Oaxaca to San Cristóbal de las Casas by bus with ADO
About 3 ADO departures a day, fastest trips around 9h 00min, fares from MX$1,226.
Next departures are shown below. Pick one to book, or search another date.
Oaxaca to San Cristóbal de las Casas at a glance
Buses per day
About 3 ADO departures
Fastest trip
From around 9h 00min
Fares
From MX$1,226
Timetable
First 18:15 · last 22:30
The journey from Oaxaca to San Cristóbal de las Casas
This is a long overnight journey, run by ADO, OCC and ADO GL from Oaxaca's first-class terminal. The bus heads southeast past Tlacolula and Mitla and continues towards the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, where the Mitla–Tehuantepec toll highway, opened in January 2025, now bypasses much of the old winding mountain section of Highway 190. On the Isthmus it crosses the hot, flat lowlands around Juchitán and La Ventosa, a gap between the mountain ranges known for powerful winds and huge wind farms.
The route then enters Chiapas towards Tuxtla Gutiérrez and climbs the Chiapa de Corzo–San Cristóbal toll road into the highlands. Buses usually reach San Cristóbal, at about 2,200 m, in the early morning. The OCC terminal is on Avenida Insurgentes at the Pan-American Highway, within walking or short taxi distance of the centre.
When the buses leave
- Morning (5:00–11:59): none
- Afternoon (12:00–17:59): none
- Evening (18:00–23:59): about 3 a day
- Night (0:00–4:59): none
A typical trip takes around 11h 40min; the fastest services take around 9h 00min. 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 2 a day
- ADO GL: about 1 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
18:15, 19:00, 20:30, 21:00, 22:30
Departure times vary by day and station. Search your date above to see every bus, seat availability and the exact fare.
Bus stations in Oaxaca and San Cristóbal de las Casas
The terminals most buses on this route use. Check the station printed on your ticket.
Depart from: Oaxaca Bus Station
5 de Mayo 1018
Coordinates: 17.07052, -96.71680
About 3 ADO departures a day on this route
Open in Google MapsGet directionsArrive at: San Cristobal de las Casas Bus Station
Avenida Insurgentes 66
Coordinates: 16.72988, -92.63680
About 3 ADO departures a day on this route
Open in Google MapsGet directionsArriving in San Cristóbal de las Casas
San Cristóbal de las Casas is the cultural capital of the Chiapas highlands and a Pueblo Mágico. It has cobbled colonial streets, the Templo de Santo Domingo, and museums such as Na Bolom and the Museo del Ámbar. It is a UNESCO Creative City for crafts, known for textiles and amber. Visitors use it as a base for the Tsotsil Maya villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán, where you should ask before taking photos, and for boat trips through the Sumidero Canyon near Chiapa de Corzo.
Tips for the Oaxaca–San Cristóbal de las Casas bus
Tip 1
Dress in layers and bring a jacket. The bus air conditioning runs cold overnight, and dawn in San Cristóbal can be near freezing in winter.
Tip 2
Keep your passport, phone and cash on your body or in a small bag at your feet, not in the overhead rack, while you sleep.
Tip 3
Bring earplugs and an eye mask for sleeping. Consider ADO GL for extra legroom on this long run.
Tip 4
Book ahead from November to March, when overnight departures to Chiapas can sell out. Strong Isthmus winds in the cold-front season occasionally cause road closures.
Other ways to travel
No direct flights link Oaxaca and San Cristóbal. Flying usually means connecting through Mexico City to Tuxtla Gutiérrez and then continuing by road, so the direct overnight bus is the practical choice and saves a night's accommodation.
Oaxaca to San Cristóbal de las Casas bus: FAQ
Digital ticket
Directly to your email
Mobile Download
Compatible with your phone
Travel Safely
Certified Vehicles
Do you have questions?
Our customer service team can help with tickets, changes and luggage.