramid of the Sun believed to have been constructed around 200 AD – 300 years before Chichén Itzá.
Balloon Rides in Teotihuacan
Near the entrance of Teotihuacan, there are tour guides available for hire, providing the option to enlist their services.
If you wish to explore more of the tourist sites and avoid public transportation, a guided tour to the Teotihuacan departing from Mexico City is recommended. With a guided tour, you can effortlessly enjoy Teotihuacan to the fullest.
The most famous activity in Teotihuacan is soaring above its historic wonders in a hot air balloon.
As you gently glide through the sky, the panoramic views of the ancient pyramids and the sprawling city layout create an unforgettable and breathtaking spectacle.
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