What is the safest way to get around Mexico City?
CDMX has a lot of transportation options, and locals use different ones for different times of day. Here is the practical layered answer.
- •Uber and DiDi are the default. Cheap, safe, and everywhere. A 25-minute ride runs 120–220 MXN.
- •Metro is safe during the day and rush hour — quieter cars late at night are not the move.
- •Metrobús Line 7 down Reforma is scenic and skips the traffic.
- •Never take a street taxi. Uber and DiDi are equally available and safer.
Uber and DiDi — the default
Uber and DiDi are the right answer for most rides most of the time. Both work everywhere in the city, both are cheap by international standards (120–220 MXN for a 25-minute ride), and both keep a record of the driver.
At the airport: Uber is legal and picks up at a designated zone in each terminal (follow signs to "Uber" or "Ride Share"). Do not accept rides from anyone approaching you inside the terminal — those are unofficial and overpriced.
Metro and Metrobús
Metro is fast, cheap (5 MXN per ride), and extensive — 12 lines covering most of the city. It is safe during daylight rush hours in busy stations. Avoid it after 9 p.m. on quieter lines (especially Lines 2 and 3) and skip it entirely as a solo woman late at night — the difference is real.
Metrobús (bus rapid transit, 6 MXN) has dedicated lanes and moves when Uber doesn't. Line 7 down Reforma is the scenic one — double-decker, useful for tourists between Auditorio and Centro. Pay with a rechargeable Movilidad Integrada card, sold at any station.
Walking and street taxis
Walking is safe in Roma, Condesa, Juárez, Polanco, Centro, San Ángel, and Coyoacán during the day. At night, use a car for anything more than a few blocks — not because the neighborhood turns dangerous, but because sidewalks empty out and phone-snatching is the one real petty-crime risk.
Street taxis (libres) are not recommended for visitors. Uber and DiDi are cheaper, safer, and equally available. In the rare case you need one (a small town outside the city), use only officially marked sitio taxis called by a hotel or restaurant.
Common mistakes
- ✕Taking a street taxi from the airport instead of the official Uber pickup zone.
- ✕Riding the metro at 11 p.m. because it worked fine at 11 a.m.
- ✕Only installing Uber. DiDi is often cheaper and worth having as backup.
Uber or DiDi for anything after dark or with luggage; metro and Metrobús in daylight; walk everything inside Roma, Condesa, and Centro during the day. That is the whole transport rulebook.
Frequently asked questions
Is Uber safe in Mexico City?
Yes. Uber is the default choice for most visitors and long-term residents. It is legal at the airport (arriving pickups happen at a designated zone) and city-wide.
Should I use the metro in Mexico City?
During the day, in busy stations, yes — it is fast and cheap (5 MXN per ride). Late at night, or on quieter lines with just a few passengers per car, most locals switch to Uber or DiDi.
Can I take a street taxi in Mexico City?
Not recommended. Uber and DiDi are cheaper, safer, and equally available. If you must (rare rural situations), use only officially marked sitio taxis called by a hotel or restaurant.
How much is an Uber from Mexico City airport to Roma Norte?
Roughly 280–450 MXN depending on traffic and terminal, 30–50 minutes. DiDi runs 15–25% less on the same route. Use the official pickup zone in your terminal, not anyone offering rides at arrivals.