How to Visit Teotihuacan Without a Tour

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The ancient city and pyramids of Teotihuacan is the most popular day trip from Mexico City and a can’t miss attraction for most travelers. Walking through this UNESCO World Heritage Site is like traveling back in time. It’s just 30 miles northeast of the capital and is an awesome day trip to combine with the rest of your stay.

While you can definitely take a tour — there are tons of them — visiting on your own is easy, saves you money, allows you to choose your own schedule, and customize it to your interests. By skipping Teotihuacan tours, we also avoided crowds and skipped over souvenir stops.

In this article, I’ll share how to get there and back on your own plus a bit of Teotihuacan’s history, what to see on site (hint: it’s not just the pyramids!), how to schedule your day, what to eat, and how much to budget for your day.

Update as of November 2022: Visiting Teotihuacan is not the same as it once was. Climbing up the temples is currently prohibited in order to better protect them. If climbing a pyramid is a must-do for you, consider an alternate day trip from Mexican City to Tepoztlan and climb that temple instead. Or, for a bird’s eye view of Teotihuacan, consider a hot air balloon ride which is operating as usual.

How to Get to Teotihuacan by Public Transportation

There are three main ways to get to Teotihuacan: by public bus, Uber, or guided tour. The bus is obviously the cheapest option, costing 106 pesos round-trip per person. It’s also comfortable and easy but takes longer than driving directly.

To take the bus to Teotihuacan, you’ll need to take the Mexico City metro to the Autobuses del Norte station (line 5).  

From the Autobuses del Norte metro stop, follow the signs out of the metro station and across the street to the actual bus station.

how to get from mexico city to teotihuacan by bus
Buses from Mexico City to Teotihuacan depart from Autobuses del Norte station.

Inside the station, head all the way toward the left, to Puerta 8.  

Here, you’ll find a window selling tickets to “Pyramides” (referring to the Mexico City pyramids) or “Zona Arqueologico”.

how to get from mexico city to teotihuacan by bus
Inside the bus station at Mexico City. Look for the big green numbers. Teotihuacan tickets are by #8.
how to get from mexico city to teotihuacan by public transportation (teotihuacan tours)
Buy tickets from Autobuses Teotihuacan and go to the bus bays under the sign “Sala Gate 8”. Look for a sign in the front window of the bus for which bus is yours!

The first bus to Teotihuacan departs at 6am with more departures about every 20 minutes thereafter until 2pm. I recommend catching an 8am bus — you’ll arrive just in time for the site to open and avoid midday crowds.

Depending on traffic, the ride is about 1 hour each way.  Your outbound ticket will be for a specific, timed departure so don’t miss your bus.  Your return ticket is not for a scheduled time, so you can take any bus back to the city when you’re done.

The round-trip ticket costs 102 pesos per person, or about US$6 as of October 2022.  Bathrooms are available in the station for 6 pesos and there is fast food and luggage storage (30 pesos/bag) also.

Uber is more convenient, but more expensive. It’s hard to provide an exact cost, since it will depend on where you’re staying in the city, whether your car takes the toll road, and how much traffic there is at that exact time (Uber surge pricing is very common in Mexico City). From my Condesa hotel to Gate 2 of Teotihuacan, I was quoted 1175 pesos one-way (absurd!) but only 400 pesos on the way back.

Teotihuacan Hours and Admission

Buses will drop you off at Puerta 1 at Teotihuacan, where you can buy entrance tickets.  As of February 2023, the entrance fee was 85 pesos and includes entry into the museum.  There is an additional charge if you wish to record videos.

If you want to hire a guide (optional), there are several licensed guides near the entrance.  Private guides cost about 850 pesos for a 1.5 hour tour of Sun & Moon Pyramids or 1500 pesos for a 2.5 hour tour that includes more.  Expect to haggle based on length of tour, language, size of group, and the guide’s knowledge.  For a free option, you can read through the Wikipedia guide before you go.

Currently, the park is open daily from 8am to 5pm. It is busiest on Sundays (when Mexicans get in free) and Mondays (when many city museums are closed). If you can, go on a Tuesday through Saturday and arrive right at 9am. This is the #1 most visited attraction in all of Mexico, so it gets crowded!

What to See and How to Visit Teotihuacan Without a Guide

To avoid crowds, I recommend arriving before 10am to have some breathing room before hoards of Teotihuacan tours arrive. Most visitors need about four hours to see the highlights; history buffs should plan on staying all day for a more in-depth look. The ancient city was arranged in a grid that still makes navigating today, but it covers about eight square miles so it’ll take you some time to see it all!

You’ll want to sightsee the Temple of the Sun first when it’s least busy. Then head down the spookily named Calle de los Muertos, or Avenue of the Dead which routes through the city center. It passes by numerous minor temples and other sites, eventually reaching the Pyramid of the Moon. Afterward, head back to the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl. I recommend saving the museum for last — if you start your visit early in the morning, you’ll hit the indoor museum midday when everything is at it’s hottest.

For the sake of clarity: you should know that Teotihuacan refers to the entire ancient city (and today’s complete archaeological site), although most visitors focus on seeing the two main Mexico City pyramids.

Teotihuacan’s History in a Nutshell

Although civilization at Teotihuacan traces back to 300 BCE, the city was at its peak between roughly 450-550 CE. At that time, it’s population is estimated to be 125,000 (and perhaps as many as 200,000!), making it the largest city in pre-Columbian America and the sixth-largest city in the world. Its influence in Mesoamerica as a civilization is well-documented through artifacts all over Mexico.

Contrary to popular belief, Teotihuacan is not an Aztec site; evidence supports that it was either Nahua, Otomi or Totonac, or perhaps even multi-ethnic.

The exact reason for the fall of Teotihuacan is unknown, but theories include internal unrest and uprisings, outside raiders, and severe drought. Whether or not this was the cause for its entire fall, there is definite evidence of deliberate fires, smashed artwork, and destructive chaos.

Temple of the Sun

Make your first stop the Temple of the Sun so you can climb all 248 steep steps before it gets too hot out (update: this isn’t possible anymore but it still gets busy).

At the base of Pyramid of the Sun, Teotihuacan
At the base of Pyramid of the Sun, Teotihuacan

Researchers believe a temple may have once topped the structure, but little is known about its intended purpose. Whatever the case, it was likely used for many rituals, as several masks, bones, figurines, and obsidian artifacts have been found in and around the stones.

This extraordinary monument is not only the largest pyramid in the Americas, but the third largest worldwide.

Pyramid of the Moon

This 150-foot pyramid lies on the northern end of the site and was previously used for both human and animal sacrifices to the gods. There are twelve smaller platforms in front of the pyramid where residents would’ve stood to witness the rituals; standing here gave me a chill.

how to visit teotihuacan mexico city
The main street of Teotihuacan (Avenue of the Dead) is lined with many temples

The Pyramid of the Moon was my favorite part of Teotihuacan, perhaps because you’re looking at the entire site.

Temple of the Feathered Serpent

At first glance, this looks like just another miniature pyramid, but when you get closer you’ll notice numerous carved serpent heads along the eastern side. This one is worth exploring from ground level to see the carvings.

Palace of Quetzalpapalotl

The Palace of Quetzlpapalotl doesn’t look like anywhere else in the city. It has ornately carved pillars, obsidian inlays, beautiful murals, and a gorgeous courtyard.  Many of the colors have been preserved; others re-touched.

Palace of Quetzlpalapotl in Teotihuacan Mexico
Palace of Quetzlpalapotl

The palace is located in La Ciudadela, a seventeen acre courtyard that appeared to have housed the city’s ruling elite.

Teotihuacan Museum

The museum is primarily geared toward Spanish speakers and is skippable if you’re short on time.

The Best Teotihuacan Tours

There’s no doubt a guide and group make things easier and give you more historical context during your visit.

If visiting independently sounds like too much work, the best Teotihuacan tours include this early-morning visit with an archaeologist to beat the crowds.  

If you’re not an early bird, try Hidden Teotihuacan, a small group outing that includes dinner in a local home.

Shopping in Teotihuacan

Tons of vendors sell arts, crafts, trinkets, and other souvenirs both in and out of the official site boundaries. They all have basically the same items, so don’t worry about “missing” something. Since everyone has basically the same products, don’t be afraid to walk away until you get a price you’re happy with.

Please be aware that recent visitors have noted that vendors have been more aggressive lately due to the lack of visitors. You will likely be asked over and over to have a look as their livelihood depends on it.

PRO TIP: Save all your shopping for the end of your visit so you don’t have to carry any new gifts with you as you climb up and down the pyramids.

Where to Eat Lunch Near Teotihuacan

The fact that you can leave the site for lunch and re-enter with your ticket isn’t widely advertised.  There are some street food options outside Gate 2 (across from Pyramid of the Sun) and one really unique restaurant outside Gate 5. La Gruta is a restaurant inside a cave, providing an atmosphere different from anywhere I’ve eaten before!  The food is average, but the setting is unbeatable.

If you speak Spanish, you can check out the menu ahead of time.  It’s not cheap — expect entree prices around US$12 — but it’s not outrageously priced either.

Inside La Gruta cave restaurant near teotihuacan
Inside La Gruta

To get there, head behind the Pyramid of the Sun, following signs to the museum. This will lead you to Gate/Puerta 5. Exit through the gate and take a left. Shortly thereafter, take a right onto a side street and you’ll see black signs pointing you down the long driveway to the restaurant. This will take you 5 minutes maximum.

Returning by Bus to Mexico City

When you’re done exploring, exit the ruins at Puerta/Gate 2 and walk through the parking lot to the main road (pickup is also available at Gate 1 & 3).  The bus will pick you up at that main intersection, on the far side of the road.  You shouldn’t have to wait more than 20 minutes.  If you didn’t originally buy a round-trip ticket, you can pay when you board.

teotihuacan bus stop

The site closes at 5pm but there are buses until 6pm or later.  The ride back takes slightly longer due to the routing, but it’s still easy.

The final stop is back at the bus station where you started, or you can get off at Indios Verdes and take the metro from there.  Indios Verdes is a busy, overwhelming station so skip it if you’re not used to Latin American travel!

Visiting Teotihuacan at Night

pyramids lit up at experiencia nocturna en teotihuacan

I re-visited Teotihuacan in 2020 to check out the Teotihuacan Nocturno experience, which includes nighttime entry to see the pyramids lit up. It ends with a light and sound show projected on the Pyramid of the Sun. It’s an entirely different experience (and requires separate admission to a daytime visit) but it can be a great supplement or even substitution.

If that sounds interesting to you, check out my full review of Teotihuacan at night.

Do you need a hotel in Mexico City?

I don’t recommend staying by Teotihuacan — there’s nothing there, except the site itself.  Instead, check out my Mexico City neighborhood guide and hotel recommendations (opens in a new window).

Have more time?  Check out some of the other activities I liked in Mexico City to plan the rest of your trip.

What to Bring With You to Teotihuacan

Good walking shoes: You’ll cover quite a bit of ground as you walk between the Mexico City pyramids (and up and down the steep stairs!). The Avenue of the Dead is two miles long if you walk it in entirety.

Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat: There’s essentially no shade on-site.

Drinking water: Bottled water is sold outside park gates, but I recommend bringing your own reusable bottle and a water filter because it’s better for the environment.

A small day bag: Choose a backpack so you’re hands-free for easier climbing. This is my favorite lightweight backpack. Please keep a close eye on your bag while you’re on the metro; my sister lost her wallet in Mexico City!

How to Spend One Day at the Teotihuacan Archaeological Zone

7am-7:30am Leave Your Hotel: You’ll need time to take the subway or taxi to the bus station. From most hotels, this takes 15-20 minutes.

7:30am-9am: Buy bus tickets when you arrive. Grab a coffee and breakfast to-go at the station, use the restroom if you need to, and board an 8am bus which will take about an hour.

9am-1pm: Visit Teotihuacan, starting with the Pyramid of the Sun before it gets too hot or crowded.

1pm-2:30pm: Have lunch at La Gruta, the cave restaurant.

2:30pm-4pm: Depart on a bus around 2:30pm, which will take about an hour to get back to the station and then another 15-20 minutes back to your hotel.

Teotihuacán is an essential part of ancient Mexico and its heritage and no trip to central Mexico would be complete without seeing this megalithic masterpiece!

More Info to Plan Your Mexico Trip

181 thoughts on “How to Visit Teotihuacan Without a Tour”

  1. Thank you, awesome instructions!

    Note at the entrance to park it says open from 7am everyday. A few TripAdvisor posts have also Commented on this. We only arrived after 9am though so can’t verify.

    Please note you can get bus back to Bus Norte from Gate 1.

    As some suggested, we got off at Deportivo 18 de Mars to change to metro / save back tracking from Bus Norte.

    Our tour was 850 for Sun & Moon pyramid (1,5hrs) or 1500 for additional temple (2.5hrs)

  2. We were a little intimidated to visit the pyramids from Mexico City on our own. So we followed your article to a tee on our day trip to the pyramids. It was so simple, straightforward, and approachable. Thank you THANK YOU for this piece! We also loved the Pyramid of the Moon (and its view) best.

  3. Thank you so much this was gold! We spent our entire day and would have liked to stay even longer.
    For future visitors: Really do put sunscreen, I got burned badly… Also, bring water and snacks.

  4. Hi Becky,

    Just want to say THANK YOU !!!
    Your information was extremely helpful. If I may add, my wife and I found a shuttle service to Teotihuacan close to our hotel in Reforma avenue called BlueBus.
    25 bucks per person, and they do have different departure times. So that’s another way to get there.
    Hope to read your notes about other sites in other countries !

    Alex

  5. Thank you so much for this information! My mum and I went to Teotihuacan today and followed your directions for the bus. We took an Uber to and from the bus station, and the whole thing was SO EASY (and cheap, and fast…). Knowing that other tourists had done it recently made us feel more confident.

    We found that the bus can drop you at gates 1, 2, or 3; as well as pick ups from the same. For those planning a trip – Gate 1 is good if you want to go to the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, and Gate 2 takes you straight to the Pyramid of the Sun. We did a lot of unnecessary walking (good exercise, though!) that we could have avoided if we had planned a bit better 🙂

  6. Helpful article, thank you! I would add that for folks coming to the bus station via Uber:
    *walk-in entrence and go left to the Teotihuacan bus counter at the northen most ticket counter, yes #8, but the numbers are blue.

    *There are at least 3 (that we found) baggage holding locations. Cheap. 30pesos for a carry on size bag.

    *There is not a bathroom on the bus I am currently sitting on. Bus has no air-conditioning and while not bad, is not nice. I would be careful about the heat on a bus like this in summer / hot weather. We are here in mid Feb and it is over 80°f.

    USE THE BATHROOM BEFORE GOING THRU THE SECURITY AREA

  7. Thanks a lot Becky for your detailed description. We found everything right at place as you’ve described in your article. We’ve visited the Pyramid of the Sun today and thanks to you, the trip went smoothly.

  8. This is super helpful, and now I am confident I can get there via this method.

    Since an early start is recommended, how long does it take to get to the bus station in rush hour, especially if taking an Uber?

    1. @Kayla, Mexico City is HUGE so it will depend on your precise starting location. You can use Google Maps to estimate drive time but from my favorite neighborhood of Condesa it’s 15-20 minutes.

  9. Hi Becky, thanks for very helpful guideline. I did this trip yesterday (Saturday) based on your article and ablosutely no problem. I didn’t manage to leave early and only took 10:30am bus. By around 12 I was on the spot. There was only a bit “people jam” on the stairs up to the Temple of the Sun, otherwise ok.

  10. Is there a way to buy an entrance ticket to the site in advance? I was looking online and couldn’t find anything.

    1. @Adyul, Not that I know of (other than buying a group tour where the guide takes care of it for you). There shouldn’t be much of a line if you’re there in the morning.

  11. We did this last week and it was seamless! We took a 10am-ish bus there. When we got to the site, they didn’t make us pay for a photo permit, so I am not sure if we got lucky or they did away with this.

    The last bus to leave the site is at 6pm if anyone else tries this (at least that’s what the driver said).

    Thanks so much!! The photos really helped!

  12. This blog was wonderful and EXACTLY what we needed to know! I hope to read more by you while here in CDMX.

  13. My daughter and her group of Girl Scouts will be in Mexico City at the end of June. They are 14 and 15 years old, and there will be about 9 of them with 3 adults. Is it safe to travel on the metro/subway? I’ve read conflicting things about it. Thank you!

    1. @Heidi, It’s safe in that I certainly wouldn’t expect any violent crime. However, groups in general are often targets for pickpockets because everyone’s distracted talking to each other, etc. Make sure they keep an eye on their things.

      (With a group that large, I might look into the cost of chartering a 12-passenger van/minibus. It might be more affordable per person than you think and then it would run directly from the hotel on whatever schedule they like).

  14. Blanca Hernandez

    Can anyone help me understand why the need for bag lockers? Am i not allowed to carry a bag on site? For water, snacks, etc.

    1. @Blanca, Yes, you can bring a day bag with water, sunscreen, etc. Some people OPTIONALLY choose to use bag lockers, for example if they are visiting on their way to/from the airport

  15. Nice article, thanks.
    How have things changed in times of Covid? Looking at the Teotihuacan web site, it seems much is closed, hours are restricted, and there’s a limit on the number of visitors each day. Any updated guidance?

    1. @Andy, I haven’t personally been to Mexico City since pre-covid (February 2020) so I don’t have any first-hand experience. Also, the guidelines change every 2-3 months and are subject to change again in the future at any time. Right now, you can’t get anywhere close to the pyramids so I wouldn’t bother making the trip out there. Hopefully you’ll get a chance to return to CDMX another time in the future.

      1. I agree with you Becky, the site is not worth the visit with current restrictions in place. Effectively, you are just making a big trip to walk through a long hot market, being hassled by vendors constantly. This was my least enjoyable archaeological visits in over a dozen. My advice is go to the National Museum of Anthropology in the city. So full of artefacts, recreations and information is at least partly in English. The Zoo and huge free park are just over the road. A much better use of time.

  16. Hi Becky, I first want to say thank you for this blog. Very helpful! I next want to mention, as Mexican-American woman, I please ask that you edit out the part where you say “you can bargain” for a better price, and instead encourage people to buy from the vendors. I understand the struggle and suffrage my people have to make for basic living, and if many United States Americans or western people can afford the already extremely low-price souvenirs, don’t be cheap or insensitive. Just buy the souvenir without giving the poor people who are struggling to make, not even a basic living wage, a hard time. Thanks!

    1. Absurd. I’m not going to pay 50 usd for some crappy Chinese made trinket. You absolutely have the right to negotiate in these situations where you’re viewed as a walking atm.

  17. Excellent article! It really helps!!
    One question, perhaps anyone can answer who knows

    How to get to La Gruta restaurant from the Teotihuacan site? Do we need to hail a taxi or simply walk to it? How far is it from the site?

    1. @Gerry, La Gruta is less than a 5-minute walk from “Gate 5” of Teotihuacan. This is the gate near the Teotihuacan museum.
      When you are done with lunch, you can either re-enter the archaeological site to see anything you miss, or walk to gate 2/3 (about a 20 minute walk) to get a bus back downtown, or hail a taxi/Uber right from the restaurant to go back to the city.

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