Mexico · Trip plan
4 days in Mexico City
Day of the Dead, Aztec ruins and the best tacos on earth.
- Best time
- Oct – Mar
- Ideal length
- 4 days
- A day, mid-range
- $150 per person
- Trip for two
- about $1,200
Planning a 4-day trip to Mexico City? Here's a day-by-day Mexico City itinerary with what it costs, where to stay and how to get there, ready to follow or make your own.
Why go now
Day of the Dead (1–2 November) transforms the city with marigolds, altars and a giant parade, and the dry season runs to spring.
Mexico City is a huge, high-altitude metropolis with Aztec roots, colonial grandeur, world-class museums and an incredible food scene.
- Jan: a good time to go
- Feb: a good time to go
- Mar: a good time to go
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct: a good time to go
- Nov: a good time to go
- Dec: a good time to go
October to March: 22–25°C days, cool nights.
Don't miss
Best things to do in Mexico City
- 01
Day of the Dead
Parades, altars and marigolds in late October and early November.
- 02
Teotihuacán
The Pyramids of the Sun and Moon.
- 03
Frida Kahlo Museum
The Blue House in Coyoacán.
- 04
Xochimilco
Colourful boats on ancient canals.
Day by day
Mexico City itinerary for 4 days
- D1
Day 1: Centro Histórico
- Morning
- Start at the Zócalo, one of the world's largest squares, and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
- Afternoon
- See the ruins of the Aztec Templo Mayor and Diego Rivera's murals in the Palacio Nacional.
- Evening
- Dinner in Roma, the city's leafy restaurant district.
The city sits at 2,240 m; drink water and take it slow.
- D2
Day 2: Teotihuacán
- Morning
- Early trip (about 1 hour) to Teotihuacán, an ancient city older than the Aztecs.
- Afternoon
- Climb the Pyramid of the Sun and walk the Avenue of the Dead to the Pyramid of the Moon.
- Evening
- Back to the city for mezcal in Condesa.
Hot-air balloons fly over the pyramids at dawn.
- D3
Day 3: Coyoacán and Xochimilco
- Morning
- Visit the Frida Kahlo Museum, the Blue House where she lived and worked.
- Afternoon
- Float on a trajinera boat through the canals of Xochimilco with mariachis drifting by.
- Evening
- Day of the Dead events (late October to 2 November): altars, marigolds and parades.
Book Frida Kahlo Museum tickets online well ahead.
- D4
Day 4: Chapultepec and home
- Morning
- Spend the morning at the National Museum of Anthropology, home of the Aztec Sun Stone.
- Afternoon
- Lunch of mole.
- Evening
- Fly home.
The museum needs at least 3 hours.
Shorter or longer
Mexico City in 3, 4 or 6 days
3 days in Mexico City
Follow days 1 to 3 above and leave out “Chapultepec and home”. Start early each day and book the main sights ahead.
6 days in Mexico City
Slow down with a free day for a spa, a cooking class or simply wandering, then add 1 day in Oaxaca.
What it costs
Mexico City trip budget
| Style | Per person, a day | 4 days for two |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $70 | $560 |
| Mid-range | $150 | $1,200 |
| Luxury | $400+ | $3,200 |
Stay, food, local transport and entry fees; travel to Mexico City is extra. Rough guides from recent prices, so check before you book.
Where to stay
Best hotels in Mexico City for every budget
What to eat
Food to try in Mexico City
Tacos al pastor
From street stands.
Mole
Rich, complex sauces.
Churros and hot chocolate
At El Moro.
Getting there
How to reach Mexico City
- Travel
- Mexico City airport, 30 minutes from the centre.
- Getting around
- Metro, Uber and walking in Roma and Condesa.
- Book Frida Kahlo Museum tickets ahead.
- Use Uber rather than street taxis.
Before you go
What to pack for Mexico City
- Power bank and charging cables
- Passport and visa printouts
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temples
- A forex card or some local cash
- Travel insurance
Good questions
Mexico City trip FAQs
How many days are enough for Mexico City?
4 days are enough to see the highlights: Day of the Dead, Teotihuacán, Frida Kahlo Museum. Add a day or two if you like a slower pace.
How much does a 4-day Mexico City trip cost?
Roughly $70 a day per person on a budget, $150 mid-range and $400+ for luxury, not counting travel to get there. For two people mid-range, that's about $1,200 for 4 days.
What is the best time to visit Mexico City?
Oct – Mar. Day of the Dead (1–2 November) transforms the city with marigolds, altars and a giant parade, and the dry season runs to spring.
Where should I stay in Mexico City?
Budget: Hostels in Centro (Centro), from about $40 a night. Mid-range: Hotels in Roma Norte (Roma), from about $180 a night. Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City (Reforma), from about $600 a night.
How do I reach Mexico City?
Mexico City airport, 30 minutes from the centre.
Is 3 days enough for Mexico City?
Yes, if you focus: follow days 1 to 3 of the itinerary above and skip "Chapultepec and home". 4 days is the comfortable length.
What is the weather like in Mexico City?
October to March: 22–25°C days, cool nights.
What food should I try in Mexico City?
Tacos al pastor: From street stands. Mole: Rich, complex sauces. Churros and hot chocolate: At El Moro.
How do I get around Mexico City?
Metro, Uber and walking in Roma and Condesa.
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