Puebla day trip from Mexico City: buses, tours and a plan for the day

Puebla is one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips from Mexico City. It is about 130 km away, the road crosses a high pass with views of the volcanoes, and the reward is a colonial city that feels very different from the capital. Here is how to do it on your own or with a tour.

Option 1: by bus

Buses are comfortable, safe and frequent. ADO and Estrella Roja run services every few minutes from Mexico City’s TAPO bus station, and regularly from Terminal Norte and Taxqueña. Estrella Roja and ADO also run direct buses from both terminals of Mexico City airport, which is handy if you are arriving by plane.

• Journey time: about two to two and a half hours, depending on traffic.
• Tickets: buy at the station or online. Bring ID.
• Arriving: most buses arrive at CAPU, Puebla’s main bus station, about 15 minutes by Uber or taxi from the zócalo. Some stop at smaller terminals closer to the centre.

Option 2: a guided day tour

A tour is the easiest way to see Puebla and Cholula in one day. Most pick you up from a central meeting point or your hotel in Mexico City, drive to Cholula for the pyramid and the hilltop church, and continue to Puebla for a walking tour of the historic centre, often with a stop at a Talavera workshop or a mole lunch. Expect a long day of about 12 hours.

Option 3: drive yourself

The toll highway 150D takes about two hours. Driving gives you freedom to stop at Cholula and the village churches nearby, but leave the car outside the historic centre, where parking is scarce.

A plan for a day on your own

• 7:00: Bus from Mexico City.
• 9:30: Arrive in Puebla, take an Uber to the zócalo and have breakfast.
• 10:30: The cathedral, the Palafoxiana library and the Rosary Chapel.
• 13:30: Mole for lunch.
• 15:00: Uber to Cholula, about 30 minutes, for the pyramid and the church on top.
• 18:00: Back to Puebla for the bus to Mexico City.

If that feels rushed, spend the day in Puebla only, following our one-day itinerary, and save Cholula for another trip.

Should you stay the night?

If you can, yes. The zócalo is beautiful in the evening, the drive back to Mexico City can be slow on Sunday afternoons, and a second day lets you see Cholula, Atlixco or the volcanoes without rushing. Puebla’s hotels are also good value compared with the capital.

Tips

• Avoid Monday, when some museums and the Palafoxiana library are closed.
• Leave Mexico City early to beat the traffic, and avoid returning on Sunday evenings and holiday weekends if you can.
• Book your return bus in advance at busy times.