This guide to Public Transportation in Mexico City covers these seven options:
- Mexico City Metro
- Mexico City Metrobús
- Mexico City Trolebús
- Tren Ligero (Xochimilco Light Rail)
- Tren El Insurgente Commuter train
- Cablebús CDMX
- Tren Suburbano
The RTP Buses and the many colectivos that transport locals to every corner of Mexico City are not covered in this guide.
1. The Metro
The Mexico City Metro is the second-biggest in the Americas after the Metro in New York and is now said to be the ninth-busiest in the world. With 12 lines and 163 stations—44 of which are transfer points—it is undoubtedly the best form of public transport in Mexico City. Check out my full guide on how to use the Mexico City Metro.
2. The Metrobús
The Mexico City Metrobús network has seven lines, 283 stations and covers 125 km. It fills in the gaps not covered by the Metro. Read my guide about using the Metrobús CDMX.
3. The Trolleybus
The Mexico City Trolleybus (Trolebús) network has 13 lines and covers more than 200 km. It’s a little slow and not much use for most tourists.
4. Xochimilco Light Rail
The Tren Ligero (Xochimilco Light Rail) runs between Tasqueña and Xochimilco. The line is 13.04 km in length with two terminus stations and 16 intermediate stations.
5. El Insurgente
El Insurgente is a commuter train which runs between Mexico City and Toluca. It is now running the full route from Observatorio to Zinacantepec. I rode the train for the second time, the day after the third and final section was inaugurated by the president (February 3, 2026) and have updated my post accordingly.
6. Cablebús
The cable car system, Cablebús Mexico City, has three lines up and running, with a fourth under construction. I rode Line 3 from Vasco de Quiroga to Los Pinos, and you get awesome views of the Chapultepec/Santa Fe area. Please be respectful. Locals use these as a means for getting to and from work and might not appreciate tourists making their journey even longer, as lines can be long.
7. Tren Suburbano
The Tren Suburbano runs from Buenavista station in Mexico City to Cuautitlán in the Estado de México. It is a commuter train and isn’t much use to anyone other than those who live along the route, as it really doesn’t go anywhere. But that will change when the line to the Felipe Ángeles Airport (AIFA) is finally open.
How to Pay for Public Transportation in Mexico City
Make sure you get yourself a Tarjeta de Movilidad Integrada, commonly known as the Metro Card (Not valid for travel using the Tren Suburbano above).
Topping up my Metro Card at Cuauhtémoc station:
You can also pay for the Metro and Metrobús, using your contactless credit/debit card, wherever you see these card readers:
How do you recommend getting from the airport to Roma Norte area? Fyling in from Mazatlan.
Hi. If you are arriving CDMX, take the metro. 500m walk, but NOT in rush hour,NOT if you have a lot of baggage. U need a metro
card. 15 pesos. Then top up. 5 for each ride. Head to Cuauhtemoc on the pink line then walk. If not, take an UBER, or official airport taxi. Do NOT use the street cabs( pink and white.
If arriving at Aifa. Is 50km from the city. Take one of the buses to different parts of the city. The train is not yet operational.
Enjoy