How To Use The Mexico City Metro
Updated: October 21, 2024 | Tagged Mexico, Travel Hacks
Does Mexico City have a subway? Yes. But please do not call it that. It is the Metro. Period!
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.
With its 12 lines, 200 km of track, and 163 different stations, with 28 of them serving 2 or more lines, the Mexico City Metro is definitely the best way to get around in Mexico City.
If you are living or working here for a longer period, I recommend that you check out my guide to getting around Mexico City using public transportation, which also covers the MetroBus, TrolleyBus, and TrenLigero.
The Pink Line (linea 1) is still only operating from Pantitlan to Balderas. From Balderas to all stations to Observatorio, you need to use the replacement bus service. You need to pay another 5 pesos!!
Line 3 will be closed from Febraury onwards. Stay tuned for exact dates and which stations are affected.
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.
With its 12 lines, 200 km of track, and 163 different stations, with 28 of them serving 2 or more lines, the Mexico City Metro is definitely the best way to get around in Mexico City.
If you are living or working here for a longer period, I recommend that you check out my guide to getting around Mexico City using public transportation, which also covers the MetroBus, TrolleyBus, and TrenLigero.
The Pink Line (linea 1) is still only operating from Pantitlan to Balderas. From Balderas to all stations to Observatorio, you need to use the replacement bus service. You need to pay another 5 pesos!!
Line 3 will be closed from Febraury onwards. Stay tuned for exact dates and which stations are affected.
Also read: Travelling on the new Tren Interurbano between Santa Fe and Toluca
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Is the Metro in Mexico City an efficient way to get around?
Yes, mostly.
Greater Mexico City has a population of more than 20 million people. Everywhere is going to be busy. The streets above ground are as congested as hell and in the rush hour, getting around can be frustrating and time consuming how ever you choose to get around.
There are sometimes delays.
I have often waited 20 or more minutes for the train to depart, the carriages can get very packed, it can be very hot and when the rains come, the stations often get flooded.
But despite these drawbacks, it's better than using the public transport above ground, even better than using the Mexico City metrobús.
Greater Mexico City has a population of more than 20 million people. Everywhere is going to be busy. The streets above ground are as congested as hell and in the rush hour, getting around can be frustrating and time consuming how ever you choose to get around.
There are sometimes delays.
I have often waited 20 or more minutes for the train to depart, the carriages can get very packed, it can be very hot and when the rains come, the stations often get flooded.
But despite these drawbacks, it's better than using the public transport above ground, even better than using the Mexico City metrobús.
Also read: Best bank to withdraw money in Mexico
How many stations are there on the Mexico City Metro:
In the last two years I have criss-crossed Mexico City numerous times using the city's metro system 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 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 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 Mexico City Metro have?
These are the 12 metro lines in Mexico City:
Line 1 : Observatorio - Pantitlán
Line 2 : Cuatro Caminos - Tasqueña
Line 3 : Indios Verdes - Universidad
Line 4 : Martín Carrera - Santa Anita
Line 5 : Politécnico - Pantitlán
Line 6 : El Rosario -Martín Carrera
Line 7 : El Rosario - Barranca del Muerto
Line 8 : Garibaldi/Lagunilla - Constitución de 1917
Line 9 : Tacubaya - Pantitlán
Line A : Pantitlán - La Paz
Line B: Ciudad Azteca - Buenavista
Line 12 : Mixcoac - Tláhuac
Line 2 : Cuatro Caminos - Tasqueña
Line 3 : Indios Verdes - Universidad
Line 4 : Martín Carrera - Santa Anita
Line 5 : Politécnico - Pantitlán
Line 6 : El Rosario -Martín Carrera
Line 7 : El Rosario - Barranca del Muerto
Line 8 : Garibaldi/Lagunilla - Constitución de 1917
Line 9 : Tacubaya - Pantitlán
Line A : Pantitlán - La Paz
Line B: Ciudad Azteca - Buenavista
Line 12 : Mixcoac - Tláhuac
Metro Map Mexico City:
Download here: Mexico City Metro Map
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 Much is the Metro in Mexico City:
Each ride on the Mexico City Metro costs just 5 Pesos.
How to Pay for Metro in Mexico City:
You must buy a Mexico City Metro Card. The Integrated Mobility Card (#MICard) as it's officially called costs 15 pesos.
Now, you can pay with your contactless bank card across the Mexico City Metro and MetroBus Networks.
Now, you can pay with your contactless bank card across the Mexico City Metro and MetroBus Networks.
Where to Buy Metro Card Mexico City
You can buy the Mexico City Metro Card at the Metro stations, either from the ticket office or from the machine, or at the Metrobus stations, using the machine.
You can top up your MetroCard at the Metro or 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 need to 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.
The singe trip tickets are NO LONGER useable. You must use the Integrated Mobility Card:
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.
The singe trip tickets are NO LONGER useable. You must use the Integrated Mobility Card:
You can now access the Mexico City Metro using your contactless bank card:
Is the Metro in Mexico City safe?
The Mexico City Metro is as safe as any other metro, but to make it a little less stressful, read these tips:
• Avoid using the Metro during rush hour.
From 7 am until 9 am heading into the centre and from 5 pm until 8 pm heading out of the centre is best avoided. 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:
From 7 am until 9 am heading into the centre and from 5 pm until 8 pm heading out of the centre is best avoided. 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:
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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