How to Visit the Teotihuacan Pyramids in Mexico City by Bus

Would you like to visit the iconic pyramids in Mexico City but are wondering if you can do it without a tour? If so, then this detailed guide will help you every step of the way to visit the Teotihuacan Pyramids by bus.

The Teotihuacan Pyramids are without doubt one of the most popular day trips in Mexico City, but it’s located nearly 50km outside of the Historic Centre. Due to being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there are many tour operators offering day trips to it. However, for the same reason you can just as easily reach it by bus even if you don’t speak much Spanish.

For reference, we spent 2 weeks in Mexico City and during this time we took many incredible day trips like this one without a tour, and visiting the pyramids was probably one of the most straight forward ones to do. 

If you’d like to see our Mexico City adventures then make sure to watch our YouTube playlist by clicking here. You can also check out our Mexico Playlist for more adventures.

Mexico City Travel Guide – Read This Before Your Visit

If you’re looking for answers to common questions such as where to stay, how to stay safe during your visit and how best to get around this massive capital city then make sure to check out my detailed blog post below.

The blog post includes answers to the following questions:

• Is Mexico City Safe?
• Do You Need to Speak Spanish in Mexico City?
• How To Get to Mexico City?
• Where to Stay in Mexico City?
• Best Ways to Move Around Mexico City

History of the Teotihuacan Pyramids

Located approximately 50km to the northeast of Mexico City is the ancient Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacan. Although it was settled around 400 B.C., the city was at its peak around 400 A.D. It was abandoned for centuries before the Aztecs found it in the 1400s and named it Teotihuacan which means ‘the place where the gods were created’.

It grew to be the biggest city in the region with a population estimated to be between 125,000–200,000 people. Needless to say that the city became the centre of religion, economics, culture and art and had a major influence on the surrounding regions too.

It covers about 20 square km and contains about 2,000 single-story apartment compounds, pyramids, temples and other structures. Some of the most important structures at Teotihuacan are the Pyramid of the Moon, the Pyramid of the Sun, the Ciudadela (‘Citadel’) and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl (the Feathered Serpent).

To date it’s still unknown who built the ancient city. There are obviously quite a few theories by scholars but nothing has been proven. In addition, not much is known about the Teotihuacan people’s language, politics, culture and religion either. It’s also still unclear why Teotihuacan collapsed. Based on my readings about the site, it’s common knowledge that the priests practiced ritual sacrifices of animals and people as offerings to the gods. In addition, Teotihuacan was definitely a wealthy trade centre during its heyday. 

In 1987 the site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Useful Information Before Your Visit

Note – To our great disappointment, mainly due to Covid-19 restrictions, we couldn’t climb up to the top of the pyramids. In addition, the on-site museum was closed too. We knew this before we visited the pyramids, and this is the reason I warn you prior to your visit. The rules might change as restrictions ease across the world, but there’s also a chance that in order to preserve the pyramids climbing them will be prohibited indefinitely. 

Top Tip – If you’d love to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the pyramids then you should consider taking a hot air balloon ride above them. That would definitely be an unforgettable adventure.

Cost to Enter the Teotihuacan Pyramids

Admission fee to the pyramids is 80MXN per person. You don’t need to book it in advance, you can just buy tickets on the day.

If you’d like to take videos you’ll need to pay an additional 50MXN.

If you wish, you can hire a guide on site for an additional cost. The cost will depend on the language and the size of the tour.

Did you know? – You can actually leave and re-enter the site on the same day as long as you keep hold of your ticket. It’s very useful if you’d like to leave to get some food or drinks from the nearby town.

Opening Hours and Best Time to Visit the Teotihuacan Pyramids

The pyramids are open daily between 9AM and 5PM.

Which month is best to visit the Teotihuacan Pyramids? – Temperature wise the hottest months are May, April, and June, however some of the busiest months are January, February and March when I guess a lot of people are seeking some winter-sun. For reference, we visited in December and it was busy due to the Christmas holidays, but the temperatures were much better. 

What day is best to visit the Teotihuacan Pyramids? – Since most museums are closed on Mondays in Mexico City many people will visit the pyramids on that day. In addition, on Sundays Mexican citizens and residents can visit the site for free, so once again it will be much busier. Depending on how much time you have in Mexico City I recommend visiting between Tuesday and Saturday.

What time of the day is best to visit the Teotihuacan Pyramids? – For a few very good reasons I highly recommend getting to the pyramids when they open. First, you’ll beat the big tour groups and you can really appreciate just how impressive the pyramids are. Speaking from experience, these ancient sites feel less magical when thousands of people are bumping into you and hitting you in the face with their selfie sticks.

Secondly, you won’t just beat the crowds, but the heat too. By 10-11o’clock in the morning the sun will feel very strong, and by lunchtime it will feel unbearable. There’s literally no shade, so to avoid a heatstroke get there early or later in the afternoon. We visited in December and it was still super hot in the middle of the day.

In addition, getting there early will give you the chance to see the hot air balloons flying around the pyramids. It isn’t just beautiful but will also give you the chance to take some creative photos with them.

What to Wear and Bring With You?

Here’s a list of things you should consider wearing and taking with you when you visit the pyramids:

Items for protection:

• Sun-cream to protect your skin
• Sunglasses to protect your eyes against the harsh sunlight
• Hat to cover your head 

Clothing items:

• Breathable clothing against the heat
• Comfortable footwear for walking (the surface can be uneven and rocky)
• Small backpack for your belongings

Other Items:

• Enough cash to cover your expenses
• Snacks and lunch as there won’t be any restaurants to buy food
• Enough drinking water in a reusable water bottle.

How to Get to the Teotihuacan Pyramids from Mexico City by Bus

Visiting the Teotihuacan Pyramids by bus is actually a lot easier than you think. I think it’s becoming more and more popular because it’s more affordable than taking a tour or a taxi or Uber ride to them.

If not speaking much Spanish is holding you back from taking the bus, please don’t worry. Although you might need to prepare a few words or use a translator app when purchasing your ticket, there will be many other English speaking tourists heading to the pyramids daily that can help you out if needed.

1. Getting to Autobuses del Norte Bus Station

Your first step to reach the Teotihuacan Pyramids by bus would be to get to Autobuses del Norte station where the buses to the pyramids depart from. There are a few ways to get there depending on where you’re staying in Mexico City.

Please Note – Mexico City has 4 bus stations: Terminal de Autobuses del Norte (North), Terminal de Autobuses del Sur (South), Terminal de Autobuses de Pasajeros Oriente (TAPO) and Terminal de Autobuses del Poniente (Observatorio). Make sure to arrive to Terminal de Autobuses del Norte (North)!

The cheapest way to get to the bus stop is by metro. One way will cost you 5MXN (yes, Mexico City has one of the cheapest public transportation systems in the world). Click here to read more about how to travel around Mexico City by metro.

You’ll need to take Line 5 and get off at Autobuses del Norte metro stop. Depending on where you’re staying you might need to change lines once or twice. Click here to view the metro line map.

If this sounds too complicated then you can always take a taxi or Uber. It won’t be super expensive but will definitely cost you more than 5MXN. Plus you have to account for the crazy traffic in the city so it might take you longer to get to the bus stop.

2. Finding the Ticket Office and Purchasing Your Bus Ticket

Once you get off at the metro stop, just follow the signs towards the bus stop. Many people will head that way anyways so following the crowd is always a good trick if you feel a bit lost. 

If you arrived by taxi or Uber then they will likely drop you off at the main entrance to the bus stop.

Okay, this bus stop is humongous and can be a bit overwhelming. I remember it took me a good 15 minutes to find some toilets when we fist visited the station. So, if you’ve entered the building, you’ll notice that there are different ticket offices both to your left and right. To travel to Teotihuacan Pyramids by bus look for the ticket office that has ‘Autobuses Teotihuacan’ written on the top with a pyramid sign next to it as shown on the photo above. It’s located all the way to your left just before Puerta 8 (Gate 8).

It’s pretty obvious, but I bet there will be some people queuing up there whom you can ask if you’re unsure. Be prepared that even though this is a big tourist attraction, the ticket officer will likely only speak Spanish. You can always check first by asking: ¿Hablas inglés?, but if the answer is no you can just say ‘un/ dos boleto(s) a los piramides‘. You’ll have the option to buy a single or return ticket. I recommend getting a return one now so you don’t have to worry about it on your way back. (‘Un boleto de regreso a los piramides’.)

3. Cost of Bus Ticket and Departure Times

Cost of a one-way ticket is 52MXN and a return ticket is 104MXN.

You’ll normally have the option to pay by cash or card especially in bigger cities like Mexico City. To avoid a lot of exchange fees, I recommend converting your own local currency to Pesos with a Wise card.

From the ticket office head to your left to Puerta 8 (Gate 8). Once you’re out, the bus will leave from one of the bays. Ours had a Teotihuacan sign on it but if you’re in doubt just show your ticket to someone and they will direct you to the right bus.

Buses to Teotihuacan Pyramids run every 15-20 minutes from 6AM. The journey takes about an hour, depending on traffic. For reference we took the 8AM bus which got us to the pyramids just in time for opening.

4. Arriving to the Teotihuacan Pyramids

The site itself is massive and has 5 entry points or puertas. The bus will drop you off at Puerta 1 (Gate 1). This gate is located to the southernmost point of the site, opposite from the Pyramid of the Moon which is located at the northern tip.

Once you’re off the bus, head to your right along the car park towards the entrance where you can purchase your ticket.

Top Tip – I recommend using the toilet facilities before you start walking around as the toilets are only located around the entry/exit gates.

Once you’re in the site you can just make your way up towards the Pyramid of the Moon, passing the museum and botanic garden and the Pyramid of the Sun. 

5. Leaving the Teotihuacan Pyramids

When you’re ready to leave the pyramids just head out through Puerta 2 (Gate 2) the one located across from the Pyramid of the Sun. Once you’ve walked past the car park you should cross the main road and stand around the fence to your right. 

I’m sure there will be other people already queuing to get the bus but if you’re unsure you can just ask one of the vendors around you.

You might need to wait around 10-15 minutes before you can catch a bus back to Mexico City. Again, the journey should be about an hour depending on traffic. The bus will take you back to Autobuses del Norte bus stop from where you just have to make your way back to your hotel the way you arrived that morning. 

Things to See at the Teotihuacan Pyramids

If you visit the Teotihuacan Pyramids by bus then the first area you’ll visit after you arrive through Gate 1 is the Ciudadela or Citadel which is a 15 square hectare courtyard. This is also where the Temple of Quetzalcoatl or Temple of the Feathered-Serpent is located. This is the third largest pyramid at the site and got its name from the iconic carved heads that embellish the eastern side.

From there you’ll be heading towards the other two big pyramids. Just before you get to the Pyramid of the Sun you can walk to the museum if it’s open and the botanical garden located at Gate 5. There are a few picnic tables here, so you can always come back later to have your lunch if you wish.

At 66m tall the Pyramid of the Sun is the largest pyramid at Teotihuacan. To really get a sense of the scale of it, I highly recommend walking around it. The real purpose of the pyramid is still a mystery, although – as always – there are plenty of theories about it. 

Top Tip – You can take some cool photos from the back of the pyramid as there won’t be too many people around there.

The main buildings at the site are connected by the 2.4km long Avenue of the Dead. It points to the peak of the extinct volcano, Cerro Gordo. At the end of the Avenue of the Dead is where the Pyramid of the Moon is located. At 43m tall, it’s the second largest structure after the Pyramid of the Sun. The main function of it was to perform both animal and human sacrifices, but it was also used as a burial ground for sacrificial victims. 

To the left of the Pyramid of the Moon is the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl that is home to beautiful carved murals so make sure to check it out too. 

Final Thoughts on Visiting the Teotihuacan Pyramids by Bus

I’m very happy that we chose to visit the Teotihuacan Pyramids by bus instead of a tour. Apart from the amount of money we managed to save this way, I was so thankful that we could arrive as early as possible. Witnessing the hot air balloons flying around the pyramids was really beautiful and definitely the highlight of the day. Sharing the site with only a handful of people in the morning instead of thousands by lunchtime was also a great way to appreciate the power of the place.

Obviously as the hours passed by, the temperature was getting warmer and simultaneously the crowds were increasing. Luckily we were finishing our self-guided tour by then so it was the perfect time to leave Teotihuacan and head back to Mexico City.

Have you ever been to the Teotihuacan Pyramids before? If so, did you take a tour or travel there by bus? What was your experience? If not, would you want to visit the Teotihuacan Pyramids by bus? Let me know in the comments below.