Mexico City to Puerto Vallarta: Best Ways to Travel
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my Disclosure & Privacy policies for more detail.
Wondering about the best way to get from Mexico City to Puerto Vallarta? Read on for all your options!
If you’re hoping to pair a trip to one of Mexico’s premier beach towns with your stay in the capital city, you’re in the right place.
Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta are complementary destinations that will give you a sense of just how diverse and dynamic Mexico truly is. Mexico City’s location near the geographic center of Mexico makes it a popular entry point into the country and a convenient jumping-off point for exploring other regions.
The most expedient way to travel from Mexico City to Puerto Vallarta is by flight, but you can also use Mexico’s bus system or make the 10-hour drive.
Keep reading, and I’ll explain the details of each transportation option to help you choose the right one for you. I’ve traveled this route myself several times, so you’re in good hands!
Flights: The most efficient way to travel
Flying is by far the most comfortable and quickest way to Puerto Vallarta from Mexico City.
The flight takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. You can find direct flights leaving Mexico City’s Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) on a daily basis. There are also multiple nonstop daily flights from Mexico City’s new Felipe Angeles International Airport (NLU).
Note: The Felipe Angeles airport is located outside of Mexico City, making it less convenient to get to (the best way is Uber). For convenience, I recommend opting for flights in and out of the Benito Juarez Airport instead.
All flights to Puerto Vallarta will land at the Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Airport (PVR).
There may be more flights during peak travel seasons, such as the winter high season, and holidays like Semana Santa when more travelers escape the city and head to the beach. But this is a popular route all year.
Who flies to Puerto Vallarta?
The Mexican airlines VivaAerobus, Volaris, and AeroMexico all offer flights between Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta.
VivaAerobus and Volaris are both budget airlines, so they’ll have the cheapest flights, but you should expect to pay for extras like seat selection, baggage, and even a printed boarding pass.
I’ve flown with both of these airlines and had positive experiences every time, but I would recommend Volaris over VivaAerobus. Volaris has slightly nicer planes and better customer service, in my experience.
AeroMexico is a great airline, and I’ve always had positive experiences flying with them. The tickets will inevitably cost more, but you’ll have a more comfortable trip.
How much does it cost to fly from Mexico City to Puerto Vallarta?
I’ve seen one-way flights from CDMX to PVR for as little as $640 MXN, but on average, they range from $1200 – $2800 MXN.
Keep in mind that flight prices to Puerto Vallarta vary depending on seasonality, demand, and the day of the week you choose to travel.
Skyscanner is an excellent tool for finding cheap flights based on locating the most affordable months and days to travel. You can use the monthly view to identify the cheapest month to travel and then analyze the flight prices on different days of the month. This feature makes it easy to spot price trends and plan your travels accordingly!
Airport transportation in Puerto Vallarta
It’s important to know that Uber is not permitted to pick passengers up right at the airport in Puerto Vallarta– though, you can catch an Uber by walking across a pedestrian bridge just outside the airport.
It’s perfectly safe to take a registered taxi from the airport to your accommodation. I take a taxi every time I arrive at the airport in Puerto Vallarta and have never had issues. Fares are pre-determined based on your destination, and you can purchase a ticket from the taxi booth inside the terminal (they accept credit cards!) A taxi to Puerto Vallarta’s Centro or Romantic Zone will cost about $250 – $300 MXN.
Alternatively, you can book an airport transfer in advance using GetTransfer and a driver will meet you at arrivals to take you to your accommodation.
Bus from Mexico City to Puerto Vallarta
Mexico has a robust long-haul bus system that covers the entire country. Even though the journey will be long, you can hop on a bus in Mexico City and travel all the way to Puerto Vallarta.
The journey from CDMX to Vallarta is about 850km, and the bus trip will take 12 to 14 hours.
You can travel directly from Mexico City’s Central Norte to Puerto Vallarta’s bus station with the Futura or ETN bus lines. Both companies offer evening departure times, so you’ll travel overnight and arrive in Vallarta in the morning.
A ticket with Futura will cost about $100 USD, while a ticket with ETN runs about $140 USD.
If you’re willing to spend the extra money, I encourage you to travel with ETN as it’s a much more luxurious bus line. You’ll be far more comfortable onboard their coaches.
Futura buses are great for shorter journeys, but they’re not nearly as spacious or comfortable as ETN.
Flying will almost always be more convenient and comfortable than a 12-hour bus journey, but buses are a safe and reliable way to travel throughout Mexico. Bus tickets don’t face the same price volatility as flights do, so they may be a more affordable option during high season.
Busbud is my favorite site for booking bus tickets in Mexico because it’s in English, and they accept foreign credit cards.
Driving: Best for experienced travelers
The drive from Mexico City to Puerto Vallarta takes about 11 hours, depending on traffic. It covers approximately 850km and crosses through several different states in central Mexico.
There are two main routes from CDMX to Vallarta. One goes through the state of Michoacan, and the other goes around it, traveling slightly North through the states of Queretaro and Guanajuato before entering the state of Jalisco.
Both Guanajuato and Michoacan have occasional flareups due to cartel activity, so it’s crucial to research your route in advance based on current information. I recommend joining the On the Road in Mexico Facebook group for insights.
I’ve included a map below for your reference:
When driving in Mexico, it’s advisable to stick to toll roads, known as cuotas, because they are well-maintained and patrolled. Of course, tolls do add to your overall trip costs.
According to Toll Guru, the toll costs from Mexico City to Vallarta for the route through Michoacan would be about $2232 MXN.
To stay safe on the roads in Mexico, keep the following tips in mind:
- Always drive during the day as it can be difficult to spot obstructions in the roads at night
- Keep cash on hand to cover tolls and cash-only gas stations
- Keep your gas tank full and plan your refueling stops, as there can be long distances between fill stations in rural areas
Discover Cars is a great platform for finding affordable rates on rental cars in Mexico. It’s a price aggregator that compares rates across many different companies. Just be sure to read reviews of the individual companies to ensure they’re reputable before renting.
Mexico City to Puerto Vallarta Transportation FAQs
Is it safe to fly to Puerto Vallarta right now?
Absolutely! Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s most popular travel destinations, and it’s a very safe place to visit, even for solo travelers. Of course, it’s always important to use common sense anywhere you travel. I also recommend keeping an eye on hurricane warnings, as hurricane season in Puerto Vallarta runs from June through October. Click here for tips on the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta.
How far is Puerto Vallarta from the airport?
The Puerto Vallarta airport is located just north of the town. It’s about 8 km from the airport to Puerto Vallarta’s Centro neighborhood. Traveling that distance in an Uber or taxi typically takes about 20 minutes.
What’s the safest way to get around Puerto Vallarta?
Taxi, Uber, and buses are all perfectly safe in Puerto Vallarta. Just be sure to confirm the taxi price before you get in the vehicle. I recently spent a month in Puerto Vallarta and used Uber almost exclusively. It is my preferred way to get around because of the simplicity of cash-free payments and the convenience of in-app navigation. Check out my guide to Uber in Puerto Vallarta for more details.
Mexico Travel Planning Resources
🌡️ Do I need travel insurance?
Yes! Healthcare in Mexico is affordable for minor ailments, but travel insurance will give you peace of mind if an emergency arises. Plus, you can add coverage for trip interruption, theft, etc. Get a quote from SafetyWing.
🏨 What’s the best way to find accommodation in Mexico?
I use a mix of Booking, Airbnb, and Hostelworld.
Booking.com is awesome for booking hotels and resorts, Hostelworld is great for hostels, and Airbnb specializes in apartment rentals, making it a great place to find long-term stays.
💸 How should I exchange money in Mexico?
Use local ATMS to withdraw cash. US travelers should open a Charles Schwab bank account because they’ll refund ATM fees at the end of the month.
Travelers from outside the US should open a Wise account to secure the best currency exchange rates.
📱 Where can I buy a local SIM card in Mexico?
Pick up a Telcel SIM card at any convenience store. Or, buy an Airalo eSIM online so you’re connected as soon as you land.
🗣️ Do I need to speak Spanish in Mexico?
No, but it definitely helps you feel more confident and connected.
RocketSpanish is my favorite program for learning the foundations of the language. If you’re more focused on improving your conversation skills, hire a tutor through iTalki to prep for your trip.
✈️ What’s the best way to find affordable flights?
I use Skyscanner because it makes it easy to compare rates across different travel days.
🚖 How do I find a safe airport transfer?
I recommend GetTransfer for airport transfers anywhere in Mexico.
🚗 What’s the best way to find rental cars in Mexico?
I recommend Discover Cars because they aggregate prices across rental car companies, making it easy to find competitive rates.
🚐 How do I book bus tickets online in Mexico?
Plan your routes with Rome2Rio, and book your tickets with Busbud — the site is in English and takes foreign credit cards. (Read more here)
🤿 How do I find cool activities and tours in Mexico?
I recommend Viator and Get Your Guide. Viator usually has more options, but it’s worth comparing offerings across both platforms.
🇲🇽 How can I experience Mexico like a local?
Solo female travelers can hire a local female guide through Greether. Greeters will tailor tours based on your interests— it’s basically like experiencing a destination with a local bestie!
🧳 What’s the best luggage for Mexico?
Unless you’re staying at a resort, a travel pack is recommended. I’ve used this one from Osprey for the last 8+ years.
👯♀️ How do I connect with fellow travelers in Mexico?
Join my Female Travelers in Mexico Facebook group, a supportive community of fellow Mexico travel enthusiasts, where you can find answers to all your travel questions!
