How To Get From Oaxaca To Mexico City (2023 Guide)

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How to get from Oaxaca to Mexico City (or the other way round) safely, easily and cheaply. This post explains the most common backpacker ways to travel between Oaxaca to Mexico City.

Looking at how to get from Oaxaca to Mexico City? You’re in the right place!

I know all of the information online may seem overwhelming. Do I need to fly? Is there a bus? Are the buses in Mexico safe? It takes how many hours?!

Don’t worry, I’ve been there. When backpacking, I find planning how to get to and from places the most annoying and tedious part of the trip. That’s why I’ve written this blog post to make it all plain sailing when travelling from Oaxaca to Mexico City.

Note this post is written for budget backpackers, digital nomads and travellers wanting to easily and cheaply get around Mexico.

So, let’s begin!

Other Mexico posts:

• Renting a Car in Puerto Escondido (Mexico) as a UK Resident (2023)
• Rinconada Puerto Escondido: ULTIMATE Guide! (2023)
• BEST Hostels in Oaxaca for Backpackers! (2023 Guide)
• How To Get From Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido (2023 Guide)

Getting from Oaxaca to Mexico City: A Summary

When Googling how to get from Oaxaca to Mexico City, the amount of information and numbers that pops up is overwhelming.

As a budget backpacker, I need to know how, when and how much I need to pay for my transport between the two places.

So how do you get from Oaxaca to Mexico City? There are four options:

• ADO bus
• Plane
• Private transfer
• Rental car

The method you choose to travel between the two depends on your budget and the amount of time you have.

Personally, I always take the ADO bus in Mexico. They’re safe, modern and reliable, and get you from A->B without any hassle. But we’ll delve further into each mode of transport in this post!

However, renting a car in Mexico is also another great option, especially if you like your own space and comfort. The drive between Mexico City and Oaxaca is around 6 hours, and you can make some stop-offs along the way.

1. Bus

The easiest and most cost-efficient way to travel between Oaxaca and Mexico City is by bus.

Check the timetable of buses travelling from Oaxaca and Mexico City on the Busbud website here!

Buses to and from Mexico City from Oaxaca cost between $30-60, and it’s around a 6-7 hour journey. The bus has a toilet onboard, but also makes a couple of stops at shops and bus station toilets.

And try and get a window seat – the landscapes can be beautiful!

Buses in Oaxaca leave from the ADO bus station, which is around a 10 minute taxi ride from the main Zocolo, in the neighborhood of Jalatlaco. In Mexico City, you will arrive at the TAPO (Terminal de Autobuses de Pasajeros de Oriente) terminal. 

As a backpacker in Mexico, you will often use the ADO bus to travel between locations. These buses are clean, safe, and modern and have toilets onboard. They make multiple stops and are popular with tourists.

If you’re solo travelling or visiting Mexico for the first time, I highly recommend sticking to ADO buses. If you’re an experienced traveller, you may want to take the more ‘local’ buses.

We used Busbud to book all of our ADO buses, and tickets are sent directly to your phone. This means no waiting in long lines in sweaty Mexican bus stations!

2. Plane

The quickest (but most expensive) way to travel between Oaxaca and Mexico City is by plane. However, if you’re short on time, it will be your best option.

Flying between Oaxaca and Mexico City takes only 1 hour, but you’ll need to add time if you want to check in baggage and get food at the airport. Whilst Oaxaca’s airport is quite small, Mexico City’s airport can get busy and chaotic, so make sure you leave within plenty of time.

INSIDER TIP: There is next to no food options at Oaxaca Airport. Eat before you go!

Flights cost on average around $70-150 between Oaxaca and Mexico City , depending on the time of year and time of day.

You can check out flight times and prices here!

3. Rental Car

Another great option when travelling between Oaxaca and Mexico City is by rental car.

We rented cars all over Mexico (using this company), and never had any problems. We felt safe, it was easy to drive on the roads, and sometimes even worked out as cheaper than flying or the bus!

Prices to rent a car in Mexico start at around $50 (even if they say it’s going to be cheaper), with an added $10-20 on top for insurance. Car rental insurance in Mexico is mandatory and a legal requirement, so don’t skip it!

Driving between Oaxaca and Mexico City is fairly straightforward, and takes about 6 hours if you don’t make any stops.

Need to know more about driving in Mexico? Check out my top Mexico driving tips here.

4. Private transfer

If you’ve met a group of friends at your Oaxacan hostel, getting a private transfer is another great option when travelling between Oaxaca and Mexico City.

Private transfers are great for big groups, but it’s going to cost a lot if you’re solo or in a couple. It’s a luxury, but comes at a luxury price!

You’re looking at costs between $400-700 USD, depending on the size of your car.

Private transfers are a great way to travel around Mexico, as long as you have it in your budget.

How do I get from Oaxaca to Mexico City?

In summary, there are four main ways to get from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido. The shortest is a 1 hour flight, costing around £60-100. Alternatively, you can catch an 7-hour bus, which is cheaper, but takes more time. This is the most popular option as a backpacker.

Oaxaca to Mexico City FAQS

Can you do a day trip to Oaxaca from Mexico City?

No, unless you want to be travelling for most of the day. If you want to visit Oaxaca from Mexico City, make sure to plan at least an overnight trip.

How long is flight from Oaxaca to Mexico City?

The flight between Oaxaca and Mexico City is 1 hour. Most flight times will say 1.15 hours to cover delays, but it should only take 60 minutes from take-off to landing.

Is Oaxaca worth visiting?

Yes, yes and yes again! If you ask any backpacker or tourist who has travelled around Mexico where their favourite place in the country is, most will say Oaxaca! It’s a vibrant, welcoming, fun and colourful town with lots to do, see and eat! Oaxaca is somewhere we will return to again and again. It really is special!

What is the distance from Mexico City to Oaxaca?

The exact distance between Oaxaca and Mexico City is 462 km (287 miles). Even driving in your own rental car will take at least 6 hours, so you need to set aside an entire day to travel between the two locations.

How do I get from Oaxaca airport to the city center?

Oaxaca Airport is only a short 15 minute taxi ride from the city centre. It shouldn’t cost more than 300 pesos.

However, you can also get the colectivo. This is similar to a Mexican public bus, but privately owned. If you board a colectivo, you’ll need to know a little Spanish, especially numbers to pay the fee. From Oaxaca Airport to the city centre, you can expect to pay around £4 ($5).

There is no Uber in Oaxaca.

Best backpacker travel insurance for Mexico

If you’re visiting Mexico as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.

Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.

I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.

If you need medical help at any point whilst in Mexico, you need travel insurance.

With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)

Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Mexico. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!

If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!

Oaxaca to Mexico City: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about getting from Oaxaca to Mexico City.

When you’re planning a trip to Mexico, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t come across my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently backpacking Mexico with my boyfriend (read more here!), whilst creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more Mexico content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

Other Mexico posts:

• Is there Uber in Puerto Escondido? 2023 Updates
• Renting a Car in Puerto Escondido (Mexico) as a UK Resident (2023)
• BEST Hostels in Oaxaca for Backpackers! (2023 Guide)
• BEST Hostels in Tulum for Backpackers! (2023 Guide)
• How to Visit Sian Ka’an WITHOUT A Tour: Ultimate Guide! (2023)

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