Private car transfer from Mexico City to Oaxaca de Juarez

You’ll find yourself on the open highway as soon as you start your trip in Mexico City, and the urban metropolis will quickly give way to the rustic landscapes. Then, you’ll start ascending into the mountains, passing through the magnificent Sierra Madre del Sur. And with getting higher comes the cool air and even cooler views. Vast forests and glimpses of mountain peaks will surround you—better start early in the morning for the light’s dramatic illumination of the valleys.

You’ll understand you’re closer to Oaxaca when cacti and brush views intensify, and a sense of isolation starts to settle in. This contrast with the urban start of your trip will prepare you for Oaxaca’s differences and beauties, which you’ll explore during your stay.

Oaxaca is a melting pot of indigenous cultures, including the Zapotec and Mixtec, which are still effective today. Their influence is especially seen in the city’s traditional crafts, such as weaving, pottery, and wood-carving, and most famously, the colorful alebrijes, fantastical carved creatures. This artistic side paints and decorates the city into the colorful place it is.

What Oaxaca is quite famous for is its cuisine which is considered one of the most varied and complex in the whole of Mexico. Especially its mole sauces, particularly mole negro, which includes more than 20 ingredients like chocolate and chilies, are the chief pieces of the Oaxacan cuisine.

Tlayudas (a thin-crust Mexican pizza), mezcal (a spirit distilled from agave), and chapulines (fried grasshoppers) are only a few other specialties Oaxaca boasts of. So being here will be a festival to your tastes, that’s for sure!

This culture and cuisine live and thrive between the historic buildings and the center of Oaxaca. The UNESCO World Heritage Site features beautiful colonial-era architecture made from green volcanic stone. Santo Domingo de Guzmán Church, a baroque architectural treasure, is one of the main representatives of Oaxaca de Juarez’s historical side.

Stay informed about local conditions

Check the local weather and road conditions before and during your trip. Weather in the mountains can change very fast, and heavy rains can lead to landslides or road closures, which might affect the duration of your trip. Download local news apps or be familiar with such websites, and consider following regional social media pages for real-time updates.

Being aware of the local conditions will help you make safe travel decisions. You can also always ask your Daytrip driver for any updates you’d like to know.

Enrich your trip with stops

The route from Mexico City to Oaxaca is not the shortest one, lasting around six hours. Though you can enjoy the comfort of traveling in the private vehicle of Daytrip the whole way there, adding stops to your itinerary means adding extra fun.

Start by exploring Puebla, a city that started out as a dream of a bishop and ended up as the fourth largest city in Mexico, set in the middle of valleys surrounded by mountains. Then continue to Helia Bravo Hollis Botanical Gardens, because isn’t the jewel of Mexican aesthetic a cactus? Here you’ll get to see more than 80 kinds of it and observe the surrounding biodiversity closely.

Mexico City to Oaxaca by car

To drive from Mexico city to Oaxaca can be done in around six to seven hours. You’d be traveling the 285-mile (457-km) route, mostly on Highway 150D, if you don’t add specific stops along the way. You’ll have the flexibility to stop whenever you want and travel through mountains and valleys.

But don’t forget the costs of fuel and tolls, and traffic, especially when leaving Mexico City, and driving on challenging roads will be under your control and responsibility.

Mexico City to Oaxaca by bus

There are many bus services that operate between Mexico City and Oaxaca. These buses are direct trips, which is better than having transfers, considering the bus ride takes at least seven hours.

While ADO buses and Autobuses Titanium are the most popular services to choose from, there are other companies you can choose from. Although a cheap transportation option, keep in mind that buses offer very few stops for refreshments and none to explore on the way. Purchase tickets for around $50.

Mexico City to Oaxaca by plane

Since both Mexico City and Oaxaca have airports, getting from one to the other by plane is possible and does not require any transfer. During the day, you can find several flights to choose from, and most of these flights are operated by domestic carriers such as Aeromexico or Volaris.

Your flight would depart from Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City, and in around one hour, you’d land at Oaxaca International Airport. Taking a flight would be the fastest way to get to Oaxaca but not a cheap one at all, especially compared to taking a bus ride. Flights start around $71.

Mexico City to Oaxaca by private car service

Choosing a private car service like Daytrip to get to Oaxaca turns your trip into a comfortable but colorful journey. In the luxury of the vehicle you choose, you’ll travel free of stress, strict schedules, or whether you’re safe or not.

Your first-class travel experience will be taken care of by an experienced, friendly, local Daytrip driver. The English-speaking driver will make sure everything goes according to plan and your preferences. And you can choose all the stops you’d like! Secure a seat for just $150.

Rejoice in the Guelaguetza Festival

The Guelaguetza Festival, held annually in July, is not just an event but a lively expression of Oaxaca's indigenous cultural heritage. This festival is famous for its colorful parades, traditional dances, and music from the various ethnic groups of Oaxaca.

Each group shows its traditional character and performs dances that are often centuries old in an open-air auditorium built into the side of a hill. The atmosphere is electrifying, as everyone in tow is drawn into the celebrations.

Feast at Casa Oaxaca

Casa Oaxaca is a popular restaurant in Oaxaca, known for its innovative approach to traditional Oaxacan cuisine. The chef, Alejandro Ruiz, uses local ingredients to create dishes that not only taste exquisite but also tell a story of Oaxaca's history. The restaurant's beautiful setting, with views of the Santo Domingo Church, makes it a perfect place to have dinner.

Don’t leave without trying the stone soup, caldo de piedra, which is cooked tableside with hot stones in a traditional ritual. It’s more of an immersive cultural experience than just a dish, blending taste and tradition.

Explore Hierve el Agua

Just a couple of hours from Oaxaca City lies Hierve el Agua, a natural wonder unique to the region. It features petrified waterfalls and natural spring pools perched on the edge of cliffs. These "frozen" waterfalls were formed by mineral water dripping over the cliff edge, creating stone formations that look like cascading waterfalls.

You can swim in the natural spring pools, which have mineral-rich waters that are said to have healing powers. It is surrounded by spectacular views of mountains and valleys, so it’s great for hiking and photography.

Another unique event is La Noche de Rábanos on December 23, where competitors create intricate radish sculptures displayed on the Zócalo. This period is also great for outdoor activities like hiking and mountain biking in Oaxaca’s scenic mountain towns.

Despite being the peak season, it’s possible to find hotel deals, especially in late November, early December, and February.