How to Visit the Pyramids of Teotihuacan Without a Tour

Last Updated on October 29, 2023

Visiting the famous pyramids of Teotihuacan without a tour is absolutely possible. And visiting them independently will save you lots of your travel budget.

I know how tempting it is to opt for tours when visiting famous monuments like the Pyramids of Teotihuacan. With an organized tour, you don’t need to worry about logistics like ticket prices and how to get to the monument by public transport. 

But in some cases, going somewhere without a tour can be a rewarding experience, and that’s what how I felt about visiting the pyramids of Teotihuacan independently. By making the trip independently, you can get to the site earlier in the morning, and it’s a fun adventure!

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Brief History of the Teotihuacan Pyramids

The Teotihuacan Pyramids are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a popular day trip from Mexico City because of course, they are beautiful. But learning a bit about their history will help enrich and contextualize your experience of seeing them.

The pyramids and other ruins that are at Teotihuacan are all that remains of what used to be one of the most powerful cities in Mesoamerica. The ancient city was built in the 1st century AD. It is so old, it pre-dates the Aztecs, who were in the regions when Europeans arrived to colonize in the 1500s.

Teotihuacan grew to be the biggest city in the region, with its population growing as high as 200,000 people. As a result, the city was a centre for culture, art, and civilization, and it held a lot of influence over the surrounding region.

The pyramids that are still there today were built at the height of the city’s power, for religious reasons. In the 7th century AD, the city began to decline. No one knows for sure why, but other Mayan cities in the south were being abandoned as well.

Although the city was abandoned, in the following centuries, the Aztecs did pilgrimage to the pyramids. In fact, the name “Teotihuacan” is in the Aztec dialect, “Birthplace of the Gods.” Over the years, particularly after the Spanish conquest, the pyramids at Teotihuacan began to fall into disrepair.

Taking Tours Versus Doing Day Trips Independently

While on my travels I have taken tours here and there, but have found that I don’t always enjoy them. They are expensive, and on tours you do have to give up a bit of your travel independence. And, in many cases, because you are with a group you will rarely get to experience a site without a group of other people along with you. 

I’ve always preferred independence, and so I often make the trip to famous sites like the pyramids of Teotihuacan without a tour. By going independently, you can go early and beat the crowds, and you also get to experience public transport, which always offers interesting insight while in a foreign place.

And, when you visit a site independently, you don’t have to give up the learning element that a tour offers. With so many resources available online, it is super easy to do independent research so that you can have an informative and enriching experience of a site without needing the tour. And of course – going without a tour will save you some money. 

Visiting Teotihuacan Without a Tour

The Teotihuacan complex is a vast Mexican archaeological site northeast of Mexico City. Known as the City of Gods, the site is home to some of the world’s largest ancient pyramids.

Running down the middle of the site, which was once a flourishing pre-Columbian city, is the Avenue of the Dead. This avenue links the Pyramid of the Sun, Pyramid of the Moon, and the temple of Quetzalcoatl. 

From the summits of both pyramids you have panoramic views of the site and nearby mountains. There is also an on-site Museum of Teotihuacan Culture that includes artifacts.

Visiting Teotihuacan makes for a fantastic day trip from Mexico City. Read on to learn about how to visit the Pyramids of Teotihuacan without a tour and other tips!

*I have heard from other travelers who have been to Teotihuacan recently (as of October 2021), that tourists are currently not allowed to climb the pyramids. It isn’t clear if this is a temporary or permanent restriction. When I visited in 2019, this wasn’t the case.

Food poisoning? No problem – I was still going to visit the Teotihuacan pyramids

My partner and I spent 4 days in Mexico City in the fall of 2019. We had snagged cheap Aeromexico flights from Toronto directly to Mexico City, and so we decided to go there on a budget trip. We booked out a private room in a hostel near Centro Historico (the center of the city), and we pledged to eat street tacos the entire time!

Street tacos are delicious but when your stomach isn’t accustomed to street food, well, things can get a little rough in the digestion department. And this is exactly what happened to me.

The night before we planned to visit the Teotihuacan pyramids as a day trip from Mexico City, I ate a feast of bistek (beef) tacos and guacamole. I went to bed feeling perfectly fine – little did I know, the food sickness would strike the following morning. 

We were up at 7am to venture to the pyramids. And right away I knew I wasn’t well. After spending lots of time on the toilet and a bunch of time hyping myself up, I told my partner: We’re still going. I will risk shitting my pants to see these pyramids, I declared. 

The first leg of the journey for indepently visiting the Teotihuacan pyramids was a trip on the underground metro to the North Bus Station in Mexico City. Don’t worry, full details on transit and busses are coming later in this article. 

…By the time we’d reached the bus station I was feeling faint and, well, needed the bathroom. My situation was becoming dire. I desperately map searched for the nearest pharmacy and as luck would have it – there was one in the bus station! I I hurried to the counter and pulled out my phone, google translating “diarrhea” into Spanish. 

Newsflash, diarrhea in Spanish is basically the same word: diarrea.

The pharmacist set me up with loperamide to stop the diarrhea, and after taking 2 tablets about 30 minutes later I started to feel better. Hot tip – it’s better to use charcoal tablets to treat food poisoning.

I had forgotten to bring them on this particular trip (oops). But truly, carry them with you always because they are a lifesaver. 

An hour long bus ride later, and we had arrived at the Teotihuacan pyramids entrance, at around 10:00 AM. By this time there was a lineup to enter – We waited for about half an hour to enter the site.  And once we were in I knew that the sickness, the bus ride, the waiting, it was all worth it.  

Our Experience Visiting the Teotihuacan Pyramids

Once we were in, we walked a long road that leads to the Pyramid of the Sun. As you walk along the road, you can see the magnificent Pyramid of the Sun ahead of you.

The Pyramid of the Sun is the largest pyramid in Teotihuacan at 65.5 meters (216 feet) tall and is thought to have been built around 200 C.E. by the Indigenous people of the region, the Teotihuacanos. 

The name Pyramid of the Sun comes from the Aztecs, who visited the city of Teotihuacan centuries after it was abandoned; the name given to the pyramid by the Teotihuacanos is unknown. It was tempting to right away climb the Pyramid of the Sun, but, we’d heard that the best views in the complex are from the summit of the Pyramid of the Moon. 

We resisted the urge and headed down the Avenue of the Dead to the Pyramid of the Moon, wanting to climb it before more crowds of tourists arrived. And this was a good call, because around 11:00 AM, tons more tourists were arriving, and it steadily got busier and busier. 

Once reaching the Pyramid of the Moon (about a 15 minute walk) we enthusiastically started the climb. We weren’t enthusiastic for very long – climbing the pyramid is tough because the steps are very steep.

To help with this there are ropes in place. Personally, I found it easier to climb them in the way I used to climb stairs as a kid, by grabbing the steps ahead of me with my hands. 

On the Pyramid of the Moon you cannot climb to the actual summit, just to first platform. But from that platform the views of Teotihuacan are incredible. You have a perfect view of the Avenue of the Dead, the Pyramid of the Sun, and of the mountain Cerro Gordo in the distance. 

I found that the view from the Pyramid of the Moon was absolutely the best view to be had at the pyramids of Teotihuacan. If you’d like to get the perfect photo, head to this pyramid first when you arrive at Teotihuacan to beat the crowds. 

After the Pyramid of the Moon, we wandered over to the Temple of Quetzalcoatl to see the famous stone carved feathered serpents that adorn it. We also explored the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl. This palatial building is home to beautiful carved murals that are best seen in the palace’s courtyard.

Finally, we headed to the Pyramid of the Sun. I am so glad we saved the Pyramid of the Sun for last when we visited the Teotihuacan pyramids.

Here’s why. The Pyramid of the Sun is indeed magnificent to see, and tons of fun to climb. But the views from the Pyramid of the Sun’s summit is not nearly as impressive to that of the Pyramid of the Moon. 

While in Mexico City, take a day trip to the Xochimilco to float down their ancient canals in a traditional boat, a traijinera. You can read about this day trip, here.

If you are willing (and able) to climb the Pyramid of the Sun, definitely go for it, but I recommend heading to the Pyramid of the Moon before anywhere else when you visit Teotihuacan so that you can enjoy the views without the crowds. 

We saved our visit to the on-site museum at Teotihuacan for the end. It was a fantastic way to close the visit. Filled with artifacts and knowledge, the museum did a great job at contextualizing what we had just seen and experienced. 

Can You Climb the Pyramids of Teotihuacan?

In past years, visitors were allowed to climb several of the main pyramids at Teotihuacan, including the Pyramid of the Sun. As of 2021, it appears this is no longer permitted. It isn’t clear if this is a temporary or permanent restriction.

Other pyramid sites in Mexico have permanently banned visitors from climbing their stone structures. Given this, I think the days of climbing the pyramids of Teotihuacan may be over.

I’m sure this is disappointed news to some travelers, but don’t let this deter you from visiting this incredible archaeological site.  The Pyramids of Teotihuacan are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and banning visitors from climbing on them helps to preserve them.

Viewing the pyramids from the ground is still a spectacular, and it’s worth it to go and learn the history of the site! It’s still very well worth it to day trip to the Pyramids of Teotihuacan from Mexico City.

How Long Do You Need to Visit Teotihuacan?

Visiting Teotihuacan is easily done as a day trip from Mexico City. Most visitors spend three to four hours exploring the site, but once you factor in transport and potential waiting times, the trip takes basically an entire day.

We arrived at the site of Teotihuacan at 10:00 AM and left at about 1:00 PM, so in total we spent about 3 hours there. This including walking time between pyramids, a bit of time at the museum, and a quick break to eat our snacks.

Other visitors we spoke to spent up to 5 hours at the site. It really depends on your personal pace, but I’d budget around 4 hours to spend at the pyramids of Teotihuacan (excluding transport time).

Learn Teotihucan’s History Before and During Your Visit

Aside from the sometimes exorbitant price, I have found that the quality of tours can vary quite a lot. And, the tour-style of learning isn’t for everyone. This is not to say that tours are bad – I think that they suit some people, but others not.

My approach to travel has always been to believe that it’s possible to explore the world on a budget while still having access to valuable experiences and learning.  

To make sure that we got the most out of our visit to Teotihuacan, my partner and I did lots of research in advance. Nowadays there are fantastic resources for learning online – so if you learn by reading, like we do, online research is a great way to enrich your experience of a site like that pyramids of Teotihuacan.

Resources we used included National Geographic, and Smithsonian. We also found a couple documentaries on YouTube.

We find that doing the reading ahead of time is most effective for us. When we arrive at the site, we are armed and prepped with information that we can apply to the visit. At Teotihuacan, there is an on-site museum – this will even more so contextualize the visit through a historical and archeological lens. 

I feel that tours really boil down to personal preference and learning style – for us, independent reading and an independent experience on site works best because my partner and I both find that we absorb information better through reading.

All that said, there are some sites around the world that we’ve opted for a tour guide, because we do think it’s important to support locals. Every site we visit, we decide based on access to online information as well as the value of supporting local tour guides when choosing whether we will opt for a guide or not.

Visiting Teotihuacan on a Budget

The best way to visit Teotihuacan on a budget is to visit the Pyramids of Teotihuacan without a tour. Tours to Teotihuacan range in price, but the norm seems to start at around 30.00 USD, and ranges up to over 100.00 USD for private tours.

Well, by visiting Teotihuacan without a tour we swung the whole trip for 12.00 USD each. The key to this is to take public transport, and buy your ticket at the gate rather than in advance. 

Tickets to enter the site as of 2019 are 75 pesos per adult. To minimize your costs further, prepare for the day by bringing along snacks and water rather than buying food from the restaurants that are nearby Teotihuacan.

If you stick to these tips, you can definitely visit Teotihuacan on a budget. If you’re in the area don’t hesitate to make the trip to Teotihuacan as a day trip from Mexico City.

When is the Best Time to Visit Teotihuacan?

In short, the best time to visit Teotihuacan is on a weekday to avoid crowds, and early in the morning. The site is typically the busiest around midday because that is when the tour busses start to arrive. By going early in the morning you can also avoid the midday heat.

The best time of year to visit Teotihuacan, most will say, is between March and May. During those months you’ll have beautiful weather that isn’t too chilly and isn’t rainy. But because those months are the most beautiful weather-wise, they are also the busiest.

Visiting Mexico City and Teotihuacan in the off-season, from June to February, definitely comes with benefits. The city and all of its tourist attractions are less busy because there are less tourists around. Although the weather can be chillier and sometimes rainy, this is actually a nice break from the heat that you normally encounter in Mexico.

We visited Mexico City in early November, and we felt it was the perfect time. It was warm enough for t-shirts, and while it rained occasionally, it was typically a heavy rainfall that lasted less than an hour before returning to pleasant weather. The best part of visiting at this time, is that we got to experience Day of the Dead in Mexico City!

How to Get to Teotihuacan Pyramids by Public Bus

Getting to the Teotihuacan pyramids by public bus is simple. There is a bus that runs directly from the Mexico City North Bus Station to Teotihuacan. The trip costs 106 pesos for a return ticket per person (as of 2019), and the bus runs every 15 minutes. 

About an hour north of Mexico City, the Teotihuacan pyramids are easily accessible by public bus. You’ll catch the direct bus from Mexico City North Bus Station (Terminal del Norde).

To reach the bus station you can grab an Uber – Uber in Mexico City isn’t expensive and is safe. It is also easy to reach the North Bus Station by metro. The metro in Mexico City is also inexpensive and easy to use! Just navigate yourself to the station called Autobuses del Norte.

Once you arrive at the North Bus Station, to purchase your ticket you’ll walk all the way down the concourse of the bus station to Gate 8. The ticket vendor will be clearly marked with a big sign that reads LOS PIRAMIDES. 

Make sure that you purchase a ticket for the bus that brings you directly to the pyramids of Teotihuacan rather than to the nearby town of San Juan Teotihuacan – if you say “los piramides” the clerk will know. The clerk will tell you which gate to go to to catch the bus – and don’t worry, the bus will also be clearly marked Piramides. 

Navigating the bus station, buying our tickets, and finding the bus was a breeze. The bus was quite comfortable, too! Just beware that it might be packed (some people ended up standing on the trip home) and there is no bathroom on the bus. When you reach Teotihuacan, the bus drops you off at Gate 2 where you will either head right in or wait in line before being admitted. The fee to enter the Teotihuacan site is 80 pesos (around $5).

For you trip back to the city, you will exit Teotihuacan via the same gate you entered – Gate 2. When you exit the gate, turn right and walk a little ways down the road and check for the blue sign that says “bus” – that’s where you’ll be picked up. It doesn’t typically take longer than 20 minutes for a bus to arrive. You can pay when you board, or show your return ticket.

Tips for Visiting Teotihuacan Without a Tour

Arrive at the Teotihuacan pyramids early.

One great benefit of visiting Teotihuacan without a tour is that you are in control of timing. Teotihuacan is a very popular site for tourists and locals to visit. It therefore becomes very crowded, especially around midday when all the tour busses arrive. Towards the end of our visit, the site had become far more crowded than when we first arrived, and while it wasn’t the end of the world, we did have to wait in line to climb the Pyramid of the Sun.

The other reason that earlier is better is the heat. Midday and afternoon become incredibly hot at the Teotihuacan pyramids and there aren’t any areas that are shaded, which means you have little relief from the sun. So if you’d like to beat these crowds and the heat, try to get to the site by latest 9:00 AM.

Bring sun protection when you visit Teotihuacan. 

Mexico City and the site of the Teotihuacan pyramids are at a high altitude. This means that the sun’s UV rays are strong and you’ll end up burnt very quickly without noticing. It’s essential to bring (and use!) sunscreen on your day trip to Teotihuacan. If you are especially sensitive to the sun, I’d recommend bringing extra coverage – a hat, long sleeves, or sun umbrella. 

Try not to visit Teotihuacan on a Sunday. 

On Sundays, Teotihuacan offers free entrance to Mexican citizens and residents. Therefore the site is almost guaranteed to be crowded on those days. If you are able, you might want to visit Teotihuacan on a weekday to avoid lineups. 

You can exit and re-enter Teotihuacan.

A little known hack is that you can same day re-enter the Teotihuacan pyramids as long as you hold on to your ticket! With the town of San Juan Teotihuacan nearby and many restaurants just outside the gates of Teotihuacan, this is a useful hack if you’d like to step out to grab lunch during your visit. 

Bring water and snacks on your day trip to Teotihuacan.

Bringing water and snacks will definitely save on your budget! While the restaurants near Teotihuacan aren’t all that expensive, they are still considered tourist priced. So if you’d like to avoid paying extra for the convenience, bring your own water and snacks on your visit to Teotihuacan. We stopped by a convenience store in Mexico City where we picked up sandwiches and other snacks which were perfect to bring along. 

Consider visiting the town of San Juan Teotihuacan. 

You can exit one of the back gates into the adjacent town of San Juan Teotihuacan. The town is small, chilled out compared to Mexico City and easy to explore on foot. It’s nice spot to take a break from the city and enjoy some good food. 

Tours From Mexico City to Teotihuacan

While it’s totally possible to visit Teotihuacan without a tour, I understand why some folks prefer to book a tour. Going to Teotihucan by tour means less planning and logistics for you. I did some research to find the best tour options for you, which I’m highlighting below!

From Mexico City: Teotihuacan Air Balloon Flight & Breakfast

RATING: 4.8 out of 5 stars | TOUR LENGTH: 4-9 hours.

Seeing Teotihuacan from above is a unique experience! On the Teotihucan Air Balloon Flight Tour, you get to discover the Teotihuacán Valley from the sky during a 30 to 50-minute long balloon flight.

You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Mexico City, and brought to the hot air balloon port where you get to enjoy breakfast. Then, you’ll go on a morning flight above this famous archaeological site.

After your hot air ballon flight over Teotihucan, you can head to the site to explore the ruins on ground level. You’ll spend 3 hours there discovering the Sun and Moon Pyramids and Quetzalcoatl Temple. 

Please note, the cost of the tour does not include access to the archaeological zone of Teotihuacán. You’ll purchase your entry ticket on arrival. Finally, take the optional shared return transfer back to Mexico City.

From Mexico City: Teotihuacan and Tlatelolco Day Trip by Van

RATING: 4.7 out of 5 stars | TOUR LENGTH: 7 hours.

On this Teaotihuacan and Tlatelolco day trip you’ll get to visit three of the most culturally and historically significant sites near Mexico City. First, you’ll visit the archeological site of Teotihuacan.

Then, you’ll head to Mexico’s most important Catholic pilgrimage site, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This shrine was built to commemorate the reported appearance of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego, an Aztec peasant.

The final stop of the tour is Tlatelolco, where it is said that the past, present, and future of Mexico meet. The Plaza de las Tres Culturas is named after the three periods of Mexican history.

This tour includes pick up and drop off in Mexico City, a tour guide (English & Spanish), transport to all sites, and entry tickets to all sites.

Pyramids of Teotihuacan FAQ

• Essential Guide to 5 Days in Mexico City
• Visit the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco
• Mexico City During Day of the Dead

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