With its colonial buildings, rich history, and food culture, Puebla de Zaragoza is one of the most interesting places to visit in Mexico. As such, a few days in the city and the surrounding area are the perfect addition to any Central Mexico itinerary.
Thankfully, it is easy to include it in your travel plans, as the city is well connected. While it is unlikely that you will get to Puebla by plane, there are several reliable, frequent, and safe transportation options from nearby cities like Mexico City and Oaxaca de Juarez.
As is often the case whenever I am in Mexico, I ended up traveling from Mexico City to Puebla by bus and can only recommend it, but ultimately, the best way to get to Puebla from Mexico City or Oaxaca de Juarez depends on your travel plans and personal preferences. This article will tell you all you need to know to plan your trip.
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Can you fly to Puebla from Mexico City or Oaxaca de Juarez?
While Puebla has an airport, Puebla International Airport currently does not have flights to Mexico City or Oaxaca de Juarez. As of now, there are only flights from Cancun, Guadalajara, Merida, Monterrey, and Tijuana, as well as Houston.
As such, your only option is to travel to Puebla (de Zaragoza) by land. Hereby, you have the following options:
How to get to Puebla from Mexico City
1. Traveling by Bus
Upon arrival in Mexico City, you can take a bus to Puebla straight from the airport. Both ADO and Estrella Roja serve the route and will take you to Puebla in 2:00 to 2:30 hours. The bus ride costs 450 to 457 MXN (~26,22 USD).
Unless you are traveling during big events like the World Championships, it is not necessary to book your bus ride in advance. All you have to do is walk up to the ticket counter and buy a ticket for the next departure.
In terminal 1, the ticket area is located on the second level, and the sales counters of Estrella Roja and ADO are right next to each other. Just check which bus departs next and book it – you cannot go wrong with the two companies.
Have your passport on hand, as you have to show it when buying your ticket. You will be asked to select the seat where you will be sitting.
If you plan to spend a few days in Mexico City before heading to Puebla, taking a bus from TAPO (Terminal de Autobuses del Oriente) is the best option.
Take metro line 1 to ‘San Lázaro’ to get there. Alternatively, you can also take metrobus line 4. ADO, AU (Autobus Unidos) and Estrella Roja buses to Puebla depart every 15 to 30 minutes.
At your destination, you can choose between two bus terminals: Paseo Destino and Puebla CAPU. Please note that you have to decide in advance where you wish to leave the bus, as your luggage is sorted according to your destination. As such, you should not end your journey at Paseo Destino if you booked your bus ride until CAPU.
2. Driving from CDMX to Puebla
With a car, the driving time from Mexico City to Puebla is around 2 hours. The fastest option is driving there via the MEX150D. This 83 miles (133 km) long route includes toll roads, and the total toll amount is 216 MXN (~ 12,58 USD). It consists of a 165 MXN and a 51 MXN payment. Ensure you have the amount in cash as not all toll booths accept card payments.
If you are renting a car in Mexico for the first time, this guide about driving in Mexico as a traveler should be helpful.
A rental car from a trustworthy company should cost you around 20 to 35 USD per day. Some companies offer rental cars for less, but they tend to be the less reputable ones, so be sure to read the reviews.
Whenever I rent a car in Mexico, I compare prices and rent the car via Discover Cars. You can check the prices for rental cars in Mexico City here.
3. Private Transfer or Uber
Alternatively, you can also organize a private transfer. However, doing so certainly is the most expensive option, and it would be cheaper to take an Uber. The Uber ride would cost you 1000 MXN to 2000 MXN as prices can vary quite a bit depending on the time of the day, but even the higher end of the range is only half of the price of a pre-arranged private transfer.
I recommend this private transfer to Puebla from Mexico City airport, if you prefer the security of arranging everything in advance.
4. Puebla Day Trip
The final option to get to Puebla from Mexico City is to do a guided day trip. Given that there are many amazing things to do in Puebla, I would recommend spending a few days in the city and the surrounding area. But if you are very short on time and have no other option, it is a good way to see Puebla.
These tours usually also include a tour guide that will show you around and you do not have to worry about getting around between individual attractions that are not within easy walking distance. Oftentimes, these tours also include a stop at the pyramid of Cholula.
Given that you will be traveling back and forth in one day, you will be spending upwards of 4 hours on the road, so I recommend bringing a pillow so you can try to get some sleep along the way.
What is the cheapest way to get from Mexico City to Puebla?
With prices around 26 USD, the cheapest way to get from Mexico City to Puebla is to take the bus – especially if you are a solo traveler. However, renting a car can also be a worthwhile option if you are traveling with family or friends, and plan to embark on several day trips from Puebla anyway.
A pre-arranged private transfer is the most expensive option, but if it can be a convenient option if you are traveling with a larger group that can split the costs. I usually like taking the convenient, comfortable option after long distance flights, but given the price, I would not choose it.
How to Get to Puebla from Oaxaca de Juarez
If you are heading to Puebla from Oaxaca de Juarez, you can easily take the bus. Both ADO and AU serve the route and are a good option. The direct buses take 4:40 to 5:15 hours, and the fare is around 47 USD. There are frequent departures that mostly take you to CAPU.
Should you be doing a road trip and are driving, it will take you around 3:20 h to drive the 214 miles (344 km) between the two cities. The total road toll is 389 MXN and has to be paid at five toll stations along the way. From Oaxaca to Puebla, the individual toll amounts are as follows: 109 MXN, 95 MXN, 40 MXN, 55 MXN, and then 90 MXN.
Which Bus Terminal in Puebla is better?
Both bus terminals are good and which one is best mostly depends on where you are staying.
Paseo Destino bus terminal is located south of the city center, and is the best option if you are staying in the Angelopolis area. It is more modern than CAPU and you receive your luggage on a small luggage belt.
There are several restaurants and shops right at the bus terminal. I prefer this bus station as it is less crowded, but not every bus arriving from Mexico City stops here, so it is not always an option.
The best way to get from Paseo Destino to the city center is to take a taxi or Uber. My Uber ride to the Angelopolis area cost me 60 MXN, while a ride to Puebla’s historic center usually costs around 140 MXN.
Meanwhile, CAPU (Central de Autobuses de Puebla) is located north of the historic center. It is significantly bigger than Paseo Destino, and more busses depart and arrive there.
Depending on where you arrive, it might be a bit of a walk to the city bus stop and Uber pickup location. There are a lot of places to grab food as well as some stores.
To get from CAPU to the city center, you can take the city bus, but if you have a lot of luggage, it is best to take an Uber or taxi. The ride should cost you around 90 to 100 MXN and takes 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic.
More about Mexico
If you are planning a trip to Puebla, you might also be interested in these Mexico travel guides:
Cholula Day Trip
Day Trips from Oaxaca
Oaxaca Road Trip
Is there anything else you would like to know?
Let me know in the comments!
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