How to Get From Mexico City to Taxco 2026: Bus, Car, or Tour

The fastest way to get from Mexico City to Taxco is the ADO bus from Tasqueña, which takes about 2.5 hours and usually costs 190 to 280 MXN. Driving takes roughly 2.5 to 3 hours on MEX-95D, while tours and private transfers make more sense if you want door-to-door help or are timing your trip around Semana Santa in Taxco.

Mexico City to Taxco in 30 Seconds

Option	Time	Cost	Best For
ADO bus (Tasqueña)	2.5 hrs	190–280 MXN	Budget travelers, no car
Estrella Blanca 2nd class	3–3.5 hrs	120–160 MXN	Cheapest option
Driving (MEX-95D)	2.5–3 hrs	80–120 MXN tolls + gas	Flexibility, groups
Organized tour	Half or full day	800–2,500 MXN	Semana Santa processions
Private transfer	2.5 hrs	1,800–3,000 MXN	Families, door-to-door

Best Mexico City to Taxco Option by Starting Point

Starting point	Best option	Why
Centro Histórico / Roma / Condesa	ADO from Tasqueña	Cheapest, straightforward, and no parking headache in Taxco
Polanco / Santa Fe	Driving or private transfer	Saves the cross-city detour to Tasqueña
MEX airport	Uber to Tasqueña plus ADO, or private transfer	Best if you land light and do not want to rent a car
Group of 3 or more	Driving	Tolls and gas are usually cheaper than several first-class bus tickets
Holy Wednesday or Good Friday	Overnight stay plus bus or tour	Avoids missing the biggest processions because of the last return bus

Option 1: ADO Bus from Tasqueña (Recommended)

The fastest and most comfortable public transport option is ADO first-class from Terminal Central del Sur, better known as Tasqueña.

Getting to the terminal:

• Metro Line 2 (blue) to Tasqueña station — the terminal is directly connected to the Metro exit
• From Centro Histórico: about 30–40 minutes by Metro
• From Condesa/Roma: Uber to terminal (40–60 MXN, 20 min without traffic)
• From Polanco/Santa Fe: Uber (80–120 MXN, 30 min)

The most common mistake: People assume Taxco buses leave from TAPO. They do not. TAPO serves eastern and southeastern Mexico, while Tasqueña handles the southbound routes that matter here, including Cuernavaca, Taxco, Acapulco, and Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo.

Schedule and prices: ADO runs multiple daily departures from Tasqueña to Taxco. First departures start around 6:00–7:00 AM; last buses leave in the early evening. During Semana Santa week, there are additional departures to handle demand.

Service	Price	Travel Time	Notes
ADO first class	190–280 MXN	2.5 hrs	AC, reclining seats, luggage below
Estrella de Oro	200–250 MXN	2.5–3 hrs	Good alternative if ADO sold out
Estrella Blanca	120–160 MXN	3–3.5 hrs	More stops, older buses

Buy tickets online: ADO.com.mx or the ADO app. Pay by credit card, collect at the terminal machine with your booking code. During Semana Santa, buy at least 2 weeks ahead — seats sell out completely.

On the bus: The journey follows MEX-95D south through Tres Marías pass (3,000m — bring a layer, it’s cold), then descends into the Guerrero highlands. The scenery gets better as you approach Taxco — rolling hills covered in silver-grey ixtle plants.

Arrival in Taxco: The ADO terminal is about 1 km from the historic center on the main highway. From the terminal, take a combi (colectivo van, 8–12 MXN) or taxi (40–60 MXN) up into the historic center. There is no Uber in Taxco — mototaxis (3-wheeled motorcycle taxis) are also common at 20–30 MXN for short hops.

Option 2: Driving (MEX-95D)

Driving from Mexico City to Taxco takes 2.5 to 3 hours without traffic via the MEX-95D toll highway. It’s a straightforward drive once you’re clear of Mexico City traffic.

Route:

1. Exit Mexico City heading south toward Cuernavaca on MEX-95D (Periférico Sur → towards Tlalpan)
2. Pass through Tres Marías mountain pass (elevation ~3,200m, often foggy/cold in mornings)
3. Descend into Cuernavaca — you can bypass the city entirely on the highway
4. Continue south on MEX-95D past Alpuyeca junction — stay on the highway (don’t take the free road)
5. Exit at Taxco — follow signs for “Centro Histórico”

Tolls: Expect to pay 80–120 MXN in total tolls each way. Keep pesos handy — some booths are cash-only.

Parking in Taxco: This is the catch. Taxco’s historic center is built on steep hills with extremely narrow streets — many lanes aren’t even wide enough for cars. You’ll park on the outskirts and walk or take a mototaxi up.

• Parking near the terminal: There are several lots near the ADO terminal on Avenida de los Plateros (main highway) — 50–100 MXN/day
• Hotel parking: Most colonial center hotels charge 80–200 MXN/day for secure parking
• Do not drive into the historic center: Streets are one-way, steep, and often blocked during Semana Santa processions

Semana Santa driving warning: The Mexico City to Taxco highway (MEX-95D) is one of the most congested routes in Mexico during Holy Week. Leaving on Holy Wednesday afternoon or Holy Thursday morning can add 2 to 4 hours to your journey. Leave by 7 AM on Thursday if you can, or push your return until later on Easter Sunday.

Need to rent a car? Compare rates at RentCars.com

Option 3: Organized Tour

For Semana Santa specifically, an organized tour may be your best option — especially if you want a guide who explains the processions, handles transportation logistics, and gets you positioned for the best views.

What organized tours typically include:

• Round-trip transport from Mexico City (usually departs 7–8 AM, returns midnight–1 AM)
• Spanish or English-speaking guide
• Entrance to silver workshops or museum
• Some include Cuernavaca stopover

Semana Santa-specific tours focus on the Holy Wednesday or Good Friday processions — most operate evening departures (around 4–5 PM) and return after midnight when the main processions end.

Cost: Day tours 800–1,500 MXN per person; Semana Santa evening procession tours 1,200–2,500 MXN including transport. Book through Viator at least 1 week ahead.

Note: Most organized tours are in Spanish. English-language Taxco tours are less common — verify language before booking.

Option 4: Day Trip vs. Overnight — Semana Santa Calculus

Taxco is technically doable as a day trip from Mexico City. But for Semana Santa, the question is: which night are you going?

Night	Event	Day trip feasible?	Notes
Holy Monday (Mar 30)	Smaller processions	✅ Yes	Less dramatic
Holy Tuesday (Mar 31)	Processions begin building	✅ Yes	Getting intense
Holy Wednesday (Apr 1)	All 3 brotherhoods	⚠️ Challenging	Processions go past midnight; last bus back ~10 PM
Holy Thursday (Apr 2)	Evening procession	⚠️ Challenging	Later evening, Ley Seca begins
Good Friday (Apr 3)	Main crucifixion	❌ Not recommended	Events run until midnight; last bus often sold out
Holy Saturday (Apr 4)	Quema de Judas	✅ Yes	Afternoon event

Best strategy if you want the full experience: Stay 2 nights in Taxco for Holy Wednesday and Good Friday. Everything sells out months ahead — if you’re reading this on March 15, check Airbnb first (hotel rooms are almost certainly gone).

The CDMX day-trip option that works: For Holy Saturday’s Quema de Judas (the burning of Judas effigies), a day trip is perfect — it’s an afternoon/early evening event, and you can catch the last ADO bus back.

Semana Santa 2026 — Taxco Timing Guide

Taxco’s Semana Santa processions have operated continuously since the 1600s. Three religious brotherhoods (hermandades) each have different nights and rituals:

Las Ánimas (the Bent Ones) — hooded penitents in black robes, dragging chains, carrying candles in silence. These are the most visually striking processions.

Los Flagelantes — shirtless men carrying 45kg crosses who flagellate their own backs. The blood is real; this is not theatrical.

Los Encruzados — penitents bearing blackberry thorn bundles across outstretched arms, their bodies forming a cross.

The most important nights for timing your visit:

• Holy Wednesday night (April 1–2): All three brotherhoods process simultaneously — the only night this happens. This is the peak night. Processions wind through the narrow streets of the historic center for about 2.5 hours each.
• Good Friday (April 3): Passion play at Santa Prisca Church, followed by major procession. Most emotionally intense day. Processions begin around 2 PM for the daylight Stations of the Cross and continue into the night.

What to know when you arrive:

• The historic center becomes pedestrian-only during processions — mototaxis won’t run on main streets
• Viewing spots along the processional route fill up 1–2 hours early — bring folding chairs if you have them
• Dress in black or dark colors on Good Friday — it’s not required, but locals appreciate the respect
• Ley Seca (dry law): Alcohol cannot be purchased at retail stores on Thursday and Friday. Hotels and restaurants can still serve. Stock your room by Wednesday.
• Cash only for most transactions in Taxco — the main ATM (BBVA on Plaza Borda) has long lines. Withdraw in Mexico City before you leave.

What to Do in Taxco Beyond Semana Santa

If you’re visiting outside Holy Week, Taxco rewards slower exploration:

The silver scene: Over 900 silver workshops line the hillside streets. The Saturday tianguis (open-air market) outside the city is where artisans from surrounding villages sell directly — better prices than tourist shops on Plaza Borda. Look for the 925 or 950 stamp (genuine sterling); avoid anything labeled “alpaca” (copper-zinc alloy, not silver).

Santa Prisca Church: Completed in 1758, funded entirely by French-born silver magnate José de la Borda as a gift to God for his Taxco fortune. The Churrigueresque (ultra-baroque) facade took 17 years to carve. Admission is free; a guide at the entrance explains the iconography.

Teleferico (cable car): A gondola rises from the Monte Taxco hotel to a panoramic point above the city. Stunning views of the colonial rooftops and surrounding hills. Runs 9 AM–5 PM, 80 MXN one way.

Day trips from Taxco: Grutas de Cacahuamilpa — Mexico’s largest cave system — is just 30 km north and often combined with a Taxco visit. See our full day trips guide.

For complete coverage of what to see and eat in Taxco, see our Taxco Travel Guide and Things to Do in Taxco.

Getting Around Taxco

Taxco is not built for cars. The historic center is a maze of one-way streets on steep gradients — widths vary from barely-one-car to comfortably-two-people-walking.

Your transport options:

• Mototaxi (tricitaxi): 3-wheeled motorcycle taxis that navigate the narrow streets. 20–40 MXN per ride. Essential for getting between neighborhoods and from the main highway to the center.
• Combis (colectivos): White minivans on fixed routes, 8–12 MXN. Main route runs between the ADO terminal and Parque de la Caballeriza in the upper part of town.
• Walking: The historic center is walkable — but Taxco is built on a mountain. Steep is an understatement. Wear proper shoes, especially for Semana Santa processions on cobblestone.
• No Uber: Not available in Taxco.

Key neighborhoods:

• Plaza Borda (main square): All roads lead here. Santa Prisca Church, restaurants, silver shops, and the tourist heart of Taxco.
• La Garita / El Arco: Upper historic area, residential streets, some of the best viewpoints.
• El Calvario: Where several Semana Santa processions begin — a smaller plaza above the main center.

Where to Stay in Taxco

Hotels in the historic center of Taxco offer the best location for Semana Santa — you can walk to the processional routes in 5 minutes. The downside: these book out months ahead for Holy Week.

Type	Normal Price	Semana Santa Price	Notes
Budget hotel (center)	$25–$45 USD	$50–$90 USD	Book 6–8 weeks ahead
Mid-range hotel	$45–$100 USD	$90–$200 USD	Often sold out by January
Boutique hotel	$80–$200 USD	$150–$400 USD	Balcony views worth the premium
Airbnb/VRBO	$40–$120 USD	$80–$200 USD	More availability than hotels; apartments allow you to cook

If central Taxco is already booked for Semana Santa, try this:

1. Airbnb — entire apartments and rooms often show availability when hotels don’t
2. Hotels on the main highway (less character, but available and walking distance to center)
3. Consider staying in Iguala (55 km north) or Cuernavaca (85 km north) and taking a day trip — both have ADO connections to Taxco

For accommodation options at every budget, see our Taxco Travel Guide.

Return Trip: Getting Back to Mexico City

Last ADO bus: Check the schedule at the terminal on arrival — times change seasonally. Generally, the last bus from Taxco to Mexico City is around 9:00–10:00 PM. During Semana Santa, additional late-night departures are sometimes added.

Good Friday warning: Good Friday processions in Taxco can run past midnight. The last bus often sells out — especially for the return on Friday April 3. Buy your return ticket before you go to the processions. If you can’t get an ADO seat back, Estrella Blanca runs economy buses later in the evening, and taxis to Cuernavaca (where buses run until midnight+) are an option.

Semana Santa return traffic: Holy Saturday afternoon and Easter Sunday are the worst times to drive back to Mexico City. If you’re driving, plan to leave either Saturday morning (before noon) or Easter Sunday night (after 8 PM). The highway can add 2–4 hours on peak return days.

Transport Series: Connecting Routes

The Taxco trip connects to several other routes in our transport series:

From Taxco to…	How
Cuernavaca	ADO/colectivo, 1 hr
Acapulco	ADO from Taxco terminal, 3.5–4 hrs (check highway security situation first)
Puebla	Via Mexico City (fastest connection)
Oaxaca	Via Mexico City → ADO, total ~8 hrs

Related transport guides:

• Taxco to Mexico City 2026: Return Route — reverse guide
• Mexico City to Puebla — 2 hrs, TAPO terminal
• Mexico City to Oaxaca — 5.5–7 hrs or fly
• Mexico City to Querétaro — 2.5 hrs, Terminal Norte

Full Semana Santa Context

Taxco is one of Mexico’s best Holy Week bases, but it also works well as part of a broader central Mexico loop. If you are comparing Easter destinations, start with our full Semana Santa in Mexico 2026 guide. If you want more Taxco planning help once you arrive, jump to our Taxco travel guide, things to do in Taxco, and Taxco to Mexico City return guide.

Compare travel insurance for your Taxco trip before you go, especially if you are planning a road trip or a tight overnight Semana Santa itinerary.