Looking for Your Definitive Mexico City Transit Guide (w/ tips for using it with kids)?

Now that's a museum.

Mexico City Transit Guide: Exploring CDMX with Confidence

Mexico City is soooo big, but its public transportation system is impressively efficient and cost-effective once you know how it works. We'll also describe how to get from the airport to some of the more popular neighborhoods.

Special Considerations for Parents

• Strollers: Not ideal during rush hours; many stations have stairs, not elevators. Lots of lugging up and down.

• Baby Wearing: Strongly advised in crowded metro or buses.

• Car Seats: Rare in taxis and Ubers; bring your own if needed. Uber doesn’t offer car seat service. Make sure your car seat can be secured using a seat belt.

• Parks & Pedestrian Zones: Mexico City has many stroller-friendly green spaces like Bosque de Chapultepec and Parque Mexico. You can use these to navigate huge distances, which is an absolute blast.

• Metro Hack: The front cars are typically reserved for women and children.

Mexico City Transit Overview

Mode	What It Covers	Key Notes
Metro (Subway)	12 lines across CDMX and some suburbs	Very cheap and extensive. Can get very crowded during rush hour.
Metrobús	Major arterial routes on dedicated bus lanes	Fast, frequent, and easy to board. Often more comfortable than the metro.
RTP Buses	Regular city buses	Slower, but good for routes not served by Metro or Metrobús.
Trolebuses	Electric trolley buses	Eco-friendly. Operates on select major routes.
Microbuses/Combis	Local van-style transport	Inexpensive but often chaotic and hard to navigate for non-Spanish speakers.
Cablebús	Gondola system in hilly northern neighborhoods	Good for scenic views and connecting to underserved communities.
Uber / DiDi / Beat	App-based ride-hailing in urban areas	Affordable by U.S. standards. Safer than hailing taxis on the street.
Taxis (Sitio or Radio)	Street taxis and authorized stands	Use only official Sitio taxis or radio-dispatched ones. Avoid flagging random cabs.

Ticket Types & Prices (as of 2025)

Ticket Type	Cost	Notes
Metro Single Ride	MXN $5 (~$0.30 USD)	Paper ticket or prepaid card. One transfer included.
Metrobús Single Ride	MXN $6	Uses same prepaid card as Metro.
Multi-modal Card	MXN $15 (one-time)	Rechargeable; works on Metro, Metrobús, RTP, etc.
Children Under 5	Free	Must be accompanied by an adult.

How to Buy Tickets

• Metro & Metrobús: Buy single-ride tickets or rechargeable "Tarjeta de Movilidad Integrada" at station kiosks or vending machines.

• Ride-Hailing:

  • Uber: Android | Apple

  • DiDi: Android | Apple

  • Beat: Android | Apple

Ticket Activation & Usage

• Metro & Metrobús: Tap your mobility card at turnstiles. One fare per entry.

• Trolley/RTP/Microbuses: Pay cash upon boarding. Bring small bills or coins.

• Ride-Hailing: App-based activation. Pay via card or cash (DiDi/Beat options).

Useful Maps & Apps

• CDMX Metro Map: https://www.metro.cdmx.gob.mx/

• Mexico City Mobility App: Android | Apple

• Google Maps: Android | Apple

• Moovit: Android | Apple

Travel Like a Local

• Use Metro for speed, but Metrobús for comfort.

• Avoid transit during rush hours (7:00–9:30 a.m. and 5:00–7:30 p.m.).

• On the Metro, the front cars are often reserved for women and children.

• Always carry small change and keep your belongings close.

Getting from Mexico City Airport (AICM) to Popular Neighborhoods

Destination Neighborhood	Transit Options	Estimated Cost & Time
Centro Historico	Metro Line 5 to Line 1	~MXN $5, 45 min (not ideal with luggage)
Roma / Condesa	Uber / DiDi	~MXN $200–250, 20–40 min depending on traffic
Polanco	Metro Line 5 > Line 7	~MXN $5, 50–60 min
Coyoacán	Uber / DiDi	~MXN $250–300, 40–60 min
Zona Rosa	Metro Line 5 > Line 1	~MXN $5, 40 min

Tip: For comfort and ease, especially with kids or luggage, Uber or DiDi is the best choice out of the airport. Official airport taxis are also available at fixed rates from inside the terminal. Always pre-negotiate unless you're using an app with a declared rate.

Not exactly a family-friendly photo, but he cracked me up.

WS&T Family Tip: If you’re traveling with children, consider using ride-hailing for airport transfers and relying on Metro or Metrobús once settled. Chapultepec Park is an excellent base for families—it's close to major transit lines and full of family-friendly attractions.

Never fail to stop for freshly pressed tacos on blue corn tortillas and weird street art. I think it's law.

While subject to change due to construction, schedule and route issues, we do our best to keep the Mexico City transit guide (with kids) up to date. Let us know if you see something that needs revision, or notice any glaring issues with our memory of the system.