Teotihuacán is one of the most mysterious sites in the Americas. This is how I cheaply, safely, and efficiently reached the ancient city from the CDMX airport.
An essential stop for anyone visiting Mexico City (Spanish: Ciudad de México, abbreviated CDMX) , the mysterious city of Teotihuacán was built by an ancient culture that predated the Aztecs. The massive site is still being actively studied by archeologists, who continue to try to piece together the story behind “The City of the Gods.” Here’s a step-by-step guide on how I safely, cheaply, and efficiently reached the pyramids from the CDMX airport via public transportation.
Getting to the Mexico City Metro from the Airport
1. Ensure you have cash on hand before leaving the airport
If you haven’t already, make sure you remove cash from an ATM (Spanish: cajero automático) before exiting either of the two airport terminals. The shuttle, Mexico City Metro (i.e., subway), and bus fares in this guide will cost less than $10 USD (around $180 MXN), but I recommend pulling out additional funds for incidentals and refreshments.
2. Make the short walk to the Terminal Aérea metro station from Terminal 1
If you arrived at Terminal 1, simply walk outside and turn left. The Terminal Aérea metro station is just next door. Click here to view this station’s information on the official CDMX public transportation website.
3. Find the shuttles if you landed at Terminal 2
If you arrived at Terminal 2, there are a few additional steps. To begin, turn right as you are leaving the terminal. There will be a line of shuttles under an overhang (pictured below).
4. Pay for the $10 MXN shuttle ticket to the metro station
Next, as you board the bus, ask the driver for a ticket to the metro (Spanish: Un boleto para el metro, por favor). The cost should be $10 MXN (Spanish: diez pesos), which is about 50 cents USD.
5. Be prepared to get off at the first stop
The driver may say something like, “Solo una parada.” This means you will get off in only one stop. Sit back and relax for a few minutes as the bus loads and wheels away.
6. Arrive at the Hangares metro station
A short distance later the driver will stop at the Hangares metro station. Get off the bus and begin your subterranean journey to your next destination – the Northern Bus Station. Click for information on the Hangares station.
Entering the Mexico City Metro
1. Find the ticket window
Once you have reached either the Terminal Aérea metro station or Hangares, 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 network on the official CDMX public transportation website. It’s time to determine which train to board.
Getting from the Mexico City Airport Metro Stations to the Northern Bus Station
1. Find the passenger loading area for Politécnico
Trains at the Terminal Aérea and Hangares metro stations head in only two directions, both of which are marked by yellow signs: Politécnico to the northwest or Pantitlán to the southeast. You want to go in the direction of Politécnico.
2. Wait for the next train
Follow the signs to the passenger loading area for Politécnico. Once you have arrived, you won’t have to wait long; trains arrive every few minutes.
3. Begin the ride to the bus station
Board the next available train toward Politécnico. If a seat is available, you might want to sit down; your next stop is around 20-30 minutes away.
4. Follow the train’s progress with the onboard metro map
Once you have settled into your seat or grabbed a handrail, look along the top of the car wall. You should find a station map of the yellow line listing each stop.
5. Arrive at the Autobuses del Norte station
As the train moves down the track, start mentally counting stops or look out the window to see the name of each station painted on walls. Your next stop will be the Autobuses del Norte station, the eighth stop from Terminal Aérea and the ninth from Hangares. Click for details on this metro and bus station.
Getting from Mexico City’s Northern Bus Station to Teotihuacán
1. Get off the subway at the Autobuses del Norte station
Step off the train at the Autobuses del Norte subway station and make the short walk up the stairs. Mexico City’s modern Northern Bus Station (Spanish: Terminal Central de Autobuses del Norte) is before you. You can purchase refreshments at the bus station’s restaurants, use the restroom, and get extra cash from an ATM if necessary.
2. Walk to Gate 8 (far left) after entering the bus station
To find the buses to Teotihuacán, walk to the left as you enter the station. Ticket windows for Teotihuacán departures are at Gate 8 (Spanish: Sala 8), and it’s pictured below.
3. Purchase a one-way or roundtrip ticket
Walk to the counter and ask for a ticket to Teotihuacán (Spanish: Un boleto a Teotihuacán, por favor.) You have the option to buy one-way or roundtrip fares. The cost respectively is around $60 MXN (Spanish: sesenta pesos) or $120 MXN (ciento viente pesos). That’s around $3.25 USD and $6.50 USD, respectively.
4. Determine when your bus departs
As the attendant is completing the transaction, ask when your bus is departing (Spanish: ¿Cuando sale el autobus?) In my case, the bus left only two minutes (Spanish: dos minutos) after I received my fare.
5. Find the correct bus in the parking area
Looking at your ticket, determine the numbered parking spot of your bus. Buses are parked in a neat line, and station personnel are readily available if you require assistance finding your ride.
6. Make the leisurely journey to Teotihuacán
Board the bus and settle into your seat. The trip takes around an hour and a half, and the driver will stop several times to let people on and off. Merchants selling food and beverages will also periodically come aboard to offer their inventory.
The Pyramid of the Sun looms behind the Avenue of the Dead at the ruins of Teotihuacán in central Mexico. A jaguar wind whistle can be heard in the background. Click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player to expand the video.
7. Arrive at Gate 2 next to the Pyramid of the Sun
The bus will eventually arrive at Gate 2 (Spanish: Puerta 2) of the world-famous Teotihuacán ruins. This is the gate leading directly to the Pyramid of the Sun (Spanish: Pirámide del Sol). Both the driver and locals on the bus will alert you when you get there.
8. Read my guide for the Teotihuacán ruins
Starting at Teotihuacán’s Gate 2, my guide walks you to each essential stop at the massive and mysterious “City of the Gods.” Click to read my travel guide “How to Take a Self-Guided Tour of Teotihuacán.”
Related Content
– Click to read my feature article “Teotihuacán: Down the Avenue of the Dead” for an in-depth look into the mysterious history of the ancient ruins near Mexico City.
– Click to view my high-resolution photo collection from Teotihuacán.
– 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 the world-famous urban district.