How to use the Tren Suburbano in Mexico City

El Tren Suburbano (The Suburban Train), Mexico City, is a commuter train which runs from Buenavista to Cuautitlán.

The Tren Suburbano at Buenavista station in Mexico City

The Tren Suburbano was inaugurated on June 2 2008. it is designated as a commuter train. It has no real practical use for the tourist visiting Mexico City, that is, until the extension to the AIFA Airport at Felipe Angeles is completed.

I have previously written posts about the Metro, Metrobús, Tren Ligero, Trolebús, and Cablebús, all of which are covered in my detailed guide to using the Public Transport in Mexico City, so be sure to check those articles out.

For fun and informational purposes for the blog, I rode it from Buenavista to Cuautitlán.

Estaciones del Tren Suburbano

  1. Buenavista
  2. Fortuna
  3. Tlalnepantla
  4. San Rafael
  5. Lechería
  6. Tultitlán
  7. Cuautitlán

Like the stations on the Metro, each station has its own unique symbol, a concept created when Mexico’s literacy rate was low.

Estaciones del suburbano in Mexico City

Mapa Tren Suburbano – From Buenavista (Mexico City) to Cuatitlán (Estado de México):

mapa de ruta Tren Suburbano Mexico City

The line is 27 kilometres in length.

A second line, linking Lechería to the new Felipe Ángeles International Airport in Zumpango, is under construction, but the project is hopelessly delayed. The latest update is that it will be in operation by Easter, 2026, so until then, you’ll need to take a bus. Easter 2026 came and went. Stay tuned for updates.

Here is a promotional map (Mapa de Ruta ampliación AIFA) for the with the link to the AIFA airport:

Mapa de Ruta ampliación AIFA

How to Buy Tickets for the Tren Suburbano:

You need to buy a rechargeable Tarjeta del Suburbano, which costs 18 pesos, from the ‘taquilla’, ticket office, or ticket machine, and then top it up.

Tren Suburbano smartcard
Taquilla at Buenavista station in Mexico City

There are machines for ‘Venta y Recarga de Tarjetas’, for buying and topping up:

Venta y Recarga de Tarjetas Tren Suburbano
person at the ticket machines for the Tren Suburbano in Buenavista station in Mexico City

And there are machines ‘Solo Recarga de Tarjetas’, just for topping up:

Solo Recarga de Tarjetas Tren Suburbano Mexico
Recarga de Tarjetas ticket machines

The fares are based on the number of kilometres travelled, updated for April 5, 2026:

  • Viaje Corto 0 km – 12.89 km 11.50 pesos
  • Viaje Largo 12.9 km – 25.59 km 26.50 Pesos

The Tren Suburbano operates as follows:

Monday to Friday: 5 am to 12.30 am
Saturdays: 6 am to 12.30 am
Sunday and holidays: 07 am to 12.30 am

Journey time from Buenavista to Cuautitlán is 25 minutes.

In comparison to the Metro, it is quite expensive and for those who need to ride the Tren Suburbano, the stations are not always so conveniently located, thus needing a microbus (or taxi) to get nearer to their final destination.

The Tren Suburbano at Buenavista station:

The Tren Suburbano at Buenavista station in Mexico City

Arriving back in Buenavista:

Interior of the Tren Suburbano

Advertising the Tren Suburbano app:

Tren Suburbano app

At Cuautitlán station before going back to Buenavista:

The Tren Suburbano at Cuautitlán station

The minivan station at Cuautitlán:

minivan station at Cuautitlan

Cuautitlán station in Estado de México:

Cuautitlán station in Estado de México

Cuautitlán, this train terminates here, all change please, all change:

Direccion Buenavista sign

The last station on Line 1 of the Tren Suburbano is Cuautitlan, in Estado de México:

Cuautitlan station

History:

The Buenavista Railway Station opened in 1873, served as Mexico City’s terminus station, with the first passenger trip being Mexico City to Veracruz, operated under Ferrocarriles Nacionales de Mexico (N de M) and later FNM until 2005.

The station served many cities, including Cuernavaca, Guadalajara, Veracruz, Monterrey and Mérida.

The original station was demolished in 1958, and the present building, reopened in 1958 by the then President, Adolfo López Mateos.

Estacion Buenavista Mexico City

The TCC Teziutlan Copper Co. No.2 outside the Buenavista Station:

TCC Teziutlan Copper Co. No.2 outside the Buenavista Station

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