Understanding the Setting
Benito Juárez is a borough of Mexico City, and the practical reality for a visitor is that getting around here means getting around the capital. The single most important landmark in the borough for travelers is Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX), which sits roughly six miles east of the Centro Histórico. From there, the city's transport network fans out in every direction.
How Tourists Move Around the City
Mexico City offers a dense mix of options, and most visitors end up combining several of them. The metro is the workhorse for long hops, the Metrobús covers major arteries, colectivos fill in the gaps cheaply, and taxis or ride-hailing handle door-to-door trips and late nights. Walking works well in concentrated areas but is less practical for crossing the city as a whole.
Rail, Metro and Tram Network
The metro is the backbone of public transport. Lines are designated by both a color and a number, which makes them easy to identify on maps and signage even if you don't read Spanish. Fares are very cheap, paid per ride rather than by distance.
- Hours: The system opens early and runs until midnight, with slightly later starts on weekends (earliest on weekdays, later on Saturday, latest on Sunday).
- Women- and children-only cars: The first two cars of each train are reserved for women and children.
- Luggage: Large bags and suitcases are not permitted, so plan to travel light or use another mode if you're hauling luggage.
- Crowds and safety: The metro gets very crowded during rush hours (roughly 7–9:30 a.m. and 5:30–7:30 p.m.), when pickpocketing is more of a concern. Keep valuables secured and consider traveling outside those windows.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Beyond the metro, several bus-style systems serve the city.
- Metrobús: Red-and-white buses running in dedicated lanes, most notably along Avenida de los Insurgentes. You need a smartcard, which is sold from vending machines in Metro stations; you buy the card once and then load rides onto it. Women-only buses operate on designated platforms, introduced after reports of groping and inappropriate behavior toward female passengers.
- Colectivos (microbuses, sometimes called peseros): Privately run green and grayish-white buses that travel major arteries including Avenida Juárez, Paseo de la Reforma and around Chapultepec Forest. They are marginally cheaper than the Metrobús and make many of the same stops. Route cards are displayed in the windshield, and drivers hold up fingers at stops to signal how many seats are free.
- Turibus: A red double-decker tourist bus with commentary in eight languages. Each route has around twenty stops and tours last about three hours. It departs daily from mid-morning until evening, and tickets cost roughly eight dollars for adults. This is a sightseeing option rather than a way to commute.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are a straightforward way to get around, but stick to the official ones. Official taxis ("taxi de sitio") are pink and white; hotels and restaurants will call one for you, or you can find them at marked "Sitio" stands. Hailing unofficial green VW taxis on the street is risky and best avoided.
If you do hail a cab, the government advises checking a few things: the license plate should be preceded by the letters A or B and match the number painted on the vehicle, there should be a visible ID inside the cab, and the driver should match the photo on that ID.
Ride-hailing is widely used and generally described as affordable and safe. Both Uber and the local service DiDi operate in Mexico City, making them a convenient alternative to street taxis, especially at night or when you're unfamiliar with an area.
Walkability
Walking is pleasant and practical in concentrated, pedestrian-friendly districts, but it is not a realistic way to cover the whole city — the urban area is simply too spread out. For getting between neighborhoods, plan on using the metro, Metrobús, colectivos or a taxi rather than relying on foot.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Benito Juárez International Airport sits about six miles east of the Centro Histórico, so the transfer into town is short but worth planning.
- Taxi: Taxis are described as a hassle-free way to reach the city center from the airport, and this is the simplest option if you're arriving with luggage — which matters, since large bags aren't allowed on the metro.
- Ride-hailing: Uber and DiDi both operate in the city and are a convenient, affordable alternative for the airport run.
- Car rental: Several rental companies operate out of the airport if you prefer to drive yourself.
One caution: driving to and from the airport is advised against. More broadly, driving in Mexico City is ill-advised because of congestion, confusing routes, scarce and expensive parking, traffic rules that are poorly followed, and auto theft in some areas. If you do drive, a U.S. driver's license is valid and no international driving permit is required.