Getting There and Away

Written by Andreas Keller, Marika Maslanka, Miguel Lopez
01/08/2025
Colorful papel picado decorates the streets of Oaxaca, Mexico, with taxis passing by.
Luis Ariza, Pexels

Oaxaca City is served by Oaxaca International Airport (OAX), also known as Xoxocotlán International Airport, which is located approximately 9-10 kilometers (5.6-6.2 miles) from the city center. For bus travel, Oaxaca has a First Class Bus Station (Terminal de Autobuses de Primera Clase), primarily for long-distance routes including ADO services, and a Second Class Bus Station (Terminal de Autobuses de Segunda Clase) for local and coastal destinations.

By Air:

Direct flights to Oaxaca International Airport (OAX) are available from Mexico City (MEX), taking about 1 hour and 13 minutes. Round-trip fares average around $401 USD, with one-way options starting from $44 USD. Prices can be lower if booked in advance, with August often being the cheapest month to fly.

By Bus:

Buses are a popular and affordable way to travel to Oaxaca, especially from Mexico City. The journey typically takes 6 to 7 hours. ADO is a major bus company, offering different service classes: ADO Standard (around MXN 700-800 or £30-35), ADO GL (around MXN 900-1000 or £38-42), and ADO Platino (around MXN 1200-1400 or £50-60), with discounts for advance purchases. Buses depart from various terminals in Mexico City, including TAPO, and arrive at Oaxaca's main bus station (Terminal ADO).

From Oaxaca Airport to City Center:

  • Shared Shuttle (Colectivo van):: Tickets are purchased inside the airport terminal. The cost is approximately MXN $135 (~US$7) per person for Zone 1 (city center) and MXN $210 (~US$11) for Zone 2. The ride takes about 20-40 minutes but may be longer as the van waits to fill and makes multiple stops.
  • Private Taxi (Especial):: Book and pay at the transportation booth inside the airport. Costs range from MXN $465 (~US$25-38) for Zone 1 to MXN $715 (~US$38) for Zone 2. This is the fastest option, taking around 25 minutes directly to your destination.
  • Pre-booked Private Transfer:: Options are available for different group sizes, with a Toyota Avanza (1-3 passengers) costing around MXN $900 one-way and a Toyota Hiace (4-10 passengers) around MXN $1300 one-way.
  • City Taxi/Public Bus (from outside airport grounds):: For cheaper options, one can walk about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) outside the airport to hail a local yellow taxi or a red and white shared colectivo taxi for around MXN $20. Public buses are also available from stops outside the airport, costing about €5 (MXN 100) for Zone 1.

To Oaxaca Airport from City Center:

Yellow city taxis can be hailed or arranged by your hotel, typically costing around MXN $250 (~US$15). The DiDi app can also be used to arrange a taxi.

Car Rental:

Car rental companies, including Enterprise, Alamo, and Europcar, operate at Oaxaca International Airport with desks inside the terminal. Daily rental rates can start from $14-22 USD. Renting a car provides flexibility for exploring areas outside the city center.

Check out our other pages on Oaxaca City

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