As you may know, Mexico City is one of my favorites to visit, and I tell anyone who will listen to add it to their bucket list. We recently visited again for a friend’s wedding and took a day trip to Teotihuacán for the third time. With a few visits under my belt, I feel qualified to give you all the tips and tricks you need to know for a successful trip. Here’s how to plan a day trip to Teotihuacan from Mexico City.
HOW TO GET TO TEOTIHUACÁN FROM MEXICO CITY
- Distance: ~1 Hour Drive
- Ticket Price: 80 MX (~$4-$5 USD)
- Hours: Daily 9AM – 5PM
Checking out the Pyramids is a must-do while visiting Mexico City. This trip is a quick one and will likely take only half of your day. Our tour started at 8 AM leaving from Mexico City, and we were back at about 2 PM. The travel time from CDMX to Teotihuacan is a one-hour drive, and you can go with a tour, by public transportation, or by Uber/ taxi.
The first time I visited Teotihuacan was with a big tour bus, and would not recommend it as it was very impersonal. The last two times, we used Airbnb experiences, and I would tell anyone to do this moving forward. Here are the Airbnb experiences we used the second time we visited and for this trip. Both were great, but we preferred the second one as it was more flexible and personalized.
WHAT TO KNOW FOR YOUR VISIT TO TEOTIHUACÁN
Teotihuacan, which translates to ‘the place where the gods were created,’ is considered a holy city created between the 1st-7th centuries A.D. This is Mexico’s top visited attraction (more than Chichén Itzá, one of the 7 World Wonders). It isn’t on the 7 Wonders list, as much of it was redone in the early 1900s.
Like most popular monuments, I’d recommend getting there early. This helps avoid crowds, and I always get better photos with fewer people in the background in the morning. It’s about 80 pesos ($5) to visit without a tour. Our tour included the entrance fee, which we appreciated.
Unfortunately, this time around, we learned climbing the pyramids have been closed to the public since the pandemic. It’s unclear if or when it might open again. Although climbing is currently prohibited, I still recommend wearing comfortable shoes for walking around the grounds. Another option that our guide recommended is to take a hot air balloon ride over the pyramids. While it’s more expensive, it’s an incredibly unique experience that provides a different view.
Packing List:
- Hat – there is virtually no shade and that sun is brutal!
- Water – this is a must for all the walking around.
- Comfortable shoes – even if you’re not climbing to the top, there’s still a lot of walking involved.
Looking for more tips for your Mexico City Trip?
How to spend 2 days in Mexico City
