How to Get from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende?

San Miguel de Allende is a city located in the Guanajuato state of Mexico and is known for its atmosphere, colonial architecture and thriving art scene. Along with its captivating cultural essence, it is also conveniently located just over 200 miles away from Mexico City, making it a great option for those looking to take a short break from the busy megalopolis.

To get from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende, there is a wide range of transport options available, each with their own benefits depending on budget, time availability and personal preferences. Below are the most popular methods that travelers and locals alike us when making the journey between the two locations.

Bus

The most budget-friendly option is to take the bus. From Mexico City’s Central Camionera de Autobuses de Pasajeros to San Miguel de Allende, there are several bus services available from different bus companies with different comfort levels and additional features. A few of the most popular include Primera Plus, Omnibus de Mexico and Estrella Roja, who all offer direct departures and journeys with varying durations anywhere from 4-6 hours, depending on service type or vacation times.

As for ticket prices, prices will vary depending upon the bus route, type of service and current promotions however, one-way tickets typically start at USD$20-25 per passenger from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende. Tickets can be conveniently purchased online via the aforementioned bus companies’ websites, or at ticket booths located throughout many areas in Mexico City.

Flight

If time is a pressing issue, then the most efficient option is to fly. Aeromexico is one of the major airlines offering frequent flights between Mexico City Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) to Del Bajío International Airport (BJX) located 5 miles northeast of San Miguel de Allende. Aeromexico is also a Star Alliance member airline which means if you already have frequent flyer miles, you can use them when flying with them.

The flight time duration will depend on ticket type, type of airplane used however usually take approximately just over 1 hour with non-stop flights available multiple times a day. Although slightly more expensive than the bus option, you save time significantly, as well as have a wider range of departure times to choose from allowing more freedom when booking flights.

Rent a Car

One of the most convenient ways and ones that invoke more independence when traveling is to rent a car. Major international companies such as Hertz and Europcar have numerous locations throughout Mexico City that offer the pick-up service with a wide range of car sizes from compact regular cars to SUVs and luxury vehicles available for rent.

Renting a car also may be relatively inexpensive depending on the total rental period however costs typically range around USD$124-200 for a regular family size car for 5 days of rental including all necessary insurance coverage. The drive from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende will take approximately 4-5 hours depending on traffic and provided your car has unlimited or no limit for kilometres for the duration of your rental period, you will also save money on transport costs by not having to pay additional costs for exceeding mileage limits due to distance traveled.

Uber/Taxi

For those traveling alone or in small groups, you may also opt for private solutions such as an Uber or taxi ride between Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende. Private transfers typically include air conditioning, very comfortable seats, typically no stops along the way, availability 24/7 and may sometimes be relatively cheap depending on total amount of passengers travelling together which can help distribute transportation expenses.

Uber also has slightly lower fares in comparison to traditional taxi services however prices may vary depending on route calculation, road traffic and applicable taxes however,travel times for both should be relatively the same as driving in a car yourself.

The Best Option for Travel Between Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende

In general, the best option for getting from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende depends entirely upon your budget, time constraints and personal preferences as there really is no one definitive answer. Bus is recommended for those who are budget-minded, taxi services such as an Uber may be ideal for those who want convenience without having to drive themselves, flights may be a great solution if you’re short on time and rental cars can give you complete freedom to explore the area at your own pace.

Whichever option you decide to go with, one thing is certain: the amazing colonial architecture, diverse cuisine and friendly atmosphere in San Miguel de Allende won’t disappoint in providing an experience you won’t soon forget!
If you would like to find more information about planning your journey between Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende then please visit San Miguel de Guide Blog, where you will find all sorts of helpful tips about transportation, accommodation and destinations within reach of both cities so that you can plan your perfect trip!