The most complete guide to travel in the Mexico City Subway for the first time.

The most complete guide to travel in the Mexico City Subway for the first time.

In “The Jungle of the asphalt”, as my best friend say, it is necessary to know how to move efficiently and safely, so I decided to write a guide giving the most useful tips about the Mexico City subway, thinking about those people, whether Mexican or even international tourists who plan to make a trip to the capital of the country and may need this means of public transport.

I want to start this post by saying that if you come with a low budget for your trip, you should definitely use the subway to travel the city without spending so much money since it is the cheapest way to get around and most of the time the fastest way to travel large distances

I have been living here all my life and although I have not known all the subway stations, I have been to most of them and, above all, I know the main lines of the tourist areas of the city.

Costs

The trip costs MXN $5.00**,** like a quarter of a dollar, (at least until August 2019) that is, you can make all the transfers you want.

Just take into account, the times you enter and exit the Metro Collective System.

Horaries

Metro service hours on business days are from 5:00 to 00:00 hours.

Saturdays from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., while Sundays and holidays it works from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Rush hours: 6:30 to 9:00 and 17:00 to 21:00, but it is relative.

Card or ticket.

The card can be purchased at the ticket office of the metro or Metrobus and has a cost of MXN $10 (the plastic) and you can recharge as many times as you want.

If you come a few days I recommend the metro ticket that costs MXN $5 (August 2019), approx a quarter of a dollar and could work as a good memory if you don’t use it.

Connection with other means of transport.

An advantage is that many times outside the stations, they have correspondence with other types of Public Transportation system, such as the Metrobus or the base of bus lines or bus.

Also, many taxi sites are based there.

Transfers

As I mentioned, they are free, as long as you do not leave the Metro Collective Transportation System, that is, you can change lines without paying again.

Reach the end of the line.

Getting to the end of a station can be stressful, so it is an experience that I do not recommend if you are not used to the subway.

Generally, they force you to descend but if you stay inside it can take up to 20 minutes to return (in a place where you see only trains around).

Colors and numbers

You have to know that each line has a color and a number (or letter), so to ask for directions people use any of them interchangeably.

Women’s section

It is found in the first or sometimes in the last wagons.

It works all day and 7 days a week, only women, people with disabilities and children under 8 years to these cars that are exclusively theirs.

So to avoid a wake-up call, I recommend avoiding them if you do not identify yourself in any of those categories.

Street vendors or alms.

Unfortunately, the authorities have lost many people working informally on the subway lines, so it is not uncommon for people to sing, sell items at low cost, pretending to be blind or simply asking for money from them inside them, so I recommend you try not to hinder your passage and simply say “no, gracias” when they offer you something.

Lines on the floor.

For some years, lines were added on the floor that indicate where to wait for a train and where not to stop to allow the free descent of the other passengers, unfortunately, this only exists in stations of great demand.

Security.

Like any big city, it is necessary that you be very attentive to your valuables (wallet, cell phones, cards) to avoid a bad experience, always be suspicious of that person who is very close to you or offers you insistent help.

Always keep your backpack insight.

Water.

Recently they have put places where you can take your thermos and fill it with drinking water, being a good eco-friendly option and so far I have not gotten sick from consuming it.

Reserved**.**

There is a place where you can sit but if a person with a disability comes to your place, courtesy you must give the place.

Elevator.

In the important stations of this System, there are elevators.

Police or relief personnel.

Most of the time the police are near the division of the women’s exclusive wagons or near the box office.

It can help you to better guide and answer any questions about where you are going, as well as report any crime within them.

Official page of the Metro Collective Transportation System: https://www.metro.cdmx.gob.mx/

Actualized Map: https://www.metro.cdmx.gob.mx/la-red/mapa-de-la-red

Doodle

EN ESPAÑOL:

La guía más completa para viajar en el Metro de la Ciudad de México por primera vez.

En “La Selva del asfalto”, como le dice mi mejor amiga, es necesario saber moverse de manera eficiente y segura, por lo cual decidí escribir una guía dando los tips más útiles acerca del metro de la Ciudad de México, pensando en aquellas personas, ya sea mexicanos o incluso turistas internacionales que planean hacer un viaje a la Capital del país y pueden llegar a necesitar de este medio de transporte público.

Quiero comenzar este post diciendo que si vienes con poco presupuesto para tu viaje, definitivamente deberás usar el metro para poder recorrer la Ciudad sin gastar tanto dinero, ya que es la forma más barata para trasladarse y la mayoría de veces la más rápida para recorrer grandes distancias.

Llevo toda mi vida viviendo aquí y si bien no he conocido todas las estaciones del metro, he estado en la mayoría de ellas y sobretodo conozco bien las principales lineales de las zonas turísticas de la ciudad.

Costos

El viaje cuesta $5.00 MXN (al menos hasta agosto 2019) aproximadamente como un cuarto de Dolar, es decir, puedes hacer todos los transbordos que quieras.

Solo toma en cuenta las veces que entras y sales del Sistema Colectivo Metro.

Horarios.

horario de servicio del Metro en días laborales es de 5:00 a 00:00 horas; los sábados de 6:00 a 00:00 horas, mientras que los domingos y días festivos funciona de las 7:00 a las 00:00 horas.

Horas pico: 6:00 a las 9:00 horas en la mañana y de 17:00 a 21:00 horas

Tarjeta o boleto.

La tarjeta la puedes adquirir en la taquilla del metro o metrobus y tiene un costo de MXN $10 (el plástico) y puedes recargar las veces que quieras.

Si vienes pocos días te recomiendo el boleto del metro que tiene un costo de MXN$5.00 (agosto 2019 ) y podría funcionar como un buen recuerdo sino lo utilizas.

Conexión con otros medios de transporte.

Una ventaja es que muchas veces afuera de las estaciones, tienen correspondencia con otros tipos de sistema de Transporte Público, como el metrobús o la base de líneas de combis o autobuses.

Además muchos sitios de taxi hacen base ahí.

Transbordos

Como ya mencioné son gratuitos, mientras no salgas del Sistema de Transporte Colectivo Metro, es decir puedes cambiar de línea sin que vuelvas a pagar.

Llegar al final de la línea

El llegar al final de una estación puede ser estresante, por lo que es una experiencia que no recomiendo si no estás acostumbrado al metro.

Generalmente te obligan a descender pero si te quedas dentro puede tardarse hasta 20 minutos en regresar (en un lugar donde no ves más que trenes alrededor).

Colores y números.

Tienes que saber que cada línea tiene un color y un número (o letra), por lo que para pedir indicaciones las personas usan indistintamente alguna de ellas.

Sección de mujeres.

Se encuentra en los primeros o algunas veces en los últimos vagones.

Funciona durante todo el día y los 7 días de la semana, solo mujeres, personas con discapacidad y niños menores de 8 años a estos vagones que son exclusivamente de ellos.

Por lo que para evitar una llamada de atención , te recomiendo evitar ellos si no te identificas en cualquiera de esas categorías.

Vendedores ambulantes o limosneros.

Lamentablemente las autoridades han perdido que muchas personas trabajen de manera informal en las líneas del metro, por lo que no es raro que haya personas cantando, vendiendo objetos a bajo costo, fingiendo ser invidentes o simplemente pidiendo dinero de ellos dentro de ellos, por lo que te recomiendo tratar de no estorbar su paso y simplemente decir “no, gracias” cuando te ofrecen algún objeto.

Líneas en el piso.

Desde hace unos años se añadieron líneas en piso que señalan donde esperar un tren y donde no pararte para permitir el libre descenso de los demás pasajeros, lamentablemente esto solo existe en estaciones de gran demanda.

Seguridad.

Como toda gran ciudad es necesario que estés muy atento a tus objetos de valor (cartera, celulares, tarjetas) para evitar una mala experiencia, siempre desconfía en aquella persona que se te acerca mucho o te ofrece una ayuda de manera insistente.

Siempre mantén tu mochila a la vista.

Agua.

Recientemente se han puesto lugares donde puedes llevar tu termo y rellenarlo de agua potable, siendo una buena opción eco-friendly y que hasta el momento no me he enfermado por consumirla.

Reservado.

Existe un lugar donde puedes sentarte pero si una persona con discapacidad llega a tu lugar, por cortesía debes cederle el lugar.

Policías o personal de auxilio.

La mayoría de veces los policías se encuentran cerca de la división de los vagones exclusivos de mujeres o cerca de la taquilla.

Te puede ayudar a orientar mejor y responder cualquier duda acerca del lugar a donde te diriges, así como denunciar cualquier delito dentro de ellos.

Página oficial Sistema de Transporte colectivo Metro: https://www.metro.cdmx.gob.mx/

Mapa actualizado: https://www.metro.cdmx.gob.mx/la-red/mapa-de-la-red

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Wow! What a comprehensive post @Ameyali_Mx . Thank you for sharing all this information and the accompanying photos. I love the way you have used sub-headings to make the article easy to read. Just wondering, is there a peak or rush hour in the morning and/or evening when the trains are generally more crowded? Thanks.

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@Ameyali_Mx Very helpful post. Thank you for share with us

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@Ameyali_Mx Wow this is a really useful post for all tourists, and not only, who want to visit Mexico. It will be of great help to anyone thanks for sharing this here on connect. In my opinion, Mexico is one of those lands with a lot of tourist potential, it is one of the destinations I have always dreamed of visiting. I hope to have the opportunity soon :hugs:

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This is an really interesting post…

@Ameyali_Mx

MMost interesting is the women section. Never heard about such a solution. In Europe you find parking space for women close to the entrance, but I don’t know it in the subway.

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That is quite useful information that you have shared @Ameyali_Mx . A lot of tourists are starting to take up public transit and it would help them make informed decisions. The subway system in Mexico appears almost same like that of India in respect to the color coding and coaches being reserved for ladies.

By the way, you mentioned $5.00 as ticket. I was wondering if it is 5 US Dollars or 5 Mexican Pesos?

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Hola mi amigo @Ameyali_Mx

Esta es una publicación impresionante. Bien organizado y muy informativo.

Eres realmente un guía local.

Saludos cordiales

Sagir

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Hello @Ameyali_Mx ,

This post is very useful and congratulations for the pretty way to detail all these tips. Hope to visit Mexico city one day

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Absolutely awesome post @Ameyali_Mx well done. This will need very handy for travelers.

Paul

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This is awesome @Ameyali_Mx . Very thorough.

I would say BART here in the San Francisco Bay Area is very similar to what you have described with your Mexico City subway, except we don’t have a separate women’s car. if you ride in San Francisco proper, not the suburbs, it is very urban and you will have the same kinds of scenes as you described - homeless, street musicians playing during commute hours for money.

From what you have described, you can easily ride BART from SFO to Downtown SF without issues, of course, using street smarts and your “big city girl” instincts.

Hope you will be writing more about your hometown and your country, Mexico, here on Connect and sharing your insights and “living like a Local” tips with us here. I know this will excite @ErmesT for his #TeamChallenge and creating a #TeamMexico. I believe @Imperiospice (Connect Live 2018 alumnus and she lives in Mexico City too!) is working on some TeamMexico posts.

Cheers,

Karen

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Thank you for tagging me in here @KarenVChin

Hi @Ameyali_Mx , great post about Mexico city.

I agree with Karen, your post fits perfectly with the #TeamChallengeDouble the fun - Showcase your country - #TeamChallenge on LocalGuidesConnect

#TeamMexico is already active with @pacomorett and @Imperiospice , that are introducing the team here: Bienvenidos a Mexico! #TeamChallenge

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Thanks for your interesting guide and photos on travel in the Mexico City Subway @Ameyali_Mx . I like the idea of having dedicated carriages for women, people with disabilities and children under 8 years. I was a little bit confused when you said that the trip costs $ 5.00 and then you said you need to purchase a card for $20 and then you mention the metro ticket that costs $ 5 MXN. Appreciate if you can explain this.

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Succinctly written! It is very easy to apprehend. You have provided all needed information to navigate through the Mexico city metro. The part that

surprised was about being allow to sell or beg for alms at stations.

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@JustineE Thanks for your comments, I already complemented it!

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@Matt95Bassett I am waiting for your visit to Mexico, my friend!!

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Thanks for your comments, I already complemented it! It cost 5 mexican pesos, like a quarter of a dollar! Are you planning to come to Mexico soon? @ArchitOjha

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@KarenVChin thanks!! Hahah excellent description "big city girl” instincts.

@ErmesT I didn’t know we already had #TeamMexico in #TeamChallenge, but I contact @Imperiospice to see if we can colaborate together!!

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My dear @AdamGT thanks for reading this post!

Every trip cost MXN $5.00, and you can pay for it with a ticket or a card.

The ticket is valid for one travel.

The card (the plastic) cost MXN $10.00 and you can recharge as many times as you want, the maximum recharge is MXN$120.

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A great and helpful post @Ameyali_Mx , what every local guide should do for helping others. Well done #TeamMexico, it is great to see how you joined the #TeamChallenge with the spirit to be helpful.

I do apologies for being so late on this post, but I will try to reach ASAP all the notification (a long list) that I had during the weekend.

Well done

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@ErmesT thanks for read my post!

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