Quick Facts — Chapultepec Castle 2026
Open
Tue – Sun, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Last Entry
4:30 pm (not 5:00 pm)
Admission
210 MXN (~$10 USD)
Metro
Line 1 (Pink) — Chapultepec
Guided tours from
$37 per person
Opening Hours
The castle opens at 9:00 am Tuesday through Sunday. The last entry is 4:30 pm — not 5:00 pm. Arriving at 4:45 pm means you won't be admitted. The castle closes entirely on Mondays. Plan to arrive by 4:00 pm at the latest for a meaningful self-guided visit, earlier if you're on a guided tour.
⚠️ Rainy day closures
The castle sits on an exposed hilltop and may close without advance notice during heavy rain or lightning. If the day looks uncertain, call ahead or check with your tour operator before setting out.
Tickets & Admission
General admission is 210 MXN (approximately $10 USD) as of January 2026. This covers entry to both the castle building and the National Museum of History inside.
⚠️ Free Sundays — who actually qualifies
Sundays are free for Mexican nationals and foreign residents with valid Mexican residency documentation (INE, CURP, or resident card). International tourists pay full 210 MXN on Sundays. This is the most common source of confusion at the ticket booth.
Where to buy your ticket
Tickets are sold at the booth at the base of the hill, not at the castle entrance at the top. Buy before you start walking up. You cannot pay at the castle door. Most guided Chapultepec Castle tours include admission in the price — check your booking confirmation.
What You Cannot Bring Inside
- No food or drinks — including water bottles. There is nothing to eat or drink inside. Eat before entering.
- No backpacks or large bags — small handbags only. Free lockers at the base of the hill.
- No selfie sticks or tripods inside the rooms.
- Photography permitted without flash in most rooms. Follow signage — a few restricted rooms are clearly marked.
Getting There
| How | Route | Journey time | Cost |
|---|
| Metro | Line 1 (Pink) → Chapultepec station → exit toward Bosque de Chapultepec → 15 min walk uphill or take the tram | ~25 min from Centro | ~7 MXN |
| Metrobús | Line 7 → Lieja stop → 10 min walk through the park to the tram base | ~30 min from Insurgentes | ~7 MXN |
| Taxi / Uber | Drop-off at Bosque de Chapultepec entrance on Paseo de la Reforma | ~15 min from Polanco or Roma | ~$3–6 USD |
| Walking | From Paseo de la Reforma entrance: 20–25 min uphill walk through the park | — | Free |
The tram
A tram runs from the base of the hill to just below the castle entrance — approximately 15–20 MXN per person. It departs when full, roughly every 10–15 minutes. Practical for families with young children, visitors with limited mobility, or anyone arriving in the afternoon with limited time. Note: the castle interior is not wheelchair accessible due to stairs and uneven stone surfaces.
How Long to Allow
- Self-guided only: 1.5 – 2 hours for a thorough visit.
- With a guided tour: 2 – 3 hours. Guided tours change the experience significantly — the murals, room histories, and artefacts require context.
- Castle + Anthropology Museum combo: 4 – 6 hours total. Do the museum first (flat, at park level), then the castle. Most visitors who reverse the order regret it.
- With children: Add 30–45 minutes. The carriages room, Observatory Tower, and exterior gardens hold attention well.
Best Time to Visit
Time of day: Arrive at opening (9:00 am) or after 2:00 pm. The castle peaks between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm with school groups and tour buses. Morning gives the stained-glass Galería de Emplomados its best light.
Day of week: Tuesday to Friday are quieter. Saturday fills from 10:00 am. Sunday brings large crowds (free entry for Mexican nationals).
Season: October–November offers clear skies, 18–24°C, and the best panoramic views. Rainy season (June–September) means possible afternoon closures with no notice.
💡 The single most useful tip
Book a guided tour with early access. It resolves ticketing, crowds, and context in one booking.
See early access tours →
Nearby Attractions
- National Museum of Anthropology — 15 min walk. One of the world's great pre-Columbian collections. Most visitors do this first, then the castle.
- Lago de Chapultepec — the park lake, with rowing boats for hire. Natural detour between metro and castle.
- Monumento a los Niños Héroes — on the path from the metro. Memorial to the six cadets who died here in 1847.
- Paseo de la Reforma — the grand boulevard begins just outside the park, lined with monuments including the Ángel de la Independencia.