Best Way to Get Around Mexico City as a Tourist

Are you planning a trip to Mexico’s capital and wondering how to get around Mexico City? In this guide, we’ll share a rundown of the best methods of transport in Mexico City for tourists, with instructions on how to use the city’s metro, buses, bike share system and more.

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How to get around Mexico City

Mexico City is a huge city. With nine million inhabitants in the city centre and over 22 million in the wider metropolitan area, it is truly enormous!

Figuring out how to navigate a city that size can be very daunting for a first-time visitor. Especially if your Spanish skills aren’t that great.

Attractions in the city are spread far and wide, and there are many great neighbourhoods worth exploring. Isolating yourself in one neighbourhood isn’t really an option if you want to see the best of the city.

This means that moving around is unavoidable, and every visitor has to work out how to navigate the Mexico City transportation.

But never fear! We spent a week in the city and were pleasantly surprised by how simple it was to navigate the transport in Mexico City.

In this guide, I’m going to share a brief summary of the best methods of transport in Mexico City that you can use to get around as a tourist.

There are plenty more transport types we haven’t listed here (such as the cable car, trolley bus etc.), as they are predominantly for locals commuting further out into the suburbs, and can be complicated and unnecessary for visitors just aiming to see the major sights and areas.

🗺️ Save this image of the entire Mexico City public transit system to your phone

In this post, we will provide an overview of these methods of transport in Mexico City:

• Metro
• Tren Ligera
• Metrobus
• EcoBici Bicycles
• Rideshare
• Taxi (hint: don’t use unless you have to)
• Driving (hint: do not attempt to drive yourself around Mexico City!)
• Walking

💡 Mexico City transportation tip – buy a metro card on your first day in the city. Formally known as the Integrated Mobility Card (MI), it’s required for most methods of transport, and it makes your life a lot easier! Buy it, top it up once, share it with your travel companion and quickly navigate all types of transport in Mexico City.

Metro

• 🌈 12 mostly-underground colour-coded lines
• 💰 5 pesos per ride, transfers inside a station are free
• 🚊 As of 2024, you must buy a metro card (15 pesos) to use the system
• ⏰ Runs from 5 am weekdays, 6 am Saturdays and 7 am Sundays until midnight

Using the Metro is the best way to get around Mexico City if you’re on a budget.

The metro system has 12 colour-coded lines, that span most of the city. Most lines are underground, and of course, avoid the heavy traffic you find on the roads around Mexico City.

The Metro is very affordable, costing just 5 pesos per trip.

As of 2024, the government has announced they will no longer sell paper tickets for the metro, and everyone needs to use the ‘Integrated Mobility’ (MI) card.

These cards cost 15 pesos and you can buy them from the ticket windows inside metro stations. If you ask for a metro tarjeta they’ll know what you mean.

Once you have a card, it can be reloaded with pesos at the machines at transport stations around the city (Metro, Metrobus, Tren Ligera).

It’s possible to share one card between multiple people, so long as you tap on each person.

Once you tap your card to enter the station through the turnstiles, it is free to transfer to other lines as many times as you need. So long as you remain inside the station, you won’t be charged again.

The stations are clearly signposted and there are maps both on the platforms and inside the trains, making it super easy to navigate.

We found Google Maps really helpful as well to plan our route on all the Mexico City transportation. Enter your point of departure and desired destination into Google Maps and it will give specific instructions on which line to get and any changes you need to make.

You can also toggle on the public transport layer on Google Maps to easily see the metro lines and stations around the city.

The Metro runs from 5 am on weekdays, 6 am on Saturdays and 7 am on Sundays and public holidays. Services stop at midnight each night.

Trains run every few minutes (absolutely mind-blowing for us as Australians! You mean you don’t have to wait half an hour for the next train? Wow!).

Occasionally there can be delays or a backlog during peak times, but generally, you shouldn’t expect to wait any longer than five minutes for a train. I told you the Mexico City transportation was efficient! Much more than in Guadalajara, where the metro isn’t really that valuable for visitors.

The Metro can be very busy at peak times and you’ll see most blogs advising you to avoid it. We travelled in peak multiple times, and yes it was busy, but it wasn’t anything we don’t experience at home in Australia.

Peak times are usually 7 am – 9 am in the morning, and again from 5 pm – 7 pm. The beauty of the system is that if one train is very very packed, you can always opt to skip it and wait just a few minutes until the next one arrives.

No matter what time you are travelling on the Metro, just be careful with your belongings (as you would in any packed place, in any city). Watch your bag and keep it in front of you, and avoid leaving phones or wallets in your back pocket.

We never felt unsafe at all, and using the Metro is by far the easiest and best way to get around Mexico City, so don’t be deterred.

Every train has 2 or 3 separate carriages for women and children only. The carriages are pink and are usually at the front of the train. Most platforms have markings indicating where these carriages will arrive, so you can line up there. If you are a solo female traveller or a group of female family or friends I would recommend using these carriages, just for an extra layer of comfort.

Tren Ligera (Light Rail)

• 🚃 1 light rail line to Xochimilco
• 💰 3 pesos per ride, metro card required (no paper tickets)
• ⏰ Runs from 5 am weekdays, 6 am Saturdays and 7 am Sundays until 11:30 pm

Also known as the Xochimilco Light Rail, the Tren Ligera is an offshoot of the Mexico City Metro system. There is one above-ground line that begins from the Tasqueña metro station and runs 18 stops to Xochimilco.

This town is the home of the famous Floating Gardens of Xochimilco, so there’s a pretty good chance you will use the light rail as a tourist. It also passes by Estadio Azteca, which is the country’s largest stadium and the home ground for two of the city’s renowned soccer teams, Club America and Cruz Azul.

It costs 3 pesos per trip, and you must use a metro card.

They don’t sell individual paper tickets for the Tren Ligera either, so if you haven’t already got your Integrated Mobility card, you need to purchase one for 15 pesos to be able to tap on for the light rail.

The operating hours are slightly different to the Metro. Running from 5 am weekdays, 6 am Saturdays and 7 am Sundays and public holidays, until 11:30 pm.

Metrobus

• 🌈 7 colour-coded lines across the city
• 💰 6 pesos per trip, metro card required (no paper tickets)
• ⏰ Runs from 4:30 am Monday – Saturday, and from 5 am on Sundays until midnight

The Metrobus is a relatively new form of transport in Mexico City.

It is essentially a bus that has its own dedicated lane on the road, so it doesn’t get stuck in traffic like regular buses do.

They are usually the fancy, extra-long buses that are bendy in the middle. One of the lines (Line 7) even uses double-decker buses!

They stop at fixed stops, and the bus stops are more like ‘stations’, with many of them featuring raised platforms, and you need to tap your card to enter the boarding area.

Seven lines cover span the city, and they are all colour-coded (just like the Metro lines). Each line connects with Metro stations too, for easy integration across the different means of Mexico City transportation.

They tend to run along one major road or avenue, where there is space for the dedicated Metrobus lanes. Paseo de la Reforma and Avenida Insurgentes, two major roads that run through popular parts of the city, both have Metrobus lines along them.

The Metrobus is also the best way to get around Mexico City if you are based in Roma Norte or Condesa. The Metro stations in these areas aren’t really conveniently located, and the Metrobus runs along Avenida Insurgentes, which passes right through the centre of these neighbourhoods.

You need to have a Metro card to use the Metrobus. It costs 6 pesos per trip, and it is free to transfer to other lines in the Metrobus network within two hours from your time of touch on.

This 2-hour period doesn’t apply to the Metro, the different systems are charged separately.

The Metrobus runs from 4:30 am Monday – Saturday, and from 5 am on Sundays and holidays, until midnight. Certain stations have different opening hours in the morning, but unless you’re really starting the sightseeing early, it shouldn’t be an issue for most tourists.

Metrobuses all feature a dedicated space for women and children, like the Metro. They can get very crowded in peak periods, just like the trains, but being a lot smaller, you can really feel the squeeze (literally!).

I would prefer to be on the Metro in peak times than the Metrobus. But, for the efficiency and low cost, you can’t beat either of these options no matter what time of the day!

✈️ Metrobus Line 4 runs from the MEX Mexico City International Airport to Centro Historico. You’re not usually allowed large luggage on the Metro or Metrobus, but I believe they permit it on this particular line. If your suitcase is huge, maybe not the best option, but if you travel reasonably light this is one of the cheapest ways to get to the city centre.

EcoBici Bicycle

• 🚲 Over 600 stations around the city, with 9,000 bikes available
• 💰 Register for one, three or seven days or buy an annual pass
• ⏰ Bikes are available to discharge from stations from 5 am until 12:30 am

EcoBici is Mexico City’s fantastic bike-share system.

In our opinion, this is the best way to get around Mexico City and we had so much fun cruising around! We were so impressed by the quality and organisation of EcoBici, and wish we had something this sophisticated in Australia.

To use EcoBici, you need to sign up for an account. Although it is supposedly possible to do this directly at some of the more advanced bike stations, we found it much more straightforward to organise our account online.

The EcoBici website is super easy to navigate and can be displayed in English. There is also an app you can download.

Create an account on the website/app. You can choose to register for one, three or seven days, or buy an annual pass (which actually works out very cheap if you are in Mexico City any longer than a week).

At the time of writing (2024), the prices are as follows:

• 1 day – 118 pesos (approx. $7 USD)
• 3 days – 234 pesos (approx. $14 USD)
• 7 days – 391 pesos (approx. $23 USD)
• Annual pass – 521 pesos (approx. $31 USD)

These passes give you unlimited rides in your specified time period, but each ride is restricted to a maximum of 45 minutes.

Once you have your account set up, download the app and log in. You will see a map of all the stations in the city (over 600!) and a live view of how many bikes are available at each station. There are over 9,000 bikes floating around the city, so there is usually one nearby.

When you are at a station and are ready to take a bike, just open the app, scan the QR code on the bike you want and it will discharge.

You have two minutes to check the bike is comfortable (quickly jump on and check the seat can be adjusted), and if not you can return it and swap it over.

You then have 45 minutes to ride the bike to your destination. If you keep the bike longer, you will start getting charged extra (to your credit card) for each minute over. This is to encourage people to use the bikes for short journeys, rather than keeping them out all day.

If you do want to go further than 45 minutes, it is super easy to find a station, return your bike and wait a couple of minutes before discharging another one. There are stations all over, and chances are you will ride past many on the way to your destination.

When you arrive at your final destination, dock the bike back into any empty space in a station and you will hear a noise confirming that it has been returned successfully.

The system runs from 5 am until 12:30 am every day, so it is really convenient for getting around Mexico City, day and night.

Biking in Mexico City can be daunting at first, but once you get used to it, it’s really enjoyable. Most major roads, like Paseo de la Reforma, have dedicated bike lines or wide footpaths, making it safe and easy to navigate.

We spent most of our time riding on the footpaths, which are often on either side of the road, and down the middle of the road too. We didn’t venture too much out onto the roads, unless it had a bike lane with a barrier next to it (so cars can’t cross into it at all), which many roads did.

🚲 On Sunday mornings, one of Mexico’s longest and busiest roads, Paseo de la Reforma, closes to cars to allow locals to get out and walk, run or bike. This is the perfect time to rent an EcoBici and cruise down the leafy avenue, dwarfed by skyscrapers. Read more about this activity in our Mexico City itinerary.

Rideshare

• 🚗 Uber is the main option, DiDi is growing
• 📱 Generally fast, affordable and straightforward to order
• 💰 Pay via card inside the app, or with cash directly to the driver

Using rideshare is popular and easy to do in Mexico City, like most cities around the world. It is the best way to get around Mexico City if you’re not near a Metro station, or you’re travelling in the evening and don’t feel comfortable on public transport.

It basically works the same as everywhere else, and I’m sure you have some experience using it. But there are a couple of differences to note.

Although obvious, it’s important to remind you that Ubers (or DiDis or taxis) are driving on the roads, like regular cars. They are at the mercy of the insane Mexico City traffic, so although they seem convenient, they can be a very slow method of transport in Mexico City.

Uber is the main rideshare service available in Mexico City, but DiDi is becoming a strong new competitor. Thousands of drivers crawl the city and it is usually quick and affordable to order one.

Prices are generally lower than a taxi but can increase late in the evening or during peak periods. We recommend downloading both Uber and DiDi to compare prices and wait times, especially in peak times.

Unlike many other countries, you can pay for your Uber ride in cash in Mexico City. You will need to pay in Mexican Pesos, they won’t accept other currencies. You should always try and have the exact amount, or be prepared to not get change, or at least not all you’re owed.

If you already have an Uber account with your PayPal or credit card connected, it’s easier to stick with this payment method and not fuss around with cash.

Uber is actually not a bad option for day trips to sites outside the city, like Teotihuacan. Just be wary that it can be tricky to find a car for the return journey, so always have a back up option.

Taxi

• 💰 Can be more expensive than rideshare
• 🚕 It can be unsafe if you don’t order a reputable taxi
• 🚖 If you need to use one, order via a business or sitio, not hailed off the street

Taxis in Mexico City are a bit of a wild-west situation. There are many unregistered taxis out there, and it’s not uncommon for tourists to be totally ripped off. It is definitely not the best way to get around Mexico City, and we recommend avoiding taxis if you can.

If you absolutely need to use one (and you can’t use Uber or DiDi) make sure you only order a taxi via a business like a hotel, or inside a shopping centre where there is a formal taxi rank. Or from a sitio, which is a taxi stand where you pre-pay and your trip is recorded. Don’t just hail one down on the street, as you could end up in an unsafe, unregistered taxi.

You should also agree on the price before getting in the taxi (if you haven’t prepaid). If the driver refuses to do this, it’s probably best to just walk away. The meters are rarely used, and if they insist on it, it’s probably rigged!

In our experience, taxis are best avoided altogether. Using Uber or DiDi gives you the comfort of entering your destination in your own language, and following the route on the map to ensure you’re going the right way. Things can be lost in translation if you don’t speak Spanish and it can be tricky to communicate where you want to go to a taxi driver who doesn’t speak your language.

If you do find yourself in a situation where you need to take one, make sure you follow these tips for a safe and reasonably priced ride.

Driving

• 😤 Driving in Mexico City is not for the fainthearted
• 🚦 Traffic is heavy and navigating is complicated
• 🅿️ Parking is tricky and can be costly

Renting a car is not a method of transport we would recommend in Mexico City.

I don’t particularly like driving in any city, but Mexico City is an especially large and chaotic one. The traffic is heavy at all times of the day, and navigating your way around can be complicated, even with a GPS (or a partner who can act as a navigator).

Parking is also tricky and can be costly. In some areas, you need to pay for parking by the hour, so it’s not always easy to find somewhere to leave your car if you’re just popping into a shop quickly. Most accommodations also don’t offer parking, so finding a place to park overnight can be a challenge.

It’s definitely not worth the hassle, in our opinion, given most of your time will be spent waiting in traffic.

Plus, the cost of renting a car and petrol is way more expensive than using the other methods of transport in Mexico City that we have mentioned. Unless you have a very cool head, and you’re an incredibly skilled driver, don’t do it!

Walking

• 👣 The best way to explore Mexico City’s neighbourhoods
• 🚶🏻 Most roads have safe, wide sidewalks
• 🌿 It’s free and great exercise

This may be an obvious recommendation, but walking really is the best way to experience Mexico City.

Of course, if you’re going long distances you probably need to jump on a bus or train. But within neighbourhoods, walking is the best option! You miss a lot when you’re underground or speeding past in a vehicle. Taking it slow on foot will give you a much better insight into the city.

There are wide sidewalks along most roads, and many major avenues have pedestrian sections in the centre and on the outer edges of the road. The city is also full of parks that can be great shortcuts and sightseeing all in one.

The city is buzzing at all times of the day or night, and unless you’re off the beaten track, walking around busy areas in the evening (say pre-10 pm) is generally considered safe. There will still be plenty of people in restaurants (Mexicans eat dinner late!), probably coming home from work (they also work incredibly hard!) or crowding into bars.

After this time, I would probably suggest an Uber or DiDi.

We clocked up 20,000 + steps every day we were exploring the city. It’s a great way to get some exercise while sightseeing, and of course it costs nothing too!

The best way to get around Mexico City? I think so.

Mexico City transportation for tourists

There is not necessarily one ‘best’ way to get around Mexico City as a tourist.

It is going to totally depend on your location, budget, time of day and level of comfort in a foreign city. But all the forms of transport in Mexico City mentioned in this guide are safe, affordable and easy enough for tourists to navigate.

I hope it helps you understand how to get around this huge, but fascinating, city and eases any concerns you might have.

If you need some help planning your time in Mexico City, be sure to read our Mexico City itinerary for ideas on the best things to do, neighbourhoods to explore and places to eat.

OUR MEXICO CITY POSTS

• The Perfect 7 Day Mexico City Itinerary
• Teotihuacan Hot Air Balloon: Flying Over Ancient Pyramids
• How to Visit the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco Mexico City
• Ultimate Guide to Centro Historico, Mexico City
• The Concise Guide to Roma Norte, Mexico City
• The Concise Guide to La Condesa, Mexico City
• Best Way to Get Around Mexico City as a Tourist
• El Patio 77: Sustainable Bed and Breakfast Mexico City