Chignahuapan from the air: the road entering the valley beside the lagoon, between green fields, with the mountains behind
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How to get to Chignahuapan

Five roads, one destination: choose where you are coming from and follow the route.

See the route map By bus

Updated: October 2026

Summary: distances and times

Approximate driving times: they change with traffic, fog and the town’s festivities.

The map

Five routes, one destination

You arrive from the north, through Tlaxcala or through the mountains, and on each road you choose a toll highway or a free road. Tap a route to see it on the map.

Illustrated map of the routes to Chignahuapan from Mexico City, Puebla, Tlaxcala and Huauchinango 85D 85 132D 130 119D 119 119D 119 Mexico City Pachuca Tulancingo El Tejocotal Huauchinango Zacatlán Tlaxco Apizaco Tlaxcala Puebla La Malinche Iztaccíhuatl Popocatépetl 50 km Chignahuapan
  • Toll highway With toll booths; its number carries a D, like 132D.
  • Free road No tolls, a little slower.
Illustrated map at approximate scale. To drive, use your maps app.
    • Mexico–Pachuca
    • Tulancingo (132D)
    • El Tejocotal
    • Chignahuapan
    On the toll highway
    Mexico–Pachuca and Mexico–Tuxpan (132D) to El Tejocotal; there, the Tejocotal–Tlaxco highway (119D) to the Chignahuapan exit.
    On the free road
    Federal highways 85 and 130 through Pachuca and Tulancingo to El Tejocotal, then the free Tejocotal–Tlaxco road (federal 119). It takes longer.
    • Mexico–Puebla
    • Tlaxcala
    • Apizaco
    • Tlaxco
    • Chignahuapan
    On the toll highway
    The Mexico–Puebla highway and on through Tlaxcala to Apizaco; there, the Apizaco–Huauchinango highway to the Chignahuapan exit.
    On the free road
    From Apizaco, federal highway 119 through Tlaxco to Chignahuapan, with no tolls.
    • Puebla–Tlaxcala
    • Apizaco
    • Tlaxco
    • Chignahuapan
    On the toll highway
    Puebla–Tlaxcala and Apizaco–Huauchinango to the Chignahuapan exit: about 2 h.
    On the free road
    Federal highway 119 through Apizaco and Tlaxco: about 2 h 35 min.
    • Tlaxcala–Apizaco
    • Highway 119
    • Tlaxco
    • Chignahuapan
    On the toll highway
    From Apizaco, the Apizaco–Huauchinango highway to the Chignahuapan exit.
    On the free road
    From Apizaco, federal highway 119 through Tlaxco to Chignahuapan, with no tolls.
    • Highway 130
    • El Tejocotal
    • Tlaxco–Tejocotal
    • Chignahuapan
    On the toll highway
    The Mexico–Tuxpan highway (132D) to El Tejocotal and the Tejocotal–Tlaxco highway (119D) to the Chignahuapan exit.
    On the free road
    Federal highway 130 to El Tejocotal and the free Tejocotal–Tlaxco road (federal 119) to Chignahuapan.

By car

Toll highway or free road

From the north, through Tlaxcala or through the mountains: every road can be driven on the toll highway or on the free road.

On the toll highway

Faster, with toll booths.

  • From the north Mexico–Pachuca, Mexico–Tuxpan (132D) and the Tejocotal–Tlaxco highway (119D)
  • Through Tlaxcala To Apizaco and the Apizaco–Huauchinango highway; from Puebla, about 2 h
  • Through the mountains From Huauchinango, the Mexico–Tuxpan highway to El Tejocotal and the toll road to Chignahuapan

On the free road

No tolls, a little slower.

  • From the north Federal highways 85 and 130 through Pachuca and Tulancingo, then the free Tejocotal–Tlaxco road
  • Through Tlaxcala Federal highway 119 through Apizaco and Tlaxco; from Puebla, about 2 h 35 min
  • Through the mountains From Huauchinango, federal highway 130 to El Tejocotal and the free road to Chignahuapan
Chignahuapan from the air under a layer of mist, with the valley and the mountains behind
Fog in the mountains Early in the day and in the rainy season: lights on and take your time.

Take me to Chignahuapan in my maps app

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By bus

No driving, terminal to terminal

The ATAH (Autotransportes Tlaxcala, Apizaco, Huamantla) and SUPRA bus lines leave from TAPO in Mexico City, from the CAPU in Puebla and from Apizaco, in Tlaxcala.

  • FromMexico City

    TerminalTAPO

    LinesATAH and SUPRA

    Tripabout 3 h

    Next to San Lázaro metro. There are direct buses and others that continue to Zacatlán.

  • FromPuebla

    TerminalCAPU

    LinesATAH and SUPRA

    Trip2 h to 2 h 30

    Several direct buses a day.

  • FromTlaxcala

    Leaves fromApizaco

    LinesATAH and SUPRA

    Tripabout 1 h

    From the city of Tlaxcala, first get to Apizaco: buses to Chignahuapan leave from there.

  • FromHuauchinango

    Easiest optionTaxi or car

    Distanceabout 50 km

    We could not confirm a direct bus: ask at the terminal before you set off.

On long weekends, during the Festival of Light and Life and in the Christmas season, buy your ticket in advance and check when the last bus back leaves.

There are also other bus lines from Mexico City. Times and departures change: check them at the ticket office or with the bus line.

By plane

From the airport

  • AICMMexico CityClose to TAPO, where the bus leaves from
  • AIFAFelipe Ángeles, Santa LucíaAbout 2 h 20 min by car
  • PBCPuebla, Hermanos SerdánAbout 2 h 15 min by car

From any of the three, the easiest option is to rent a car or combine a taxi with the bus.

The monumental ornament with the letters Chignahuapan Pueblo Mágico, surrounded by flowers and visitors
Chignahuapan, Magical Town: your arrival photo.

On arrival

You are in Chignahuapan

  • The center, on footBasilica, parish church and bandstand a few blocks apart; the lagoon, about 1 km away.
  • Hot springs and QuetzalapanBy car or taxi: the waterfalls are about 8 km away, toward Zacatlán.
  • Sightseeing tourRides to see the town from your seat leave from the center; ask about times in the plaza.
  • ParkingOn weekends and during festivals the center fills up: park and walk. Arrive early.
Visitors walking along a downtown Chignahuapan street, among arcades and colorful facades
The center is all walkable.

What you need on arrival

Parking, ATMs and restrooms, with their location on the map.

Open the interactive map with every spot

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take from Mexico City to Chignahuapan?

By car, 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on traffic, about 190 km. There are two good routes: from the north, via Pachuca, or from the Puebla and Tlaxcala side, on federal highway 119; on both you can take the toll highway or the free road. By bus, with ATAH or SUPRA from TAPO, about 3 hours; other bus lines also run from Mexico City.

How long does it take from Puebla to Chignahuapan?

About 2 hours by car on the toll highway (Puebla–Tlaxcala and Apizaco–Huauchinango) or about 2 hours 35 minutes on the free road, federal highway 119 through Apizaco and Tlaxco. By bus, from the CAPU with ATAH or SUPRA, 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes.

Which terminal do buses to Chignahuapan leave from?

In Mexico City, from TAPO, with ATAH and SUPRA, and other bus lines also run from Mexico City. In Puebla, from the CAPU, with ATAH and SUPRA. From Tlaxcala, from Apizaco, with the same two lines: about an hour’s trip. Confirm times with the bus line before you travel.

Which airport is closest to Chignahuapan?

Puebla airport and AIFA are just over 2 hours away by car. AICM is close to TAPO, where the bus leaves from.

Do I need a car in Chignahuapan?

Not for the center: you can walk it. For the hot springs and the Quetzalapan Waterfalls, a car or taxi is best.

Where can I park in Chignahuapan?

In the parking lots downtown; the site’s home page lists them with their locations. On weekends and during festivals, arrive early.

Before and after you arrive

Keep planning your trip

Routes, bus schedules and travel times change: confirm them before you leave.