Overview
Oaxaca (pronounced "wa-HA-ka") is the cultural heart of southern Mexico: a UNESCO-listed colonial city set at around 1,555m in the Sierra Madre, famous for its markets, mole, mezcal and its extraordinary Day of the Dead celebrations. There are no direct flights from the UK, so your journey will connect through Mexico City or a US hub. This page shows live fares, so use the price charts on this page to see how routes and dates compare before you book.
Best time to fly to Oaxaca
The dry season from November to April brings warm days of around 25–28°C, cool evenings and clear skies. The rainy season (June to September) sees short afternoon downpours, greener landscapes, thinner crowds and often lower fares – check the When to book chart above. Day of the Dead (late October to 2 November) and the Guelaguetza dance festival in July are spectacular but need booking months ahead.
Airlines and routes
There is no nonstop UK–Oaxaca service. The most common routing is British Airways or Aeroméxico from London Heathrow to Mexico City (about 11–12 hours), then a one-hour domestic hop to Oaxaca with Aeroméxico, Volaris or VivaAerobús. From Manchester you would typically connect via a European hub (KLM via Amsterdam, Air France via Paris, Iberia via Madrid) or through the United States. Via the US, American (Dallas) and United (Houston) reach Oaxaca directly from their hubs, though you will need an ESTA. Allow 16–22 hours door to door.
Things to do in Oaxaca
Oaxaca rewards slow travel, with world-class ruins, craft villages and food within easy reach of the centre.
- Monte Albán: Hilltop Zapotec capital with pyramids and sweeping valley views, 30 minutes from town.
- Templo de Santo Domingo: Lavish baroque church with the outstanding Museo de las Culturas alongside.
- Mercado 20 de Noviembre: Smoky grill hall and stalls piled with mole, chocolate and Oaxacan string cheese.
- Hierve el Agua: Mineral "petrified waterfalls" and natural infinity pools in the hills east of the city.
- The mezcal route: Family palenques around Santiago Matatlán where you can taste agave spirit at the source.
At Oaxaca International Airport (OAX)
Officially Xoxocotlán International, the airport sits about 8km south of the centre, a 20–30 minute drive. There is no train or metro; buy a fixed-price ticket for an authorised taxi or a shared colectivo van from the desks inside the terminal. Some central hotels will arrange a pick-up. Cards are accepted at the desks, but carry a few pesos.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Oaxaca
- Book the transatlantic leg roughly two to five months ahead; last-minute long-haul fares to Mexico rarely drop.
- Fly midweek (Tuesday or Wednesday) and avoid Christmas, Easter and the Day of the Dead fortnight.
- Keep your dates flexible and use the price charts on this page to spot the cheapest departure days.
- Compare a Mexico City routing against a US hub – booking the UK–Mexico City and domestic legs separately can work out cheaper if you leave a generous connection.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourism and can stay up to 180 days; you will receive an entry stamp or a paper FMM form on arrival, so keep it safe until you leave. Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay. The currency is the Mexican peso; cards work across the city, but markets and mezcalerías are usually cash only. There are no compulsory vaccinations – hepatitis A and typhoid are commonly advised – and it is best to drink bottled or filtered water. Connecting through the USA requires an ESTA even if you do not leave the airport.
