Getting Around Mexico City

In my last post, I suggested that Mexico City is a rewarding destination and convenient starting point for Canadian travellers wishing to explore Mexico. However, the prospect of getting around this huge metropolis can be intimidating. The good news is that Mexico City's transportation systems have evolved dramatically in recent years. Despite its infamous congestion, La Capital is now not as difficult to explore as you might think.

Fortunately, many of Mexico City's most important sights are located in the Centro Histórico (Historical Centre), which is easily toured on foot. Much of the traffic in this area has been rerouted and some streets (notably Avenida Madero) have been turned into pedestrian walkways. There is also a new fleet of green and white eco-friendly pedicabs that ferry both tourists and locals through the downtown core.



The most popular way to navigate Mexico City is in one of its ubiquitous gold and maroon-coloured taxis. Fares are inexpensive and the drivers are experts at negotiating traffic jams. Guidebooks often advise travellers to telephone for a taxi rather than flag one down on the street due to the risk of being robbed by a "pirate" cabbie. Personally, I've never had any problems in this regard, but calling for a cab is definitely the right thing to do at night. It's also a good idea to ask the driver to see his or her official identification card before stepping into a taxi.

Often overlooked by tourists is Mexico City's efficient and extensive Metro (subway) system built by the Canadian company Bombardier. It is similar to the Métro in Montreal in that the trains run on rubber tires rather than on metal tracks. The main advantages of riding the subway are the incredibly low fares (3 pesos or about $0.25) and the fact that you zip along in relative comfort beneath the clogged streets. On the downside, there can be a lot of underground walking to do between stations when changing trains, and the Metro gets very crowded on some routes, especially during the morning and evening rush hours.



Mexico City's latest addition to its urban transportation scene is the Metrobús. The principal line of this new rapid transit system runs north-south along the entire length of Avenida Insurgentes, which is said to be the longest urban avenue in the world. There are also two secondary Metrobús lines crisscrossing the city (see below for link to a system map). The bright red articulated buses have their own dedicated lanes and stop at clean, modern stations where you pay the fare electronically with a rechargeable “smartcard.” At five pesos (less than $0.50) per ride, it’s a real bargain.

Mexico City subway map

Metrobús system interactive map

Mexico City maps