Standing on top of the pyramid structure diagonally opposite to the Pyramid of the Moon, I absorbed the 360 degree views of Teotihuacan from up there. With the Pyramid of the Moon to my left and the Pyramid of the Sun to my right, I imagined how Teotihuacan might have looked in its days of glory. Like other interesting archaeological sites, visiting Teotihuacan brings alive the picture of a civilization once so powerful and smart. Yet, now all that remain are the ruins.
We visited Teotihuacan on a day trip from Mexico City. Although there are several tailor-made one-day tours available for purchase by different providers, we chose to do this on our own. We used public transport to get to Teotihuacan from Mexico City. Also, without a guided tour, we explored the Teotihuacan site on our own. This worked well for us as we were not bound by fixed timings of tour companies. We enjoyed reading up about the different structures of Teotihuacan and then relating them to what we saw in person.
So, in this comprehensive guide to visiting Teotihuacan, we will share everything that you need to know for planning a self-guided day trip from Mexico City.
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Why You Should Visit Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan is an ancient Mesoamerican city that got established by 100 B.C and existed for around 7-8 centuries. By 500 A.D the Teotihuacan civilization reached its peak as its population exploded and architecture flourished. By 750-800 A.D, the Teotihuacan city was abandoned.
It is still being researched why the fantastically planned urban city collapsed. But harsh living conditions, uprising of the poor against the elite and economic growth of groups in neighboring valleys could be some of the possible reasons. As for the ethnicity of Teotihuacan people, it is believed that they were a multi-ethnicity group with representations from Otomi, Zapotec, Mixtec, Maya, Nahua people.
Although the collapse of Teotihuacan city occurred centuries ago, their architectural splendor and urban planning still remain visible in the Teotihuacan archaeological site. In fact, the “Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan” was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1987.
So, if the idea of an easy day trip from Mexico City to a UNESCO World Heritage Site from an ancient era with mysterious history sounds interesting, you should definitely consider visiting Teotihuacan.
Related Reading: 30+ Best Things to Do in Mexico City
How to Get to Teotihuacan
Located around 48 km (30 miles) from the center of Mexico City, Teotihuacan can be an easy day trip. But, like us, if you are not availing any guided Teotihuacan tours from Mexico City, you need to plan how to get to Teotihuacan.
Option 1: Uber – Very Comfortable Ride & Moderate Pricing
- You can book an Uber from Mexico City. Uber is widely available here.
- One way trip to Teotihuacan will take about an hour and will cost you around 1,000 Mexican Pesos (~ 55 USD).
- For returning from Teotihuacan to Mexico City as well, you will be able to book an Uber, but remember to have Mobile Data available on your phone.
- So, total cost for the round trip transportation from Mexico City to Teotihuacan will be around 110 USD.
Alternative (Optional) Recommendation: If you want to sign up for the adventure of driving through the bustling metropolis of Mexico City, you can rent a car for your day trip to Teotihuacan. Check Discover Cars to browse the best deals across car rental companies in Mexico City.
Option 2: Metro + Bus – Mostly Comfortable Ride and Cheap Pricing
There seem to be several concerns about safety in Mexico. So international visitors do not always feel comfortable availing public transport in Mexico City. But, based on our experience, if you can navigate the well-planned and wide network of public transport in Mexico City, commuting will become easy and very cheap! For example, a Metro ride (subway) from anywhere to anywhere in the city, including connections, will set you off by only 5 Mexican Pesos (~0.3 USD).
You just need to overcome that initial fear and doubt of if it is safe, be cautious of your surroundings and take care of your belongings. Also, speaking Spanish goes a long way.
So, for our trip from Mexico City to Teotihuacan, we decided to commute by public transport. It was not only easy and cheap, but we also had fun, hopping from one transport to another, walking in the Metro stations and Bus station, just blending in with the crowd of regular commuters.
Here are the steps we followed for getting to Teotihuacan from Mexico City:
- Take Metro (Subway) from Juarez Metro Station to La Raza Metro Station.
- Change from Green Line to Yellow Line at La Raza Metro Station.
- Take Metro from La Raza Metro Station to Autobuses del Norte Metro Station.
- Get out of Autobuses del Norte Metro Station, cross the station and enter Autobuses del Norte Bus Station.
- Once inside the Bus Station, take left and walk till the end until you reach near Sala 8.
- Find the counter that says “Autobuses Teotihuacan”.
- Get in the queue and purchase your tickets for “Piramides”. You can buy the return ticket as well from Teotihuacan to Mexico City. Remember to ask when is the last bus, so that you do not get stranded.
- Note the printed departure time on the ticket, and get to the Gate 8 prior to that time.
- There are several buses and hence several queues at Gate 8. So, ask an official at the gate so that he/she can direct you to the right queue for your bus.
- Get down from the bus when the driver calls out “Piramides”.
The bus ride is very comfortable. The bus station is well-equipped with (paid) toilets and lots of eateries.
We reached Teotihuacan in less than an hour by bus, while the return in the evening took around 75 minutes. The Metro ride to the Bus Station took us around 15-20 minutes.
Mexico City to Teotihuacan by Public Transport: Round-Trip Cost
As of March 2024, total cost for the round trip between Mexico City and Teotihuacan is 130 Mexican Pesos (~7.8 USD). Here is the cost break-up:
- Metro (up): 5 MXN (~0.3 USD)
- Bus (onward): 60 MXN (~3.6 USD)
- Bus (return): 60 MXN (~3.6 USD)
- Metro (down): 5 MXN (0.3 USD)
From left: (1) Indranil at the Autobuses del Norte Metro Station, (2) Return tickets for bus from Autobuses del Norte bus station to Pyramids of Teotihuacan.
Teotihuacan Day Trip from Mexico City: Tour Options
If you prefer to go on a guided tour with everything arranged beforehand, you can check out these highly rated tours:
- Teotihuacan Hot Air Balloon: Enjoy a bird’s eye perspective of Teotihuacan as you float over the ancient ruins in a hot air balloon. The tour price includes breakfast and optional transfer from and to Mexico City in shared vehicle. You can find more about this Teotihuacan hot air balloon tour and book it on Viator or Get Your Guide.
- Teotihuacan, Guadalupe Shrine, Tlatelolco & Tequila Tasting Tour: On this full-day tour, you get to explore not just Teotihuacan, but also Tlatelolco, another important archaeological site and the Basilica de Guadalupe, and get a chance of tequila and mezcal tasting too. Book the tour here.
- Teotihuacan Private Tour from Mexico City: This is a tour focused on exploring Teotihuacan only and learning all about its history from a knowledgable guide. This is a private tour and includes transportation from Mexico City. You can read reviews and book this tour here.
Hotel Recommendations: If you choose to stay back in Teotihuacan for longer and spend a couple of nights in that town, here are some hotel options for you – La Finca del Abuelo Teotihuacan for a nice and no-frills stay, Posada Colibri Hotel & Spa for a deluxe accommodation option with an outdoor pool, and Hotel Palmas Teotihuacan for a hotel option close to the town center. However, like us, if you are visiting Teotihuacan as a day trip from Mexico City, browse hotel options here.
Teotihuacan Archaeological Zone – Entrance Information
If you are planning to visit Teotihuacan on your own, without a guided tour, take a note of these important information.
Teotihuacan Opening Hours
Teotihuacan Archaeological Site is open all days from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Entry tickets are sold until 4:30 pm. You are not allowed to stay in the Archaeological Site beyond 5:15 pm. The two museums on site are open between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm.
We suggest arriving early, so that you can start exploring before the daytime temperatures start soaring. Also, if you can visit Teotihuacan on a weekday, you will be able to avoid the massive weekend crowds.
Cultural Wonders of Mexico – Small Group Tour: If you prefer going on fully-guided tours in small groups, check this tour. The tour starts and ends in Mexico City, and takes you to other destinations like Teotihuacan, Puebla, Oaxaca City. As the name suggests, the tour is designed towards cultural exploration. This Mexico tour includes ground transportation in private vehicles, all accommodation, highlight tours and activities, and select meals. The price does not include the costs of international flights and travel insurance. You can book the tour here.
Teotihuacan Entrance Fees
- Adult: 90 MXN (~5 USD)
- Video recording: 50 MXN (~2.8 USD)
Showing the mobile device, I asked at the counter if we needed to purchase the Video Recording Permit for using mobile camera for photos and videos. The official told us that we did not need it. So, if you plan to shoot videos, it’s better to ask at the counter.
Remember to carry the tickets with you at all times, because you will need to show them for entering the museums.
Facilities/ Services
Parking: Yes, there is plenty of parking space. But you need to pay the parking fees: 25 MXN for two-wheelers, 50 MXP for cars, 90 MXN for vehicles with 11-20 passengers capacity, 180 MXN for vehicles with more than 20 passengers capacity.
Restrooms: There are restrooms near all the entrance gates.
Food: Near the entrance gates, there are small shops where you can buy snacks and beverages.
Souvenirs: Near the entrance gates, there are souvenir shops. All across the site of pyramids, there are also several independent vendors selling handicrafts.
Visiting Teotihuacan – What to See?
Teotihuacan was a planned city that saw expedited population growth and economic development. Since its early days, the city put emphasis on socio-economic stratification and religion as integral parts of their culture.
The buildings that played a great importance in the growth of the Teotihuacan city were the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. However, these are not the only three structures that you should see when visiting Teotihuacan. In this section, we will share overviews of all the structures and creations that you must see during your visit to Teotihuacan from Mexico City.
Teotihuacan Museum
In our opinion, Teotihuacan Museum is the most important part of visiting Teotihuacan archaeological site. Detailed written descriptions, both in Spanish and English, accompany the exhibits.
There is chronological depiction of how Teotihuacan expanded and reached its zenith before it began to fall. If you walk around the museum and consume every bit of information on display, you will have an excellent understanding of the Teotihuacan civilization.
From left: (1) Exhibit of a Teotihuacan God sculpture, (2) Excavated skeletons from the burial grounds of Teotihuacan – both at the Teotihuacan museum.
Pyramid of the Sun
The Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan is the third largest pyramid structure in the world, after Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt and Great Pyramid of Cholula in Mexico. It surely is an impressive structure to behold.
Teotihuacan gained power over the construction of the Pyramid of the Sun, a mighty structure that exuded architectural grandeur and symbolic religious importance. The pyramid, the plaza and the surrounding buildings together enabled Teotihuacan to command over the Valleys of Toluca, Puebla-Tlaxcala and Morelos.
As the name suggests, this pyramid was believed to be a temple dedicated to the Sun god, as per accounts written in the sixteenth century. However, recent archaeological researches suggest otherwise. The Pyramid of the Sun was used to worship not the Sun god, but instead the Rain god – Tlaloc.
Pyramid of the Moon
Along with the Pyramid of the Sun, the other complex that made Teotihuacan powerful was the Pyramid of the Moon and its plaza. It is the second largest pyramid in Mesoamerica after the Pyramid of the Sun.
The Pyramid of the Moon has a very interesting architectural feature. Its shape and position match with the outline of the mountain behind in the distance, Cerro Gordo. So, when you start walking towards the Pyramid of the Moon, you see the pyramid forming a foreground in front on the mountain. But, as you proceed, you will notice the contour of the pyramid gradually blending in with that of Cerro Gordo. Finally, when you are close enough to the Pyramid of the Moon, the mountain behind disappears from your sight.
Temple of the Quetzalcoatl
Quetzalcoatl was one of the most important deities in Mesoamerica. He was the “Feathered Serpent” god who was believed to be a “creator” god. According to Aztecs, he was the creator of humankind. Interestingly, the first mention of Quetzalcoatl ever traced was during the Teotihuacan civilization in the third century.
The Temple of Quetzalcoatl in Teotihuacan was built in 250 A.D and is considered to be one of the most important public buildings in the city. More than 300 serpent head sculptures adorn the slabs of the four facades of this structure.
However, this Temple of Quetzalcoatl now hides behind another building that was built at a later date. So, when you visit Teotihuacan, you will need to climb up this front pyramid structure and then get down from its other side for taking a close view of the Temple of the Feathered Serpent God.
From left: (1) Indranil after getting near the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, (2) The sculptures on the slabs of Temple of Quetzalcoatl.
The Citadel
The Temple of the Quetzalcoatl (and the building that hides the temple) lies on one side of the Citadel. It is a spacious plaza that consisted of temples and residential complexes. At a later date, the west of the Citadel saw the construction of the Great Compound which could have been the city’s marketplace.
Avenue of the Dead
The city of Teotihuacan exhibited a high level of urban planning. It had two principal avenues that were perpendicular to each other, thereby dividing the city into four main quadrants.
One avenue was to the north of the Citadel, running between East and West. The direction of the other avenue was between North and South. It is a 2 km (1.2 miles) long stretch of road, with the Citadel at its one end and the Pyramid of the Moon at the other end. This North-South road is known as the Avenue of the Dead.
The three most important structures of the Teotihuacan city are all found along this Avenue of the Dead. The Avenue of the Dead possibly gets its name because of the tombs laid along the way.
Jaguar Mural
Jaguars played an important role in the Mesoamerican belief system. So, the Teotihuacan city has many traces of jaguar painting in different parts of the city.
Along the Avenue of the Dead, when walking from the Pyramid of the Sun towards the Pyramid of the Moon, you will find a Jaguar Mural on your right. There is no specific signage as such. But you will probably notice a cluster of people gathered around here. Head in that direction, allow the time for the space to clear and take a step forward. Under a shade and surrounded by walls, there, you will find the mural of jaguar from hundreds of years ago.
Palace of Quetzalpapalotl
The Quetzalpapalotl Complex comprises of the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl and adjacent structures. You will find remains of many murals on the walls of these buildings.
Although much of this complex was destroyed, a lot of field work, maintenance work and restoration work were put in place over the years. Finally, the formal “Conservation Project of the Quetzalpapálotl Architectural Complex” by INAH, done between 2009-2012, brought this complex to how you see it now.
The Palace of the Quetzalpapalotl probably served as the residence for the elites of Teotihuacan. The stone columns that define the building’s central courtyard have carvings of mythological birds like quetzals and owls.
From left: (1) The central courtyard of the Palace of Quetzalapapalotl, (2) Carving of quetzal bird on the pillar of the central courtyard of the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl.
Beatriz de la Fuente Mural Museum
The Painted Walls Museum in Teotihuacan houses several pre-Hispanic murals that were found in the archaeological site of Teotihuacan. It is located about 12 minutes walk or 3 minutes drive away from Gate 3 of the archaeological site.
Mural painting traditions continued for about 700 years in Teotihuacan. As architectural styles, ceramic sequences and technology evolved over the course of time, archaeologists could map a chronology against the different phases of mural techniques in Teotihuacan. Take a walk around the different halls in this mural museum to learn about that chronology, the different techniques and what some of the important murals of those periods signify.
The mural museum is named after Beatriz de la Fuenta, an acclaimed Mexican art historian. She was celebrated for her contribution to research on pre-Hispanic art in the Americas. A small section in the Painted Walls Museum is dedicated to showcase her work that constituted several books and research articles.
Tetitla Compound and Atetelco Compound
The compounds of Tetitla and Atetelco are located a bit far away from the main archaeological site of Teotihuacan. It can take 20-25 minutes to walk to this area from Gate 2. These are residential complexes where ancient Teotihuacan people used to live. Some mural paintings can be found here. Some are about gods and animals representing power, while others are from daily life and warfare activities.
Plan Your Teotihuacan Visit – Where to Start?
There are 3 main gates from where you can start the Teotihuacan archaeological site exploration. The first one is near the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the second one is near the Pyramid of the Sun and the third one is near the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl.
If you are taking the bus from Mexico City, the bus will probably drop you either near Gate 1 or near Gate 2. Now, depending on which one, you can decide where to start your visit of the Teoihuacan site and what order to follow. Here are our recommendations.
Starting from Gate 1
We started from Gate 1 and this is the route we followed. We found this plan to be optimum for exploring all that Teotihuacan has to offer. For the sake of simplicity of planning, in this article, we named each cluster of structures as First Zone, Second Zone and so on. Hope this helps!
First Zone
Let’s call this cluster “First Zone” – the Citadel and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl.
If the bus drops you at Gate 1, start with visiting the Citadel and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. Then walk on the Avenue of the Dead towards the Pyramid of the Sun. But, on the way, you will notice a diversion on the right with a sign “Museo”. Take that road. It will lead you straight to the Teotihuacan Museum. This road to the museum is nicer as it offers some shade of trees. Also, from here you get several different views of the Pyramid of the Sun in the distance.
From left: (1) Indranil taking the road diversion to the Museum – can you spot the small “Museo” sign on the right, near the tree? (2) The view of the Pyramid of the Sun while walking on the road towards the museum.
Second Zone
Let us refer to this cluster as “Second Zone” – the Teotihuacan Museum and the Pyramid of the Sun.
We suggest visiting this museum first because it will give you an elaborate perspective of the history of Teotihuacan civilization – how it started, how it expanded and how it began to fall, and what each of the structures on site signifies. After the Teotihuacan Museum, head to the Pyramid of the Sun. It is right outside when you come out from the museum.
Third Zone
Let us name this cluster as “Third Zone” – the Avenue of the Dead, the Jaguar Mural and the Pyramid of the Moon.
After exploring the Pyramid of the Sun, go back to the Avenue of the Dead and continue walking towards the Pyramid of the Moon. But keep an eye out for the Jaguar Mural – it will be on your right when heading towards the Pyramid of the Moon. Also, take a look at the other smaller pyramids on either side of the road.
Fourth Zone
And our last cluster “Fourth Zone” can be – the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl, the Beatriz de la Fuente Mural Museum and the residential complexes of Atetelco and Tetitla.
Just around the corner of the Pyramid of the Moon is the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl. Take the exit from the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl and walk towards the Beatriz de la Fuente Mural Museum or the Painted Walls Museum. It can be a 10-12 minutes long walk.
From this Painted Walls Museum, it is a little over half an hour’s walk to the residential complexes of Atetelco and Tetitla. We made that long walk under the afternoon sun and reached those complexes, only to find out they were closed for visitors! So, if you plan to visit this area, ask beforehand.
Starting from Gate 2
The disadvantage of starting from Gate 2 is that you would be starting from the middle. So after you explore one side (say left) of the Teotihuacan site, you will need to return to Gate 2 and then explore the other side (say right).
However, we feel it can still be a good idea because if you enter from Gate 2, you can start from visiting Teotihuacan Museum. You will learn about the history right at the beginning! So, it will help you place everything you see next in better perspectives.
So, if you start from Gate 2, head to the Teotihuacan Museum first. Consume as much information as you can. Then start exploring the other structures. Referring to the “Zones” defined in the previous section, this is the Teotihuacan visit plan you can follow: Second Zone – First Zone – Return to Gate 2 – Third Zone – Fourth Zone.
Can You Climb Up the Pyramids at Teotihuacan?
Visiting Teotihuacan to climb to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun was once considered to be one of the best things to do in Mexico City. The view from the top is said to be amazing as you get top view perspective of the sprawling archaeological site of Teotihuacan.
However, I am sorry to break it to you that, as of 2024, climbing is no longer allowed for Pyramid of Sun and Pyramid of Moon. We visited Teotihuacan in October 2022 and access to both these pyramids were closed for climbing.
While it did make me a bit disheartened, it is probably best for the pyramids not to bear the rush of hundreds/thousands of people every day. Also, even without the climbs, visiting Teotihuacan is an amazing experience if history and archaeology spark interest in you.
What to Bring for Your Teotihuacan Visit?
You will be spending hours walking under the sun while visiting Teotihuacan. There are no shades as such. So, prepare accordingly.
- Wear light clothes and comfortable walking shoes.
- Apply sunscreen and re-apply every few hours.
- Bring drinking water – make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day.
- Wear sunglasses and sunhat or cap for protection against the sun.
- Do not forget the photography device of your choice – camera, iPhone or other smartphones.
Interested to know what’s in our camera bag? Check out this article!
Final Thoughts
Teotihuacan archaeological site is worth a visit for its interesting history of days of glory gone by. While you can stay overnight at Teotihuacan, a day trip is sufficient for just exploring the site of the pyramids along with the museums.
Now, visiting Teotihuacan on your own on a day trip from Mexico City is feasible. It just needs a bit of planning and research about the logistics. Hope our article can be the planning aid for your own self-guided visit of Teotihuacan.
If you have questions about visiting Teotihuacan or want to share your experience of this day trip from Mexico City, drop them in the comments below.
Travel Planning Logistics
- Accommodation: For several years now, Booking.com has been our platform of choice for booking accommodation while traveling. You can apply all the desired filters and shortlist the ones that meet your criteria. On continued use, you will keep unlocking their Genius benefits. For long term stays, we use Airbnb. Of late, we have also started browsing Hostelworld for finding hostels.
- Tours: When traveling to new destinations, you can plan ahead and book your activities. Check for highly rated tours on Viator and Get Your Guide.
- Packing: From swimwear to sunscreen, hiking pants to insect repellents, buy your vacation packing essentials on Amazon.
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