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Are you visiting Mexico City and dreaming of exploring the incredible pre-Hispanic city of Teotihuacan and its world-renowned pyramids? Here’s everything you need to know to plan the perfect day trip to Teotihuacan!
Growing up in Mexico I honestly never thought much about the Teotihuacan pyramids. I mean, they are there, and that’s it.
I’m embarrassed to admit that the first time I went to Mexico City I didn’t even make the effort to visit them. I was on a tight budget and focused mainly on free things to do in Mexico City, so taking a day trip seemed out of the question.
But little did I know just how affordable, and easy, it is to visit the historic Teotihuacan.
The second time I visited the Mexican capital I finally made it to the pyramids, and I was blown away!
I may be overcorrecting, but I now believe that anyone visiting Mexico City must make time to take a day trip to Teotihuacan, to get a fuller experience and better understanding of Mexican culture and its incredibly fascinating history.
So, to support my case, and help you visit the ancient city and its pyramids, here is everything you need to know to plan a day trip to Teotihuacan. From how to get there, entrance fees, tips for visiting, and more!
Day Trip to Teotihuacan: Everything You Need To Know
History of Teotihuacán
Teotihuacán comes from the Nahuatl language and translates to “city of gods”, which would have you thinking that the place served as a religious site only, however, it was actually a whole city, with a population between 100,000- 200,000 inhabitants.
The city was settled as early as 400 BC—no one really knows when and by who—but it is proven that it was one of the biggest and most powerful cities of Prehispanic Mesoamerica.
It was a very influential city that inspired other civilizations around Mesoamerica, as was shown by traces found in different parts of Mexico.
Teotihuacán was found abandoned around 1400 by the Aztecs, and it is estimated that the city collapsed around 600 AD.
The burnt artwork and destroyed sculptures found on the site point to a probable internal revolution of power, the poor rebelling against the elite, which would inevitably mark the end of the powerful city of Teotihuacán.
How far is Teotihuacan from Mexico City?
Taking a day trip to Teotihuacan is an easy thing to add to your Mexico City itinerary, as the prehispanic city is located only 48km (29 mi) away from the Historic Center of Mexico City.
Making it a breezy one-hour car or bus ride, give or take, depending on traffic.
How to get to Teotihuacan?
Teotihuacan by car
If you are comfortable enough you can just rent a car in Mexico City and follow Google Maps directions to Zona Arqueologica de Teotihuacan.
However, if you don’t want to take on the Mexico City traffic, that is completely understandable, so I will explain how to get there by public transportation.
That’s right, you don’t even need to rent a car to get there!
Teotihuacan by bus
To arrive in Teotihuacan by bus you will want to make your way to the Central de Autobuses del Norte bus station, where buses to Teotihuacan depart every 15 min, from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm.
If you are moving by metro just type in the name of the bus station, Central de Autobuses del Norte, which will be the name of the metro stop as well.
A one-way ticket for the metro will cost you 5 pesos or 0.22 USD (!) As with any big city metro, just watch out for your valuables and you should be fine.
To make you feel even more comfortable, in Mexico City, the first two wagons of any metro are always designated for women and children only.
After arriving at Autobuses del Norte you have to walk into the station, turn left, and go all the way to the end of the station until you find gate 8.
Next to gate 8, you will find the booth with a sign for Autobuses Teotihuacan, where you can purchase your round trip for 100 pesos or about 5 USD.
Make sure to keep the ticket safe as you will need to show it on the way back. Check the time on your ticket and head to your door.
The bus ride to Teotihuacan takes 1 hour, with a possible one-stop on the way there, so be careful and don’t get out before your time.
The driver will scream “Parada final” or “Piramides” once you have arrived at Teotihuacan—plus, everyone will get off, so you will know you made it.
How to get back from Teotihuacan to Mexico City?
On the way back you will have to leave Teotihuacan at the same door they dropped you off, which is gate 2, and cross the street—there was not a real sign for the bus stop but you will see people coming together and waiting for the bus.
When in doubt, you can always ask a local, we Mexicans are always happy to help!
The last time I visited, the last bus back to Mexico City from Teotihuacan was at 6:00 pm, but it didn’t seem to be set in stone. To play it safe, I recommend asking the driver and/or the ticket seller at the bus station.
PS: Make sure to have the ticket you purchased at the beginning of your trip. If you lose it, you can buy a new ticket with the bus driver.
How much is Teotihuacan’s entrance fee?
The entrance fee for the archeological site of Teotihuacan is only 95 pesos or 4.5 USD, and you can buy it directly directly on the site.
Make sure to keep your ticket to show at the site’s museum, if you want to also stop there for a visit. The ticket will also allow you to go out to eat at the businesses across the street and come back in if necessary.
Teotihuacan hours and best time to visit
Teotihuacan is one of our most beloved archaeological sites in Mexico, so it gets crowded fast, both with local and international travelers.
The site is open every day of the year from 8:00 to 17:00 hrs.
I would recommend getting there as early as possible and on a weekday to avoid massive crowds.
Particularly, try to avoid Sundays at all costs, since this is the day that entrance is free for locals, which means the place will be packed!
Tips for visiting Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan city is one big open space, so no matter when you visit, if it’s a sunny day there is really nowhere to hide from the sun, so I would highly advise you to bring a hat, sunscreen, and lots of water since you will be hiking a bit.
The steps going up the pyramid are not the smoothest, so comfortable, practical shoes with a bit of grip are the best choice!
You can bring your own snacks for the day, or with your entrance ticket you are allowed to go out and come back in. Right across the street, there are a variety of restaurants with traditional Mexican food for your post-hike fuel.
Summary of planning a day trip to Teotihuacan
- Buses to Teotihuacán leave from Central de Autobuses del Norte Gate 8
- Round trip bus ride – 100 pesos
- Teotihuacán entrance fee -95 pesos
- Open every day from 8:00 to 17:00
- Bring water, sunscreen, comfortable shoes
- Calculate to spend 4-5 hours here
- There are restaurants to eat right across the street
- There are public bathrooms at the entrance of the site
I hope you found this guide useful! From how to get to Teotihuacan, entrance fees, opening hours, and tips for making the most of your visit, you should have everything you need to plan the perfect day trip to Teotihuacan.
Is there anything that I am missing from this guide that you think would be good to know? Let us know in the comments!