Mexico City is one of the biggest cities in the world, with 16 million people living there, everyone going everywhere and anytime it has to develop an infrastructure that allows citizens to move from one point to another without any complication. Huge underground net of subway lines, tons of bus routes going everywhere all over the city and the offer of taxis makes easier to move in the city.
Despite all efforts still the demand for this public transport in Mexico City is overwhelming, and you can expect the subway lines and the buses every morning and late evening when everyone is back home after a long day, very crowded.
Still, being very crowded is amazing, being the city as big as it is, how easy you can find the way and the route to reach from one point to another, it may take time but you can reach the destination you are looking for.
Prices for public transportation in Mexico are also affordable, and considering the terrible traffic all over in the city, you may prefer to be squished inside a subway car to reach your destination faster, instead of being stuck in the traffic for HOURS.
Mexico City has a wide range of public transportation options, you can move almost anywhere for very little money.
Subway to move in Mexico City:
The subway lines in Mexico city are in constant development and you can also reach almost every corner of the city using this transport, the price is affordable and the only cons I see is that most of the subway lines there is a lack of maintenance.
Please find information on the subway lines in this link:
Asking for location references: To ask for the right line is easy if you have clear where you want to go and if you know in advance what line you have to take and in what subway station you need to get off. You may find in every subway station a huge map that shows all the lines and line intersections for a better understanding of the users.
But you may find it hard to find among the locals in the street someone who helps you if you do not speak Spanish, I strongly recommend you to use GOOGLE TRANSLATOR please because what I have seen is that is very annoying for locals to deal with foreigners who consider a fact everyone has to speak in English, please do not do that.
If you have Google Translator on your phone, you can easily write what you need and ease communication with locals. Is something I always do in any country I visit and makes my life easier in fact.
Another option is to check this page where you can see each subway line, which has color and goes in a specific route, usually very station is clearly indicated inside each subway car then you can easily identify if you are taking the right line and direction.
Subway ticket price:
The price is only 5 pesos, this is about 50 cents USD
How can I buy a Ticket?
Depending on your specific needs you can buy a single ticket or if you are a regular is more convenient to buy a Metrocard, there are ticket booths at the entrance of every metro station where you can buy both, and after that the ticket or the card are presented at the turnstiles
Tips you need to know:
- Can get very crowded during rush hours and almost now every hour
- Careful with the doors closing in rush hours
- Check a map first to determine what is the best route for you and determine what is your right stop
- Bring cash to buy a single ticket or to recharge the credit in your metro card
- NEVER put your cell phone or wallet in your pockets
- If you have a bag or backpack ALWAYS put it in front of you and your hands in zippers
- NEVER look lost or disoriented.
- NEVER ask random people anything, Go to the turnstiles area to ask the police what you need.
REMEMBER TO USE GOOGLE TRANSLATOR PLEASE if you have any questions, it will be easier to communicate, otherwise people won’t be able to help you.
Metrobus to move in Mexico City:
There are specific routes already determined to move by Metrobus in Mexico City. There are routes in most zones and you can reach almost every place you may want to visit by Bus.
To ask for the right bus is easy, but you may find it hard to find among the locals in the street someone who helps you if you do not speak Spanish, i strongly recommend you to use GOOGLE TRANSLATOR please because what I have seen is that is very annoying for locals to deal with foreigners who consider a fact everyone has to speak in English, please do not do that. If you have Google Translator on your phone, you can easily write what you need and ease communication
Another option is to give check this page, you will find the main routes for Metrobus in Mexico City: where you can see each route, which has a code, (example Line 1), usually this code is located on the top of every bus then you can easily identify if you are taking the right one.
Metrobus ticket price:
Here there is NOT a ticket, you need necessarily to buy the METROBUS CARD. The card costs 15 pesos, and every trip will cost 10 pesos, which is around .50 to .75 cents USD
How can I buy the Metrobus Card?
There Is a machine at any Metrobus station entry, deposit the money amount indicated, and be sure to have coins enough that the machine does not give you money back, and is ready! After that, you just slide your card at the turnstile to enter, and good trip!
Tips you need to know:
- Can get very crowded during rush hours
- Careful with the doors
- Check a map first to determine what is the best route for you and determine what is your right stop
- Bring cash to buy or recharge the credit in your Metrobus card
REMEMBER TO USE GOOGLE TRANSLATOR PLEASE if you have any questions, it will be easier to communicate, otherwise people won’t be able to help you.
To be safe to take the Metrobus in Mexico City, like everywhere else, follow these basic safety rules:
- DO NOT use your phone on the street or during your ride on the bus, to avoid being the target of someone looking to be messy.
- Be prepared in advance with your exact amount to pay for the Metrobus to avoid taking your wallet out and to be again an unnecessary target. And if you need help please better ask the police at the Metrobus station to avoid asking random people.
- Be always aware of your surroundings: Something I notice very often is that many foreigners think nothing absolutely may happen to them and: yea it may happen, please, always be aware, and check no one is looking at you too much, or very close or touching or following you. Is so much better to always be heading up. Being a foreigner always makes you stand up, be careful!.
Street Taxi to move in Mexico City:
You have to take a taxi in Mexico City, Taxi you can find on the street.
One big advantage here in Mexico City is that here Taxis DO have a taximeter, this makes it easier to know what is the right amount you have to pay, which is very important before you get in the taxi, to ask the taxi driver if has the taximeter working/ and to ask him to put the taximeter, I am telling you this because of course there is always the possibility the taxi driver may want to take advantage once he saw you are a foreigner.
The average price of taking a street taxi on the street in Mexico City:
The average start cost to start a trip is 13.10 pesos (price updated 2022). The cost will increase by itself in the taximeter and you can see clearly how much you will pay, because of the distance and also consider that at night it is always a bit more expensive, this is always after 10 pm, the start cost increases by almost 50%.
How do I stop a street taxi?
Very easy, just check the one driving around and the ones free have a big red sign that says LIBRE, if you see one just shake your hand in front of the taxi and he will stop.
Taking a taxi by Uber or InDriver in Mexico City:
This is my favorite option, is safer and the price is already established on the app, you do not need cash and the charge can be straight to your credit card.
The average price of taking UBER or InDriver?
The average price of taking a taxi by Uber or InDriver Mexico City: The average cost to move from one place to another (talking about a ride of about 10 minutes) can be also around 1 to 4 USD, The cost may increase because of the distance and also consider even by Uber or In Driver at night is always a bit more expensive.
Taking a taxi de SITIO in Mexico City:
Located usually outside the main retail stores and malls you can find the Taxi Stands, called in Spanish: BASE DE TAXIS. This is safer than taking a random taxi in the street, is usually more controlled, uses radio to communicate and the person knows all the time where you are going and when you take off the taxi. Also, you need to know it is a bit more expensive than taking a taxi in the street but is safer too.
To see the difference with an street taxi is very easy, the taxis de sitio are usually white.
The average price of taking a Taxi de Sitio?
The average cost of a Taxi to your destination will also depend on the distance and can be from 5 USD for a ride of about 10 minutes to 10 USD for a ride of 15 min or more.
The service of one of this taxis increases about 50% the price after 10pm.
Mexico City is the most pupular destination to move in, but to live here now has its considerations, stay safe and I will keep posting more useful information about how is to live in Mexico City, Stay tuned!
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