How To Use The Metro In Mexico City
Updated: January 27, 2025 | Tagged Mexico, Travel Hacks
The Mexico City Metro is the second-biggest in the Americas after the New York Subway and, as of 2019, was the 10th busiest in the world. At just 5 pesos a ride, it has one of the cheapest metro fares in the world.
With its 12 lines, 200 km of track, and 163 different stations, with 28 of them serving 2 or more lines, the Metro CDMX is definitely the best way to get around.
If you are living in Mexico City or just plan on staying a couple of months, I recommend you check out my guide to Mexico City Public Transportation, which also covers the MetroBus, TrolleyBus, and the TrenLigero, as well as the Metro.
With its 12 lines, 200 km of track, and 163 different stations, with 28 of them serving 2 or more lines, the Metro CDMX is definitely the best way to get around.
If you are living in Mexico City or just plan on staying a couple of months, I recommend you check out my guide to Mexico City Public Transportation, which also covers the MetroBus, TrolleyBus, and the TrenLigero, as well as the Metro.
Also read: Travelling on the new Tren Interurbano between Santa Fe and Toluca
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How is taking the subway in Mexico City
Please don't use the word Subway. You are in Mexico now. It is called the Metro.
Of course, if you know me, I do not mince my words. With me, you get exactly how it is.
But despite these frustrations, it's still pretty efficient and at just 5 pesos a ride, it's as cheap as chips and is my preferred mode of transport here, though sometimes, the Metrobus is more convenient. Depends entirely on where I am going.
Greater Mexico City has a population of more than 20 million people. Everywhere is going to be busy so it will mostly be frustrating and time a consuming process how ever you choose to get around.
Of course, if you know me, I do not mince my words. With me, you get exactly how it is.
- There can be long delays.
- The carriages can get very packed, more so in the rush hour and on Saturday afternoons.
- There is no Air conditioning. It gets very hot in the Summer. The rest of the year it's just normal hot.
- When the rains come, the metro stations get flooded.
But despite these frustrations, it's still pretty efficient and at just 5 pesos a ride, it's as cheap as chips and is my preferred mode of transport here, though sometimes, the Metrobus is more convenient. Depends entirely on where I am going.
Greater Mexico City has a population of more than 20 million people. Everywhere is going to be busy so it will mostly be frustrating and time a consuming process how ever you choose to get around.
Also read: Lowest ATM Fees in Mexico
How many stations are there:
I have criss-crossed Mexico City hundreds of times using the metro, which is operated by the Sistema de Transporte Colectivo (STC).
There are 163 different stations, with 28 of them serving 2 or more lines, for example: Pantitlan is served by Lines 1, 5, 9 and A, Tacubaya is served by lines 1, 7 and 9 and Chabacnao being served by lines 2, 8 and 9.
I made a separate list of Mexico City Metro Stations (Other lists count Pantitlan as 4 stations, Tacubaya and Chabacano as 3, and the other transfer stations as having 2 stations, so that's why you will see 195 being quoted).
Each station has its own unique symbol. The idea behind this was for when the literacy rate in Mexico was low and the symbols for the first 3 lines were designed by Lance Wyman and there was always a reference to why the station was given a certain symbol but now even with high literacy rates the symbols are still used and with 195 stations it is no longer easy to see the meaning behind each symbol.
There are 163 different stations, with 28 of them serving 2 or more lines, for example: Pantitlan is served by Lines 1, 5, 9 and A, Tacubaya is served by lines 1, 7 and 9 and Chabacnao being served by lines 2, 8 and 9.
I made a separate list of Mexico City Metro Stations (Other lists count Pantitlan as 4 stations, Tacubaya and Chabacano as 3, and the other transfer stations as having 2 stations, so that's why you will see 195 being quoted).
Each station has its own unique symbol. The idea behind this was for when the literacy rate in Mexico was low and the symbols for the first 3 lines were designed by Lance Wyman and there was always a reference to why the station was given a certain symbol but now even with high literacy rates the symbols are still used and with 195 stations it is no longer easy to see the meaning behind each symbol.
How many lines does the Mexican metro have?
There are a total of 12 lines, each of which is colour coded:
Line 1 (pink): Observatorio - Pantitlán
Line 2 (blue): Cuatro Caminos - Tasqueña
Line 3 (oilve): Indios Verdes - Universidad
Line 4 (light blue): Martín Carrera - Santa Anita
Line 5 (yellow): Politécnico - Pantitlán
Line 6 (red): El Rosario - Martín Carrera
Line 7 (orange): El Rosario - Barranca del Muerto
Line 8 (green): Garibaldi/Lagunilla - Constitución de 1917
Line 9 (brown): Tacubaya - Pantitlán
Line A (purple): Pantitlán - La Paz
Line B (grey/green): Ciudad Azteca - Buenavista
Line 12 (gold): Mixcoac - Tláhuac
Update: Cuauhtémoc, Insurgentes, Sevilla and Chapultepec stations on the pink line have just reopened - April 25, 2025
Line 2 (blue): Cuatro Caminos - Tasqueña
Line 3 (oilve): Indios Verdes - Universidad
Line 4 (light blue): Martín Carrera - Santa Anita
Line 5 (yellow): Politécnico - Pantitlán
Line 6 (red): El Rosario - Martín Carrera
Line 7 (orange): El Rosario - Barranca del Muerto
Line 8 (green): Garibaldi/Lagunilla - Constitución de 1917
Line 9 (brown): Tacubaya - Pantitlán
Line A (purple): Pantitlán - La Paz
Line B (grey/green): Ciudad Azteca - Buenavista
Line 12 (gold): Mixcoac - Tláhuac
Update: Cuauhtémoc, Insurgentes, Sevilla and Chapultepec stations on the pink line have just reopened - April 25, 2025
Metro Map Mexico City:
Free Download here: Mapa del Metro
Me and Miss CDMX at the Belles Artes Metro Station in Mexico City, with the Parisian-style metro sign:
The Mexico City Metro operates to the following schedule:
The city's 4 main bus stations (Tapo, Southern Bus Terminal, Northern Bus Terminal and Poniente Bus Terminal) are served by the metro.
Official website: Metro CDMX
- Monday to Friday: 5 am to midnight
- Saturdays: 6 am to midnight
- Sundays & Holidays: 7 am to midnight
The city's 4 main bus stations (Tapo, Southern Bus Terminal, Northern Bus Terminal and Poniente Bus Terminal) are served by the metro.
Official website: Metro CDMX
How to buy tickets for the metro in Mexico City:
There are two options:
There is no day, weekly or monthly pass available.
- Buy a Mexico City Metro Card: The Integrated Mobility Card (#MICard) as it's officially called costs 15 pesos. It's just a regular smart card like you find in cities around the world. You buy it, top it up and use it.
- Pay with your contactless bank card: You can use your bank card on the Metro and MetroBus, anywhere you see the contactless symbol - but most locals do not trust the system!
There is no day, weekly or monthly pass available.
Where to buy your Metro Card in Mexico City
The best place to buy your Mexico City Metro Card is from the ticket office at the Metro stations.
How Much is the Metro in Mexico City:
Each ride on the Mexico City Metro costs just 5 Pesos.
Topping up your Metro Card
You can top up your MetroCard at the ticket office in the Metro stations or using the machines at the MetroBus Stations. If you have a local sim, you can also top it up using the Mercado Pago app.
Topping up my Mexico City MI Card at the local MetroBus station:
Topping up my Mexico City MI Card at the local MetroBus station:
You must swipe the card to pass through the turnstiles on entering the metro but not on exiting.
There is no grace period when switching from the Metro to the MetroBus or vice versa despite some reports saying there is. You must pay again.
These Mexico City metro tickets were phased out at the end of 2023 are NO LONGER available or accepted.
There is no grace period when switching from the Metro to the MetroBus or vice versa despite some reports saying there is. You must pay again.
These Mexico City metro tickets were phased out at the end of 2023 are NO LONGER available or accepted.
Tips for using the Metro in Mexico City:
• Avoid using the Metro during rush hour.
The rush hour in Mexico City runs from about 7 am until 9.30 am and is something to be avoided at all costs. The queues to get on the trains can be 10 deep. It just becomes one manic scrum.
• Watch your pockets and belongings.
As in all cites around the world, professional pickpockets work the metro. If you have a phone, do NOT keep it in your back pocket. Keep it in your front pocket and put one hand in too.
• Hang on.
With one hand in your pocket with your phone in, use the other hand to hang on tight. The metro does have a habit of breaking sharply.
• On travelling to the airport, or bus terminal, if you have a lot of luggage, best use an UBER.
I have used the Metro many times to get to and from Terminal 1 at the Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez. It is ok with just a small backpack but not during the rush hour and if you travel with a lot of stuff, I wouldn't do it at any time. Just use an UBER or Airport Taxi (the Pink and White taxis are best avoided, period, and not just for runs to the airport).
• Be prepared.
At each stop, the metro does not for very long. The doors open for just around 10 seconds. There is no announcement inside the metro for the stations, the station names can flash past before you have a chance to register them and if you are standing, which is more often the case, you can't see the name plaque anyways.
But assuming you know that your stop is coming up, shuffle towards the doors in plenty of time, always watching your phone with one hand and hanging on with the other and get out sharpish. The opening and closing of the doors is accompanied by a loud beep-beep.
• Women and kids under 12 can use designated carriages on both the Metro and MetroBus:
The rush hour in Mexico City runs from about 7 am until 9.30 am and is something to be avoided at all costs. The queues to get on the trains can be 10 deep. It just becomes one manic scrum.
• Watch your pockets and belongings.
As in all cites around the world, professional pickpockets work the metro. If you have a phone, do NOT keep it in your back pocket. Keep it in your front pocket and put one hand in too.
• Hang on.
With one hand in your pocket with your phone in, use the other hand to hang on tight. The metro does have a habit of breaking sharply.
• On travelling to the airport, or bus terminal, if you have a lot of luggage, best use an UBER.
I have used the Metro many times to get to and from Terminal 1 at the Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez. It is ok with just a small backpack but not during the rush hour and if you travel with a lot of stuff, I wouldn't do it at any time. Just use an UBER or Airport Taxi (the Pink and White taxis are best avoided, period, and not just for runs to the airport).
• Be prepared.
At each stop, the metro does not for very long. The doors open for just around 10 seconds. There is no announcement inside the metro for the stations, the station names can flash past before you have a chance to register them and if you are standing, which is more often the case, you can't see the name plaque anyways.
But assuming you know that your stop is coming up, shuffle towards the doors in plenty of time, always watching your phone with one hand and hanging on with the other and get out sharpish. The opening and closing of the doors is accompanied by a loud beep-beep.
• Women and kids under 12 can use designated carriages on both the Metro and MetroBus:
Does the Mexico City metro go to the airport? The metro serves terminal 1 at the Mexico City Airport.
There is also the Tren Ligero which runs from Tasqueña to Xochimilco which is convenient for visiting the biggest stadium in Mexico, the Estadio Azteca football stadium. You need to use the metro card for travel on the Tren Ligero. Each ride is 3 pesos.
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