How To Use The Trolleybuses in Mexico City
Updated: October 21, 2024
Guide for navigating Mexico City using the trolleybus (trolebús) covering tickets, prices, maps, routes, and operating hours.
I rode Trolleybus line #2 from the stop on the corner of Queretaro/Merida (see header photo) to the last stop near the Metro Chapultepec on Calle Tampico.
Two photos of the line #2 trolleybus going the other way on San Luis Potosi:
Two photos of the line #2 trolleybus going the other way on San Luis Potosi:
Trolleybus lines in Mexico City:
Line 1: Central del Norte bus station to Central del Sur bus station
Line 2: Chapultepec to Pantitlán
Line 3: San Andrés Tetepilco to Mixcoac
Line 4: Puerto Aéreo Boulevard to El Rosario
Line 5: San Felipe de Jesús ↔ La Diana
Line 6: El Rosario to Chapultepec
Line 7: Ciudad Universitaria to Periférico Oriente
Line 8: Polytechnic Circuit from Terminal Zacatenco station
Line 9: Villa de Cortés to Tepalcates
Line 10: Constitución de 1917 to Santa Marta
Line 11: Santa Marta to Chalco
Line 12: Perisur to Tasqueña
Line 2: Chapultepec to Pantitlán
Line 3: San Andrés Tetepilco to Mixcoac
Line 4: Puerto Aéreo Boulevard to El Rosario
Line 5: San Felipe de Jesús ↔ La Diana
Line 6: El Rosario to Chapultepec
Line 7: Ciudad Universitaria to Periférico Oriente
Line 8: Polytechnic Circuit from Terminal Zacatenco station
Line 9: Villa de Cortés to Tepalcates
Line 10: Constitución de 1917 to Santa Marta
Line 11: Santa Marta to Chalco
Line 12: Perisur to Tasqueña
The Mexico City government recently launched a new trolleybus route, Trolleybus Line 13 which runs from Constitución de 1917 to Mixcoac.
Here is a map of the Mexico City trolleybus map:
The Trolleybuses are operated by Servicio de Transportes Eléctricos de la Ciudad de México (STE) who are also responsible for the Tren Ligero, which runs from Tasqueña to Xochimilco and is best used to get to the Estadio Azteca.
How efficient are the Trolleybuses in Mexico City:
They run from 5 am to midnight and have their own dedicated bus lanes and the biggest point for me is that each stop is situated directly before the traffic lights so that picking up and dropping off passengers coincides with waiting for other traffic which is the major downside of the 'relatively efficient' Metrobús, whereby buses stop for passengers, moves 20 meters and then waits 'again' for the traffic lights to turn green.
They run off 600V DC parallel overhead power lines which is a great thing in helping reduce the horrible pollution here in Mexico City.
Image showing the overhead pick up:
They run off 600V DC parallel overhead power lines which is a great thing in helping reduce the horrible pollution here in Mexico City.
Image showing the overhead pick up:
Line 1 is probably the most suitable for travellers and tourists as it connects the Metro Autobuses del Norte which is the station you need when visiting the Teotihuacan Archaelogocal UNESCO World Heritage Site, to Autobuses del Sur at Tasqueña.
The complete line 1 is scheduled to take 1 hour 12 minutes and there are a limited number of seats. I hope you enjoy standing.
Depending on where you are, it can be a great way to connect to the Mexico City Metro network.
Riding the Trolleybus in CDMX:
The complete line 1 is scheduled to take 1 hour 12 minutes and there are a limited number of seats. I hope you enjoy standing.
Depending on where you are, it can be a great way to connect to the Mexico City Metro network.
Riding the Trolleybus in CDMX:
How much does it cost to ride the Trolleybus in CDMX?
The fare is just 4 Pesos. Line 10 is a new elevated line and the fare is 7 Pesos. Line 1 runs night buses from midnight to 5 am and the fare is 7 Pesos.
You must pay using your pre-loaded MetroCard, which you swipe your card on entering the bus.
You must pay using your pre-loaded MetroCard, which you swipe your card on entering the bus.
You can no longer buy these paper tickets. You must use the Metro Card (MI Card)! Read more about the Mexico City Metro Card.
Trolleybus - hours of operation:
The trolley buses run from 5 am to midnight, 7 days a week. As mentioned above, Line 1 runs 24/7.
End of Trolleybus line 2 at Metro Chapultepec:
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