Centro Histórico and Teotihuacán are two of Mexico’s most important cultural locations. This is how I reached the downtown area from the nearby ancient city.
Your tour around the ancient and mysterious city of Teotihuacán is complete, and now it’s time to head toward Centro Histórico, the cultural heartbeat of nearby Mexico City (Spanish: Ciudad de México, abbreviated CDMX). You could take a taxi for around $350 MXN ($20 USD). However, there’s an alternative option that’s only a fraction of the price: taking the bus and CDMX metro (i.e., subway) system for around $4 USD ($65 MXN). Here’s how I did it:
Catch a Ride to Mexico City’s Northern Bus Station
1. Ensure you and your travel partner(s) have $65 MXN cash each
The bus fare to Mexico City’s Northern Bus Station from Teotihuacán is around $60 MXN ($3.50 USD), and a single ticket to enter the CDMX metro system is only $5 MXN (25 cents USD). That’s five times cheaper than hiring a cab. In addition to your fares, I suggest having a little extra cash on hand just in case of incidentals.
2. Exit Teotihuacán at Gate 2
Buses heading to and from Mexico City’s Northern Bus Station (Spanish: Terminal Central de Autobuses del Norte) pass frequently at Gate 2 of Teotihuacán. The gate is marked “G2” on my map below and is the one next to the Pyramid of the Sun. Exit the site, walk to the road, and wait for a bus driving south (moving right to left).
3. Flag down the next bus to Mexico City
Once you see a bus approaching from the north, step forward and wave your hand. Teotihuacán’s Gate 2 isn’t an official bus stop, but drivers expect to pick up passengers at this location.
4. Pay the fare of around $60 MXN
It will likely be assumed that you are heading to the end of the line (i.e., the Northern Bus Station). However, if you are asked a question like “¿Adónde vas?” (meaning “Where are you going?”), you can simply respond “Ciudad de México” or “Terminal Central de Autobuses del Norte.” The fare will be around $60 MXN ($3.50 USD).
5. Take the leisurely journey to the Northern Bus Station
Once you have paid the fare and settled into your seat, you can relax for a while. The drive to Mexico City’s Northern Bus Station takes around one and a half hours.
Make Your Way to the Mexico City Metro’s Autobuses del Norte station
1. Walk into the Northern Bus Station at Gate 8
Your bus from Teotihuacán will arrive at Gate 8 of Mexico City’s modern Northern Bus Station. Take a left after entering the gate and walk to the center of the station. You can purchase refreshments at stores and restaurants, use the restroom, and get extra cash from an ATM if necessary.
2. Depart the Northern Bus Station
Once you are ready to leave, walk directly out the main entrance and wait your turn to cross the busy road that runs in front of the bus station. You will continue straight after reaching the other side.
3. Arrive at the Autobuses del Norte metro station
Located a short walk away, the Autobuses del Norte metro station is within easy view of the Northern Bus Station’s front entrance. Click for details on this Mexico City Metro station. You’re about to head below and make your way to world-famous Centro Histórico.
Enter the Mexico City Metro
1. Find the ticket window
Once you have reached the Autobuses del Norte metro station, walk down the steps; you will find a line of turnstiles. Before approaching them, look for the nearby ticket window.
2. Purchase a ticket for $5 MXN
Ask the attendant for a ticket (Spanish: Un boleto, por favor.) The cost is only $5 MXN (Spanish: cinco pesos), giving you one-time access to the entire CDMX metro system for around 25 cents USD.
3. Redeem the ticket at a turnstile
Walk to an open turnstile and feed the ticket into the marked slot. Wait for the light to turn green and proceed through the gate.
4. Begin finding your way to the passenger loading area
You have now entered the metro system’s yellow line. Click for a map of the entire color-coded metro network on the official CDMX public transportation website. It’s time to determine which train to board.
Navigate to Centro Histórico Using the Yellow and Gold Metro Lines
1. Determine your desired arrival station before boarding the subway
You have now entered the metro and are almost ready to head south to Centro Histórico. Before you board a train, I suggest stepping to the side to review the master metro map (link in the above section) and my below map of subway stations in Centro Histórico. The goal is to determine the station nearest your destination. You can find your current position on the master map near the top of the yellow line. The center of Centro Histórico is the El Zócalo/Tenochtitlan station on the blue line, which is indicated near the center of both maps.
2. Go south toward Pantitlán
Once you have chosen your desired station in Centro Histórico, start by finding the passenger loading area that goes south toward Pantitlán. Yellow signs in the station will point the way. Board the next train for the yellow and gold line station of La Raza, which is only one stop away from where you are now.
3. Get off the train at La Raza
Step off the train at the next stop, which is La Raza. Click for information on this metro station. La Raza connects the yellow line to the gold line, the latter of which is your next colored train.
4. Walk to the gold line
Follow the gold signs in the La Raza metro station to the passenger loading area for southbound trains. Once you get near the platform, your choice will be binary: north or south. Make sure to head in the direction opposite Indios Verdes.
5. Continue south to the Hidalgo metro station
Board the next southbound train. You will get off in three stops, which is the Hidalgo metro station. Click for information on this subway stop. As my above map indicates, this station is in the northwest corner of Centro Histórico. It also connects the gold metro line to the blue line.
6. Exit the Mexico City Metro at Hidalgo or walk to the blue line
If Hidalgo was your previously determined destination, you are now ready to emerge from the Mexico City Metro into Centro Histórico. In the more likely case, though, you will want to go further into the downtown area. This means following the blue signs to the passenger loading area.
7. Follow my map to your destination in Centro Histórico
Once you have arrived at the blue line, walk to the passenger loading area that heads opposite from Cuatro Caminos. The next train will take you east toward the heart of Centro Histórico. Consult my above map of metro stations in the world-famous area to reach your destination.
The ornate entrance to the Metropolitan Cathedral faces El Zócalo in Mexico City’s Centro Histórico. It broke ground in 1570 following Spanish conquest. Click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player to expand the video.
8. Read my guide for Centro Histórico
Perhaps the most famous urban area in Latin America, CDMX’s Centro Histórico is a cultural experience like no other. Click to read my travel guide “A Weekend Guide to Mexico City’s Centro Histórico” to learn about where I went, ate, and stayed in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Related Content
– Click to read my travel guide “How to Take a Self-Guided Tour of Teotihuacán” for tips on touring the mysterious ruins by yourself.
– Click to read my feature article “Teotihuacán: Down the Avenue of the Dead” for an in-depth look into the enigmatic history of the ancient ruins near Mexico City.
– Click to view my high-resolution photo collection from the Mexican Museum of Design (MUMEDI) in Mexico City.