How To Get From Cancun To Oaxaca: COMPLETE Guide (2023)
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How to get from Cancun to Oaxaca (or the other way round) safely, easily and cheaply. This post explains the most common backpacker ways to travel between Cancun and Oaxaca.
Looking at how to get from Cancun to Oaxaca? You’re in the right place!
I know all of the information online may seem overwhelming. Do I need to fly? Is there a bus? Are the buses in Mexico safe? It takes how many hours?!
Don’t worry, I’ve been there. When backpacking, I find planning how to get to and from places the most annoying and tedious part of the trip. That’s why I’ve written this blog post to make it all plain sailing when travelling from Cancun to Oaxaca.
SHORT ON TIME? QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE JOURNEY FROM CANCUN TO OAXACA:
- The journey is over 1600km, so Cancun and Oaxaca are not close together.
- The quickest way to travel between the two locations is by plane.
- There is no direct bus from Cancun to Oaxaca, so you will have to make stops in other locations.
So, let’s discuss the best ways to get from Cancun to Oaxaca, so you can have the most stress-free trip possible!
Other Oaxaca posts you might like…
- Oaxaca Day of the Dead: Insider Guide + Tips
- Renting a Car in Oaxaca as a UK Resident: FULL Guide
- Is There Uber In Oaxaca? How To Get Around On A Budget
- What To Wear in Oaxaca (That Isn’t Ugly)
- Is Oaxaca Worth Visiting? An Honest Opinion!
Cancun to Oaxaca: A Summary
So how do you get from Cancun to Oaxaca? There are three options:
Now, how you do each of these will differ slightly, depending on a few factors (which we’re going to cover in this post).
In summary, the quickest way to travel between Oaxaca and Cancun is by plane. It’s roughly a 2-hour flight (if you fly direct), or a 4-hour non-direct flight (at a cheaper price).
However, if you are backpacking in Mexico, the bus may be your best option. There isn’t an ADO bus that will take you directly to Oaxaca, so it’s a good time to plan some stops in between to see more of the country.
I am a HUGE advocate for bus travel in Mexico, as we experienced modern, clean and safe buses all over the country. If you’re looking for exact prices and availability, check out the Busbud website here.
1. Bus from Cancun to Oaxaca (with multiple stops)
As previously mentioned, the bus from Cancun to Oaxaca is a great way to see more of the country. Why? Because you’ll need to make multiple stops between the two.
Oaxaca and Cancun aren’t close. In fact, they’re over 1600km apart (which would take you around 22 hours to drive without stopping). Your best bet is to plan a few days between the two locations to explore some other incredible places between Cancun and Oaxaca.
Where can you stop off between Cancun and Oaxaca? Some of the best locations include:
- Merida, the capital of the Yucatan state
- Valladolid, a small and colourful town in Yucutan, with lots of surrounding cenotes
- Palenque, a great base for exploring ancient ruins and jungle
- Campeche: a great city stop between Merida and Palenque
- San Cristobal de las Casas, one of the most popular colourful towns to visit in Mexico
- Mexico City, the capital of Mexico
Ideally, spend at least one or two nights in your stop-off locations. Enjoy the country and don’t rush from bus to bus. Doing too much travel all at once can be overwhelming, so go slow and enjoy everything Mexico has to offer!
If you’re backpacking, I highly recommend booking hostels for the duration of your stay in Mexico. They’re cheap, safe and always in the best locations. You can view hostels around Mexico here.
Is there an ADO bus from Cancun to Oaxaca?
No, there is no direct bus from Cancun to Oaxaca. The distance is simply too far. The bus will stop off in multiple locations before reaching Oaxaca from Cancun.
However, if this is your preference, it can be done! Just expect to be on multiple different buses over a period of around 32 hours.
No, I don’t recommend it.
How do I pronounce ‘Oaxaca’?!
The number of wrong ways I’ve heard Oaxaca pronounced whilst in Mexico is endless. Don’t be one of these people! Oaxaca is pronounced ‘wa-ha-ca’. If you’re from the UK, you can remember it is the same as the Mexican food restaurant ‘Wahaca’.
2. Bus (with no overnight stays)
As previously mentioned, this CAN be done, but it is not a direct bus. Cancun and Oaxaca are not close, so a direct bus would take well over 24 hours!
This just isn’t possible, and simply does not exist. So if you don’t want to stop off in any locations along the way, you can expect to be chopping and changing buses for around 32 hours straight. Not ideal!
Personally, I recommend either flying or stopping off in some of Mexico’s pueblos like San Cristobal and Valladolid for a rest break.
3. Driving using a rental car
Another great option when travelling between Cancun and Oaxaca is to hire your own car. This was one of our favourite ways to travel around Mexico, and always felt safe wherever we were in the country.
Having your own car gives you control over how your day goes, where you visit, and for how long for. Want to drive for 6 hours straight? You got it. The bus doesn’t offer this kind of flexibility, and you have to work around timetables and schedules.
Driving yourself is also a great way to see hidden gems in Mexico. From secret cenotes and lesser-known pueblos (colourful towns), having a car is a great way to experience the country on your own terms.
The journey between Cancun and Oaxaca is over 1600km, so similar to the bus, you’ll want to stop off in different towns and cities for rest breaks. If you aren’t sure where to stop en route, I recommend Merida, Valladolid, Palenque and San Cristobal. You can book your overnight hostels for your stop-offs here.
If you haven’t driven in Mexico before, be sure to check out my post: Renting a Car in Oaxaca as a UK Resident: FULL Guide (2023). This explains all the ins and outs you’ll need to know, and will put your mind at ease about driving on the other side of the road!
4. Plane
Lastly, you can fly between Cancun and Oaxaca. Of course, this is the quickest option, and the best mode of transport if you’re on a time budget.
The flight time between Oaxaca and Cancun is around 2 hours, and you can usually get a one-way ticket for around £100 (excluding baggage). But this depends on the time of year, time of day and other factors.
If you need cheaper flights, you can look at flying non-direct. There are some that stop over in Mexico City, which range between £50-100. Again, this all depends on when you book and the time of year.
If you’re a budget backpacker like myself, I highly recommend looking at Cheapoair. It’s a great comparison site that gives you the option to see dates when flights are at their lowest. You can check them out here.
Can I fly from Oaxaca to Cancun?
Yes, you can fly from Oaxaca to Cancun. There are either direct flights (which take around 2 hours) or non-direct flights. Oaxaca has its own international airport, as does Cancun. It is one of the easiest (yet most expensive) ways to travel between Cancun and Oaxaca.
How far is Oaxaca from Cancun by plane?
There are both direct and non-direct flights from Oaxaca to Cancun. If you are lucky enough to get a direct flight, the flight time is around 2 hours.
Non-direct flights range between 4-6 hours on average.
Is Oaxaca close to Cancun?
No, Oaxaca is not close to Cancun. The distance between Oaxaca and Cancun is over 1600km. To travel between the two, you will either need to take a 2-hour flight, a multiple-day bus ride or embark on a long road trip!
What airport do you fly into for Oaxaca?
Oaxaca has its own international airport, Oaxaca International Airport (OAX). It is officially known as Xoxocotlán Airport and is located in Oaxaca City, Oaxaca.
Is Oaxaca city worth visiting?
Yes, Oaxaca is worth visiting! It is unlike many other cities in the world and has a unique charm and sense of character. The people are friendly and welcoming, the food is some of the best in the entire country, and the mood of Oaxaca is fun, vibrant and joyful.
You’ll find people dancing, singing and enjoying life in Oaxaca. The rainbow-colour architecture and buildings add to the uplifting and charismatic atmosphere. It’s also entirely walkable, so you’ll be able to explore on foot, without having to worry about paying for taxis or using public transport.
If you’re looking for rich culture and history, Oaxaca is often regarded as the cultural capital of Mexico. It also has a more ‘authentic’ feel to it, with less tourists and more locals, different to the bustle of Yucutan and Quintana Roo.
You can find out more about why I LOVE Oaxaca here!
Where to stay in Oaxaca as a backpacker
If you’re going to be in Oaxaca City as a backpacker, I recommend the following places to stay:
- El Cielo Oaxaca: backpackers and couples who want to be in the centre of Oaxaca, with a low-key socialising option as well as party vibes.
- Casa Angel Hostel: young backpackers who want to socialise, party and meet new people to explore with.
- Hostal Central: digital nomads in Oaxaca.
Oaxaca is one of the cheapest locations in Mexico for backpackers. Dorm rooms start at just £3 ($5) a night, and average at around £11 ($13).
Even private rooms are affordable in Oaxaca for budget backpackers, with some as low as £30 per night (depending on the time of year).
HEADS UP! If you want an in-depth guide about the best hostels in Oaxaca, check out my post: BEST Hostels in Oaxaca for Backpackers!
Best travel insurance for backpackers in Mexico
If you’re visiting Mexico as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.
Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.
I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.
If you need medical help at any point whilst in Mexico, you need travel insurance.
With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)
Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Mexico. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!
If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!
Cancun to Oaxaca: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about how to get from Cancun to Oaxaca. Hopefully, this helps you to plan your epic backpacking trip around Mexico!
When you’re planning a trip to Mexico, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t come across my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently backpacking Mexico with my boyfriend (read more here!), whilst creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Mexico content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
Other Oaxaca posts:
- Is Oaxaca Worth Visiting? An Honest Opinion!
- Renting a Car in Oaxaca as a UK Resident: FULL Guide
- BEST Hostels in Oaxaca for Backpackers!
- What To Wear in Oaxaca (That Isn’t Ugly)
- Can You Drink The Water In Oaxaca?
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
