Getting Around Mexico
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use efficient metros for Mexico City and buses in other cities. Rural: Rent a car for Yucatan Peninsula exploration. Beaches: Colectivos and ADO buses. For convenience, book airport transfers from Mexico City to your destination.
Train Travel
Maya Train
New high-speed tourist train connecting Yucatan sites like Cancun, Tulum, and Palenque with scenic routes.
Cost: Cancun to Tulum MXN 100-500 ($5-25 USD), journeys 1-3 hours for most segments.
Tickets: Buy via official app, website, or stations. Mobile tickets accepted, book ahead for peak season.
Peak Times: Avoid December-April holidays for better prices and availability.
El Chepe Tourist Train
Iconic route through Copper Canyon from Chihuahua to Los Mochis, offering stunning views and stops at indigenous villages.
Best For: Adventure travelers, multi-day trips with significant savings on packages including meals.
Where to Buy: Train stations, official website, or app with instant activation; prices from $100 USD round-trip.
Limited National Rail
Passenger trains are scarce outside tourist lines; consider buses for intercity travel to Guadalajara or Oaxaca.
Booking: Reserve seats weeks in advance for El Chepe or Maya Train, discounts up to 30% for early birds.
Main Stations: Cancun for Maya Train, Chihuahua for El Chepe, with connections to major bus hubs.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Essential for exploring Yucatan ruins and Pacific coast roads. Compare rental prices from $20-50 USD/day at Mexico City Airport and major cities.
Requirements: Valid license (international recommended for non-Spanish), credit card, minimum age 21-25.
Insurance: Comprehensive coverage essential due to road conditions, check for theft and liability inclusion.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 80-100 km/h rural, 110 km/h highways.
Tolls: Cuotas on major autopistas like Mexico City to Puebla ($5-15 USD per section).
Priority: Yield to pedestrians and topes (speed bumps), watch for informal checkpoints in rural areas.
Parking: Valet or guarded lots common, $2-5 USD/hour in cities; avoid street parking at night.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations widespread at MXN 20-25/liter ($1-1.25 USD) for unleaded, similar for diesel.
Apps: Use Waze or Google Maps for navigation, essential for avoiding traffic and potholes offline.
Traffic: Heavy congestion in Mexico City during rush hours and around holiday periods.
Urban Transport
Mexico City Metro
Extensive network covering the capital, single ticket MXN 5 ($0.25 USD), day pass not available but rechargeable cards MXN 15.
Validation: No validation needed, but crowds peak 7-9 AM and 5-7 PM; women-only cars available.
Apps: CDMX Metro app for routes, real-time updates, and safety alerts.
Bike Rentals
Ecobici bike-sharing in Mexico City and other urban areas, $5-10 USD/day with stations citywide.
Routes: Dedicated ciclovias in cities like Guadalajara and Monterrey, safe for short trips.
Tours: Guided cycling tours in colonial cities, combining history with urban exploration.
Buses & Local Services
ADO and local operators run comprehensive bus networks; RTP in CDMX, micros in other cities.
Tickets: MXN 5-10 ($0.25-0.50 USD) per ride, buy from driver or use contactless apps.
Colectivos: Shared vans for beaches like Cancun to Playa del Carmen, MXN 20-50 ($1-2.50 USD).
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near metro stations in cities for easy access, Zona Rosa in Mexico City or Centro Historico for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for winter (December-March) and major festivals like Cinco de Mayo.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for hurricane season travel plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, air conditioning, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Strong 4G/5G in cities and tourist areas, 3G/4G in rural Mexico including Yucatan.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from $5 USD for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
Telcel, Movistar, and AT&T offer prepaid SIMs from $10-20 USD with excellent coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, OXXO stores, or provider shops with passport required.
Data Plans: 5GB for $15 USD, 10GB for $25 USD, unlimited for $30 USD/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and tourist hotspots.
Public Hotspots: Major bus terminals and plazas have free public WiFi.
Speed: Generally fast (10-50 Mbps) in urban areas, reliable for video calls.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Multiple zones: Central (CST UTC-6), Eastern (EST UTC-5), Mountain (MST UTC-7), Pacific (PST UTC-8); no DST in most areas.
- Airport Transfers: Mexico City Airport (MEX) 10km from center, metro MXN 5 (30 min), taxi $20 USD, or book private transfer for $25-40 USD.
- Luggage Storage: Available at bus terminals (MXN 50-100/day) and dedicated services in major cities.
- Accessibility: Metro and buses improving, but many ruins and colonial sites have limited access due to terrain.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on ADO buses (small free, large MXN 200), check accommodation policies before booking.
- Bike Transport: Bikes allowed on some buses for MXN 50, folding bikes easier on public transport.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Mexico
Mexico City International (MEX) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Mexico City (MEX): Primary international gateway, 10km east of city center with metro connections.
Cancun (CUN): Caribbean hub 20km south, bus to city $10 USD (30 min).
Guadalajara (GDL): Regional airport with domestic flights, convenient for central Mexico.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for winter travel (December-March) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Tijuana or Cancun and taking bus to interior for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
Volaris, VivaAerobus, and Aeromexico Connect serve domestic and regional routes.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and transport to city center when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available, typical withdrawal fee MXN 50-100 ($2.50-5 USD), use bank ATMs to avoid tourist area markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted in cities, American Express less common in rural spots.
- Contactless Payment: Tap-to-pay growing, Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted in urban areas.
- Cash: Essential for markets, taxis, and rural areas, keep MXN 500-1000 ($25-50 USD) in small denominations.
- Tipping: Not always included, add 10-15% in restaurants for good service.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport exchange bureaus with poor rates.