Getting Around Magdalena Contreras
Magdalena Contreras is a borough (alcaldía) in the southwest of Mexico City, set along the lower eastern slopes of the Sierra de las Cruces. Its northern end is urbanized, while the rest of the borough—mountains, ravines, and canyons—is designated as a conservation zone. That geography shapes how you move around: the flat, built-up north is well served by the city's transport network, while the hilly southern reaches are harder to reach and best explored with a specific destination in mind.
How Visitors Move Around the City
Mexico City's public transport is the backbone of visitor travel, and Magdalena Contreras is connected to it by Metro, Metrobús, and local buses. The borough sits roughly six miles southwest of the city center in a straight line, and about ten to eleven miles by road. From central Mexico City you can reach Magdalena Contreras by Metro, Metrobús, taxi, or car.
Rail, Metro and Tram Network
The Metro is the fastest and cheapest way to cover the distance between the center and the borough's edge. Metro Line 3 connects Balderas station in the center to Miguel Ángel de Quevedo station, a trip of about eighteen minutes, with trains running roughly every five minutes. Fares are very low—around one peso-level fare—and the system is operated by Transporte Colectivo Metro CDMX.
Note that the Metro does not run deep into Magdalena Contreras itself; it brings you to the borough's northern fringe, from which you continue by bus or taxi. Metro services run daily and depart roughly every five minutes.
Buses and Other Public Transport
The Metrobús rapid-bus network is the other main option. Metrobús Line 1 runs from Reforma to Dr. Gálvez, taking about thirty-five minutes, with buses every five minutes or so. Fares are in the region of one to two pesos, and the system is operated by Metrobús.
You can also combine modes. One useful route pairs Metro Line 1 from Merced to Tacubaya (about fifteen minutes) with bus 1B from Base Tacubaya to Periférico–San Jerónimo, for a total journey of roughly fifty-four minutes. Local bus route 34-B runs from Av. Santa Fe–Enrique del Moral to Av. San Jerónimo–Anillo Periférico and takes about an hour and twenty minutes, with fares in the region of two to six pesos. Like the Metro, Metrobús services run daily and depart roughly every five minutes.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are the quickest door-to-door option and are useful for reaching parts of the borough that buses don't serve well. A taxi from central Mexico City to Magdalena Contreras takes around fifteen minutes and costs roughly nine to twelve pesos. Operators include Seguritaxi Londres Sitio 166, Servitaxis Sitio 152, Taxi Mex, and Taxi Seguro Murano. If you drive yourself, the trip is about ten to eleven miles and takes around fifteen minutes, with fuel costs of roughly two to three pesos.
Walkability
Walkability varies sharply by area. The northern, urbanized end of the borough is where the streets, services, and transport connections cluster, and it is the practical place to walk and to base yourself. Beyond that, the terrain rises into foothills, mountains, and ravines—major elevations in the borough reach well above three thousand metres—so the conservation zone is not walking country in the everyday sense. If you are heading into the hills, plan on a vehicle to get there and treat the walking as part of a specific outing rather than casual strolling.
Getting from the Airport into the City
What it does establish is the general pattern of reaching Magdalena Contreras from central Mexico City: by Metro, Metrobús, taxi, or car. In practice, that means your airport-to-borough journey will typically involve getting into the city center or a major transport hub first, then continuing by Metro, Metrobús, bus, or taxi as described above. Taxis and ride-hailing offer the most direct option if you are carrying luggage or arriving late.
Practical Tips
- Buy Metro and Metrobús fares at the station—they are inexpensive and the systems run frequently throughout the day.
- Use the Metro or Metrobús for the long leg into the borough's northern edge, then switch to a bus or taxi for the final stretch.
- Keep taxi operator names on hand (Seguritaxi, Servitaxis, Taxi Mex, Taxi Seguro Murano) if you prefer to book by phone or sitio rather than hail on the street.
- Plan hill and conservation-zone visits around a vehicle, not on foot—the ravines and steep slopes make walking impractical there.
- Allow extra time for bus routes, which can take well over an hour compared with a short taxi ride.