How to Get from Mexico City to Puebla: 5 Best Options + Practical Tips
Are you wondering how to get from Mexico City to Puebla? You’re in the right place!
The trip from Mexico City to Puebla is effortless, and there are so many fun things to do in Puebla; you shouldn’t skip this stop on your travels around Mexico.
I went from Mexico City to Puebla by bus and it was very easy and safe but there are many more ways to reach the beautiful city of Puebla and in this post, I will tell you all of them.
Depending on your route, the trip should only take 2.5 hours.
But let’s see all the different options one by one so that you can choose the most suitable for your needs.
From Mexico City to Puebla: Overview
📍 Puebla City Mexico Map
💡 How Far is Puebla From Mexico City?
Puebla is 135 km (84 miles) south of Mexico City.
💡 How Many Hours Does It Take From Mexico City to Puebla?
Driving from Mexico City to Puebla takes about two and a half hours. The route is on one main highway and goes quickly.
Sometimes, there is some traffic leaving Mexico City or entering Puebla, which can slow things down.
How Do You Get From Mexico City to Puebla?
1. By Bus
One of the easiest ways to travel between Mexico City and Puebla is by bus.
The trip takes about two hours, and buses leave frequently from Benito Juarez International Airport, TAPO Terminal (Terminal del Oriente), and other bus stations around Mexico City.
I recommend taking an ADO or AU bus from Mexico City to Puebla. The ADO bus company is reliable and widely used around Mexico.
⏰ Duration Mexico City to Puebla: 2 hours
💰 Cost TAPO to Puebla: 200 pesos ($11.08 USD)
The bus from Mexico City Airport is more expensive than from TAPO or other local bus stations.
Also, ADO is considered the first-class bus service, so it’s usually a little more costly than AU bus services.
You can also take an ADO Puebla bus from Puebla to Mexico City for around the same price and the same travel time.
I recommend catching a taxi in Puebla to CAPU (the primary bus terminal in Puebla) for your return trip.
ADO and AU buses are very comfortable. They usually have a bathroom onboard, comfortable seats, charging outlets, and a movie playing in Spanish.
However, definitely bring a sweater or jacket. Sometimes the buses get a little cold.
🚌 Is it Safe to Take a Bus From Mexico City to Puebla?
Yes, it’s completely safe to take a bus from Mexico City to Puebla. The route is quick and easy, and buses leave every 15-30 minutes throughout the day.
When traveling in a foreign country, it’s always a good idea to be aware of your belongings and exercise common sense.
For example, I don’t leave my valuables unattended on the bus and try to keep my phone and wallet in a safe place.
🚌 Where is the Mexico City Bus Station Located?
TAPO (Terminal de Oriente) is the largest bus station in Mexico. This is your best bet if you’re looking for a Mexico City to Puebla bus.
TAPO is located in the eastern part of Mexico City, about 4km (2.5 miles) from the historic center. It’s conjoined with the San Lázaro metro station in the Venustiano Carranza.
Central del Norte is another major bus station far from the historic center.
It’s in the north of Mexico City and takes about 20 minutes to get to by car from the downtown area.
However, there are much fewer buses leaving for Puebla from Central del Norte. TAPO is the easiest way.
🚌 Where is Puebla Bus Station Located?
There are two bus terminals in Puebla. The main terminal, CAPU, is about 6 km (3.7 miles) from downtown Puebla.
The 4 Poniente bus terminal is located right in downtown Puebla.
Most buses stop at CAPU, however. But there’s a line of taxis and Ubers waiting outside, so it’s easy to get to your destination from here.
🚌 Bus From Mexico City Airport to Puebla
You can also hop on a bus from Mexico City airport to Puebla. Buses leave the airport every hour or two, so you must check the current schedule once you arrive.
ADO is the only bus company that operates this route. Bus tickets are around 367 pesos ($20.30 USD).
The bus departs to either CAPU or Terminal Paseo Destino, which is located just outside of the city.
If you’re returning to Mexico City Airport from Puebla, buses depart from Terminal Paseo Destino for the Mexico City airport.
2. By Car
If you have your car, you can easily drive to Puebla from Mexico City. The trip is relatively quick and easy.
You’ll take Highway 150D pretty much the entire way. Highway 150D is a major highway connecting Mexico City to Veracruz through Puebla City.
⏰ Duration: 2 hours
The only downside to driving from Mexico City to Puebla is the traffic. Traffic can get bad in both cities, especially during rush hour, and roads are chaotic during busy times.
🚙 Renting a Car in Mexico City
If you don’t have a car, you can always rent your car in Mexico City and drive to Puebla.
This is a pretty good option, especially if you want a car to visit some of the main sites outside the city.
DiscoverCars is a great resource to help you compare prices and look at car rental options. Keep in mind that the price may vary depending on the season.
Usually, around the holidays, prices are a little higher than normal.
Here is the best Car rental searching platform
When It comes to renting a car in Mexico I always recommend the Discover Cars platform where you can compare prices among different car rentals and then decide which one is best for you.
💰 Cost: $30 USD / day
Although car rentals are very affordable in Mexico City, it’s still probably a bit easier to take a bus. However, you’ll have a lot more freedom with a car rental.
You can read here my in-depth Discover Cars review for more information on this fantastic platform!
3. Private Transfer
One of the easiest ways to get to Puebla is to organize a private transfer from Mexico City to Puebla.
While this is usually a little more expensive than renting your own car or taking the bus, it’s truly hassle-free.
The private transfer takes you doorstep to doorstep, so you don’t have to worry about navigation, driving, or booking bus tickets.
⏰ Duration: 2 hours
💰 Cost: $75 USD to $300 USD
The cost of a private transfer may vary depending on who you book with, the car you choose, and how many people you’re traveling with.
A Sudan is usually the most affordable option, especially compared to premium SUVs that hold more passengers.
4. Taxi
Generally, a private transfer is better than a taxi because you can plan it ahead of time and pay less for the journey.
Last-minute taxis can be expensive for such an extensive trip.
However, if you’re scrambling to get to Puebla, and money isn’t an issue, you can take a taxi from Mexico City to Puebla.
⏰ Duration: 2 hours
💰 Cost: $100 USD – $300 USD
Another problem with taking a taxi is the price may vary greatly depending on who you’re talking to.
There really isn’t a universal taxi price for the distance from Mexico City to Puebla, so the driver has a little more leniency with what they charge.
🚕 Can I Take an Uber From Mexico City to Puebla?
Yes, you can take an Uber from Mexico City to Puebla.
It’s not the most practical option, and you might find many drivers declining the trip once they see the destination, but it’s possible.
Depending on the hour, a typical UberX trip from Mexico City to Puebla should cost around 2,200 pesos ($120 USD).
5. Tour
The next best way to visit Puebla is to join a tour from Mexico City.
Most tours from Mexico City to Puebla are day trips, so you don’t have to spend too much time there while still catching many of the highlights.
✔️ Puebla and Cholula Day Trip from Mexico City
4.0 ⭐️ 243 Reviews
I recommend this Puebla and Cholula Day Trip from Mexico City. It’s a full-day tour that organizes all transportation, trip details, and a bilingual guide.
The tour visits Templo de Santo Domingo, the Rosary Chapel, and the Great Pyramid of Cholula.
You’ll see the best spots without having to plan or coordinate any of the finer details.
⏰ Duration: 10 to 12 hours
💰 Cost: 1,085 pesos ($60 USD).
When you consider everything that’s included and the door-to-door travel, it’s an excellent value.
A professional driver and energetic and knowledgeable guide took us on a journey of discovery through the beautiful colorful and colonial city of Puebla and the intriguing Pre-Columbian ruins at Cholula. The drive over the mountains was also spectacular!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ John_E, Aug 2023
Mexico City to Puebla Flights
🛫 Does Puebla Have An Airport?
Puebla has a small international airport with few flights from Mexico City. Because of this, it’s not the best option for traveling between Mexico City and Puebla.
✈️ Can You Book Flights Going to Puebla?
Yes, technically, you can book flights to Puebla. However, there are no direct flights from Mexico City, and you’ll have layovers elsewhere in the country, which makes flying not worth it.
You can easily spend twice or three times the amount of time trying to fly to Puebla from Mexico City versus taking the bus, going on a tour, or other on-ground options.
For example, today, the cheapest flight from Mexico City to Puebla is over $500 USD, and it has a 1-hour layover in Cancun, which is way out of the way.
How to Get From Puebla to Mexico City
Traveling from Puebla to Mexico City is just as straightforward as getting to Puebla. It takes about the same amount of time, and there are all the same options.
You can take a bus from the CAPU bus station to Mexico City, hire a private transfer, or take a taxi or Uber.
If you’re taking a tour from Mexico City, they’ll organize roundtrip transportation, so you won’t have to worry about this.
Is it Worth Visiting Puebla?
Yes, Puebla is worth visiting. It’s easy to get here from Mexico City, and there’s so much to do. You should try to fit it into your travels.
Santo Domingo Church in the center of Puebla and Cholula and the Great Pyramid on the hill are two of the best sites around the city.
But in my opinion, the food alone makes it worth it.
Puebla is known for its food. It is the origin of famous dishes like Mole Poblano, Chiles en Nogada, Cemitas, and Tacos Arabes.
👍🏼 Is Puebla Safe for Tourists?
Yes, Puebla is safe for tourists. There are some reports of petty crime and robberies. But crime levels are not out of the usual for larger Mexican cities.
I’ve always felt safe walking around Puebla and Cholula. It’s best to stick near the tourist areas in downtown Puebla or around Cholula.
👍🏼 When is the Best Time to Visit Puebla?
November through April is the best time to visit Puebla because it is relatively dry and warm during the day, and there is only a slight chance of rain.
Temperatures remain relatively consistent throughout the year, but the rainy season is from May to October. The rain can put a damper on your travels, so I’d recommend trying to visit during the dry season between November and April.
Practical Tips Before Visiting Puebla from Mexico City
If you’re ready to head over to Puebla from Mexico City, here are some helpful tips before your journey:
📌 Try to avoid traffic: Traffic around Mexico City can be a hassle and easily double your travel time. According to the Mexico City government website, peak traffic times are from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
📌 Prepare for high elevation: Mexico City is already at high elevation, so it shouldn’t be a massive problem if you’ve had a few days to acclimate—Puebla’s about 90 meters (300 ft) lower than Mexico City.
But if you’re planning on hiking or doing other physical activities, it can get to you.
📌 Arrange transportation ahead of time. Whether you’re taking a bus, a private transfer, or a tour, try to plan to ensure that everything goes smoothly on the day of travel.
📌 Consider a day trip: If you’re short on time, I highly recommend a day tour from Mexico City to Puebla.
It allows you to make the most of your time and see the main sights, and it is pretty affordable.
📌 Arrive hungry: Puebla’s food is incredible, and most of it is local, authentic, and mouthwatering.
I recommend trying a mix of street food and other local shops near the city center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Puebla a Day Trip From Mexico City?
Yes, you can take a Mexico City to Puebla day trip.
It’s only about two hours drive each way, depending on traffic.
You can easily explore downtown Puebla and Cholula in one day.
However, if you want to visit one of the volcanoes or state parks, I’d recommend a few days in Puebla.
Are Taxis Cheaper Than Uber in Puebla?
Usually, Ubers are cheaper than taxis in Puebla.
That said, if you speak Spanish, you can generally talk taxi drivers down to a reasonably competitive price with Uber prices.
If I cannot find an Uber myself, I’ll check the Uber price, tell the taxi driver how much an Uber would cost, and then we usually agree on a price around that.
Why Do People Go To Puebla?
People go to Puebla to experience the archeological ruins and church in Cholula, try some delicious local food, and admire the incredible church in downtown Puebla.
It’s also popular with hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl are two volcanoes just outside of Puebla that not only offer an incredible landscape around the city but are also fun to explore.
Wrapping Up: Mexico City to Puebla
Mexico City and Puebla are very close to one another. It usually only takes about two hours to travel between the two cities. This makes a trip from Mexico City to Puebla very easy.
You can take a bus from TAPO or Mexico City Airport, hire a private transfer ahead of time, book a day trip from Mexico City to Puebla, or even call a taxi or Uber the ride.
Puebla is such a beautiful city, very authentic, and with excellent food and cultural activities; it’s worth your time.
Before You Go…
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Isabella, author, editor, and founder
A passionate traveler and photographer, in love with life and adventures, Isabella is the founder and editor of Letstraveltomexico where she shares her love for Mexico, a fascinating country that she’s proud to call home. When she’s not exploring a new place you will find Isabella in a cafe, writing on this blog, or on her other sites Boundless Roads, Mexico Cenotes and Ruins and Letstraveltocancun.com where she loves to share her travels on and off the beaten path in Mexico and around the world.
