Travel Guide: Guadalajara To Mexico City

There are several ways to travel from Guadalajara to Mexico City, including by plane, bus, car, or shuttle. The fastest way to get from Guadalajara to Mexico City is by plane, which takes around 1 hour and costs $29-$90. Alternatively, you can take a bus, which costs $25-$75 and takes between 6 and 9 hours. The distance between the two cities is around 300 miles, and there are several transport providers to choose from.

Travel by plane

Flying is the fastest way to travel from Guadalajara to Mexico City, with the flight time taking between 1 hour 13 minutes and 2 hours 38 minutes. The fastest non-stop flight from Guadalajara Airport to Mexico City Airport takes 1 hour 25 minutes.

There are several airlines that operate flights from Guadalajara Airport to Mexico City Airport, including Aeromexico, Volaris, VivaAerobus, and Mexicana. The cheapest one-way flight from Mexico City to Guadalajara is currently $21, while the cheapest round-trip flight is currently $65.

There are direct flights from Mexico City to Guadalajara every day. The cheapest days to fly are usually in January, with prices ranging from $45 to $60. The most expensive month to fly is November, with prices ranging from $55 to $100.

When booking a flight, it is worth noting that Tuesday is the cheapest day to fly from Mexico City to Guadalajara, while Wednesday is the most expensive. For the return journey, Tuesday is also the cheapest day to fly, while Sunday is the most expensive.

Airlines

Aeromexico

Aeromexico offers flights from Mexico City (MEX) to Guadalajara (GDL) starting from 120 USD. They also offer direct flights from Mexico City to Guadalajara and operate 460 flights on this route each month.

Volaris

Volaris offers direct flights from Mexico City to Guadalajara and operates 317 flights on this route each month. They are also one of the cheapest airlines for this route, with one-way tickets starting from $39.

VivaAerobus

VivaAerobus offers direct flights from Mexico City to Guadalajara and is one of the cheapest airlines for this route. The cheapest round-trip deal recently found on Google Flights from Mexico City to Guadalajara was with VivaAerobus, starting from $56.

Mexicana

Mexicana offers direct flights from Mexico City to Guadalajara.

Travel by bus

Traveling by bus from Guadalajara to Mexico City is a safe, comfortable, and affordable option. There are various bus companies that service this route, including Futura, Primera Plus, Elite Select, ACN Autobuses, Autotravel, and Aguacaliente. The average journey time is around 6 hours and 30 minutes to 9 hours, depending on the company and route taken.

Tickets and Pricing

Tickets can be purchased online in advance, and prices vary depending on the company and the type of bus. The cheapest tickets start at $20, while premium or luxury buses can cost up to $103. It is recommended to book your tickets a few days in advance, especially when traveling on weekends and holidays, as there may be higher demand.

Departure Points and Stations

Buses from Guadalajara to Mexico City depart from various locations, including:

• Central de Autobuses
• Carlos Salgado Bus Stop
• 5 de Mayo
• Tlaquepaque South Bus Station
• Santa María Tequepexpan, Tlaquepaque, Jalisco

Arrival Points and Stations

Buses arriving in Mexico City have several drop-off points, such as:

• Norte Bus Station
• Terminal del Sur
• Avenida Lázaro Cárdenas & Calle Poniente 112 Bus Stop
• Mexico City Observatorio
• Lotería Nacional

Frequency

There are multiple daily departures, with Monday being the busiest day, offering over 65 bus connections. In contrast, Tuesday has the fewest connections, with only seven daily coaches available. The busiest time of day for travel is the evening, while the afternoon has fewer departures.

Onboard Amenities

The specific amenities available depend on the bus company and the type of bus selected. Some buses offer WiFi, air conditioning, power outlets, and onboard toilets. It is recommended to review the amenities offered by each company when booking your ticket.

Travel by car

The distance from Mexico City to Guadalajara is approximately 334.9 miles (538.9 km) by road. The drive will take around 5 hours and 40 minutes.

To get from Mexico City to Guadalajara by car, you will be taking the 15D toll road west out of Mexico City. This is a straightforward route, and you will pass through the towns of Toluca, Zitácuaro, and Morelia before arriving at Guadalajara.

Toluca is about an hour outside of Mexico City and is known for its colonial architecture and the Nevado de Toluca, an inactive volcano with two crater lakes. Zitácuaro is a small city with a historic centre and a bustling market. Morelia, the halfway point, is a colonial city with a vibrant cultural scene and a UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre.

Tolls will cost around 600-700 MXN ($31-$36) each way, and you will need to bring Mexican pesos as US dollars are not accepted at toll booths.

It is recommended to avoid driving at night due to the risk of crime and the possibility of encountering unmarked speed bumps, livestock, or large potholes.

Travel by shuttle

Shuttle GDL (Transportes Terrestres GDL) offers shuttle services between Guadalajara and Mexico City. The shuttle costs $80 MXN per person one way and passes by both terminals, taking passengers to their city office at Avenida López Mateos Norte #337-B at the corner with Avenida México.

On weekdays, the shuttle departs from the airport to the city office every hour from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and from the city office to the airport every hour from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. On weekends, the schedule is usually abbreviated and wraps up by 5:30 p.m.

To confirm the departure times, you can call Shuttle GDL at 36-15-28-55 or 36-15-85-33. You can also purchase your ticket inside Terminal 1 of the Guadalajara airport, according to their Twitter feed.

Shuttle GDL also offers shuttle services from their city office to the Mexico City airport. The shuttle costs 100 MXN per person and departs every hour from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. It takes around 40 minutes to get to the airport from the city office.

Another option is to take a shuttle from your hotel. Some hotels, especially the chains based in the United States with locations in the center of Guadalajara, offer shuttle services. Be sure to inquire with your hotel ahead of time.

Travel by taxi

From Guadalajara Airport to Guadalajara City Centre

The most direct way to get from Guadalajara Airport to the city centre is by taxi. The journey takes around 30 minutes and costs a set fare of 300-400 MXN (approximately €15).

You can find taxis outside the airport terminal. However, you need to buy a prepaid taxi ticket from a special kiosk inside the airport before joining the queue for a taxi outside. Fares are based on zones, so prices will vary depending on your destination.

From Guadalajara to Mexico City

You can also travel by taxi from Guadalajara to Mexico City, a distance of 550 kilometres (342 miles). The journey will take around 7-9 hours and is likely to be expensive.

There are several taxi companies that operate long-distance journeys, such as Taxis Aeropuerto GDL and ATASA. You can book a taxi online or over the phone.

Alternatively, you can take a flight or a bus to Mexico City.

Frequently asked questions