The 13 Best Day Trips from Mexico City

How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.

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There are 13 good day trips from Mexico City, Mexico, led by Puebla, Ecatepec de Morelos, Tlalpan. The closest is Tlalpan, about 25 min by car, and 9 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.

Built from 13 nearby places, with sights from real traveler trips, on Packy AI. Last updated November 2026 by the Packy AI Travel Team.

Day trips from Mexico City

  1. 1

    Puebla, Mexico

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 40 min by car105 km south-east of Mexico City

    Known for Benito Juárez.

  2. 2

    Ecatepec de Morelos, Mexico

    Half-day trip
    About 30 min by car21 km north of Mexico City

    Known for 100 años del ejercito mexicano.

  3. 3

    Tlalpan, Mexico

    Half-day trip
    About 25 min by car15 km south of Mexico City
  4. 4

    Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico

    Half-day trip
    About 40 min by car26 km north of Mexico City
  5. 5

    Toluca, Mexico

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 5 min by car57 km west of Mexico City
  6. 6

    Ciudad López Mateos, Mexico

    Half-day trip
    About 30 min by car20 km north-west of Mexico City
  7. 7

    Xochimilco, Mexico

    Half-day trip
    About 30 min by car19 km south of Mexico City
  8. 8

    Cuernavaca, Mexico

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 5 min by car57 km south of Mexico City
  9. 9

    Ixtapaluca, Mexico

    Half-day trip
    About 45 min by car29 km south-east of Mexico City
  10. 10

    Tláhuac, Mexico

    Half-day trip
    About 30 min by car20 km south-east of Mexico City
  11. 11

    Nicolás Romero, Mexico

    Half-day trip
    About 35 min by car30 km north-west of Mexico City
  12. 12

    Zumpango, Mexico

    Half-day trip
    About 45 min by car41 km north of Mexico City
  13. 13

    Pachuca de Soto, Mexico

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 20 min by car87 km north-east of Mexico City

A sample day: Mexico City to Puebla

  1. 07:30Leave Mexico City
  2. 09:10Arrive in Puebla (1 hr 40 min drive)
  3. 09:25Benito Juárez
  4. 11:25Lunch
  5. 12:40Explore the old town, markets and cafes of Puebla
  6. 15:10Head back to Mexico City
  7. 16:50Home in Mexico City

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

What are the best day trips from Mexico City?
The best day trips from Mexico City are Puebla, Ecatepec de Morelos, Tlalpan, Cuautitlán Izcalli, Toluca. The closest is Tlalpan, about 25 min away by car.
What is the closest day trip from Mexico City?
Tlalpan is the closest, 15 km south of Mexico City, roughly 25 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
Where can I go within an hour of Mexico City?
9 places are within about an hour's drive of Mexico City: Tlalpan (25 min), Xochimilco (30 min), Ciudad López Mateos (30 min), Tláhuac (30 min), Ecatepec de Morelos (30 min), Cuautitlán Izcalli (40 min).
What is the biggest city near Mexico City for a day out?
Puebla is the largest city in day-trip range, 105 km south-east of Mexico City and about 1 hr 40 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
How far is too far for a day trip from Mexico City?
Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Puebla at 105 km, around 1 hr 40 min by car.

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