The Mexico City Metro System serves the metropolitan area of Mexico City including some municipalities in Mexico State. With eleven lines and around 175 stations it’s the second largest subway system in North America after New York City and construction of a new line running toward the southeastern part of the city is currently underway bringing the total number of metro lines to twelve.
Mexico City is one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas and walking from one area or attraction to the next is not always possible. For that reason, both residents and tourists rely heavily on the Mexico City Metro and other forms of public transportation to get around. The Metro System is extremely easy to understand and use, even if you don’t understand Spanish, since it was originally designed to be accessible to people who had never learned to read. Symbols depicting landmarks identify the various stations and the connecting stations are clearly marked.
Mexico City’s Metro System boasts the fifth highest ridership in the world. Around 3.9 million people ride the subway each day. The trains can get very crowded, especially during peak commuting times when it’s sometimes necessary to let a few trains go by before there’s enough space to board. Fortunately, the trains pass frequently, as often as every two or three minutes, making for very short wait times. During the heaviest travel times some of the busiest lines offer cars exclusively for women and children riders.
Riding the Metro is always an interesting experience, especially for first-time visitors to the city. A constant stream of street vendors pass through the cars selling all types of items. Music is always playing in one form or another, whether it’s from the speakers sticking out of the backpacks of the CD vendors or from live musicians working for tips. On occasion there are even bands in the tunnels making the walk to your connecting train slightly more interesting.
Live music in the Metro station, Mexico City
The Mexico City Metro is the cheapest rail system in the world. A ride on the metro costs just 3 pesos ($0.24) and all transfers are free. One ticket can essentially get you anywhere you’re trying to go within the system. Single ride tickets can be purchased at the entrance to each station and rechargeable metro cards are also available. The metro operates between 5am and midnight Monday through Friday, between 6am and midnight on Saturday and between 7am and midnight Sundays and holidays.
Despite what you may have heard, the Mexico City Metro is safe, clean and efficient. It’s your best option for traveling through a city as enormous and traffic-clogged as this one. Metro maps are posted in all of the stations and Mexico City tourist maps which include a color-coded, easy to read subway map can be picked-up free of charge at any of the tourist information booths located throughout the city.
For more information visit the official site of the Metro de la Ciudad de Mexico or download a Mexico City Metro System map by clicking here.
Photo credit: via flickr
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