Teotihuacan Pyramids: Day Trips and Tours from Mexico City

Hulking pyramids, carvings once beset with jewels and shells, and a city layout that’s influenced others for centuries are just the beginning of Teotihuacan’s marvels. Add a network of tunnels and evidence of human sacrifice, and how can you not be intrigued?

The Aztec city of Teotihuacan predates European colonization by at least 700 years. At a mere 1-hour drive from Mexico City, the UNESCO World Heritage site is too close to miss out on during your stay in the “distrito federal”. Teotihuacan pyramids day trips from Mexico City bundle round-trip transportation with a tantalizing array of ways to view and tour the relics.

This is your guide to visiting the Teotihuacan pyramids, one of the most alluring day trips from Mexico City.

How do you get to the Teotihuacan pyramids from Mexico City?

The remnants of the Aztec metropolis Teotihuacan lie about 50 kilometers northeast of Mexico City. You can reach this UNESCO-listed treasure in 1 to 2 hours by car, bus or guided tour. Travel time varies according to season and time of day.

From Mexico City to Teotihuacan by car

Driving from central Mexico City, take highway 85 north. It becomes Autopista Mexico/Mexico 85D. This is a toll road, and you must pay in cash in Mexican pesos. Take 132D at Ecatepec de Morelos, about 20 kilometers into your drive.

Continue onto Mexico Piramides from 132 for 30 kilometers. Follow signs for Zona Arqueológica de Teotihuacan Puerta (door/gate) 1. This is the first of several entrances to the park.

From Mexico City to Teotihuacan by bus/public transport

For the budget-minded traveler, the thought of a bus journey to Teotihuacan from the capital for a little over US$10 per person round-trip is tempting. Although there is a bus change or two and a bit of walking, you can reach Puerta 1 in about 90 minutes.

The best combinations of lines depend on the time of day, but a great option is starting at the Hospital General stop with Metrobus Line 1. Sit back for 24 minutes and 13 stops, and descend at Metrobus Potrero. Here, board the Potrero - Calpulalpan bus. You’ll ride for about 40 minutes and get off at the Teotihuacan Piramides stop.

Guided tour to Teotihuacan from Mexico City

With occasional travel advisories for parts of Mexico, you may feel more comfortable booking a group tour. Eliminate the worry of driving in another country or dealing with multiple bus changes. The range of guided tours to Teotihuacan is broad, from round-trip shuttle service to customized private tours.

How much does the entrance ticket to Teotihuacan Archeological Zone cost?

Entrance tickets to Teotihuacan cost about MX$90 (around US$5) per person. Children under 13 can enter for free. There is free admission on Sundays for Mexican citizens and residents.

What is the typical itinerary of a Teotihuacan day tour?

Day tours to Teotihuacan leave Mexico City at different times of day, either for early morning, mid-morning or evening visits. All tour options provide you with round-trip transportation between your Mexico City lodging and the archeological park.

After a 1- to 1.5-hour drive to Teotihuacan, follow your guide for an in-depth visit to the ancient city’s main attractions. Hear facts and stories that make the sites come alive. Spy the pyramids, temples and the Avenue of the Dead. There are two museums onsite as well, and some excursions include a guided visit to the museums.

After a tour of about 2 hours, some day trips schedule free time to explore the ruins on your own. Some outings include lunch in the price, and all offer time to eat either your packed lunch or to purchase food at a conveniently located eatery.

You’ll have a dose of local culture on your way back to the city. You’ll stop for food or drink tastings,  where you may discover tequila, mezcal, pulque and foods made from cactus. Most tours also stop at places like Tlatelolco and Guadalupe Shrine as well as some lesser-known spots.

If you’ve opted for a bike tour, first you’ll take a guided walking visit to the ruins. Then, climb onto a mountain bike to discover the surrounding valley. The neighboring villages feature examples of Teotihuacan mural paintings that are worth seeing.

Hot air balloon rides over Teotihuacan begin with pickup from Mexico City between 4:30 and 5 AM. After watching or helping prepare the balloon, lift off for a stunning image of the sunrise illuminating the ancient city. After your ride, your excursion may include breakfast and/or a guided walking tour of Teotihuacan.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Teotihuacan and the pyramids?

With the staggering variety of day trips to Teotihuacan, choosing the right one for you can be a bit daunting. There are wallet-friendly options, private excursions as well as slightly offbeat ways to see the site, like hot air balloons, bike rides or with virtual reality headsets.

Guided tours to Teotihuacan from Mexico City

Unless you’ve done a lot of personal research about Teotihuacan, touring the ruins without a guide will leave a lot of holes in your experience.

Get the most of your day trip with a professional guide who will fill you in on the mysteries, legends and facts behind each monument. With round-trip transportation, these tours are efficient and hassle-free.

Shuttle transfer without guide to Teotihuacan from Mexico City

If you’re an independent-minded traveler or just are looking to get away from a larger group, a round-trip shuttle transfer without a guide is a great way to get to Teotihuacan.

Shuttle transfers tend to be less costly than guided tours. However, the cost to enter the park is not included.

Hot air balloon rides over Teotihuacan

The image of the sun gradually warming the pyramids and temples of Teotihuacan is one that will stick with you on a hot air balloon ride.

Float over the UNESCO site at 450 meters or more as your pilot narrates all that you see. After a 40- to 60 minute flight, either warm up with a hearty breakfast, or make your way into the park for a walking tour.

You'll also benefit from hotel pickup and drop-off.

Private tour to Teotihuacan from Mexico City

With your own transportation and guide, feel the stress of group travel melt away. Whether you’re a couple of history buffs or a large family looking to discover Aztec secrets, private tours can fit the bill.

Private tours range from simple transportation, visits enhanced by virtual reality, and outings that include a home-cooked meal with a local family. There are also a collection of private tours that tack on additional attractions like Tlatelolco, Tula and/or the Shrine of Guadalupe.

Two-day tour to Teotihuacan and Taxco from Mexico City

Taxco, known as “Silver City”, is just far enough away from the capital to make it worth making it a part of a 2-day trip from Mexico City.

Spend one day steeped in history at Teotihuacan. The next day, come to Taxco with a well-charged camera for sublime photo ops. Be sure to check out some of the city's famed silversmithing.

Two-day trip to Teotihuacan plus tour of Mexico City

A stress-free way to check off some of Mexico City’s most alluring sites are 2-day tours that introduce you to unmissable points in the city as well as Teotihuacan. Spend day one at Teotihuacan. Then, on the second day, take in the attractions of the capital city.

In Mexico City, spy the exteriors of a handful of museums and palaces as well as the Alameda, the oldest park in the Americas. Some tours whisk you south of the city limits to Xochimilco for a magical float in a “trajinera”.

Day trip to Teotihuacan plus Guadalupe Shrine and Tlatelolco from Mexico City

A majority of Teotihuacan day tours from Mexico City include visits to two famed locales that don’t require much of a detour. After an eye-opening walk at Teotihuacan, break up the return drive at the Shrine of Guadalupe and the Tlatelolco city site.

Enter the awe-inspiring Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica for a moment at the shrine commemorating an Aztec peasant’s vision of the Virgin Mary. Then, compare another pre-Columbian city to Teotihuacan at Tlatelolco, located right in the center of Mexico City. Many tours of this kind also offer a tasting of local spirits.

Day tour to Teotihuacan plus Tlatelolco and Acolman from Mexico City

Venture to two city ruins and one lesser-known Mexico City outpost in one day. Along with soaking in the centuries of history at Teotihuacan and Tlatelolco, glimpse the town of Acolman.

Acolman is at the center of the origin story of local peoples. It was legendarily here that the gods placed the “first man” extracted from the waters of nearby Lake Texcoco.

Day tour to Teotihuacan plus Tula from Mexico City

You may never have heard of the Tula Archeological Zone. This ancient site about 2 hours north of the city is relatively undiscovered by tourists. Tula rose to importance after the fall of Teotihuacan and boasts a Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl as well as ornately carved stone columns.

Multi-day tour to Teotihuacan, Taxco, Cuernavaca and Puebla from Mexico City

If you have a week in central Mexico and want to take in the best the area has to offer, a convenient and affordable multi-day tour is an ideal option. Prices vary according to the type of hotel you choose. Along with Teotihuacan and Taxco, get to know Cuernavaca and Puebla, two cities replete with attractions.

How much does a day trip to Teotihuacan from Mexico City cost?

Day trips to Teotihuacan start at simple shuttle service or “fast track” guided tours for around US$50 per person. Guided group tours, including bike tours, range from US$35 per person to US$110, depending on group size, duration of the tour and whether you’ll visit additional places.

Balloon rides with transportation between the launch site and the city range from US$230 per person to US$320 per person. Price differences depend on whether breakfast or a visit to the archeological sites are included.

Private tours cost from US$50 per person to US$190 per person depending on group size and inclusions.

Multi-day tours start at around US$95 per person for 2-day tours without accommodation. Six-day tours cost between US$635 per person and US$1,000 per person, depending on the level of hotel you choose.

What will you see and do at Teotihuacan?

Teotihuacan pyramids

The appearance of pyramids on several continents has piqued human interest for ages. From formal study to tourist attraction, these feats of engineering draw many to contemplate their existence. Teotihuacan’s Sun and Moon Pyramids dominate the remnants of the Aztec city as well as other pyramids that served as temples and residences.

The Pyramid of the Sun is Teotihuacan’s most imposing structure as well as one of the largest relics in Mesoamerica. The Pyramid of the Moon is the site’s second largest structure. Under the pyramids, archeologists have discovered a series of tunnels filled with pottery, tools and human remains thought to originate from ritual sacrifice.

A combination of COVID restrictions and preservation concerns have made climbing the pyramids a thing of the past. However, taking in the immensity of some of the most grand structures of their kind in western hemisphere is stunning in its own right.

Museums

With entry to the archeological site, you’ll also be free to explore the Teotihuacan Culture Museum and the Museum of Teotihuacan Murals. On display at the Culture Museum are objects unearthed in the area such as tools and pottery. At the Museum of Teotihuacan Murals, study 50 examples of paintings that were recovered during excavations.

The Citadel

At the end of the Avenue of the Dead sits the Citadel, a center of daily life for Teotihuacan’s former inhabitants. Here you’ll find residences and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, also known as the “Temple of the Winged Serpent”. Surrounded by smaller pyramids is a plaza that likely hosted gatherings of up to 100,000 people.

Artisan workshops

Take a break from history-laden sightseeing with a stop at local shops that specialize in local handicrafts and liquors. Witness obsidian working skills that have been passed down since pre-colonial times. Sample tequila, mezcal, pulque and products made from the cactus fruit, “xonocostle”.

When is Teotihuacan open?

The archeological park of Teotihuacan is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.

When is the best time to visit the Teotihuacan pyramids on a day trip?

A visit to Teotihuacan can be enjoyable any time of year. The weather in Teotihuacan tends to be comfortable year-round.

You’ll find the hottest temperatures in June, July and August. Peak tourist season in the park is from January to March as well as national holidays. If you want to avoid crowds, choose a time to visit outside these times.

Are Teotihuacan pyramids tours wheelchair-friendly?

Unfortunately, most day tours to Teotihuacan are not wheelchair friendly. However, some private services are able to accommodate wheelchairs. Do note that Teotihuacan has many uneven surfaces, and it is wise to travel with a helper if you use a wheelchair.

Know before you go

• Arriving early helps you avoid the crowds and the midday heat. Morning light is also perfect for photography.
• You'll be doing a lot of walking, often on uneven surfaces. Comfortable, sturdy shoes and breathable clothing are recommended.
• The site has little shade. Carry water with you, and use sunscreen and a hat to protect against the strong sun.

What other day trips can you do from Mexico City?

• Cholula tours from Mexico City
• Tolantongo Caves day trips from Mexico City
• San Miguel de Allende day trips from Mexico City
• Iztaccihuatl Volcano tours from Mexico City
• Queretaro day trips from Mexico City