San Miguel de Allende, a vibrant colonial town in central Mexico, is a must-visit destination known for its stunning architecture, artistic community, and charming cobblestone streets. However, since San Miguel de Allende does not have its own airport, getting there requires a bit of planning. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best ways to reach San Miguel de Allende, whether you’re flying from the U.S. or traveling from within Mexico.
1. Which airport should you fly into for San Miguel de Allende?
There are two main airports that travelers use to get to San Miguel de Allende.
1. Del Bajío International Airport (BJX) – León/Guanajuato
- Distance to San Miguel de Allende: 76.7 km (~1.5–2 hours by car)
- Best for: Travelers coming from the U.S. with direct flights from cities like Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Jose, CA.
- Ground Transportation: Private car transfers, Uber, and shuttle services are available.
- Uber or Taxi: Costs $70–$120 USD depending on time of day.
- Private Shuttle: Pre-arranged transfers are available for $50–$100 per person.
This airport is a popular choice due to the number of international connections, especially from major U.S. hubs. If you’re traveling with kids, booking a private car transfer in advance is highly recommended for comfort and convenience.
2. Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO)
- Distance to San Miguel de Allende: 66.4 km (~1–1.5 hours by car)
- Best for: Travelers looking for a slightly closer option, especially if flying domestically within Mexico.
- Ground Transportation: Private transfers, rental cars, and taxis are available.
- Uber or Taxi: Expect to pay $50–$80 USD for a direct ride.
- Private Shuttle: Many companies offer pre-booked transfers (~$60 per person).
Querétaro is a smaller airport, but it’s the closest option to San Miguel de Allende. It’s a great choice if you’re flying in from Mexico City, Monterrey, or Guadalajara.
3. Alternative option: flying Into Mexico City (MEX)
While Mexico City’s international airport offers the most flight options, it is about 3.5–4 hours away by car or 4–5 hours by bus. If you find a significantly cheaper flight to MEX, it may still be worth considering. We chose this option and spent the first two nights in Mexico City.
2. How to get to San Miguel de Allende from different locations
1. How do I get to San Miguel Allende from the US?
- Fly into BJX (León) or QRO (Querétaro).
- Book a private car transfer or Uber to take you directly to San Miguel de Allende.
- If flying into Mexico City, take a bus or arrange a private transfer (more on that below).
Here are the direct flights to Del Bajío International Airport (BJX – León/Guanajuato) from the US.
- From California:
- Los Angeles (LAX): Volaris
- Oakland (OAK): Volaris
- Ontario (ONT): Volaris
- Sacramento (SMF): Volaris
- San Jose (SJC): Volaris
- From Texas:
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW): American Airlines
- Houston (IAH): United Airlines
- San Antonio (SAT): VivaAerobus
- From Illinois:
- Chicago O’Hare (ORD): Volaris
- Chicago Midway (MDW): Volaris
- From Colorado:
- Denver (DEN): Aeromexico
- From New York:
- New York (JFK): Aeromexico
And here are direct flights to Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO) from the US.
- From Texas:
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW): American Airlines, VivaAerobus
- Houston (IAH): United Airlines, VivaAerobus
- From Illinois:
- Chicago O’Hare (ORD): Volaris
- From Georgia:
- Atlanta (ATL): Aeromexico
- From Michigan:
- Detroit (DTW): Aeromexico
💡Good to know
5 Things to Know Before Visiting San Miguel de Allende:
- San Miguel is an artist’s haven, with vibrant galleries, murals, and artisan markets, including Fabrica La Aurora, a former textile factory turned art center.
- San Miguel de Allende has a large expat community, giving it a cosmopolitan feel with plenty of international restaurants, bilingual services, and cultural events. While Spanish helps, many in tourism speak English.
Foodies will love the variety, from street tacos to Michelin-starred dining. Local specialties also include plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
The charming cobblestone streets are beautiful but uneven, so pack comfortable shoes. If visiting with kids, a baby carrier may be more practical than a stroller.
The climate is mild year-round, with warm days and cool nights. Even in summer, temperatures stay below 85°F (29°C), but evenings can get chilly, so bring layers.
2. How do I get to San Miguel Allende from Mexico City?
1. How to get to San Miguel Allende from Mexico City by car
- Driving distance: 265 km (~3.5–4 hours)
- Road Safety: The main highway, 57D, is well-maintained and commonly used by tourists. For safety, avoid driving at night and use toll roads whenever possible.
2. How to get to San Miguel Allende from Mexico City by bus
- Time: ~4–5 hours
- Best Bus Companies: ETN or Primera Plus (comfortable first-class buses with reclining seats and WiFi)
- Departure Point: Mexico City’s Terminal Norte bus station
- Arrival Point: San Miguel de Allende’s central bus station
3. How to get to San Miguel Allende from Mexico City by private car transfer?
For ultimate convenience, you can arrange a private transfer from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende. We booked a private car through our hotel, Numu, which cost about $440 one-way for a family of four. While pricey, it was comparable to flying and eliminated the hassle of flight connections and transfers.
Bottom line
Getting to San Miguel de Allende may require an extra step, but the journey is worth it. If you’re wondering what airport to visit San Miguel de Allende, the best options are León/Guanajuato (BJX) and Querétaro (QRO), with BJX offering more international flights. Getting to San Miguel de Allende is easiest by private transfer, Uber, or rental car, with Uber fares from Guanajuato to San Miguel de Allende ranging from $70–$120 USD. If you’re flying from the U.S., there are direct flights from Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Dallas (DFW), and Houston (IAH).
For those flying into Mexico City, the safest way to travel is via bus (ETN or Primera Plus) or private car transfer, as the road from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende is safe when using toll roads during the day.
