Mexico City
How to get around efficiently with clear cost comparisons.
You'll find that navigating Mexico City's transport system can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can get around safely and efficiently. Most newcomers are surprised to learn that DiDi is 20-30% cheaper than Uber, and InDriver allows you to negotiate the price, making them better options for getting around. Watch out for pickpocketing in the Metro, and keep your phone secure. To get started, download Google Maps, which works excellently for Mexico City, and use it to navigate the city's transit, walking, and cycling options. For a hassle-free ride from the airport, consider taking an Uber or DiDi, which costs around $150-300 MXN to Roma or Condesa. Today, take a few minutes to download the DiDi or InDriver app and familiarize yourself with the Metro map to start exploring the city.
Ranked by contributor trust level and quality score.
Polanco · Experience date Dec 5, 2025
DiDi is consistently 20-30% cheaper than Uber in CDMX. InDriver lets you negotiate the price. Always book inside the app, never accept street hails. Share your live location when riding at night.
Roma Norte · Experience date Apr 17, 2026
The Tren Suburbano is a commuter rail line connecting Buenavista station (central CDMX, near Metro Buenavista on Line B) to Cuautitlán in the north — 27 km in approximately 50 minutes. Fare: $11–22 MXN depending on distance. Useful for expats: connection to AIFA airport (change at Lechería to shuttle), and for trips to Tlalnepantla and northern suburbs. Frequency: every 20–30 minutes. Compare with Metrobús: for central CDMX movement, Metrobús is more useful. The Tren Suburbano is comfortable and significantly faster than Uber in northern corridor traffic. Integration with Metro: connects at Buenavista to Metro Line B. For most CDMX expats in Roma/Condesa: the Tren Suburbano is infrequently needed but worth knowing for the AIFA airport connection.
Roma Norte · Experience date Mar 26, 2026
Metrobús is Mexico City's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system — articulated buses running in dedicated lanes. Fare: $6 MXN, requires a Metrobús card (tarjeta Metrobús, $10 MXN at kiosks at major stations). Key lines: Line 1 runs the full length of Insurgentes Avenue from Indios Verdes (north) to San Ángaro (south) — the most useful for expats, connecting Roma, Condesa, Polanco corridor, and Centro. Line 4 runs east along Buenavista. Hours: 4:30am–midnight. Faster than regular buses for the Insurgentes corridor — dedicated lanes protect from traffic. Combine with Metro: Metrobús connects to several Metro stations. The $6 fare makes it remarkable value — a cross-city trip on Metrobús costs $0.30 USD.
Centro Histórico · Experience date Mar 19, 2026
Peseros (also called combis or microbuses) are Mexico City's informal collective minibuses — the cheapest urban transport after the Metro. Fare: $7–12 MXN depending on route. Route: displayed on a windshield card (e.g., 'Centro – Xochimilco'). Board: flag down from the side of the road, pay the driver directly. They don't have fixed stops — just wave when you want to get off. For expats: challenging to use without Spanish and local knowledge — routes are not mapped on Google Maps with full accuracy. Worth using: once you know specific routes in your neighbourhood, peseros can fill transit gaps between Metro stations and your destination. Cultural experience: the pesero represents authentic CDMX life — most locals use them daily alongside the Metro.
Roma Norte · Experience date Apr 17, 2026
Uber operates extensively in Mexico City and is the strongly recommended alternative to hailing street taxis. Why: drivers are identified, routes are tracked, payment is card/app (no negotiation), and there is a complaint system. Street taxis (libre): not recommended for tourists or new expats — a small minority of street taxis in CDMX have historically been involved in express kidnappings and overcharging. Official taxi stands (sitios) at major hotels and airports are safe alternatives to street hails. Uber pricing: Centre to Condesa $50–100 MXN, airport to Roma Norte $150–250 MXN. Surge pricing: Friday nights, rainy days, and rush hour. Always confirm the driver's face, car model, and plate before getting in. DiDi is a reliable Uber alternative in CDMX with comparable pricing.
Condesa · Experience date Dec 27, 2025
Mexico City's central colonias are among the most walkable in Latin America. Roma Norte and Condesa: extremely walkable — grocery stores, cafés, restaurants, metro stations all within 5–10 minutes on foot. Sidewalk quality: generally good in Roma/Condesa, highly variable in outer colonias (broken paving, gaps, tree roots). Topes (speed bumps): also appear on some sidewalk sections. Walking safety: central colonias are safe for walking day and evening. Night walks after midnight: stick to well-lit, busy streets. Crossing streets: traffic lights are present but not always respected by drivers — wait for a clear gap even on green. Pedestrian culture: CDMX drivers do not always yield to pedestrians at crossings — treat every crossing as a negotiation. Comfortable shoes matter for CDMX cobblestone streets in older colonias.
Roma Norte · Experience date Mar 3, 2026
The CDMX Metro is safe for most journeys but requires basic awareness. Pickpocketing: the main risk — keep your phone in your front pocket or bag during crowded hours, not in your back pocket. Crowding: rush hour (7:30–9am and 6–8pm) is extremely crowded on Line 1 and Line 3 — consider non-peak travel. Women-only carriages: use them during rush hours for a significantly less cramped experience. Valuables: do not use your phone visibly while sitting in the Metro carriage — wait until stationary at a destination. Emergency: each carriage has an emergency intercom. Bag checks: CDMX Metro security randomly checks bags for weapons at some stations. The Metro is generally safe for everyday use — tens of millions of CDMX residents use it daily without incident.
Centro Histórico · Experience date Nov 11, 2025
The CDMX Metro (Sistema de Transporte Colectivo Metro) is one of the world's best value transit systems: single fare $5 MXN (approximately $0.25 USD). 12 lines, 195 stations covering most of the city. Hours: Monday–Saturday 5am–midnight, Sunday 6am–midnight. Icons, not numbers: Metro lines are identified by colour and icon at each station (not just numbers) — useful for navigating even without reading Spanish. Key lines for expats: Line 1 (pink, east-west across the city), Line 2 (blue, crossing Line 1 at Pino Suárez), Line 7 (orange, through Polanco), Line 3 (olive green, through Copilco and Ciudad Universitaria). Busiest stations: Hidalgo, Balderas, Pantitlán — expect crowds during rush hour (7–9am, 6–8pm).
Insurgentes · Experience date May 4, 2026
Cabify is a Spanish rideshare company operating in Mexico City with a more premium feel than Uber or DiDi. Pricing: typically 20–40% more expensive than Uber. Car quality: generally newer, cleaner vehicles. Useful for: airport transfers when you want reliability, business travel, times when surge pricing on Uber is high and Cabify has competitive pricing. Cabify Pass: subscription option for regular users — worth comparing if you use premium rides frequently. Corporate accounts: Cabify is popular for business travel in CDMX. Most expats use Cabify occasionally as an alternative when Uber surge is very high. InDriver: another CDMX rideshare app that allows you to set your own price — drivers accept or counter. Popular for price-sensitive users.
Centro Histórico · Experience date Apr 23, 2026
Transport options in CDMX beyond Uber/DiDi: Sitio taxis (licensed taxi stands): safe option outside hotels, hospitals, and major shopping centres. Use the official sitio kiosk — fixed rates displayed, pay before entering. Remis: pre-arranged taxi services via app or phone — regulated, fixed-price. Beat (formerly Taxibeat): rideshare app competing with Uber, smaller fleet. CDMX taxis authorised by SEMOVI (Secretaría de Movilidad): identifiable by official sticker and red-and-white or gold-and-white colour scheme with running license plate. Pink taxis: taxi for women services operated by women drivers — available in some areas. For late-night safety: always use app-based rides (Uber/DiDi) or hotel-recommended sitios — never hail a random street taxi after dark.