A Guide to Mexico City Public Transportation: Trains, Buses, and Beyond

When you think of Mexico City — even if you’ve never been here — one thing probably comes to mind: traffic. I can’t argue with the assessment that the city’s traffic is crazy; I’ve been stuck in it for frustrating hours. But what many people don’t tell you? You don’t have to drive everywhere! This isn’t a sprawling, suburban American city, where nearly everyone is expected to own a car. While cars are certainly status symbols in Mexico (just like in the U.S.), many people don’t have them, meaning diverse transport options have sprung up in this void.

While Mexico City public transportation is far from perfect, I use it pretty happily every single day. It’s fantastic value, and many Chilangos take public transportation to get where they’re going faster and avoid the city’s infamous traffic jams. That said, the system is complex, making transport intimidating to city newcomers. In this guide, I’ll take you through public transportation options in Mexico City, sharing my tips on navigation and safety as well.

General Tips and Advice

Navigating:

Visiting a friend in London this summer, I was introduced to Citymapper, an incredibly detailed and comprehensive app to get around the city’s transportation network. When I returned home to Mexico City, I opened the app and discovered that it worked here — and in many other global cities!

Citymapper really is a game changer. Use it like Google Maps or Waze, inputting where you want to go. But instead of giving you a few limited options or encouraging you to drive, the app will show you… Every. Possible. Route. Wanna take only peseros, the mini-buses that wildly zip around the city, for some reason? You can. Want to take the metro, even if it means walking longer? Do it. The app uncannily knows everything about this crazy city’s transport, even the approximate times and stops for informal transit choices. After you choose your route, Citymapper will walk you through the entire process. It tells you the best part of the train to board, which exit to take at the stations, and exactly what everything costs. They’re not paying me — I just really love Citymapper.

A final note on navigation: no app is perfect, nor is cell reception and data endless. When in doubt, ask a mom or a student nearby for help on navigation. People are generally very nice, and it’s better to swallow your pride than to get lost in the mega-city!

Safety:

I feel generally quite safe on the Metro and Metrobus, but everything is a question of location. The Mexico City subway has 195 stations spread out all over, from very posh, well-heeled neighborhoods to quite dangerous areas. Ask a local friend or colleague before heading to a new part of the city, whatever type of transportation you’re using.

Even in safer areas, the subway and Metrobus aren’t without their safety problems. Mostly, this means pickpocketing and petty theft. Busy commuter stations like Tacubaya, Pino Suarez, and Balderas are targets for pickpockets during the busy work week. Meanwhile, the start and endpoints of several subway lines, including the Pantitlan and Indios Verdes stations, can be crazy during rush hour, an many people who live in Mexico State/the suburbs pass through these stations to get to work.

None of this is intended to scare you! I have had no safety issue or robbery on public transit. Instead, I just want you to be cautious. Avoid these stations at rush hour (7:30-9 AM, 5-7:30 PM on weekdays) if possible. Always keep your belongings in a closed bag or backpack, held in front of you — not in your pockets. Just stay aware, not completely zoned out, speaking loudly in English, or on the phone, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter an issue.

Being a Woman on Public Transport

Sexual harassment is an issue on Mexico City public transportation, like in most of the world. Nearly all of this harassment is focused on women. The Metro has a pink section designated only for women, children, older people, and people with disabilities. While I wish it wasn’t necessary, I love this section and think other cities/countries should copy the idea. I use this section, which is also on the Metrobus, exclusively, and highly recommend it if you identify as a woman.

On other forms of Mexico City public transportation, frankly I don’t feel as comfortable. Men sometimes cede their seats to women — take it, if it’s offered to you. Otherwise, standing on buses can be uncomfortable, as you’re very close to others and at times, there are creepy men. Particularly as a foreign woman, sometimes I feel very conspicuous. My method is to avoid taking crowded buses whenever possible: I walk, bike, Metro, and Metrobus instead.

After 9 PM, I usually don’t take any form of public transport, except the Metro/Metrobus in areas I know and trust. Sometimes it’s worth it to just take an Uber — once again, perhaps especially if you’re a woman. In general, many locals feel that the Metro and Metrobus are safer than buses or peseros. Still, as in any big city, you’ll probably feel safer in public transit in areas like Polanco and San Angel, than in Iztapalapa or Ciudad Neza, reflecting the vast security differences and inequities of Mexico City.

The Metro

Now, I’ll give you brief overviews and tips for different forms of transportation in Mexico City. I ordered these transport options basically from what I take and like the most (Metro) to the least (small, crowded buses).

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Mexico City Metro, and honestly, I love it. I argue with people all the time, because I think it’s better than the subways of New York and London. It’s generally quite fast, and while it does get crowded at rush hour, most people are respectful. I don’t have to board at a super busy, end-of-line station, where it’s so packed all this flies out the window, so I’m sure that would affect my feelings.

The system is fairly extensive and well-designed. Different colors signal different lines, and cool icons symbolize each station, which are named after everything from revolutionary heroes to Prehispanic markets. I often find that when there’s traffic, it’s faster than any other form of transportation I might take.

You need a plastic card to ride, which you can buy at many Metro stations and all Metrobus stations for five pesos, and recharge up to 99 pesos at a time. At five pesos per ride (around one quarter), the system is amazing value.

Metrobus

The newer Metrobus system runs along a few long routes that aren’t covered by the Metro, going up to the border with Mexico State and, most usefully in my opinion, all the way down Insurgentes Avenue. These shiny red buses run up and down major avenues in their own lane, meaning you can avoid the traffic. However, the buses are still, well, buses. They’re not high speed underground trains. They drive at a moderate pace, and have to wait at every stoplight — rather than putting the buses on freeways, they placed them on avenues with plenty of stops.

To access the Metrobus, you use the same card as the Metro (sold at machines at many Metrobus stations). The stops are raised, glass door thingies perched in the middle of major streets. Wait for the light, and carefully cross to enter the station and swipe your card. The Metrobus is considered quite safe, and has a women’s section just like the Metro. The buses have their destination on the front: make sure it’s the same destination listed in Citymapper or Google Maps, or the bus could stop short of your final station.

For fun, take the double decker Metrobus on Reforma Avenue, and enjoy fabulous views of many iconic Mexico City sights. You’ll pass Chapultepec Forest, the Angel of Independence, and many skyscrapers, all for six pesos. I don’t love the Metrobus, as it can be a little slow, but it works in a pinch! the bus costs six pesos per ride.

Bike Rentals

Like New York, LA, and probably every major world city at this point, Mexico City has exploded with bike rentals. The most popular service is called Ecobici, run by the city itself to promote health and green forms of transit. The bikes are sturdy, and you’ll find them at stations all over the city. You can register for the excellent, cheap service online here or at Oaxaca #7 in the Colonia Roma.

Plenty of other international start-ups have gotten in the game, with free-standing bikes you can leave wherever. Mobikes are orange, while Jumps are red (and run by Uber). You’ll find them scattered around hipster neighborhoods mostly, and they have their respective apps. I like Mobike and sometimes use it, but their range is smaller than Ecobici, and none of these start-ups can beat the great value of Ecobici either! You can get an annual pass for just over $20 USD.

You’ll notice I’m not including scooters in this section, or anywhere in this article. Several friends have had accidents on them in Mexico City. Biking can already be risky — please wear a helmet, and watch out for cars that don’t always respect the bike lanes. Always bike on the correct side of the street, and be aware that bicyclists going the wrong way, pedestrians, and even cars will most likely obstruct your path at some point. Electric scooters are even riskier here, because they’re faster and harder to operate, making quick maneuvers or stops difficult in the case of crazy drivers in cars. A final note on bikes: try not to leave bikes in the middle of the sidewalk. Mexico City neighbors don’t like it, and I get it — it’s annoying to walk around them, and just imagine pushing a stroller or wheelchair!

Buses

Mexico City has an incredibly extensive system of buses, mostly purple and green. I once drove three hours — there was some traffic, but still — to the far reaches of the “city,” through countryside and tiny villages. When I got there, I found the same green buses I see in my own central neighborhood. Along with this diversity comes a wide range of quality.

Technically, the Metro card should eventually work for many buses — don’t count on this. The main bus system is called RTP. To take the bus, you should have exact change; the driver won’t make change with you. Most buses cost four to seven pesos, with the cheap “locals” costing only two, but making a ton of stops. I used to take a purple bus every day when I worked in Lomas de Chapultepec, a wealthy area with no Metro stop, Metrobus, or bike rentals. It was a fine experience: just line up, and during peak hours, plenty of buses will pass by.

All buses list their final destinations, along with major landmarks/spots along their route, on the front window. When in doubt, ask the driver if he goes as far as your final destination, as some stop short.

Finally, you’ll see quite a few electric buses attached to lines above them, which are a wonderful addition in a smoggy city with too many old, exhaust-spewing vehicles. These are part of the Trolebús system. Some, like the blue ones on Felix Cuevas Avenue, are brand-new and really nice, running frequently so they’re not too crowded. Others, like the M1 near downtown and Tlatelolco, are green, snail-slow, and very crowded. As with other options of Mexico City public transportation, buses vary greatly, and it’ll be a process of deciding which you like and which you don’t.

Peseros and Combis

Peseros, rickety-looking green buses around 15 feet long, and combis, privately-driven vans, are the most informal transportation options in Mexico City. Despite this, they do run along set routes, and peseros even show up in Citymapper. I don’t love peseros: they are very inexpensive, but that also means they’re an easy target for robbery.

I actually like combis occasionally: they’re often faster than buses, more nimble in traffic, and while they can get very crowded, if you see a fairly empty one, nab a seat much comfier than that of a bus. On the other hand, due to the informal nature of these options, they aren’t considered especially safe or secure. The driving can also be a little nuts — thrilling or anxiety-inducing, depending on your personality. In a pinch, combis aren’t a bad option to get around in areas with few transport choices. They usually cost around five to ten pesos.

Localized Options: The Train Ligero, Tren Suburbano, and Teleférico

To wrap up, there are several forms of Mexico City public transportation that only exist in certain areas. Regardless, you never know when you’ll find yourself in Xochimilco or needing to go to Mexico State, for example, and you’ll need this information!

Tren Ligero

The tren ligero (light rail) is essentially an extension of the Metro system, helping make the connection to the south of the city. From the Tasqueña blue line Metro station, this diminutive light rail reaches down to Xochimilco, the canals and islands that form one of Mexico’s UNESCO sites and a popular tourist destination. These aboveground trains are small and slower than the Metro, taking around 30-40 minutes to reach the last stop. Currently, the first half of the system is closed under renovation — so don’t trust your Google Maps or Citymapper, which seem to ignore this. Overall, it’s a tranquil, safe little train, and at only three pesos per ride, it’s quite inexpensive.

Tren Suburbano

The tren suburbano (suburban train) connects Mexico City to its northern ‘burbs in a similar fashion. It begins at Buenavista station (get out of the metro station and hop right across to the suburban train), a teeming center just north of downtown that includes shopping, restaurants, and an ice rink beyond the train platforms. (While you’re there, pop in to the famous Vasconcelos Library, right around the corner.) Buenavista is the only place in Mexico City that reminds me of a “real” train station, like those found in Europe and Asia. You need a different plastic card for this train, which you can buy at ticket counters. Each ride costs up to 19 pesos, quite steep for Mexican transit, but good value at about $1 USD for the distance.

One of the suburban train’s current taglines is “It changed my life,” and truly, this isn’t far off. If you live in Mexico State and work in the city, as tens of thousands do, this was a game-changer. The train can fill up, but it’s fast and clean — before this, imagine taking several buses or combis into the city, trapped in terrible traffic. What was once a multi-hour journey, many of my friends now undertake in 30-60 minutes. You can take the train all the way up to Cuatitlán in Mexico State.

Teleférico

After that comes the final form of public transportation: the teleférico (cable car). If you head out to Teotihuacan, the famous pyramids north of Mexico City, you’ll briefly pass under the swinging cable cars, which cross above the highway in Mexico State. There’s only one route, called “Mexicable.” To be honest, it’s not likely that you’ll use the Mexicable. It’s located in Ecatepec, quite a dangerous municipality outside of Mexico City. The cable cars themselves are a nice, safe, modern system, and provide an important service for many locals. When you pass the teleférico, look at the small houses rising up into the hills, and imagine getting between them without a car, or stuck in traffic in a crowded bus. Taking a creative approach, the developers helped paint murals on many buildings along the route, making for a more scenic ride — not a bad deal for six pesos.

While you probably won’t use this cable car, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum has proposed plans to build four more teleféricos in the city itself! If she follows through on the promise, we could be gliding in cable cars above boroughs like Álvaro Obregón, Gustavo A. Madero, Tlalpan, and Iztapalapa. I’m especially excited about a proposal that would potentially connect the first two sections of Chapultepec Park, which are a headache to get between now.

From the Metro to the Metrobus, cable cars to combis, Mexico City public transportation is slowly moving forward. It still has a long way to go, but in my opinion, it already surpasses most American cities in affordable transport options for the carless (such as myself). With lots of variation within the systems, it takes time to get confident with all of them and explore the city!