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Acapulco is Mexico's original Pacific resort, 288 kilometres (179 miles) south of Mexico City. Its bay curves around high-rise hotels, and cliff divers still leap at La Quebrada. Flying is the quickest way to get from Mexico City to Acapulco, taking 2h 30m. By road, the shared minivan is the cheapest option at $17 (300 MXN), and the bus costs more.
Distance from Mexico City to Acapulco
Mexico City and Acapulco are about 288 km (179 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 360 km by road. The quickest way to get from Mexico City to Acapulco is by taking the flight, which takes around 2h 30m.
3 ways to travel from Mexico City to Acapulco
There are three ways to travel from Mexico City to Acapulco. You can choose between the minivan, bus, and flight. The journey takes 2h 30m–5h 35m and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by minivan with tickets starting at $17 (300 MXN).
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- Getting→the bus station in Mexico City30m
- Getting→the bus station in Mexico City5h
- Mexico City→Acapulco5m
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- City Centre→Mexico City Airport45m
- Mexico City→Acapulco1h 15m
- Acapulco Airport→the City Centre30m
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Mexico City to Acapulco by Shared Minivan
A minivan ride from Mexico City to Acapulco isn’t just convenient — it’s also the cheapest way to travel this route. With fares from $17 (300 MXN), it’s more than 50% cheaper than what you’d pay for a luxury bus. The minivan ride takes about 5h 10m, depending on traffic.
Only one company is operating on this route: Reserv Van. What we like about this option is the free hotel pickup and drop-off. This saves you the hassle and extra cost of finding your way to and from bus stations.
Shared Minivan schedule from Mexico City to Acapulco
Shared Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
Mexico City to Acapulco by Bus
You can choose from three bus companies when travelling from Mexico City to Acapulco: Edo Pluss, Estrella de Oro Diamante and ETN.
With several bus departures from early morning to late at night, you can be quite flexible with your schedule. The entire trip takes around 5h 35m - 7h 50m. That includes the transfers to and from the bus stations, which are easily accessible by public transport.
Step 1: Getting to the bus station in Mexico City
Most buses to Acapulco depart from Mexico City’s southern bus terminal, also known as Terminal Taxqueña. This terminal is near Coyoacan, a well-known tourist area, and about 12km south of the Centro.
Getting there is easy if you’re coming from the city centre. The Metro is a budget-friendly option, with tickets costing $0.30 (5 MXN). You can hop on Line #2 at Zocalo or Pino Suarez Station. It’s a direct ride to Taxqueña, the last stop on the line. The train station is conveniently located right in front of the southern bus terminal.
If you prefer, you can also use a taxi or Uber to get to the bus station. Rates from the city centre cost around $9.20 (160 MXN).
Step 2: Mexico City to Acapulco by Bus
You have a few options when travelling by bus from Mexico City to Acapulco.
Edo Pluss and Estrella de Oro Diamante are part of the same company, but Diamante offers a more premium experience. Both buses have air conditioning, reclining seats and toilets. Diamante elevates the experience with bed-style seats, refreshments upon boarding, charging ports and individual screens.
ETN is another luxury option. Its buses have extra legroom, premium seats with leg rests, separate toilets and personal entertainment screens.
The bus trip from Mexico City to Acapulco takes around 5h - 7h 15m. Ticket prices start from $43 (750 MXN).
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Booking Tip
Mexico City has multiple bus terminals, so before booking online, double-check where your bus departs from.
If you're buying your ticket at the station, arrive at least 30 minutes before your preferred departure time. Otherwise, you might have to wait for the next trip!
Step 3: Acapulco Bus Terminal to the City Centre
Your bus trip ends at Acapulco de Juarez Central Bus Station, which is close to the city centre and just a few blocks from the beach. Many accommodations are within walking distance.
If your hotel is located outside of the city centre, you can take a taxi. The rate will depend on the distance but starts at around $2.90 (50 MXN).
Mexico City to Acapulco by Flight
Both cities have their own airports, but flying from Mexico City to Acapulco doesn’t save as much time as you might think.
The flight itself takes just over an hour, but when you factor in airport transfers, the total journey is at least 2h 30m. Add the waiting time at the airport and that's almost as long as taking a direct bus.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: City Centre to Mexico City Airport
Flights to Acapulco depart from Benito Juarez or Mexico City International Airport (MEX), which you can find 10 km east of Mexico City. You can get there in 3 ways: via Metrobus (45 minutes), Metro (50 minutes), or taxi/Uber (25 minutes).
If you're staying in the city centre, the easiest option to reach the airport is the Metrobus (Line #4). The nearest stop to the main square is Republica de Argentina and a bus ticket costs $1.70 (30 MXN). The Metrobus serves both Terminals 1 and 2 of Mexico City Airport.
For more comfort, you can use Uber/Taxi. Fares from the city centre to the airport start at around $6.30 (110 MXN).
Coming from outside of Mexico City and looking for the cheapest way? The Metro costs only $0.30 (5 MXN). But keep in mind that bulky luggage isn’t allowed in the Metro and there are no direct trains to the airport.
For more info, check out our detailed guide for Mexico City Airport.
Step 2: Mexico City to Acapulco by Flight
Direct flights from Mexico City to Acapulco are available three times a day, between 06:05 and 16:55. Flight duration is about 1h 15m.
Two airlines fly this route daily: Aeromexico and Volaris. If you're open to layovers, you can also find flights with stops in Tijuana or Guadalajara.
Volaris offers the lowest fares, starting from $46 (800 MXN). Since this route is in high demand, we recommend booking a few weeks in advance to get the best rates.
Step 3: Acapulco Airport to the City Centre
Acapulco International Airport is about 25km southeast of the city centre. Taxis are the most common way to reach your hotel, with airport taxis charging around $23 (400 MXN).
A better option is booking a private car with BookAway. It’s more convenient since you can pre-book your ride. It’s also cheaper, with rates for 3-seater cars starting at $17 (290 MXN).
For larger groups, private minivans for up to nine people are also available through BookAway.
Travel time takes about 30 minutes.
Flight tickets are available on Skyscanner.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Acapulco?
Acapulco is a popular destination on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. It is relatively close to Mexico City and therefore a local favourite beach destination. Some of its most popular beaches are Punta Diamante, Playa Caleta, La Condesa and Puerto Marques.
The beaches in Acapulco are calm and pleasant, perfect for water activities like paddleboarding and kayaking. But if they're not enough for you, you can always take a boat to explore the lovely shores of nearby Isla Roqueta. The surf isn’t so great except for a few spots in the south by Punta Diamante.
You shouldn’t miss the traditional cliff diving show at a spot known as La Quebrada, where experienced divers jump from heights of 25m to 35m after climbing the cliff without any ropes. We recommend spending your sunsets at any of the restaurants by the bay, admiring the skyline backdropped by the sky's changing hues.
Beyond the beaches, Acapulco also offers interesting historic and cultural spots like the Fort of San Diego, the Acapulco Historical Museum and the area around the Zocalo. If you are interested in wildlife and bird watching, Tres Palos Lagoon is home to beautiful mangroves, lush flowers, countless fish and colourful birds.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Mexico City to Acapulco, roughly 288 kilometres (179 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $17 (300 MXN). The quickest trip takes 2h 30m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Mexico City to Acapulco?
The distance from Mexico City to Acapulco is 288 kilometres (179 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Mexico City to Acapulco?
The fastest way to get from Mexico City to Acapulco is by flight and takes 2h 30m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Mexico City to Acapulco?
The cheapest way to get from Mexico City to Acapulco is by minivan with ticket costs starting from 300 MXN.
About the Authors
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Travel Writer
Selene is a writer who loves coffee, travel, and planning. After spending a decade in Manila, she left the city and her career in banking to embrace a more laid-back lifestyle. Now, she is discovering the beauty of slow-paced travel and finding joy in meaningful experiences.
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