Mexico City to Oaxaca by bus with ADO

Q: How much is the bus from Mexico City to Oaxaca?

Fares start from about MX$966; a typical fare is around MX$1,004. Prices change by date, time and service class, so search your date for the exact fare.

Q: How many buses go from Mexico City to Oaxaca each day?

ADO and its partner lines run about 41 departures a day on this route. Departures around the clock.

Q: Where does the Mexico City to Oaxaca bus leave from?

Most departures leave from Mexico City TAPO San Lazaro Bus Station. Your ticket shows the exact terminal.

Q: Which bus station do ADO buses to Oaxaca leave from in Mexico City?

Most ADO departures leave from TAPO (Terminal de Autobuses de Pasajeros de Oriente), next to San Lázaro Metro on Line 1. Some services use Terminal Norte or Terminal Sur, so check your ticket.

Q: Where does the bus arrive in Oaxaca?

ADO first-class buses use the main terminal on Calzada Niños Héroes de Chapultepec, north of the historic centre. From there you can walk to the centre or take a short taxi ride.

Q: Is the road from Mexico City to Oaxaca scenic?

Yes. The route crosses the volcanic highlands near Puebla and then the cactus-covered Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before it descends into Oaxaca's central valleys.

Q: Is there an overnight bus between Mexico City and Oaxaca?

Yes. Night departures run in both directions, which lets you travel without losing a day of sightseeing and saves a night's accommodation. Check the timetable above for current departure times.

About 41 ADO departures a day, fastest trips around 6h 05min, fares from MX$966.

Next departures are shown below. Pick one to book, or search another date.

Mexico City to Oaxaca at a glance

Buses per day

About 41 ADO departures

Fastest trip

From around 6h 05min

Fares

From MX$966

Timetable

Departures around the clock

The journey from Mexico City to Oaxaca

Most ADO services between the capital and Oaxaca run from TAPO, the eastern terminal beside San Lázaro Metro, although some depart from Terminal Norte or Terminal Sur. Leaving the city, the bus climbs Highway 150D past Ixtapaluca and over the Río Frío pass, with Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl to the south on clear days. It then crosses the Puebla valley and at Cuacnopalan turns south onto toll Highway 135D, which bypasses Tehuacán.

South of Tehuacán the road runs through the dry, canyon-cut country of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has one of the world's largest concentrations of columnar cacti. There are few towns on this stretch, and the highway enters Oaxaca near Nochixtlán and Telixtlahuaca before it descends into the Valles Centrales. First-class coaches have reclining seats and an onboard toilet, and the air conditioning is usually set cold.

When the buses leave

Morning (5:00–11:59): about 8 a day
Afternoon (12:00–17:59): about 11 a day
Evening (18:00–23:59): about 20 a day
Night (0:00–4:59): about 2 a day

A typical trip takes around 7h 00min; the fastest services take around 6h 05min. Times and fares come from current ADO timetables for the next 30 days and change by date and service class.

ADO services on this route

ADO: about 28 a day
ADO Platino: about 12 a day
ADO GL: about 2 a day

ADO is the standard first-class service; ADO GL adds more legroom and extras, and ADO Platino has the widest seats. AU and ADO Aeropuerto cover regional and airport routes.

Sample departure times

00:10, 01:15, 07:03, 08:00, 09:00, 10:04, 12:00, 13:33, 16:00, 17:33, 20:03, 21:45

Departure times vary by day and station. Search your date above to see every bus, seat availability and the exact fare.

Bus stations in Mexico City and Oaxaca

The terminals most buses on this route use. Check the station printed on your ticket.

Depart from: Mexico City TAPO San Lazaro Bus Station

Metro San Lazaro Artilleros 7 de Julio
Coordinates: 19.43004, -99.11390
About 18 ADO departures a day on this route

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Depart from: Mexico City TAPO San Lazaro

Metro San Lazaro Artilleros 7 de Julio
Coordinates: 19.43004, -99.11390
About 7 ADO departures a day on this route

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Arrive at: Oaxaca Bus Station

5 de Mayo 1018
Coordinates: 17.07052, -96.71680
About 41 ADO departures a day on this route

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Arriving in Oaxaca

Oaxaca city is one of Mexico's main cultural destinations. Its pedestrian centre runs from the Zócalo and the 16th-century cathedral to the gilded Templo de Santo Domingo, and the former convent next door now houses the Museo de las Culturas, which displays the Tomb 7 treasure from Monte Albán. The Zapotec hilltop city of Monte Albán sits just west of town. Mitla, Hierve el Agua, the weaving village of Teotitlán del Valle and the giant Árbol del Tule all make easy day trips. Many visitors also come for the food and mezcal, and for festivals such as the Guelaguetza in July and Día de Muertos.

Tips for the Mexico City–Oaxaca bus

Tip 1

Bring a sweater or light blanket, because ADO keeps the air conditioning cold on long first-class runs.

Tip 2

On the stretch between Mexico City and Puebla, sit on the side facing south to catch views of Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl on clear mornings. That is the right side heading to Oaxaca and the left side heading back.

Tip 3

Book ahead for Guelaguetza week in July, Día de Muertos, Semana Santa and the Christmas holidays, when demand from the capital peaks.

Tip 4

Check which Mexico City terminal is printed on your ticket. TAPO is the main one, but some services use Norte or Sur, and the three are far apart.

Other ways to travel

Several airlines fly from Mexico City to Oaxaca's airport, which is about 30 minutes from downtown. Flying is quicker in the air, but once you add airport time and baggage fees, the bus is often the simpler choice centre to centre, especially on an overnight departure.