How to Get to Oaxaca: A Complete Guide to Reaching Mexico’s Cultural Gem
Planning a trip to southern Mexico and wondering how to get to Oaxaca? This colorful city is one of the country’s cultural gems, famous for its vibrant markets, mezcal, and ancient traditions.
Whether you’re flying in from abroad, coming from Mexico City, or traveling from the coast, there are several easy ways to reach Oaxaca. In this guide, we’ll break down the best options so you can choose the one that works best for your trip.
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How to Get to Oaxaca: Location & Nearest Airport
There are a few different ways of how to get to Oaxaca, depending on where you are traveling from. First, let’s look where Oaxaca city is located, as well as the airport options and the easiest ways to fly into the city.
Where is Oaxaca City Located?
Oaxaca is located in southern Mexico, about 285 miles (460 km) southeast of Mexico City. Nestled in a valley surrounded by the Sierra Madre mountains, the city sits at an elevation of roughly 5,000 feet (1,550 meters), which gives it a mild climate year-round.
Oaxaca is the capital of Oaxaca state, and it’s the perfect jumping-off point for exploring ancient ruins like Monte Albán, nearby mountain villages, and the Pacific coast.
Does Oaxaca Have an Airport?
Yes! Oaxaca has its own international airport, officially called Oaxaca International Airport (OAX). It’s a small airport but very convenient, as it’s located just 7 km (about 4 miles) south of Oaxaca City.
The airport has direct flights from Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana, and Cancún, as well as international connections from U.S. cities like Dallas, Houston, and Los Angeles.
Flight Tip: Using Skyscanner you can use the calendar option to see which are the cheapest dates for flying to Oaxaca, or you can put your city to Mexico to see which is the cheapest nearby city to fly to.
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How Far is Oaxaca Airport from the City Center?
Getting from Oaxaca Airport to downtown Oaxaca is quick and easy. By car or taxi, it takes about 20–25 minutes depending on traffic.
Shared airport shuttles are also available right outside the arrivals area and cost around 100–120 pesos per person. Taxis cost closer to 250–300 pesos, and while Uber is not currently operating in Oaxaca you can use Didi, another popular rideshare app in Mexico.
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How to Get to Oaxaca (from Mexico City, Puebla, & Puerto Escondido)
Now that you know the nearest airport, let’s look at the most popular routes for how to get to Oaxaca from other Mexican cities.
How to Get to Oaxaca from Mexico City
If you’re traveling from Mexico City, you’ll have plenty of options - including buses, flights, and driving there.
How to Get to Oaxaca from Mexico City By Bus
ADO buses run frequently from Mexico City to Oaxaca, with several departure points including TAPO and Mexico City Airport. The trip takes around 6–7 hours and costs between 600–1,000 pesos depending on the class (standard, GL, or ADO Platino).
Overnight buses are popular and a great option for budget-travelers because you can save on a night of accommodation.
How to Get to Oaxaca from Mexico City By Plane
Flying is the fastest way to get to Oaxaca from Mexico City. The flight is just about 1 hour, and several airlines operate daily routes. It’s perfect if you’re short on time, though keep in mind that once you add airport transfers, the total travel time can still take about 3 hours.
How to Get to Oaxaca from Mexico City By Car
Driving from Mexico City to Oaxaca is another option if you want more flexibility, and there are also some fun destinations along the way to break up the trip. The journey is around 460 km (285 miles) and usually takes 6–7 hours. The roads are well-maintained, but don't forget to have some cash for tolls.
There are a lot of great places to stop on a road trip from Mexico City to Oaxaca.
How to Get to Oaxaca from Puebla
Puebla is much closer, making it another common jumping-off point.
How to Get to Oaxaca from Puebla By Bus
ADO runs frequent buses from Puebla to Oaxaca, taking about 4–5 hours. Prices usually range between 400–700 pesos depending on the bus class.
How to Get to Oaxaca from Puebla By Car
Driving from Puebla to Oaxaca takes around 4 1/2 hours, and is super easy. This is a great option if you want to make scenic stops along the way.
How to Get to Oaxaca from Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is Oaxaca State’s famous beach town, and many travelers like to combine it with Oaxaca City. It's just under 200 km away, and takes about 3- 3 1/2 hours to get to.
How to Get to Oaxaca from Puerto Escondido By Bus or Van
Vans and minibuses run regularly from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca, and while this used to be a really uncomfortable winding road for 6-7 hours, just last year they built a new one! The journey has now drastically been cut down to just 3 hours, and the route no longer zig zags, making it a much more pleasant journey.
How to Get to Oaxaca from Puerto Escondido By Plane
The much easier option is to take a short 40-minute flight between Puerto Escondido and Oaxaca. AeroTucán and Aerovega operate small daily flights, though tickets sell out quickly.
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How to Get to Oaxaca: Final Thoughts & Travel Tips
Now that you know how to get to Oaxaca, here are a few quick tips for visiting:
Getting Around Oaxaca: Walking is the best way to explore the city center, but taxis, Ubers, and buses are widely available for longer trips.
Where to Stay: Stay in Oaxaca’s historic center to be close to restaurants, markets, and cultural sites. Other great areas are Jalatcalo and Xochimilco.
Language: Spanish is the main language spoken, though you’ll hear indigenous languages too. English is spoken in most hotels and tour companies.
Currency: Oaxaca uses the Mexican Peso.
Safety: Oaxaca is generally safe for tourists, especially in the historic center.
Weather: Oaxaca enjoys a year-round mild climate, though summers can bring heavy rains.
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What's Next?
Now that you know how to get to Oaxaca, Mexico you're probably wondering more about what it's like traveling there! We have over 50 Mexico travel guides, with several of them related to Oaxaca and important info about visiting the country.
Here are some of the other guides that will help you while visiting Oaxaca:
11 Reasons to Travel to Oaxaca, Mexico (and 2 bonus!)
28 Best Things to Do in Oaxaca City: Top HIghlights, Unique Experiences, & Day Trips
The Ultimate Guide to Celebrating Dia de los Muertos in Oaxaca, Mexico
Mitla, Oaxaca Travel Guide: Your Guide to Exploring the Ancient Zapotec Capital
Visiting Arbol del Tule, Oaxaca: Discover the World's Widest Tree
Visiting Hierve el Agua: A Complete Guide to Mexico's Natural Wonder
More Than Tacos: 33 Foods in Mexico You Have to Try
Bucket List Experiences in Mexico: 20 Adventures You Can't Miss
26 Hidden Gems in Mexico: Discover the Country's Best Kept Secrets
The 20 Most Instagrammable Places in Mexico for a Wonderfully Colorful Feed
18 Things We Learned Traveling Through Mexico
14 Cool Places in Mexico That Will Make You Feel Like You're in Europe
Top Destinations in Mexico For Travelers: Unmissable Places to Visit
55 Places That Will Make You Want to Visit Mexico
Everything You Need to Know About Driving in Mexico
Everything You Need to Know to Travel to Mexico Right Now
...and more coming each week!
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So are you ready to experience one of our favorite places to visit in Mexico? We hope our guide for how to get to Oaxaca has helped you in starting to plan your trip.
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