Orientation: A Border City Built for Crossing
Ciudad Juárez sits on the Rio Grande directly across from El Paso, Texas, and the two cities together form one of the largest binational metropolitan areas on the Mexico–U.S. border. For a visitor, that geography shapes everything about how you move: many people arrive on foot across one of the international bridges, and much of what a short-term visitor wants to see is concentrated in the historic center near the crossings.
Four international points of entry connect the two cities: the Bridge of the Americas, the Ysleta–Zaragoza International Bridge, the Paso del Norte Bridge, and the Stanton Street Bridge. These bridges are the main gateways into central northern Mexico, so it's worth knowing which one you're using before you plan the rest of your journey.
Getting Around the City
Juárez has a public bus system, but it is not especially easy to use and is often overlooked by tourists. The city's most touristic sights in the historic center can largely be covered on foot, and taxis are plentiful and cheap, so most visitors lean on walking and taxis rather than trying to master the bus network.
Rail, Metro and Tram
There is no metro, tram, or passenger rail network to use within Ciudad Juárez. Rail service to Juárez ended in the early 1990s, and nothing has replaced it for local travel. If you're arriving by train, the nearest option is across the border: El Paso is served by Amtrak trains running between Chicago, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. From there you would continue into Juárez by road or on foot.
Buses and Public Transport
The local bus system exists and can get you around, but it rewards patience and a willingness to ask questions. In general, buses display their final destination on a board in the front window, so watch for that rather than expecting route numbers to mean much to you. They make frequent stops and often run in close succession, so if you miss one, another of the same route is likely to appear within minutes.
Many routes continue running overnight. If you use the buses, exercise extreme caution at night and on routes that pass through poorly policed neighborhoods, especially to the west and south of the city. Buses have been targeted in attacks, mainly aimed at collecting protection money from route operators.
For longer journeys, long-distance buses arrive at the Central de Autobuses Ciudad Juárez on Blvd. Oscar Flores. Several major Mexican operators serve the terminal, including Grupo Estrella Blanca (which also runs the Chihuahuanese, Elite, Elite Plus, Futura, and Rojos de Las Altos brands), ETN/Turistar, Grupo Senda (and its Del Norte brand), and Omnibus de Mexico (with its Noreste and Omnibus Plus brands).
There are also cross-border connections from El Paso operated by Los Limousines, Los Paisanos/ODM, and Autobus Americanos, which let you travel through to Juárez without relying on local public transport. Transporte Ruta Binacional runs a shuttle every half hour between its terminal in downtown El Paso, the Juárez airport, and the U.S. Consulate south of Ciudad Juárez, and also links those Juárez stops to El Paso Airport and El Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso. Fares run roughly US$7 to $20 depending on where you start and finish.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are abundant and inexpensive, which makes them the practical default for getting around beyond the walkable center. They are not metered, so always ask the fare before you get in, and if you can, ask two different drivers to compare and get the best price. Initial fares may be quoted based on your perceived ability to pay, so a tourist or a wealthier Mexican may be offered a higher number than a local would be.
When you first arrive in Juárez, expect to be greeted by plenty of taxi drivers offering to take you to the market. You don't have to accept: the market isn't visible from the border crossing, but it's a relatively short walk. After crossing the Santa Fe Street bridge, walk down Avenida Juárez to 16 de Septiembre, turn left, and continue about seven blocks. Note that street blocks in Juárez are much smaller than in neighboring El Paso, so the walk goes quickly.
Walkability
Walking is the best way to cover the historic center, where most of the sites of touristic interest are clustered. The center is also where you'll find the arched porticos around the main square and the neo-colonial façades on the main public buildings, part of a beautification program that spruced up the area.
If you get disoriented, one landmark can help: a gigantic message made of whitewashed rock on a hill to the southwest that reads "Cd Juarez La Biblia es la verdad, leela" ("The Bible is truth, read it"). Some people climb the hill, though it's worth weighing that against the obvious irony of getting robbed on a hill turned into a religious marquee.
Driving
Driving in Juárez is less chaotic than in Mexico City, but it still isn't recommended for a casual visitor. The lack of high-speed freeways means many accidents in the central parts of the city are relatively minor, but even a fender bender in Mexico can involve frustrating red tape. If you do drive, make sure you carry Mexican automobile insurance; not having it may result in criminal charges and a visit to jail.
Most larger businesses have parking lots with attendants who ask a nominal fee (around US$0.25, or M$2–3). Watch where you park: illegally parked cars on streets may have their license plates removed by a transit cop, an approach designed to ensure you pay the fine before leaving the country. Your plates should be returned once you do. If this happens, the ticket should indicate where to pay.
If you're coming from the United States, US Highways 62 (Stanton Street in El Paso) and 54 (the Patriot Freeway) end at the Mexican border and are the main international crossings, with Interstate 10 the major highway leading to El Paso. From the rest of Mexico, Juárez is reachable via Mexican Federal Highway 2 along the U.S. border and Mexican Federal Highway 45 heading south to Chihuahua. Many day-trippers park on the U.S. side near the Stanton Street bridge in downtown El Paso and walk across, avoiding traffic, scarce parking in the city center, and long waits for vehicles re-entering the United States. Parking near the bridges generally costs about US$3.
Arriving by Air
Abraham González International Airport (CJS) serves Ciudad Juárez and offers flights to several destinations in Mexico, including Chihuahua, Monterrey, and Mexico City. For U.S. travelers, El Paso International Airport (ELP) is often the most convenient option, with the border crossing a short onward step from there.
To get from the airport into the city, the Transporte Ruta Binacional shuttle is a useful option: it connects the Juárez airport with downtown El Paso, the U.S. Consulate south of Ciudad Juárez, El Paso Airport, and El Cielo Vista Mall. It runs daily from 7AM to 9PM, departing every half hour, with fares from about US$7 to $20 depending on your origin and destination. Taxis are also abundant at the airport and around the city, but remember to agree on the fare before you set off.
Border Crossing Practicalities
Juárez is part of Mexico's zona frontera, so U.S. citizens don't need a visa or passport to enter from the United States, though a passport is required to return to the U.S. Pedestrians are rarely stopped or asked for identification, so if you are not a U.S. citizen, proactively seek out Mexican immigration to get stamped in, or you risk arrest for illegal entry. Vehicles may be stopped at random, usually indicated by a red light at the crossing, and may be searched. The most serious matter is carrying a firearm or ammunition without a permit: even one spent shell casing can lead to serious charges.
Highways leaving Juárez toward the Mexican interior have checkpoints that do require foreigners to present a visa. If you don't have one, you may be able to fill out a tourist card at the checkpoint.