How To Get From Puebla to Oaxaca: 5 Best Options + Practical Tips
Wondering how to get from Puebla to Oaxaca? You’re in the right place!
Puebla is one of the most underrated cities in Mexico. It’s not so popular amongst travelers, but it has authentic culture, mouth-watering food, and a rich history.
Puebla is also very easy to travel to and from. It’s only a few short hours from Mexico City and about 4.5 hours from Oaxaca– two popular travel cities.
Ready to learn about the best ways to get from Puebla to Oaxaca and helpful travel tips? Let’s get started.
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From Puebla to Oaxaca: Overview
📍 Puebla – Oaxaca Map
🗺 Distance From Puebla To Oaxaca
Puebla is 340 km (211 miles) from Oaxaca.
⏳ How Long Does It Take To Get From Puebla To Oaxaca City?
It takes around 4.5 hours to drive from Puebla to Oaxaca. A bus from Puebla to Oaxaca City takes about 5 hours, depending on traffic and the number of stops.
The Best Way To Get From Puebla To Oaxaca: By Bus
The best way to get from Puebla to Oaxaca is by bus. This is relatively fast, straightforward, and affordable. There are also many departures from Puebla to Oaxaca, so you don’t have to worry about seats selling out or the time of the day you plan to depart.
Buses leave about every hour from the two central bus stations in Puebla between 5:00 am and midnight.
Here’s a breakdown of how to plan your bus from Puebla to Oaxaca City and what to expect:
🚍 Bus Companies: ADO and AU are the primary bus services between Puebla and Oaxaca.
The ADO bus from Puebla to Oaxaca is Mexico’s most popular bus company. ADO Puebla Oaxaca has two tiers– ADO and ADO Platinum. ADO Platinum is considered a first-class service. While AU is slightly less popular, it’s still reliable and reputable.
⏰ Duration: The trip from Puebla to Oaxaca takes around 5 hours. Although it can be between 4.5 hours and 5.5 hours, depending on the specific route of that bus, traffic, and how many stops it makes.
🌤 Day Buses/Night Buses: Both day and night buses are popular options with advantages. Night buses save you a night of accommodation, and as long as you get some sleep on the bus, you’ll arrive in Oaxaca bright and early and ready for adventure.
However, most night buses arrive early in the morning, and you might be unable to check in at your accommodation until later. Day buses are also generally considered the safest option.
🚍 How Much Does The Bus Cost From Puebla To Oaxaca
At the time of writing, here’s a breakdown of current prices for the Puebla to Oaxaca bus:
💰 AU Bus: $30
💰 Regular ADO Bus: $44
💰 ADO Platinum: $62
AU Buses are the most affordable option, though they are slightly less spacious and comfortable than regular ADO buses.
You can purchase your tickets on the ADO website, the ADO smartphone app, or at the kiosk at the bus station.
You can sometimes save some money by booking your bus tickets far in advance at an ADO bus terminal. Prices might also vary on the day of the week. For example, Tuesdays often have the lowest prices because fewer people travel.
👉🏽 How To Get To The Puebla Bus Station
Most buses leave from the Terminal de Autobuses (CAPU) in Puebla, located just north of downtown Puebla.
You can reach CAPU Bus Station via a local bus, taxi, Uber, or private transfer. The bus from downtown Puebla to the bus station takes 20-30 minutes, whereas driving takes 10 minutes.
Paseo Destino is the second central bus station in Puebla and is southwest of the historic center in Puebla.
There are fewer departures from this bus station, and it adds some extra time to your travel because it’s in the opposite direction. So, you should only depart from Paseo Destino if you stay in that area and don’t want to journey to CAPU Station.
If, for whatever reason, you have to leave from Paseo Destino, the bus station is closest to Tlaxcalancingo. Paseo Destino is about 20 minutes by car from downtown Puebla or an hour by bus.
👉🏽 How To Get From The Oaxaca Bus Station To The Center
Terminal ADO (ADO Primera Clase) is the primary bus station in Oaxaca City. Terminal ADO is just north of the historic center of Oaxaca on Cinco de Mayo Avenue.
The bus station is about a 10-minute drive or a 45-minute bus ride from Oaxaca’s city center.
The best way to get from the Oaxaca bus station to the center is to take an official city taxi outside the bus terminal.
Alternative Ways To Travel From Puebla To Oaxaca
1. By Car
You can also drive from Puebla to Oaxaca if you have your car or plan on renting one in Puebla. While this makes driving faster, it isn’t as convenient as taking a bus.
⏰ Duration: 4.5 hours
The Puebla to Oaxaca drive is straightforward. However, remember when driving in Mexico that you should only drive during the day. Driving at night in Mexico is considered a little dangerous.
🚘 Renting A Car In Puebla
If you drive from Puebla to Oaxaca, you’ll want to rent a car in Puebla. The price can vary depending on the season and demand.
💰 Cost: $35/per day if you return the car to Puebla or $75/per day if you return the vehicle in Oaxaca
DiscoverCars is a great car rental tool in Mexico and other countries worldwide. They allow you to compare prices across different rental companies, look at policies, and read reviews before the trip.
You can choose both your pick-up and drop-off locations, so you can even rent a car in Puebla and return it in Oaxaca to make things easier, as long as you’re okay with paying almost double for the convenience.
2. By Private Transfer Or Taxi
Hiring a private transfer or taxi is another option for how to get from Puebla to Oaxaca. This is not a budget-friendly transportation mode, but it might be preferable if you aren’t as concerned about the budget.
It will be much more expensive, but it’s also private and more convenient with it’s door-to-door drop-off and pick-up.
⏰ Duration: 4.5 hours
💰 Cost: $130/per person
You can expect to pay much more, and most transfer services charge per person, especially if a lot of luggage is going with your group.
A private transfer or shuttle from Puebla to Oaxaca is only recommended if you want to splurge on privacy and convenience.
3. By Plane
If you’re averse to spending too much time on the road, you can also look into taking a flight from Puebla to Oaxaca City.
However, there aren’t any direct flights from Puebla International Airport (PBC) To Oaxaca International Airport (OAX).
✈️ Does Puebla Have An Airport?
Yes, Puebla has an airport. Puebla International Airport (PBC) is the airport in Puebla, but there aren’t many flights. You won’t be able to find a direct Puebla to Oaxaca flight.
You’d have to take a flight with multiple layovers (impractical) or head the two hours to Mexico City International Airport for a direct flight.
✈️ Can You Book Flights Going To Oaxaca?
You can book flights from Mexico City International Airport to Oaxaca City, but you can’t book flights from Puebla International Airport to Oaxaca.
Double-check the departure airport and the layover location if you look for flights. For example, right now, there’s one flight you can book for around $160 from Puebla to Oaxaca, but the total travel time is over 8 hours, and the layover is in Cancun.
Some might think catching a short one-hour flight would be an excellent solution for how to get from Puebla to Oaxaca, but it’s not feasible.
The next best option for flying would be to take a flight from Mexico City. However, Mexico City is roughly 2 hours from Puebla. By the time you drive there, check-in, go to security, and wait to board, you might as well have taken a bus.
Is It Worth Visiting Oaxaca?
Yes, Oaxaca is, without a doubt, worth visiting. This is a big cultural center in Mexico and one of the best places to truly experience excellent Mexican cuisine and rich history and learn more about the culture.
Oaxaca’s city center is vibrant and full of life. You’ll find street food vendors on every street, friendly locals selling beautiful souvenirs, and children running around and wreaking havoc in the park.
There are also many great things to do in Oaxaca, from visiting Monte Alban (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), stopping at the Tulle Tree, or traveling to nearby local villages.
How to get from Puebla to Oaxaca might seem complicated, but thanks to the great bus system in Mexico, it isn’t all that bad. The bus only takes about five hours, and you’ll travel from one cultural city to another.
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Is Oaxaca Safe For Tourists?
Yes, Oaxaca is safe for tourists. As with any foreign country, you should always be aware of your surroundings. There are reports of petty crimes like robbery in main tourist areas.
The U.S. Travel Advisory on Mexico releases warnings and advice for traveling to Mexico and different states around the country. You can check the travel warning for information about specific areas within Oaxaca State.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Oaxaca?
The best time to visit Oaxaca is during the dry season between October and April. Around April, it starts getting significantly warmer and more humid. April and May are two of the hottest months in Oaxaca.
During the dry season, the temperatures are much more comfortable, and there’s little chance of rain.
During the dry season, the shoulder seasons (fall and spring) are some of the best months to visit Oaxaca. There are fewer tourists and lower prices than in the middle of peak season, around the holidays.
However, if you can’t visit during the dry season, that’s okay. Oaxaca is just as beautiful between May and September. Enjoying your travels is still possible even though it’s the rainy season.
Practical Tips Before Traveling To Oaxaca From Puebla
Now that you know how to get from Puebla to Oaxaca, you should start planning your trip to central Mexico. Here are a few practical travel before making the journey:
📌 Choose between a night bus or a day bus: If you’re traveling around Mexico by bus, you must prepare for this. Some people aren’t comfortable with a night bus because of a slightly higher risk.
I traveled across Mexico, only taking night buses, and never had a problem.
However, the most important thing is your comfort. If you aren’t confident taking a night bus, that’s okay. The journey between Puebla and Oaxaca isn’t long, so it’s comfortable either way.
📌 Bring a jacket if you take the night bus from Puebla to Oaxaca: The buses in Mexico tend to pump the air-conditioning, especially on the night bus. If you’re taking a night bus, definitely bring something to keep you warm.
📌 Keep your belongings nearby: The buses in Mexico are safe, but it’s always better to be cautious. There have been reports of bus robberies, especially if you fall asleep. I always keep my belongings close to me at all times.
📌 Pack toilet paper in case you need the restroom: Most long-haul buses, like when you go from Puebla to Oaxaca, have functioning toilets onboard.
But they don’t always have toilet paper, so bring some of your own, just in case. They aren’t always sanitary, so I’d recommend going to the restroom right before getting on the bus.
📌 Prepare for delays: One of the biggest challenges when getting from Puebla to Oaxaca is nailing down the timetable.
The buses almost always leave on time, but they can be delayed due to traffic or extended stops. It’s best to expect you to arrive after the estimated time rather than setting it in stone.
📌 Have your passport on you: Immigration checkpoints aren’t as common in Oaxaca as in Chiapas and remote areas of Puebla, but it’s also best to be prepared.
There’s always a risk of stopping at a checkpoint where an immigration officer will come on board to ensure you’re legally in the country.
This did not happen when I took the Puebla to Oaxaca bus, but it did happen once when I took a bus from Oaxaca to Puebla.
📌 Visit both Puebla and Oaxaca with an appetite: One of the best things about traveling to Oaxaca and Puebla is the food.
Both regions are known for their incredible local cuisine, so any foodie will be heaven in both cities. Be prepared for some mouth-watering, authentic Mexican food, and come hungry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Fastest Way To Get From Puebla To Oaxaca?
This is also a very convenient option if you want to make a few stops along the way or want more independence to explore Puebla and Oaxaca.
It’s possible to rent a car in Puebla and return it in Oaxaca, making things much easier.
What Is The Cheapest Way To Get From Puebla To Oaxaca?
This is a nice bus with charging outlets, a bathroom on board, and comfortable seats. The AU bus is a more budget-friendly bus, though.
Is There A Bus Station From Puebla To Oaxaca?
Is Oaxaca Near Puebla?
Does Uber Exist In Puebla?
Oaxaca does not have Uber, however. So, while you can take an Uber to the bus station in Puebla, you’ll have to grab a taxi or private transfer to Oaxaca.
Where Is The ADO Bus Station in Oaxaca City?
You can take a taxi from the bus station to your accommodation in Oaxaca. They also sometimes offer shared colectivos, which can be cheaper. Large white vans take you to the closest stop to your hotel.
Wrapping Up: From Puebla To Oaxaca
Hopefully, you know everything about how to get from Puebla to Oaxaca you need to know so you can have a smooth journey between the two cities.
If you plan on traveling between Puebla and Oaxaca, you’re in luck. The trip is straightforward, whether you take a bus, drive yourself, or even hire a taxi. The journey only takes between four and a half hours and five hours.
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