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Teotihucan is an Aztec archaeological site and one of the most popular day trips from Mexico City.
Home to one of the largest pyramids in the world, Teotihuacan is known for its grand Temple of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, and the Avenue of the Dead. It’s one of the most important ruins in Mexico and is a must on your Mexico City itinerary.
While there are several ways to get to Teotihuacan, in this article, we will take a look at how to take Uber from Mexico City to Teotihuacan – the fastest and most reliable transportation that will allow you to skip public transport and enjoy a comfortable and safe ride.
Uber from Mexico City to Teotihuacan: a complete overview
Uber is the best way to get to Teotihuacan if you are looking for quick, hassle-free transportation.
I’ve taken Uber to Teotihuacan only once, but have taken it countless times around Mexico City, and never had a problem. Most Uber drivers in Mexico City are chill and friendly, and I never felt unsafe during my trips.
✅ Check the best free museums in Mexico City
Mexico City to Teotihuacan distance
Teotihuacan is in the state of Mexico, about 50 kilometers (32 miles) from Mexico City.
How long does it take to get to Teotihuacan from Mexico City?
Getting to Teotihuacan by Uber can take anywhere from 40 minutes to 1 hour depending on the traffic and your location.
👉Read my guide to planning a perfect itinerary for 5 days in Mexico City.
Where to stay in Mexico City
- Best budget option: Hotel Templo Mayor – a great budget hotel in the heart of Mexico City
- Best mid-range option: Domingo Santo Boutique Hotel – a beautiful boutique stay near Templo Mayor and Zocalo
How much is Uber from Mexico City to Teotihuacan?
Expect to pay between $25-35 USD (500-650 Pesos) one way plus the tolls which shouldn’t be more than 80-90 Pesos (some drivers may ask you to pay for the toll, so do have cash on you).
The price of Uber from Mexico City to Teotihuacan ranges depending on your departure point. If you take Uber from the Historic Center, you will pay less than from Coyoacan, which is more south.
👉 Uber also has higher prices during peak times, which could affect your rate.
Where will I get dropped off if I take Uber to Teotihuacan?
If you take an Uber from Mexico City to Teotihuacan, ask the driver to drop you off at the main entrance, where you can buy tickets and proceed toward the pyramids.
Tips for taking Uber to Teotihuacan from Mexico City
- Enter the destination correctly – Mexico City and the surrounding areas have some streets named Teotihuacan. When you type in your destination in the Uber app, enter the Temple of the Sun or the Pyramid of the Moon, to ensure that your Uber takes you to the right place.
- Learn some Spanish – If you want to Uber to Teotihuacan from Mexico City, learn some Spanish. While you won’t encounter the language barrier, because the Uber app does everything for you, speaking Spanish could be very beneficial. Not every Uber driver in Mexico City speaks or understands English, and if you need to ask something during the ride, you might not get the answer.
- Keep someone posted about your plans – Although Uber is the fastest and safest ways to get to Teotihuacan, keep your friends and family posted about your plans for safety reasons.
- Keep a low profile – While Uber in Mexico City is safe, keep a low profile. Leave your expensive clothing and jewelry at home and put on plain, simple clothes. It will help you to avoid unwanted attention.
- Split the cost with your friends – Uber in Mexico City is already cheap, but you can cut the costs even further if you split it with your friends. You will also have more fun when visiting Teotihuacan than by yourself.
- Stay away from controversial topics – If you start a conversation with your driver, stay away from controversial topics, especially politics, that could create an uncomfortable atmosphere.
- Express your appreciation of the Mexican culture – Ask questions about what to do in the city. Most Mexican people are friendly, and when they see that you make an effort to speak Spanish and enjoy their country, they will do their best to help you out.
- If something feels off, ask to end the ride – While Uber in Mexico City tries to do its best to ensure a safe experience, there have been some reports of issues with drivers. If you don’t feel comfortable during your ride, ask your driver to pull over and end the ride. This could be a bit tricky when you are traveling to Teotihuacan because once you get outside Mexico City, you will be on the highway. Still, if you want to end the ride, your driver can drop you off at the gas station or the bus stop.
How much should I tip when taking Uber in Mexico City?
Uber in Mexico City is very cheap compared to the U.S., Canada, and Europe. You can and should leave a tip in cash or through the app.
If tipping through the app, you can choose from 10, 15, or 20 percent on the app, or customize your amount. I suggest tipping your driver in cash to ensure that they will get the money, before they get paid by the app.
➡️ Read: Want to find out how much to leave for your Uber driver in gratuities?
Mexico City to Teotihuacan: other alternatives
A bus from Mexico City to Teotihuacan
A public bus is the cheapest way to get to Teotihuacan, but it’s also the slowest way. You can catch a bus to Teotihuacan from the North Bus Station (Autobuses del Norte).
Round trip tickets cost around 200 Pesos, however, clarify that your bus is going to take you to Zona Arqueologica Teotihuacan (the Archaeological Area), and not San Juan Teotihuacan, the pueblo near the ruins.
✔️Need a hotel in Mexico City? Check my guide to the best hotels in Mexico City for any budget!
A guided tour from Mexico City to Teotihuacan
Many tourists visit Teotihuacan with a guided tour. This way, you don’t have to deal with the logistics and can have a guided tour to pick you up and drop you off at your hotel.
Why book a hot air balloon tour of Teotihuacan?
I recommend a hot air balloon Tour of Teotihuacán that can be booked online ahead of your trip through Viator. It’s a magical experience where you will take off in a hot air balloon and watch the sun rise over the archaeological area. Speaking from personal experience, it’s worth every penny, as you see the Pre-Hispanic city lighting up in the golden light 🌅
Another option is to take a guided tour with tequila tasting that offers early access to beat the crowds. It’s a good alternative to taking Uber to Teotihuacan if you want a more cultural experience.
Best tours of Teotihuacan from Mexico City
Best hot air balloon tours of Teotihuacan with a hotel pick-up
👉 This private tour of Teotihuacan from Mexico City is super popular with travelers!
A car rental from Mexico City to Teotihuacan
Renting a car is not the most popular way for getting to Teotihuacan, but you can still do it. Driving in Mexico City takes some adjustment, as most drivers tend to be pretty aggressive, and you need to be particularly assertive when driving. You will also need to pay for a couple of casetas (tolls), and unless your car rental company can give you a pass, you will need to pay for these tolls with cash.
👉 Want to stay safe on the road while driving to Teotihuacan? Check my Mexico travel tips
If you rent a car for your trip to Teotihuacan, stop at San Juan Teotihuacan, a small pueblo magico within a short distance from the archaeological area. Few tourists stop here, but it’s a great way to explore an authentic Mexican village and grab food and souvenirs before heading back to Mexico City.
PRO TIP: If you decide to rent a car in Mexico City, you should learn basic Spanish words. You will need it to get gas since Mexico doesn’t have self-service gas stations,
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Where to rent a car in Mexico City?
The best place for renting a car in Mexico City is DiscoverCars, an online platform that has a great inventory of rental cars at affordable rates.
You can also purchase your car rental insurance for a low price through DiscoverCars. Car rental insurance is required in Mexico, and DiscoverCars offers a great way to save money, instead of paying for it at the car rental office.
🚗 CLICK HERE TO SAVE ON CAR RENTALS IN MEXICO CITY
I’ve rented a car with DiscoverCars several times, and always had a great experience with them.
✅ If you have never rented a car in Mexico, check out my complete guide to renting a car in Mexico, so you can avoid mistakes and save money.
A taxi from Mexico City to Teotihuacan
If you can take Uber, I don’t recommend taking taxi from Mexico City to Teotihuacan, as it’s likely to be more expensive. As someone who uses mostly Uber in Mexico City, I don’t have much experience with taxis, but from my conversations with fellow travelers, I learned that Uber to Teotihuacan is a safer and cheaper option than taxi.
A word on taking a taxi in Mexico City
A taxi in Mexico City is not always safe, as some of them are operated by professional criminals. Unless you know the city well and are familiar with local taxi companies, you should stick with Uber.
Tips for visiting Teotihuacan Pyramids
- Skip weekends – If you want to avoid crowds at Teotihuacan, skip weekends when most people come here. Mexican residents get free entrance to Teotihuacan on Sundays, and this archaeological area can get busy, especially during mid-day.
- Arrive early – For the best experience, arrive by the opening time, which is 9 a.m. This way, you can be one of the first few people to enter the site and get done when it starts getting hot.
- Wear comfortable shoes – As of January 2023, Teotihuacan pyramids are still closed for climbing due to COVID-19. Still, I recommend wearing good hiking shoes because this is a sprawling archaeological area, and you will walk a lot.
- Bring water – I highly recommend carrying at least a small bottle of water, as Teotihuacan is located in a sunny, arid area, and you can get thirsty very quickly, especially if you are visiting during the mid-day.
- Wear a hat – Teotihuacan is a sprawling site with dozens of pyramids and little shade. Walking around here can feel very hot, and you should wear a hat to avoid sunstroke.
- Put on some sunscreen – The sun can be blistering at Teotihuacan, and your best bet to avoid sunburn is to put on some sun screen, especially if you are visiting during mid-day.
- Consider taking a guided tour – A guided tour of Teotihuacan is a good option, especially if you are visiting Mexico City for the first time, and have little knowledge about the mighty Aztec Empire.
- Carry cash – As you walk around Teotihuacan, you will spot numerous vendors selling bottled water and souvenirs. While some accept credit cards, the majority take cash. Bring at least 300 Pesos, in case you want to buy something, or hire one of the guides on the spot.
How to get from Teotihuacan to Mexico City
You can get to Mexico City the same way you arrived to Teotihuacan. You can ask your Uber driver to wait for you (but you also will need to pay for the waiting time, which has to be agreed upon before you exit the vehicle) or catch a public bus back to Mexico City.
✅ If you want to take Uber back to Mexico City from Teotihuacan, ask your driver to wait for you as you are not likely to find Uber readily available near Teotihuacan when you are done touring the ruins. There are always taxis in the area, but they will be considerably more expensive than Uber.
Uber from Mexico City to Teotihuacan: FAQs
Is Teotihuacán open now?
As of 2023, Teotihuacan is open for visiting. You can visit it from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 365 days a week.
How much does Teotihuacán cost?
A regular entrance ticket to the Teotihuacán Archaeological Zone costs 80 Pesos ($4 USD) and has to be in cash. The ticket covers the Teotihuacan Culture Museum and the Museum of Teotihuacan Murals.
What’s the best time for visiting Teotihuacan?
The best time for visiting Teotihuacan is before 11 a.m. This archaeological area is the busiest from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m., and it’s also the hottest time when the sun is the strongest.
Is it safe to take an Uber from Mexico City to Teotihuacan?
Taking Uber is the safest way to Teotihuacan from Mexico City. You don’t have to deal with public transportation or navigating the roads, and can sit back and relax. Uber screens its drivers which means you have less of a chance to get in trouble when taking Uber in Mexico City than in a taxi.
Consider travel insurance for your trip to Mexico City
I recommend getting travel insurance for your trip to Mexico City for extra protection.
Safety Wing is one of the best insurance plans for long-term travelers and digital nomads that covers you in the event of stolen and lost luggage, hospital visits and other unforeseen circumstances. WorldNomads is one of the most popular travel insurance options that offers option for long and short-term travel.
Do you tip Uber drivers in Mexico City?
Tipping Uber drivers in Mexico City is not mandatory, but you can lave a custom amount like 10, 15, or 20 percent through the app, or you can leave a cash tip. Since Uber in Mexico City is considerably cheaper than in Western countries, leave a gratuity at the end of your ride.
✅ How much to leave for your Uber driver in gratuities? Read my guide to tipping in Mexico
Is Uber cheaper than a taxi in Mexico City?
Uber in Mexico City is generally cheaper than a taxi, especially if you are taking a longer trip. However, the timing of your ride could also affect your ride, so be aware of the rush hour when trying to budget your trip.
Uber from Mexico City to Teotihuacan: the final word
Taking Uber is the fastest way to get to Teotihuacan from Mexico City. You can sit back and relax while enjoying the ride. Whip up your Spanish before the trip, and you can have a great conversation with your driver and get a great cultural experience during your visit to the largest city in Mexico.
More resources on planning your trip to Mexico
Looking for best cenote tours is only one part of planning your adventure. Whether you need to book a car, organize a tour or book a flight while in Mexico, use my suggested services.
- Agoda.com – a great website for budget accommodations in Mexico City and other parts of the country.
- WorldNomads – Great service for insurance coverage that will keep you safe on the road.
- Safety Wing – Excellent insurance plan for long-term travelers that offers competitive rates is you are planning to stay on the road several weeks in a row.
- GetYourGuide.com – This is one of the best platforms for finding best cenote tours from Mexico City. Get Your Guide is my favorite platform that offers awesome tours and top-notch guides in many destinations in Mexico.
- DiscoverCars.com – Rent a car if you want more freedom exploring Mexico City and surrounding areas.
- CheapoAir.com – One of the best platforms for saving money on flights within Mexico and beyond.
- Booking.com – a popular website with tons and tons of options for accommodations of all sorts.