Aguascalientes is one of Mexico's smallest and most industrialized states, a compact highland territory in the country's central Bajio region. Named for its thermal hot springs, it centers on the historic, walkable capital of the same name, famous for the exuberant Feria Nacional de San Marcos, Baroque colonial architecture, and the legacy of Day-of-the-Dead cartoonist Jose Guadalupe Posada. Beyond the capital, the state offers the Pueblos Magicos of Real de Asientos and Calvillo, an emerging wine region, and a strong charreria and rodeo tradition.
- Public
- The metropolitan bus network (Sistema Integral de Transporte, operated with a rechargeable electronic card since 2023) covers Aguascalientes city and the smaller municipalities of Jesus Maria and San Francisco de los Romo, but service to inland towns like Calvillo or Real de Asientos runs only a few times a day
- Taxi
- Metered and app-based taxis are widely available in Aguascalientes city and reasonably priced; official airport taxi modules operate from Aguascalientes International Airport
- Rental
- A rental car is the most flexible way to reach the Pueblos Magicos, thermal balnearios, and Sierra Fria, since the state is compact, roads are in good condition, and intercity distances are short
- Walking
- The historic center around Plaza de la Patria, the Barrio de la Estacion, and the Expoplaza area are flat, compact, and easy to explore on foot
Transport at a glance
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Aguascalientes state is small and centrally located in Mexico's Bajio region, making it one of the easiest states to get around by car. Aguascalientes International Airport sits about 25 km south of the capital and is served mainly by domestic and a handful of US flights. The Central de Autobuses de Aguascalientes is the workhorse for regional and long-distance travel, with frequent first-class service to Guadalajara, Leon, Zacatecas, and Mexico City. Within the capital, a modernized metropolitan bus system, plentiful taxis, and Uber/Didi cover most needs, while a rental car is the best option for day trips to Calvillo, Real de Asientos, Sierra Fria, and the state's thermal balnearios, most of which have little or no public transport.
Airports
Aguascalientes International Airport (Jesus Teran Peramos)
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Uber and Didi operate in Aguascalientes city but are barred from picking up passengers directly at the airport terminal door; walk about 200 meters past the perimeter fence to be picked up
The Central de Autobuses de Aguascalientes (Av. de la Convencion de 1914 Sur 408) is the hub for all intercity bus travel, with ETN, Primera Plus, and Omnibus de Mexico running frequent departures to Guadalajara, Mexico City, Leon, and Zacatecas
Buy the rechargeable metropolitan bus card at Central de Autobuses kiosks or convenience stores if planning several city bus rides; single cash fares are also accepted on board
A rental car is the easiest way to reach Calvillo, Real de Asientos, Sierra Fria, and the outlying thermal balnearios, none of which have frequent public transport
Highway 45 links Aguascalientes north to Zacatecas and south to Leon and the Bajio; Highway 70 runs west to Calvillo
Agree taxi fares from the historic center to the airport in advance (roughly MXN 350-450 / USD 21-26) since not all taxis run meters on that route
The historic center's colonial streets are compact enough to see on foot in a single day; a car or taxi is more useful for reaching Ojocaliente, the Feria grounds, or outlying neighborhoods