Orizaba by ADO bus: cable car, Cerro del Borrego and river walks
A green mountain town at the foot of Mexico's highest volcano. Ride the cable car up Cerro del Borrego, hike back down and stroll the river promenade. 27 direct ADO buses a day from Mexico City TAPO, from about US$34.
Orizaba at a glance
Getting there and getting up high:
Over 55 ADO buses a day from Mexico City and 24 from Puebla
ADO bus to Orizaba
→
15-minute walk to the cable car
Bus fares from about US$21 · Cable car about MXN 100
Getting to Orizaba by ADO bus
Orizaba (about 1,230 m) sits in a valley of the Sierra Madre Oriental, ringed by forested peaks and close to the Cañón del Río Blanco National Park. The ADO terminal is on Avenida Oriente 6 in the centre, about a 15-minute walk from the cable car.
- Mexico City TAPO (Metro San Lázaro): 27 buses a day from 12:45 AM to 11:50 PM, about 4h 10min–5h 20min, from US$34. More buses leave from Terminal Norte, Santa Martha Acatitla (from about 3h 35min) and the airport (Terminal 1), over 55 a day in total.
- Puebla (CAPU): 24 buses a day, about 2h 10min–2h 50min, from US$21.
- Xalapa: direct buses from Orizaba to Xalapa, about 3h 20min, from US$22.
- Back to Mexico City: about 59 buses a day, from about 4h 25min.
The Teleférico and Cerro del Borrego
- The cable car runs 917 m from Plaza Pichucalco, beside the Orizaba river, to the Ecoparque on top of Cerro del Borrego, about 300 m higher.
- A ticket cost about MXN 100 in 2026. It runs Monday to Friday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM on weekends and holidays. Buy your ticket early on busy days.
- At the top, trails lead through the forest to viewpoints and the site of the 1862 Battle of Cerro del Borrego, fought during the French intervention.
Hike it instead
Fit walkers can climb Cerro del Borrego on a stepped trail: a loop from town of about 6.6 km with 280 m of ascent, roughly 2h 15min. The steps are steep and slippery when wet; stay on marked trails.
Paseo del Río and the Cañón del Río Blanco
The Paseo del Río promenade starts right beside the cable car, with bridges and a small animal reserve. The surrounding Cañón del Río Blanco National Park (1938) has more than 20 waterfalls, including the Tuxpango falls.
Bus times, travel times and fares on this page come from the ADO booking flow for Wednesday, December 2, 2026, and can change. Search your travel date for live times. Park fees, opening hours and local transport are set by each park, operator and driver; the figures here are approximate 2026 prices, so confirm them locally. Mountain conditions change quickly: check the weather and any park closures before you go.
More mountains by ADO bus
In the shadow of Pico de Orizaba
Mexico's highest mountain, Citlaltépetl (5,636 m), stands about 27 km north-west of the city. On clear dry-season mornings it shows above the surrounding ridges, best seen from high points around the valley.
Want to climb it? Its base camp is reached from Ciudad Serdán, on the other side of the volcano. See Climbing Pico de Orizaba by bus.
Good to know
- October to April is drier; May to September brings rain and fog most afternoons.
- Bring a light rain jacket, trail shoes and water.
- Orizaba makes an easy two-night stop between Mexico City or Puebla and Veracruz.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons. Top: Isaacvp, CC BY-SA 4.0; Side: Adam Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Why travel to Orizaba with ADO
Book online in English, pay in your own currency and travel from Mexico City in comfort:
Direct buses all day
Over 55 ADO buses a day link Mexico City with Orizaba, arriving in the town centre.
Ultra comfort Seats
Your seat guaranteed — spacious, comfortable, and adjustable.
Bulky luggage included
Your ticket includes 25 kg of checked luggage at no extra cost. Buy extra space at the counter if needed.
Entertainment & Wi-Fi
Selected services offer onboard screens and Wi-Fi. Amenities vary by service class.
Book Online in Advance
Climate Control
Onboard Bathrooms
USB Ports & Power Outlets
Certified Safety Standards
Digital ticket
Directly to your email
Mobile Download
Compatible with your phone
Travel Safely
Certified Vehicles
Orizaba: frequently asked questions
Buses, cable car and hikes
Do you have questions?
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Feel free to check out our Frequently Asked Questions below.