How to get to San Miguel de Allende

So, you’ve fallen in love with the idea of San Miguel de Allende—the cobblestone streets, the vibrant art scene, the rooftop cocktails—but now you’re wondering: how exactly do you get there? Great question. San Miguel de Allende does not have an airport, but never fear, as there are several options to reach this magical destination.

Closest airports to San Miguel de Allende

• Querétaro (QRO) – about a 60-minute drive

• León/Guanajuato (BJX) – about a 90-minute drive

  
  

  Both airports are very modern and generally have short immigration lines. There are direct flights to these airports from some major U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Houston, and Los Angeles. Several daily flights connect through Mexico City or Monterrey and terminate in Querétaro or León.

Once you arrive, you have several transportation options:

• Shuttle service: Bajiogo offers a reliable shared shuttle for around $30 USD per person (one-way). They will take you directly to San Miguel de Allende. They also offer a private shuttle for approximately twice the shared shuttle rate.

  
  

• Private drivers: Private transportation typically costs $90–$125 USD (plus tip) per car. Many reputable drivers can be arranged in advance.

Tip: It’s strongly recommended to book your airport transportation in advance of arrival.

Arriving via Mexico City

Many travelers also choose to spend time in Mexico City (MEX) as part of their trip. From there, you have three main options to reach San Miguel de Allende:

1. Fly to Querétaro or León, then follow the steps above.

   
   

2. Book a shared or private Bajiogo shuttle- the cost is around $100 to $300 USD, depending on what option you choose, and takes approximately 3.5 hours.

   
   

3. Hire a private driver – this cost is around $250 to $300 USD and takes approximately 3.5 hours.

   
   

4. Take a luxury bus – Yes, really! ETN and Primera Plus offer high-end buses with large, comfortable seats and clean restrooms. The journey takes about 4 hours and costs around $30 USD per person. If possible, book your bus from the Terminal Norte in Mexico City, as it’s closest to San Miguel de Allende.

Renting a car

While you can rent a car from any of the airports or cities mentioned, it’s generally not recommended for short-term visitors. San Miguel is a very walkable town with narrow streets and limited parking, and taxis and Uber are affordable and reliable. Unless you plan to explore surrounding regions extensively, a rental car is likely more of a hassle than it’s worth.

Final Thoughts

Though it may take a little extra effort to get to San Miguel de Allende, I assure you that when you sink into your seat on a beautiful rooftop terrace overlooking the Parroquia and watch the setting sun behind the hills on the horizon, you will think it was worth it.