How do you get to Oaxaca?
Getting There9.3/10Easier to reach than about 90% of cities
- Main airport
- Xoxocotlán International Airport (OAX)
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: oaxaca-airport.com, welcomepickups.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Oaxaca Airport is small and convenient, located only 10 km south; check in 2 hours before domestic flights, 2.5–3 hours before international.
- Avoid official airport taxis if budget-conscious: walk outside airport grounds and flag down city white taxis or use DiDi from the street for 20–30% savings.
- Colectivos depart only when full and can involve 20–30 minute waits; plan accordingly if time-sensitive.
- Road blockades by protesters can delay travel to/from airport; this is a documented seasonal issue in Oaxaca.
- Rental cars are useful for day trips to remote villages and multiple archaeological sites in a single day; economy rates start ~400 MXN ($23) per day.
- New Highway 175 has reduced Puerto Escondido drive time from 6–8 hours to ~3 hours; the coast is now a realistic full-day or overnight trip.
- The new Interoceanic Train (Line Z) from Salina Cruz to Veracruz offers a scenic 8-hour experience; book in advance, especially during tourist season.
- Most day-trip destinations cluster east and south of the city; all are reachable by colectivo, bus, or organized tour for under $20 USD.
- Buses and colectivos accept cash only; always carry small bills.
Day Trip Access
- Travel Tips
- Day trips by colectivo require flexibility with schedules. Rental cars provide maximum freedom for combining multiple sites. Guided tours include pickup, guide, entrance fees, and sometimes meals. Driving recommended only during daylight hours (7 AM–7 PM).
Nearby Highlights
Monte Albán (Zapotec Ruins)
- Access
- Hourly tours from Mina 501 (Autobuses Turísticos), shared taxis from 2nd-class station, private driver, or rental car. Extremely easy day trip.
- Distance
- ~8 km north-west
- Travel Time
- 30 minutes by car
Hierve El Agua (Petrified Waterfalls & Mineral Pools)
- Access
- Rental car (best option), organized tour, or colectivo from Mitla (40 minutes, ~100 MXN).
- Distance
- ~64 km (40 miles)
- Travel Time
- 1.5–2 hours by car
Mitla (Zapotec Ruins)
- Access
- Local buses from HWY 190 corridor (east of stadium), colectivos, rental car, or tour. Often combined with Hierve el Agua or Teotitlán del Valle.
- Distance
- ~45 km east
- Travel Time
- 45 minutes by car
Santiago Matatlán (Mezcal Distilleries)
- Access
- Rental car (recommended), colectivo via Mitla, or organized mezcal tour.
- Distance
- ~55 minutes by car
- Travel Time
- 55 minutes
El Tule / Santa María Del Tule (Ancient Cypress Tree)
- Access
- Local bus, colectivo, rental car, or tour. Often combined with Teotitlán del Valle or Mitla.
- Distance
- ~20 km east
- Travel Time
- 30–40 minutes
Teotitlán Del Valle (Weaving Workshops)
- Access
- Colectivo from northeast side of 2nd-class station, local bus, rental car, or tour. Often paired with Mitla/El Tule or mezcal tasting.
- Distance
- ~25 km east
- Travel Time
- 40–45 minutes
San Bartolo Coyotepec (Barro Negro / Black Pottery)
- Access
- Colectivo or taxi from south of Bustamante street. Close enough for spontaneous visit.
- Distance
- ~30 minutes south
- Travel Time
- 30 minutes
San Martín Tilcajete (Alebrijes / Wooden Animal Sculptures)
- Access
- Colectivo from Bustamante 622 (Ocotlán-bound); drop at turnoff + 1 km walk. Often combined with San Bartolo tour.
- Distance
- ~45 minutes south
- Travel Time
- 45 minutes
Pueblos Mancomunados (Sierra Norte Hiking)
- Access
- Best by private driver or rental car. Remote mountain communities (Capulálpam, Guelatao, etc.). Multi-day visits recommended, though doable as day trip with early start.
- Distance
- ~60–100+ km north
- Travel Time
- 2–3 hours
Puerto Escondido (Pacific Coast Beaches, Surfing)
- Access
- Rental car (best), long-distance buses from 2nd-class station, or 3–5 day trip organized tours. Can combine with Oaxaca City for multi-day coastal stay.
- Distance
- ~240 km / ~150 miles
- Travel Time
- 3 hours by Highway 175 (new highway)
Huatulco (Pacific Coast Resort)
- Access
- Buses (Huatulco Airport receives separate flights), rental car, or organized tour.
- Distance
- ~260 km
- Travel Time
- 3.5–4 hours
Ground Transport
- Colectivos
- Shared minibuses from 2nd-class station and street pickup points. Display destination on windshield. Cheaper than regular taxis, typically 10–100 MXN ($0.57–$5.70) depending on distance. Run to nearby towns (El Tule, Teotitlán del Valle, Mitla, Santiago Matatlán).
- Local Buses
- City buses cost 8 MXN ($0.45) per ride regardless of distance. Frequent service 6 AM–10 PM on main routes. Cash only.
Bus Terminals
Central Bus Station (1st-class)
- Location
- Near Jalatlaco neighborhood
- Proximity To City Center
- ~1.5 km, ~10 minutes by taxi
Key Routes
- Mexico City (6–7 hours)
- Puebla
- Other long-distance national routes
Primary Carriers
- ADO (Autobuses del Oriente)
- ADO Platino
2nd-class Bus Station
- Location
- Central de Abastos area
- Proximity To City Center
- ~0.9 km, ~8 minutes by taxi
Key Routes
- Puerto Escondido (3 hours by highway)
- Huatulco
- Mazunte
- Zipolite
- Hierve el Agua
- Surrounding towns and villages
Primary Carriers
- OCC (Ómnibus Cristóbal Colón)
- Autobuses Unidos
- Regional private lines
Rail Connections
Tren Interoceánico (Interoceanic Train) – Line Z
- Route
- Salina Cruz (Pacific coast, Oaxaca) to Coatzacoalcos (Gulf of Mexico, Veracruz)
- Status
- Passenger service operational as of December 2023; operates on demand.
- Booking
- In person at Salina Cruz or Coatzacoalcos stations, or online advance booking recommended.
- Distance
- 188 miles / 308 km
- Travel Time
- 8 hours
- Nearest Station To Oaxaca City
- Salina Cruz (Pacific port, ~2–3 hour drive south). Service connects Oaxaca state to ports on both coasts via the Interoceanic Corridor.
- Notes
- Freight service began Sept 2023; passenger service started Dec 2023. Complements coastal travel and provides alternative to Highway 175 to Puerto Escondido.
Ticket Classes And Prices
Tourist Class
- Notes
- Approximate; prices fluctuate with exchange rates
Executive Class
- Notes
- Approximate
First Class
- Notes
- Approximate
Airport Transportation Options
City Center (Zone 1)
- Cost
- MX$390
- Travel Time
- 25 minutes
- Notes
- Pre-paid ticket required inside airport. Most reliable option.
Reforma (Zone 2)
- Cost
- MX$520
- Travel Time
- 30 minutes
- Notes
- Slightly outside city center
City Center (Zone 1)
- Cost
- MX$100
- Travel Time
- 45 minutes
- Notes
- Departs when full; may wait 30 minutes. Shared van with multiple passengers.
Reforma (Zone 2)
- Cost
- MX$160
- Travel Time
- 45 minutes
- Notes
- Departs when full. Budget option with longer wait times.
City Center
- Cost
- MX$200
- Travel Time
- 25 minutes
- Notes
- Walk outside airport grounds to find white taxis waiting. Negotiate fare. No Uber inside airport; DiDi available outside only.
City Center or Any Hotel
- Travel Time
- 25 minutes
- Notes
- Book in advance via hotel or transfer service. Driver waits ~1 hour after landing with name sign in arrivals.
Airport
- Code
- OAX
- Name
- Xoxocotlán International Airport (OAX)
- Distance To City
- 10 km (6 miles)
- Travel Time To City By Car
- 15–25 minutes (traffic dependent)
Ferry Connections
- Status
- No passenger ferry service from Oaxaca City. Nearest Pacific ports (Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, Zipolite) are day-trip destinations (2–3.5 hours drive) but offer no regular international ferry service.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.oaxaca-airport.com
- 2.oaxaca-airport.com
- 3.welcomepickups.com
- 4.mexicocassie.com
- 5.thebambootraveler.com
- 6.traveling.com
- 7.mindtrip.ai
- 8.kupi.com
- 9.lonelyplanet.com
- 10.machupicchu.org
- 11.things-to-do-in-oaxaca.mx
- 12.thetravel.com
- 13.proyectosmexico.gob.mx
- 14.en.wikipedia.org
- 15.en.wikipedia.org
- 16.mexicocassie.com
- 17.lonelyplanet.com
- 18.anomadspassport.com
- 19.xe.com
- 20.wise.com
- 21.xe.com
More About Oaxaca
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.