11 Best Teotihuacan Tours From Mexico City
Are you thinking of booking Teotihuacan tours from Mexico City but have no idea which tour is best for you?
This article showcases 11 of the best tours to Teotihuacan from Mexico City, so you are sure to find the perfect tour for your trip.
We spend several months each year in CDMX – we love exploring every corner of this fascinating city. We have also visited Teotihuacan two times – on tour and independently – so we know what the best Teotihuacan tours should offer.
Teotihuacan, or ‘The City of the Gods’, is an unmissable Mexico City attraction. We have been lucky enough to visit ancient sites all over Mexico and around the world, but despite this, the UNESCO-listed Teotihuacan completely blew our minds.
It consists of over 2000 structures, including two of the largest pyramids in the world. Its awe-inspiring size, scale, variety and incredibly well-preserved monuments make Teotihuacan one of the best ancient sites in the world.
Plus, as it is so close to Mexico City, it is easy for visitors to get to, and there are tours to Teotihuacan to suit every travel style and budget. Read on to discover the best tours Mexico City has to offer you.
Top Picks Of Teotihuacan Tours From Mexico City
🌟 Best Private Teotihuacan Tour ➡️ Teotihuacan Express Private tour from Mexico City
🌟 Best Hot Air Balloon Tour ➡️ Balloon Flight + Breakfast In A Cave (the tour we did 🙋🏼♀️🙋🏼♂️)
🌟 Best Combined Tour ➡️ Teotihuacan, Guadalupe Shrine, Tlatelolco & Tequila Tasting
🌟 Best Small Group Tour ➡️ Teotihuacán + Bike Tour Of The Valley
Best Private Teotihuacan Tours From Mexico City
There are several benefits of booking private Teotihuacan tours from Mexico City.
A private tour enables you to travel to your own schedule. You won’t have to waste time picking anyone else up or wait for them to finish their sightseeing (or worse, shopping!)
Plus, Teotihuacan private tours guarantee the undivided attention of your guide. If you want to ask lots of questions about the site, you may feel more comfortable doing so in front of your own group rather than strangers.
Unfortunately, the downside of a Teotihuacan private tour from Mexico City is the price. The convenience, flexibility and comfort provided by a private tour come at a cost, but if these factors are important to you, then we think the cost is worth it.
#1 Teotihuacan Express Private tour from Mexico City
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR
This 5-star rated Teotihuacan tour leaves early in the morning, so it can be fitted into a half-day schedule. Leaving early also means you miss the midday crowds.
This tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
WHAT’S PROVIDED?
ITINERARY
After your private pick-up, you will drive for 50 minutes (depending on Mexico City traffic) to reach Teotihuacan.
You will then have 3 hours on site (which we think is the perfect amount of time) following an informative tour from your guide. Afterwards, you will be driven in comfort back to your accommodation in Mexico City.
#2 Teotihuacán Pyramids private sunrise tour from CDMX
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR
This private Mexico City Teotihuacan tour starts at 7 a.m., so you will miss the crowds and the hottest part of the day.
It is highly rated for punctuality, flexibility and customer service. It also allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
WHAT’S PROVIDED?
ITINERARY
You will travel directly to Teotihuacan, though your driver will be happy to stop for breakfast on route if you wish. Once at the site, you will meet your guide for a 1.5-hour guided tour.
You will then travel back to Mexico City, stopping on route for pulque tasting with Don Toño. You can also stop for lunch if you wish, and your driver will be happy to take you to non-touristy locations to dine.
Best Teotihuacan Hot Air Balloon Tours
If you want to do something a little different from the standard Teotihuacan tours from Mexico City, how about taking a hot air balloon over Teotihuacan?
We highly recommend Teotihuacan hot air balloon tours; in all our global travels, our hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacan is one of our favourite travel experiences.
A Teotihuacan hot air balloon ride will give you a completely different perspective of the ancient site as well as reward you with an incredible view of the greater Mexico City area.
It is important to note, however, that a Teotihuacan balloon ride is solely dependent on the weather, so allow for flexibility in your plans.
Note that the following Teotihuacan hot air balloon tours have a maximum weight limit of 110 kg (220 lb) plus a minimum age requirement.
#3 Balloon Flight + Breakfast In A Cave (The Tour We Took!)
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR
This Teotihuacan balloon tour offers varied activities and has a maximum group number of just 15. It offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Plus, should your balloon ride be cancelled due to poor weather, you will be offered a refund or an alternative date.
WHAT’S PROVIDED?
ITINERARY
The tour has a dawn pick-up time of 4.30 a.m. You will arrive at the balloon site at around 5.45 a.m., where you can enjoy coffee and cookies before your 6 a.m. departure.
The flight will last around 45 minutes; if you have ever wanted to ride in a hot air balloon Teotihuacan is the place to do it! The views over the pyramid and Mexico City, coupled with the early morning colours and stillness, are a magical experience.
After landing safely, you will enjoy a toast with the pilot and receive a flight certificate. You will then travel to La Cueva Teotihuacán, where you will spend 1 hour having breakfast.
Afterwards, you will visit Mexicanitzimo, an obsidian and maguey workshop where you can taste different types of locally made alcohol.
At approximately midday, you can spend up to 2 free hours visiting one of the most famous historic landmarks of CDMX – Teotihuacan. We recommend hiring a local guide at this stage to get the most out of your visit, as neither a guide nor an entrance fee is included in the tour price.
If you opt for the additional transfers, you will be driven back to Mexico City in the early afternoon.
#4 Teotihuacan Hot Air Balloon Ride With Optional Bike Or Walking Tour
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR
If you are looking for Teotihuacan balloon tours that are not solely about the balloon ride, this activity-packed tour is for you. For its varied itinerary, we think it is one of the best Teotihuacan tours Mexico City has to offer.
This tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and should your balloon ride be cancelled due to poor weather, you will receive a full refund or an alternative date.
WHAT’S PROVIDED?
ITINERARY
Expect an early pick-up at 4:30 a.m., after which you will drive to the balloon site.
Your flight will last between 30 – 50 minutes, depending on weather conditions. When you land, you will be served breakfast to fuel you for your 2 hour guided walking tour around Teotihuacan.
After the tour, you will tour the Teotihuacán Valley. You can visit an old neighbourhood that still preserves Teotihuacan mural paintings, see the pyramids from a different angle, and visit an ancient pre-Hispanic observatory located inside a cave.
You will then visit a local cooperative for souvenir shopping before stopping for lunch in a local restaurant.
There is the option in this tour to change the valley tour to a guided bike tour of the local area.
#5 Full-Day Teotihuacan Hot Air Balloon + Free Time
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR
If you want a balloon ride and Teotihuacan tours from Mexico City that allow plenty of time to visit the pyramids, this is the tour for you.
This full-day, 8-hour day allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. You will get a full refund or an alternative tour date should the balloon ride be cancelled due to poor weather.
Note that this tour has a minimum age of 6 years old.
WHAT’S PROVIDED?
ITINERARY
The tour starts with a 6 am pick-up. After the 1 hour drive to Teotihuacan, you will wait for a balloon ride, which will last around 45 minutes.
After landing, you receive a certificate and toast with a glass of champagne before tucking into a buffet breakfast.
You will then be dropped off at the entrance to Teotihuacan pyramids around 9:30 a.m. and will have around 3.5 hours on site before meeting your driver at 1 p.m. for your return trip to Mexico City.
#6 Hot Air Balloon Flight Only
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR
If you have your own transportation and have already arranged a visit to Teotihuacan, it is possible just to take a hot air balloon flight with this highly-rated company.
The flight has a maximum of 16 passengers (plus pilot) and accepts children over five years old. It offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a refund or alternative date if the tour is cancelled.
WHAT’S PROVIDED?
Note that if you do not have your own transport, you can opt for a transfer for an additional cost. However, as the transport is shared, you will also have to pick up and drop off other passengers before starting your balloon flight.
ITINERARY
When you have booked this Teotihuacan hot air balloon tour, you will be given the exact location where to meet your balloon and pilot. Pick-ups start from 4:30 a.m., and balloon flights start around 6 a.m.
After meeting your pilot, you will be given coffee and fruit before taking to the sky. On your 30 – 50 minute flight, you will soar above the Pyramids of the Sun and of the Moon, San Juan Teotihuacan and San Martin de las Piramides.
Once you have landed, you will make a toast and receive your flight certificate before indulging in a buffet breakfast accompanied by mariachi music.
Best Combined Tours To Teotihuacan From Mexico City
There are Teotihuacan tours from Mexico City that offer more than just a trip to the ancient site and a Teotihuacan guided tour.
These activity-packed tours are ideal for travellers who are short on time and want to pack a lot into their days.
#7 Teotihuacan, Guadalupe Shrine, Tlatelolco & Tequila Tasting
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR
This Teotihuacan day trip from Mexico City offers a varied cultural itinerary. It has a maximum group number of 35 and allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
WHAT’S PROVIDED?
ITINERARY
After leaving CDMX, the first stop is Tlatelolco, where you can spend 30 minutes visiting the Plaza of the Three Cultures. You will then drive to the Basilica de Santa Maria de Guadalupe and the Shrine of Guadalupe. You will have 1.5 hours to enjoy this popular pilgrimage site.
Afterwards, you will be taken to a local restaurant, Tlacaelel, for tequila tasting and lunch for a 1.5-hour rest break.
In the afternoon, you will visit Teotihuacan for a 1-hour tour with a professional guide. You will then have a further 1 hour to explore on your own (which we think is a great tour feature) before returning to the group drop-off point in Mexico City.
#8 Teotihuacán By Bike + San Martin de las Piramides
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR
Looking for active trips to Teotihuacan from Mexico City? This highly-rated full-day trip is a must for people who like to be active on their vacation. It has a maximum of 35 travellers and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
WHAT’S PROVIDED?
ITINERARY
After departing Mexico City at 8 a.m., you will travel to Teotihuacan for an early entrance.
You will then have a 2-hour walking tour with a professional guide.
Around midday, you will set off on a 4-hour cycling tour of the Teotihuacan Valley. This includes visits to San Martin de las Piramides, an ancient pre-Hispanic observatory inside a cave and a cooperative of local products. You will also make a stop for lunch in a local restaurant.
If cycling is not for you, there is an option to do the tour by bus.
#9 Historical Downtown Mexico City & Teotihuacan Pyramids & Mezcal Tasting
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR
If you are a history buff looking for a Teotihuacan tour from Mexico City, then this is the tour for you. It combines Teotihuacan with significant historical sites in Mexico City.
It has a maximum of 15 guests, so you will be able to ask as many history questions as you like.
This is one of the Teotihuacan tours from Mexico City that allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
WHAT’S PROVIDED?
ITINERARY
The tour starts with a pass by the Palacio de Bella Artes before arriving at the Zocalo for a 45-minute stop. You will then have a 30-minute visit to the National Palace (note that the Palace can shut at short notice for government business).
You will also visit the Museo del Templo Mayor, the Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de México, The Paseo de la Reforma and the Plaza de las Tres Culturas.
After your multiple-city stop tour, you will drive to Teotihuacan, where you will have a 2-hour guided tour before returning to Mexico City.
Best Small Group Tours From Mexico City To Teotihuacan
If you want to find a compromise between an expensive private tour and a cheap large group tour, there are small group tours from Mexico City to Teotihuacan available.
#10 Small-Group Teotihuacan Tour By Public Transport
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR
This 6-hour day trip to Teotihuacan from Mexico City is ideal for travellers on a budget. It is also a perfect choice for solo travellers who may feel nervous navigating Mexico’s public transport system.
The tour has a maximum group number of 20 and allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
WHAT’S PROVIDED?
ITINERARY
After meeting at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, you will travel with your guide to the bus station to board a bus to Teotihuacan.
Upon arrival, you will have a 3-hour guided tour of the pyramids and site. When you return to CDMX, you will visit Alameda Central Park.
This escorted tour allows plenty of time at the Teotihuacan. As it includes a guide as well as your transport, we think it is one of the best value-for-money Teotihuacan tours from Mexico City.
#11 Teotihuacán + Bike Tour Of The Valley
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR
This tour has a maximum of 15 travellers, so that you will get a lot of attention from your guide. It requires a moderate level of fitness, and there are bike trailers available for children.
The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. One negative point is that it does not include travel from CDMX.
WHAT’S PROVIDED?
ITINERARY
You will need to make your own way to the meeting point at Teotihuacan, where you will have 2 hours to explore the site on your own.
After the tour, you will start a 3-hour guided bike tour of the Teotihuacán Valley. You will visit an old neighbourhood that still preserves Teotihuacan mural painting, a pre-Hispanic observatory and a local cooperative. You will also stop en route for lunch in a local restaurant.
We think a Teotihuacan bike tour is a great way to see the pyramids from a different perspective. It also enables you to slow down and appreciate the Mexican landscape!
How To Get To Teotihuacan From Mexico City Independently
If you have decided that Teotihuacan tours from Mexico City are not for you, you are probably wondering how to get to Teotihuacan from Mexico City independently.
The good news is that there are several options you can use.
By a rental car
We think that the best way to get to Teotihuacan from Mexico City is by rental car.
Although you will have to navigate Mexico City centre traffic, you can leave as early as you want to avoid the worst of the traffic. It also means you can get to Teotihuacan before it gets too hot or too crowded.
Plus, if you are a couple or a group, driving to the Teotihuacan pyramids will be much cheaper than taking a tour.
The 48 km / 30-mile drive should take around 50 minutes, depending on traffic. You will head north out of Mexico City to join the 85D toll road, the 132D toll road and finally the 132 before reaching Teotihuacan.
If you decide that using a rental car is best for you, we always use and recommend Discover Cars.
By bus
Buses from Mexico City to Teotihuacan take around 40 – 60 minutes, depending on traffic.
The bus from Mexico City to Teotihuacan departs from the Central Norte station, which can be reached by the metro system’s Yellow Line. The buses start at 7 am and run every 15 minutes until around 6 pm.
You can buy your tickets when you get to the bus station. Look out for ticket booths and buses labelled Autobuses Teotihuacan or Piramides.
Before you buy your ticket, make sure your bus goes all the way to the pyramids and doesn’t terminate in San Juan Teotihuacan. We also recommend double-checking with the driver before you board the bus.
The bus to Teotihuacan from Mexico City costs around $15 / €14 per person for a round trip. It is an affordable option, particularly for solo travellers.
By Uber
If you want the flexibility, comfort and speed of a car but want to avoid the stress of driving in Mexico City, your best option is to take an Uber to Teotihuacan.
The current cost to take an Uber from Mexico City to Teotihuacan is around €44 / $47. You won’t have to pay for petrol or insurance, so this is an easy, cost-effective way to take a day trip to Teotihuacan, Mexico.
Teotihuacan Tours From Mexico City: FAQs
Is Teotihuacan worth visiting?
Yes, Teotihuacan is definitely worth visiting. We have visited Chichen Itza, Tikal in Guatemala and other famous sites, but we still love Teotihuacan.
It boasts perhaps the most significant and important pyramids built in the pre-Columbian era. Its highlights include the majestic 66-metre-tall Pyramid of the Sun and the 43-metre-tall Pyramid of the Moon. Plus, the mystery surrounding who built it makes it an intriguing place to visit.
Teotihuacan was once the largest city in the Americas and is thought to have been the sixth-largest city in the world of its time.
This UNESCO World Heritage site is a fascinating, living history and cultural textbook, and we think it is a must-visit on any Mexico itinerary.
What is the best time of day to visit Teotihuacan?
We think that Teotihuacan is best visited as early in the day as you can. If you arrive around midday, you will be exploring an unshaded site in the hottest, busiest part of the day.
Visit early so you can enjoy Teotihuacan when it is cooler and quieter.
We also recommend avoiding Teotihuacan on weekends – and particularly on Sundays. Mexico residents have free entry on Sundays, so you can expect the site to be very busy.
Is Teotihuacan a lot of walking?
The Teotihuacan site measures approximately 20 square kilometres and contains over 2,000 structures, including palaces, temples, compounds and pyramids. The main thoroughfare, Avenue of The Dead, is 2.4 km long.
So, yes, you can expect to do a lot of walking if you visit Teotihuacan Mexico City!
How much do you tip a tour guide in Teotihuacan?
How much to tip your Teotihuacan tour guide depends on how much your tour costs and if you are satisfied with your tour.
The standard tip rate is 10-15% of the tour cost, but if your guide has gone to extra effort for you, we think it is appropriate to tip between 15 – 20 %.
Don’t forget if you have a driver as well as a tour guide you will need to give them a tip also.
What do you wear to the Teotihuacan Pyramids?
Whether you choose to take one of the Teotihuacan tours from Mexico City or to visit independently, we strongly recommend dressing appropriately for your visit.
Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes. Flip flops will not be comfortable for all the walking you are going to do. Dress in loose-fitting cotton or linen clothing that allows you to breathe in the hot temperatures.
Wear a wide-brimmed sun hat to protect your face, ears and neck. There is very little shade in Teotihuacan, and you will burn quickly and easily if you do not protect yourself.
What to pack for Teotihuacan?
We suggest packing sunscreen and sunglasses. Bring plenty of water, ideally in reusable water bottles, so you don’t add to the plastic waste on site.
Pack some snacks or high-energy bars to fuel your walking. Don’t forget your camera and spare batteries (just in case!)
If you do not plan on taking a guide, we recommend downloading or printing off your own information and guide to the site. What you are seeing will mean much more to you when you know and understand what it is.
What are the Teotihuacan opening hours?
Teotihuacan is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last entry at 3 p.m. The Cultural Museum closes at 4.30 pm. The site is open 365 days a year.
How far is Teotihuacan from Mexico City?
Teotihuacan is 48 km / 30 miles northeast of Mexico City. As it has a short driving time of around 50 minutes, you can take half-day Teotihuacan tours from Mexico City if you are restricted on time.
How much does it cost to go to Teotihuacan?
The cost to enter Teotihuacan is a very reasonable 80 MXP / $4 / €3.60 per adult. Children under 13 enjoy free entry.
Your ticket includes entry to Teotihuacan, the Teotihuacan Cultural Museum and the Museum of Teotihuacan Murals. If you leave the museums or the site, you are allowed to re-enter if the time on your ticket is still valid. We like this element of flexibility, and it is a useful feature for families with young children.
Do I need a tour for Teotihuacan?
If you take one of the Teotihuacan tours from Mexico City, you will travel at speed and in comfort. Plus, if your tour comes with a guide, you will learn a lot about the history of Teotihuacan and of Mexico in general.
We cannot stress enough how important it is to ensure that you have adequate time on site. The best Teotihuacan tour will allocate at least two hours to the ancient site.
However, it is not necessary to join a tour of Teotihuacan in order to visit the site. You can travel on your own by public transport or by self-driving. We do recommend hiring a guide once you are at the site in order to appreciate what you are seeing fully.
Which is better Chichen Itza or Teotihuacan?
This is a difficult question to answer as it depends on your personal preferences. We have visited both sites and loved each of them.
However, if we had to pick one site over the other, we would pick Teotihuacan. Our balloon ride was exceptional and created an exceptional memory for us.
Plus, Teotihuacan is a much bigger site than Chichen Itza, and to be honest, we found it more impressive because of this.
How much is Uber from Mexico City to Teotihuacan?
As previously mentioned, an Uber from Mexico City to Teotihuacan costs around €44 / $47 one way. If you are a couple or a group of friends, this is an easy, cost-effective way to reach the pyramids and the ancient site.
Can you climb up the pyramids at Teotihuacan?
Unfortunately, as of 2023, you can NOT currently climb either the Pyramid of the Moon or the Pyramid of the Sun at the Teotihuacan. Climbing the pyramids was stopped at the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and access is still prohibited today. But you can still climb the smaller and less impressive Temple of the Feathered Serpent.
There is some debate as to whether visitors will ever be able to climb the pyramids again as archaeologists argue that the ever-increasing visitor numbers are slowly damaging the precious monuments.
Watch this space!
Is Teotihuacan Mayan or Aztec?
Although Teotihuacan got its current name from the Aztecs and contains some Mayan features, it wasn’t built by the Mayans or the Aztecs. It was built by a much older civilisation (the site dates back to 600 BC, well before the Aztecs).
Some scholars have suggested that Teotihuacan was built by the Totonac or the Toltec people, but no one knows for sure. The unsolved question of who actually constructed Teotihuacan is part of its current appeal.
What were the Teotihuacan known for?
Teotihuacan is probably best known for its two imposing pyramids, which sit at either end of the Avenue of the Dead. The Pyramid of the Moon and the Pyramid of the Sun are two of Mexico’s most recognizable landmarks.
The Pyramid of the Sun is one of the largest pyramids in the world.
How many pyramids are at Teotihuacan Ruins?
In addition to the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, there are 15 smaller, monumental pyramids.
How do you pronounce Teotihuacan?
The correct pronunciation of Teotihuacan is one of the first things Teotihuacan tours from CDMX will teach you! If you want to know before you go, it is pronounced te-aw-tee-wah-kahn.
Teotihuacan Tours From Mexico City: Final Thoughts
We have visited Teotihuacan independently and as part of a tour. Therefore, we can conclusively say that Teotihuacan tours from Mexico City are the best way to understand and appreciate this remarkable location.
You will learn so much more about its history, stories and legends than if you tour the site alone.
Whichever tour you choose, make sure its schedule, group size and budget fit your criteria. We also recommend choosing a tour that allows at least 2 hours on-site.
We guarantee this incredible site will wow you, and like us, you will want to return again and again.
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