Getting around Mexico City: metros, taxis and passes

By Valeria Cruz, Mexico host 12 August 2026 6 min read

Adult man wearing a cap walks in a bustling subway station beside a red train. — Photo by El gringo photo on Pexels

The rain hits different in mid-August. One minute you’re walking La Roma in a bright 24-degree sun, the next the sky cracks open and you’re ducking under a café awning on Álvaro Obregón, watching the streets turn to rivers. This is CDMX in rainy season — and it’s exactly when knowing how to move matters. Locals don’t check the sky; they check the clock. We know the downpour comes around 4 p.m., and we know the Metro will be packed by 5. So let me be your friend in the city and walk you through how we actually get around — from the 5-peso Metro ride to the moment you should just walk.

Start with the MI Card

Forget paper tickets — they died in 2024. Today, everything starts with the Tarjeta de Movilidad Integrada (MI Card). It costs about 15 pesos (less than a dollar), holds up to 500 pesos, and it’s your key to the entire public transport network: the Metro (5 pesos a ride), the Metrobús BRT (6 pesos), the Cablebús (7 pesos), plus the Tren Ligero and RTP buses. You can top it up at machines in any station or via the CDMX app with NFC, and if you’re feeling brave, link it to Ecobici, the city’s bikeshare.

Where to get one? Any Metro station booth. Do it on day one. It’s the single best purchase you’ll make in this city — cheaper than a taco, and it’ll carry you across 200 kilometres of track.

The Metro: cheap, fast, and occasionally chaos

The Metro is the bloodstream of Mexico City. Twelve lines, 195 stations, and a flat fare of 5 pesos — about 25 cents US. For that, you can go from the Zócalo to the edge of the city. It’s not glamorous; at rush hour you’ll be packed like a sardine with office workers, students, and market vendors hauling crates. But it’s fast, frequent, and, for the most part, safe if you keep your wits and your wallet tucked.

My advice: avoid the rush-hour crush (around 7–9 a.m. and 6–8 p.m.) if you can. And keep an eye on the announcements — the city is always doing maintenance. Right now, for instance, the Cablebús Línea 1 (Indios Verdes–Cuautepec) is shut for its annual maintenance until late August, with free RTP replacement buses along the route. That’s a pain if you’re heading to the north, but it’s a reminder that the system is alive and always changing.

Also, watch for weekend Metrobús closures on lines 2 and 5 (stations like Amores, Doctor Vértiz, and DIF Xochimilco) due to tactile-guide and curtain maintenance. They’re disrupting commutes through August 29–30, so check the day’s status before you rely on them.

Metrobús, buses, and Cablebús: the above-ground reality

When the Metro feels too deep, the Metrobús is your friend. It’s a bus rapid transit system on dedicated lanes — 6 pesos a ride, and it covers big avenues like Insurgentes. It’s slower than the Metro in heavy traffic, but you get to see the city. The RTP buses are the yellow workhorses, also using your MI Card, and they’ll get you places the Metro doesn’t reach. And if you’re heading to the hills of the north, the Cablebús is a gondola ride that feels like a theme park — if the maintenance schedule allows.

Beyond those, there are peseros (collective vans), but those are for the brave and fluent. Stick with the official options.

Taxis and ride-hailing: Uber, Didi, and the street-hail debate

Let’s talk taxis. The rule I tell every visitor: avoid hailing a street taxi at night. Use apps — Uber and Didi are the go-tos for locals and expats alike. They’re safer, cheaper (usually), and you know the fare upfront. A ride from Roma to Polanco might run you around 80–120 pesos, depending on traffic — still less than a dinner out.

If you must take a street taxi, make sure it has a working meter and a visible license plate. But honestly, in this city, the app is the way. The drivers are locals who know the shortcuts, and the rating system keeps everyone honest.

Walking beats everything (sometimes)

Here’s the secret: in many parts of this city, your own two feet are the best transport. The Centro Histórico, Roma, Condesa — these are walkable neighbourhoods, and you’ll miss half the city’s magic if you’re always underground. Walk the Ámsterdam Avenue loop in Condesa, past Parque México and Parque España, in the golden afternoon light. Stroll from the Zócalo to the Palacio de Bellas Artes, then north to the Latin American Tower. The street food is part of the journey — grab an elote with lime and chili from a corner cart, or a tlacoyo (30–50 pesos) from a market stall.

But heed this: the rain will come. When it does, the sidewalks turn slick, the crosswalks flood, and you’ll wish you’d taken the Metro. My advice? If you’re more than 15 minutes from your destination and the sky is grey, don’t walk. Hop on the Metrobús or call an Uber. The city is friendlier when you’re not soaked.

Fares, passes, and the cost of getting around

Let me break it down for you in pesos, because you’ll live here (or visit) and you need numbers. A single Metro ride: 5 pesos. Metrobús: 6 pesos. Cablebús: 7 pesos. That’s it. There’s no daily pass, no monthly unlimited — you just load your MI Card and tap. For a full day of exploring, you’ll spend maybe 30 pesos. That’s less than a cup of coffee at a Roma café (which will run you 40–60 pesos).

Compare that to a taxi: a 15-minute Uber ride might cost 80–150 pesos depending on surge. The savings are enormous. And if you’re staying for a week, you’ll quickly see why locals swear by the card.

Navigating the rainy season and festival season

This August, the city is buzzing. The Festival Mundial del Bolero is taking over the Teatro de la Ciudad Esperanza Iris (August 21–23), with UNESCO heritage gala nights. The Feria del Nopal sets up at the Monumento a la Revolución (August 28–30), where you can watch de-spining contests and eat nopal tamales. And the Zócalo hosts the Festival de las Culturas Indígenas for much of the month. All of these are reachable by Metro or walking — but check the weather first. The forecast says 13–24°C with rain showers, and 4mm of rain over 7 hours. That’s a typical August day: jacket in the morning, umbrella by late afternoon.

One more thing: if you’re planning to visit the pyramids of Teotihuacán or the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl, you’ll need a car or a tour bus. But for the city itself, the MI Card is your golden ticket.

Final words from a local

Mexico City is a sprawl, but it’s a sprawl that works — if you let it. The Metro will humble you, the rain will test you, and the traffic will make you appreciate the underground. But when you step out of a station and see the Zócalo stretch before you, or you catch a sunset over Chapultepec from a Metrobús window, you’ll understand why we love it.

So get that card, keep an umbrella in your bag, and remember: in this city, five pesos can take you anywhere. Just don’t forget to look up.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Mexico City Metro cost?

A single Metro ride costs 5 Mexican pesos (about 25 cents USD), regardless of distance. You pay with the Tarjeta de Movilidad Integrada (MI Card), which costs about 15 pesos to buy.

Is Uber cheaper than taxis in Mexico City?

Yes, Uber and Didi are generally safer and often cheaper than street taxis, especially at night. A typical short ride across Roma or Condesa might cost 80–120 pesos, compared to a metered taxi which can vary more.

What is the MI Card and where do I get one?

The Tarjeta de Movilidad Integrada (MI Card) is a reusable transit card for Metro, Metrobús, Cablebús, Tren Ligero, and RTP buses. Buy it at Metro station booths for about 15 pesos, load up to 500 pesos, and tap to ride.

Are there any transit disruptions in August 2026?

Yes, the Cablebús Línea 1 is closed for annual maintenance (with free replacement buses), and Metrobús lines 2 and 5 have weekend station closures for maintenance through late August. Check station boards or the CDMX app before traveling.

Is it safe to walk around Mexico City at night?

In walkable neighborhoods like Roma, Condesa, Polanco, and Coyoacán, it's generally safe, but stick to main streets and use Uber or Didi after dark. Avoid walking north of Avenida Juárez toward Tepito at night.

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