Getting to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Getting There and Away

Written by Andreas Keller, Marika Maslanka, Miguel Lopez

01/08/2025

Discover San Miguel de Allende's stunning architecture and vibrant urban scene from above.

Mark Flying, Pexels

San Miguel de Allende does not have its own airport or train station, but is primarily accessed via nearby international airports and a central bus terminal. The city itself is very walkable, and local transportation consists of taxis, Uber, and a local bus system.

Flights:

San Miguel de Allende is served by three main airports:

Del Bajío International Airport (BJX): near León/Guanajuato (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 42 minutes away) . This is the most frequently used airport for travelers to San Miguel de Allende, especially those from the northern US and Canada.
Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO): (approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes away) . QRO is the closest and smallest airport, often preferred for its manageability, though it may have fewer flights and staff.
Mexico City International Airport (MEX): (approximately 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours away) . MEX offers the most direct flight options.

Shuttle Services:

Private and shared shuttle services are available from all three major airports, and booking in advance is recommended.
From BJX or QRO, a shared shuttle can cost around US$25 one-way per person.
From MEX, a shared shuttle for more than one passenger can cost around US$95 one-way per person. For a single traveler, it can be around US$190. The journey typically takes 4 to 5 hours.

Buses:

From Mexico City: Direct buses depart from Mexico City's Central Norte, taking approximately 4 hours with one stop in Querétaro. Companies like ETN and Primera Plus offer first-class service. A one-way ticket can range from $36 to $61 USD. AeroPlus buses also leave directly from the Mexico City airport for Querétaro, with a one-way ticket costing 256 pesos.
From Querétaro: Local buses to San Miguel de Allende run frequently, approximately every 20 minutes.
From Guanajuato: ETN offers nonstop bus service.

Car Rental:

Car rental companies are available at the airports serving San Miguel de Allende, including BJX, QRO, and MEX. Major companies like Avis, Budget, Alamo, and Enterprise are present. Renting a car is an option if you plan to explore nearby cities like Guanajuato or Patzcuaro, but it is generally not needed for getting around San Miguel de Allende itself due to challenging parking and walkable streets.

Our Mission

At TFA Travel we believe in travel for all. Our mission is to enable people to explore the world as easily as possible without having to pay a travel agent a huge commission.

Our typical audience are those that want to see something new and get involved with authentic experiences of a country. Whether you are a backpacker, solo traveller, solo female traveller, straight or LGBTQ+ couple, family, you will find local and authentic experiences here.