Mexico City
Getting around Mexico City: public transport, passes and taxis
Use the Metro and Metrobús for daytime trips in the centre, Chapultepec and Coyoacán — MXN 5–6 a ride with the Mobility Integrated Card (check) — and switch to Uber, DiDi or Cabify for late nights, airport runs and cross-city trips at rush hour, when cars cost roughly MXN 80–250. Skip street taxis.
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GuideMexico City
Key facts
- Cheapest optioncheck
- Metro and Metrobús, MXN 5–6 per ride with the Mobility Integrated Card
- Best all-round option
- Metro by day, ride-hailing app after dark or with luggage
- Card to buy
- Mobility Integrated Card (Tarjeta de Movilidad Integrada) — covers Metro, Metrobús, Trolleybus, RTP, Cablebús
- Ride-hailing cost
- About MXN 80–250 across Mexico City, priced upfront
- Street taxis
- Skip them; use sitio stands or an app instead
- Rush hour
- Roughly 06:00–10:00 and 17:00–21:00; Metro is packed and roads slow
- Airport
- MEX to Centro or Roma about 30–60 minutes by taxi or app, depending on traffic
Metro, Metrobús and the transit card
The Metro is the backbone: cheap, frequent and covering most places a visitor wants. Fares are a few pesos per ride, paid with the rechargeable Mobility Integrated Card rather than cash at the gate. Buy the card at station machines or service windows, top it up as you go, and keep it for the whole trip.
The Metrobús runs on dedicated lanes along Reforma, Insurgentes and other corridors, including a route to the airport. It uses the same card. The Trolleybus, RTP buses and the Cablebús cable cars in the north also take it.
Practical rules: expect crowds at rush hour, keep bags in front of you, and note that women-only carriages are at the front of Metro trains. The system shuts overnight, so plan your last ride before it closes.
- Buy the Mobility Integrated Card once; recharge it at station machines.
- Keep your bag in front of you and your phone out of sight in crowds.
- Women-only carriages are at the front of the train.
- Metro closes overnight — check the last train before a late dinner.
| Mode | Best for | Cost (2026 estimate) | Time / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro | Daytime hops in the centre, Chapultepec, Coyoacán | MXN 5–6 per ride | Fast; packed at rush hour; women-only carriages at the front |
| Metrobús | Roma, Condesa, Reforma, airport line | MXN 6 per ride | Bus lanes beat traffic; same card as Metro |
| Uber / DiDi / Cabify | Nights, luggage, cross-city, airport | MXN 80–250 across the city | Priced upfront; some airport pick-up points restricted |
| Sitio taxi | When no app is available | Metered or fixed by zone | Use official stands only, never hail on the street |
| Walking | Roma, Condesa, Centro, Coyoacán | Free | Fine by day; long gaps between districts |
| EcoBici | Short hops in the centre and Roma | Membership or per-trip fee | Daytime only; traffic is heavy |
Taxis and ride-hailing
Uber, DiDi and Cabify all operate in Mexico City and are the default for visitors: the price is fixed before you accept, the driver is tracked, and you avoid the negotiation and risk of a street cab. Expect roughly MXN 80–250 for a cross-city trip, more at peak times or in rain.
Street taxis are the one to avoid, especially at night and around bus and metro stations. If you need a taxi, use a sitio stand — the official rank at hotels, airports and major plazas — where the fare is set by zone or meter. At the airport, buy your ride at the authorised counters inside the terminal rather than following anyone who offers you a car.
Ride-hailing pick-ups at the airport are restricted to certain points, so check the app's instructions before you land. For the full arrival breakdown, see the airport transfer page.
- Book the app ride before you leave the terminal or restaurant.
- Use sitio stands for taxis; never hail one on the street.
- Agree or confirm the fare before getting into any taxi.
- Sit in the back and share your trip with someone.
Tips that save time and trouble
Plan around rush hour. Between roughly 06:00 and 10:00 and again from 17:00 to 21:00 the Metro is packed and roads crawl; a trip that takes 20 minutes at midday can take an hour. If you must cross the city at those times, take the Metro rather than a car.
Keep small notes and coins for transport and for public toilets, which charge MXN 5–10. Download offline maps and the ride-hailing app before you leave the hotel, since data can be slow in busy areas. An eSIM set up before arrival avoids hunting for a SIM on day one.
Finally, match your base to your transport. Staying in Roma, Condesa or Centro puts most sights within a short Metro or walking trip; a hotel far out saves money but adds a car ride to everything.
- Avoid cross-city car trips at rush hour; use the Metro instead.
- Carry small change for toilets and card top-ups.
- Download offline maps and your ride-hailing app before you go out.
- Choose a central base to cut daily transport time.
| Item | 2026 estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Metro ride | MXN 5–6 | Paid with the Mobility Integrated Card |
| Metrobús ride | MXN 6 | Same card; airport line included |
| Mobility Integrated Card | Small purchase fee plus top-up | Rechargeable; keep it for the trip |
| Uber / DiDi across the city | MXN 80–250 | Higher at peak times and in rain |
| Airport to Centro or Roma | MXN 200–400 by app or authorised taxi | 30–60 minutes depending on traffic |
| EcoBici | Membership or per-trip fee | Short daytime hops only |
Questions people ask
What is the best way to get around Mexico City?
Use the Metro and Metrobús by day — MXN 5–6 a ride with the Mobility Integrated Card (check) — and Uber, DiDi or Cabify for nights, luggage and cross-city trips, at roughly MXN 80–250. Walk inside Roma, Condesa, Centro and Coyoacán.
Is there a transit pass for Mexico City?
Yes. The rechargeable Mobility Integrated Card covers the Metro, Metrobús, Trolleybus, RTP and Cablebús (check). Buy it at station machines or service windows, then top up as needed. There is no single tourist pass that covers everything.
Are taxis or ride-hailing better in Mexico City?
Ride-hailing apps are better for visitors: the fare is fixed upfront and the trip is tracked. If you take a taxi, use an official sitio stand or the authorised airport counter, never a street cab, especially at night.
Is the Mexico City Metro safe for tourists?
Yes by day, with normal city precautions. Watch for pickpockets in crowds, keep bags in front of you, and note that women-only carriages are at the front of trains. The Metro closes overnight, so plan your last ride (check).
How do I get from Mexico City airport to the centre?
Take an authorised taxi from the counter inside the terminal or an app ride from the designated pick-up point. Expect about 30–60 minutes to Centro or Roma and roughly MXN 200–400 (check), depending on traffic.
Deep dive
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