How to Visit Teotihuacán from Mexico City

Key takeaways

• Distance: Teotihuacán is about 50 km northeast of central Mexico City, roughly an hour by road. Buses leave from the Terminal Autobuses del Norte.

• Hours and fees: the site is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry in 2026 is MXN 210, or MXN 105 for Mexican nationals and foreign residents.

• Climbing: the Pyramid of the Sun has been closed to climbers since 2020. The Pyramid of the Moon reopened to its first platform in May 2025 and has been closed since a shooting there in April 2026.

• Security: INAH added metal detectors and bag checks at the entrances in April 2026.

• Balloons: flights launch around dawn from San Juan Teotihuacán and San Martín de las Pirámides, and a federal aviation commission has supervised the launch sites since March 2026.

Teotihuacán and why it fills a full day

Teotihuacán was one of the largest cities of ancient Mesoamerica. At its height it had more than 100,000 inhabitants, according to INAH, Mexico's national institute of anthropology and history, which runs the site. UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List in 1987.

The open area covers 264 hectares, and walking it end to end takes several hours. The Avenue of the Dead runs south from the Pyramid of the Moon to the Ciudadela, with the Pyramid of the Sun, about 65 m tall, on its east side. There's little shade, and the site sits at around 2,300 m, so it's more tiring than the flat avenue suggests.

Getting to Teotihuacán from Mexico City

The bus is the easiest way to get there. Buses to the pyramids leave from the Terminal Central de Autobuses del Norte, which has its own stop on Metro Line 5. Mexico City's tourism office directs travelers to Puerta 8, at the north end of the terminal, where the ticket windows are marked "Pirámides." Some buses stop in the town of San Juan Teotihuacán first; staying on brings you to the gates, usually Puerta 2. Return buses leave from Puerta 2 every 10 minutes or so until 6 p.m.

By car, INAH gives the route as the Mexico City-Pachuca highway to the Ecatepec-Pirámides highway. Puerta 5, beside the Pyramid of the Sun, is the entrance for the Museo de la Cultura Teotihuacana.

Teotihuacán hours, fees and access in 2026

Which pyramids you can climb

The Pyramid of the Sun has been closed to climbers since 2020. The State of Mexico government said in October 2025 that it planned to reopen the climb in 2026, but no reopening had been announced as of November 2026.

The Pyramid of the Moon reopened on May 19, 2025, though only up to its first platform. On April 20, 2026, a gunman opened fire from the pyramid, killing a Canadian visitor and injuring 13 people before killing himself. The site reopened two days later with extra security and the National Guard deployed, but the Pyramid of the Moon stayed closed until further notice. INAH started hand-checking bags on April 24 and, that weekend, installed metal detectors at Teotihuacán and the country's four other most-visited archaeological sites. Reports from mid-2026 said climbing was still not allowed on either pyramid, so confirm the Moon's status with INAH before you go.

Hot-air balloon flights over the pyramids

Balloons launch around sunrise from balloon ports in San Juan Teotihuacán and San Martín de las Pirámides. Flight length depends on the wind, and entry to the archaeological zone is a separate ticket, so check whether your package includes it.

The flights have a mixed safety record. In April 2023 a balloon caught fire and two passengers died, and a crash in May 2025 injured about a dozen people. Since March 2026, AFAC, Mexico's federal civil aviation agency, has kept a permanent commission at the launch sites to check that operators meet the rules. After an inspection on March 29, 2026, three balloon companies were suspended for irregularities.

Passengers can ask an operator to show its panoramic flight permit, the balloon's registration and airworthiness certificates, its current insurance, and the pilot's commercial (not private) license. An operator that can't show them is one to skip.

Planning the day

• Arrive at 8 a.m., when the gates open. Crowds peak between noon and 4 p.m., and there's little shade anywhere on the site.

• The dry months from November to April are the most comfortable. The rainy season runs roughly from June to October, when storms tend to come in the afternoon, so mornings are the better bet.

• The spring equinox, around March 20, draws very large crowds and special INAH rules, and the Pyramid of the Sun stayed closed to climbers on the 2026 equinox weekend.

• The Museo de los Murales Teotihuacanos Beatriz de la Fuente, entered by Puerta 3, holds mural paintings from the ancient city.

• In June 2026 a site museum reopened after about 20 years closed, and most of its pieces had never been shown before.

• San Juan Teotihuacán and San Martín de las Pirámides, jointly named a Pueblo Mágico in 2015, serve local dishes such as barbacoa and mixiotes, along with pulque.

Frequently asked questions

Can you climb the Pyramid of the Sun?

No. The Pyramid of the Sun has been closed to climbers since 2020, and no reopening had been announced as of November 2026.

How much does it cost to enter Teotihuacán?

In 2026, general entry is MXN 210. Mexican nationals and foreign residents with proof of residency pay MXN 105, and they get in free on Sundays.

How long does it take to get to Teotihuacán from Mexico City?

About an hour by road from central Mexico City, longer in heavy traffic. Buses leave from the Terminal Autobuses del Norte.

Is Teotihuacán safe to visit after the 2026 shooting?

The site reopened two days after the April 20, 2026, shooting, with the National Guard deployed. INAH has since added metal detectors at the entrances and bag checks, though the Pyramid of the Moon closed after the attack, so check its status before you go.

How early do the balloon flights leave?

Balloons launch around sunrise, so expect a very early start from Mexico City. How long the flight lasts depends on the wind.