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How to get around Mexico City: A complete guide for tourists
How to get around Mexico City using the metro, Uber, taxis, buses, and walking. Learn costs, safety tips, and the best ways to get around without a car.
How to get around Mexico City depends on where you’re staying, what time you’re traveling, and how comfortable you are using public transportation. This guide covers the metro, Uber, taxis, buses, airport transportation, safety tips, free options, and the best ways to get around Mexico City without a car.
Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world, with over 20 million people in the greater metropolitan area. For first-time visitors, it can feel overwhelming. Traffic is heavy, neighborhoods are spread out, and travel times vary widely by hour.
The good news is that you do not need a car to get around efficiently. This will become even more important since Mexico City is one of the 2026 World Cup host cities, and millions of visitors are expected to rely on public transportation and ride-sharing services during the tournament.
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How to get around Mexico City without a car
Many visitors find they can get around Mexico City comfortably without renting a car, and there are a few practical reasons for that. Traffic can be dense, parking is limited in popular areas, and the city’s Hoy No Circula program restricts driving on certain days based on your license plate number to help reduce congestion and air pollution.
Most tourists get around Mexico City using a combination of the metro, Uber, walking, and the public bike-share system (ECOBICI). These options are affordable, widely available, and generally easier than driving yourself.
If you’re planning how to get around Mexico City as a tourist, focus on staying in central neighborhoods and combining transportation methods based on distance and time of day.
Best ways to get around Mexico City as a tourist
The best transportation method depends heavily on where you’re staying.
- Roma / Condesa: Walking + Uber
- Centro Histórico: Walking + Metro
- Polanco: Uber
- Coyoacán: Metro + Uber
Below is a breakdown of each option and how to get around Mexico City efficiently.
Mexico City Metro
The Mexico City metro is one of the largest subway systems in the Americas, with 12 lines and extensive coverage across the city. It is the cheapest way to get around Mexico City.
Cost: $5 MXN per ride (approximately $0.25 USD)
You’ll need a rechargeable transit card (The Integrated Mobility Card/Tarjeta de Movilidad Integrada), which costs around $15 MXN ($0.85 USD). Cards can be purchased and topped up at metro stations.
Using the metro in Mexico City is practical for longer distances and avoiding traffic. However, trains can be extremely crowded during rush hour (7–9:30 AM and 5–8 PM).
When to avoid it: Rush hour, late at night, or if carrying large luggage.
Safety tips: Keep your belongings secure, avoid empty train cars late at night, and stay aware in crowded stations.
For travelers researching how to get around Mexico City safely, the metro is considered safe in central areas during daytime hours, but situational awareness is important.
Uber in Mexico City
Uber in Mexico City is commonly used by tourists. Many travelers prefer Uber over street taxis due to pricing transparency and in-app tracking.
Cost:
- Short rides: $80–150 MXN ($4–9 USD)
- Airport to Roma/Condesa: $250–400 MXN ($15–24 USD), depending on traffic.
To book Uber in Mexico City, simply download the app, confirm pickup location, and pay digitally. Service is generally reliable in tourist neighborhoods.
When to avoid it: During heavy traffic (late afternoon and early evening), when travel times and prices can double.
Safety tips: Verify the driver and license plate in-app before entering the vehicle.
For many visitors, Uber is often the easiest option at night.
Taxis in Mexico City
Taxis are still common in Mexico City, especially for short trips, but tourists should be selective about which ones they use. The safest option is usually sitio taxis (official taxi stands), while street taxis can be fine if you verify the car and driver first.
Cost: Short rides are often $60–150 MXN (about $3.5–9 USD). Daytime fares are typically metered (taxímetro), and fares usually increase by 20% from 11 PM to 6 AM.
How to take a taxi: Stick to pink-and-white taxis, and avoid older paint schemes, which are often less regulated. If you hail on the street, check that the plate starts with A or B, the ID card (carta de identificación) is visible, and the driver matches the photo. You can also use Mi Taxi (in TheCity.mx app) to help verify the same details.
When to avoid it: Late at night if you can’t confirm the taxi’s details, or if the driver won’t use the meter when it should apply.
Buses and Taxis in Mexico City
Mexico City has several bus systems, including RTP buses, Trolebús lines, ATENEA women-only buses, and smaller microbuses. While these networks are extensive and affordable, they can be confusing for visitors who are unfamiliar with the routes and payment systems.
The Metrobús is usually the easiest bus option for tourists. It’s a bus rapid transit system that runs on dedicated lanes along major avenues, meaning it often keeps moving even when traffic is heavy. The system currently operates seven lines, many of which connect with the Mexico City Metro.
Cost: The fare is $6 MXN (about $0.35 USD) per ride. The Metrobús does not accept cash, so you must use the same prepaid transit card and swipe it before entering the station platform.
When to use it: Metrobús can be a fast option along major corridors like Avenida Reforma, and it also connects Mexico City International Airport to the Historic Center via Line 4.
When to avoid it: Rush hour can be crowded, and routes are less intuitive for first-time visitors compared with Uber or the metro.
Walking and biking
Walking is free and one of the most enjoyable ways to get around Mexico City for short distances, especially in Roma, Condesa, and Centro Histórico. For most visitors, walking plus public transportation (metro or Metrobús) is the most common way to move around the city efficiently without getting stuck in traffic.
For biking, Mexico City’s public bike-share program ECOBICI works well in central areas with bike lanes and shorter distances. It lets registered users pick up a bike from any station and return it near their destination, with unlimited 45-minute rides during the pass period.
Cost (VAT included):
- 1 day pass: $127.99 MXN (about $7.50 USD)
- 3 days pass: $253.99 MXN (about $15 USD)
- 7 days pass: $425 MXN (about $25 USD)
How to sign up: Register through the ECOBICI website or app, and pay by credit/debit card (VISA or Mastercard) enabled for online purchases. You can also register at select service kiosks in central areas.
Hours: Bikes are available 5:00 AM to 12:30 AM, and you can dock (anchor) bikes 24/7.
How to get around Mexico City safely
Safety is a common concern when researching how to get around Mexico City. The safest neighborhoods for visitors typically include Roma, Condesa, Polanco, and parts of Centro Histórico during daytime hours.
General tips:
- If crowded transit makes you uncomfortable, try traveling outside peak commute hours.
- Keep personal items close and consider using a secure or anti-theft bag.
- For evening trips, app-based ride services, such as Uber or DiDi, are usually the safer options.
- When taking a taxi, choose official taxi stands (sitios) whenever possible.
- Stay discreet with valuables such as phones, jewelry, or cameras in busy areas.
Final tips for travelers visiting Mexico City
These quick tips make it easier to plan how to get around Mexico City smoothly, especially if it’s your first visit.
- Download Uber before you arrive: It speeds up airport pickup and makes it easier to compare estimated fares and wait times once you’re in the city.
- Use Google Maps for routes: It helps when planning metro and Metrobús trips, estimating travel times, and choosing the quickest option when traffic is heavy.
- Plan your airport transfer ahead of time: Travel times from the airport can vary a lot by hour, so having a plan (Uber, authorized taxi stand, or Metrobús Line 4) reduces stress on arrival.
- Stay in central neighborhoods: Areas like Roma, Condesa, Polanco, and Centro Histórico make sightseeing easier because you’ll be closer to major attractions and transit links.
- Keep mobile data available: Reliable data helps with navigation, ride apps, and transit updates. If you’re visiting from the US, using an eSIM like Holafly’s eSIM for Mexico city can keep you connected as soon as you land, and Holafly offers unlimited data and 24/7 customer support if you run into issues while traveling.
- Consider an eSIM plan for multi-country travel: If you’ll be visiting more than one destination, consider Holafly Plans, a monthly data subscription that covers 170+ destinations, and you can compare options in the eSIM Store before your trip.
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Formerly a travel journalist turned marketing copywriter, I found my way back to the travel world with Holafly—my dream company that made remote work possible. My motto? “Dream big and make it happen.” I’m passionate about writing, exploring the world, and staying active through walking, running, swimming, and hiking. I also love learning, reflecting, and connecting with inspiring minds.
