How to get to San Cristóbal de las Casas from the airport

Published by Cassie on 06/04/202606/04/2026

green text box: how to get to san cristobal de las casas from the airport, 4 photos - two of San Cris streets, 1 of view from a plane and 1 of San Cris plaza

It often comes as a surprise to people that San Cristóbal de las Casas, while being the biggest draw in Chiapas, is neither the capital of Chiapas, nor home to the primary airport in the region. If, therefore, you plan on flying to San Cristóbal de las Casas, you’ll need to know how to get yourself from the airport in Tuxtla Gutiérrez to San Cris (as the locals call it).

Everything included in this article is based on my experiences over years of adventuring around Chiapas, most recently in early 2026.

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So where is the airport?

view out of an aeroplane window, can just see engine, coast and sea below

^{no, this photo wasn’t taken near San Cristobal, it was taken on my way there and it’s a pretty photo}

The airport is called Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport, but don’t worry, you’ll never have to remember its name unless you’re booking your bus in advance.

Tutxla Gutiérrez, by the way, is the capital of Chiapas. Both the city and the airport are about 90 minutes from San Cristóbal de las Casas along a well maintained and fairly new road.

Getting to San Cristóbal de las Casas from Tuxtla Gutiérrez airport

Shuttle bus – your cheapest option

When you arrive in the airport and clear security you’ll see a small ticket office where you need to buy your bus ticket. As of early 2026, it costs $300 pesos for the shuttle service to San Cristóbal de las Casas.

view of the price board for buses from the airport

You then head to the waiting room where you’ll sit until there are enough passengers to fill the shuttle bus. I recommend taking a seat in the front row if you can as these seats tend to get to go to the bus first.

Luggage is taken to the back of the bus and then you get on the bus.

Important notes:

😔 I find this bus to be extremely uncomfortable. The seats are reclined to a very odd angle and it’s hard to find a comfortable way to sit. If you get travel sick, therefore, I recommend taking a pill first before you travel.

😉 The bus drops you off just outside of the centre of San Cris. You can walk (I have, obviously) into town and to your hotel but you can also take a cab (around $70-80 pesos in 2026) to pretty much anywhere in town. My most recent arrival saw me refuse the (honestly not very expensive) cab and march off into town with two rucksacks. Yes, I’m a fool and it took me approximately 20 minutes of a forty minute walk to realise this. Most hotels are probably a 20-30 minute walk from the station but I was staying with a friend who lives further out.

Returning to the airport from San Cristóbal de las Casas

empty street with colourful buildings on either side, sun setting in distance

🚌 You can book in advance with OCC/ADO online ($292 pesos) or you can go directly to the bus station and pick up a bus.

🚖 Or, of course, book a cab (details below)

Private taxi service

white VW and red car behind it on cobbled street- buildings on either side and mountains in distance

If you don’t want to take the shuttle (or it isn’t worth it if you’re a group) you can also take a taxi. It costs around $900 pesos. Again, upon leaving the airport you’ll find a taxi desk where you tell them where you’re going and pay upfront.

Note: it’s important to remember that not every taxi in San Cristóbal de las Casas is entitled to drop off customers at the airport so don’t assume you can simply pick up a taxi for your return. You’ll need to book an official cab (and no, the photo above isn’t a taxi 🚕).

→ If you prefer to have a car booked in advance that can pick you up, you can use Get Transfer

Renting a car

person in red tshirt and grey shorts leaning on a silver car on an empty road at dusk

If you’re going adventuring then I am always pro car rental in Mexico. I love the freedom that comes with having a car, no timetables, no set route, no one telling me I can’t pee when I need to or that I have to keep my bags nicely packed 🤣.

Chiapas is a great state for road tripping and having a car is also a great way to get to San Cris, obviously.

→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to San Cristóbal de las Casas

→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to road tripping in Chiapas

→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to road tripping in southern Mexico (Chiapas, Tabasco & Campeche)

→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to driving in Yucatán (Chiapas is basically the same but with a few more potholes 😉)

→ Check your car rental options now with Discover Cars, my favourite car rental broker in Mexico

What else is nearby?

Chiapa de Corzo & the Cañon de Sumidero

Well, Chiapa de Corzo is really close to the airport, and since it’s a popular day trip from San Cristóbal de las Casas (one of the most popular, actually), you could even start your Chiapas adventure here and stay a night, see the Sumidero Canyon and then take the bus from Chiapa de Corzo to San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Chiapa de Corzo main plaza - you can see the fuente building, the chiapa de corzo letters, a mexican flag and trees

→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to Chiapa de Corzo or check out tour options here

San Juan Chamula & Zincanatán

These are two Indigenous villages that are a delight to visit if you have a car (or on a tour if not).

Visit the incredible church (pictured) in Chamula, explore the markets and then head off to Zincantán, the nearby village that’s famous for flowers and traditional embroidery.

white church with green 'trim' - people milling around in plaza in front in white traditional costumes

→ Check out tour options here

Where to stay in San Cristóbal de las Casas

🏨 MexicoCassie top recommended hotel: Hotel Casa de Ghandi – this is a gorgeous locally owned, quirky hotel where the owner will ply you with alcohol while he ensures your stay goes smoothly. Every room is comfortable & warm and breakfast here is great.

🏨 MexicoCassie top recommended luxurious hotel: Hotel Diego De Mazariegos – just moments from the plaza, this traditional courtyard hotel is an absolute gem of a hotel in San Cris. Rooms are well appointed with great beds, lovely showers and the courtyard is a beauty. There’s also a ‘secret’ terrace with great views at sunset and sunrise. Highly recommended.

🏨 MexicoCassie top recommended hostel: Posada del Abuelito – if you’re looking for an absolute bargain spot in the centre of San Cris then this is it. It’s a hostel but it is definitely not a party hostel. Breakfasts are great and there are private rooms or dorm beds available .

🗺 Or, use the MexicoCassie accommodation finder to pick something more to your taste.

More Mexico adventures

How to get to San Cristóbal de las Casas from the airport

So where is the airport?