Mexico City Transportation
Transportation in Mexico City is managed by Mexican Federal Government through several public and private companies that manage different parts of the transportation. The municipality of Mexico City operates the 2nd busiest publicly owned transportation system in North America after New York. On the other hand if private transportation companies are included, Mexico City passenger transport system handles about twice the passengers of New York City. In spite of this huge volume, the efficient and relatively cheap public transport system of Mexico City makes it surprisingly easy to get around.Subway or Metro in Mexico City
Mexico City has one of the best subway systems in the world. For only 2 pesos you can roam the entire city with great efficiency on board the modern trains. There are a total of 9 lines covering a distance of 185 km. All of these 9 lines are color coded and each station has a unique symbol. For example, the Metro Moctezuma line is represented with a plumed headdress. There's a brief map of the whole metro system at every metro station. 4.9 million riders every day use the metro system of Mexico City. Trains run Monday to Friday 5am to 12:30am, Saturday 6am to 1:30am and Sunday 7am to 12:30am.Metro stations are mostly clean and attractive and some of them even have some special attractions. For example, the Zocalo station features huge models of Mexico City during 3 historical periods; the Bellas Artes metro station has nice replicas of archaeological relics and the Pino Suarez metro station has an original Aztec temple unearthed during the construction of this station.
Bus transportation in Mexico City
Mexico City’s bus system is quite well organized, very cheap and runs almost everywhere in the city. Bus tickets are always sold one way. You must buy your return ticket at your destination. Bus companies make reservations over the telephone but be sure to note when and where you have to pick up these tickets. Some bus lines have ticket offices throughout the entire city.The only diadvantage when travelling on cheaper bus lines is having to deal with the fact that extra passengers are usually being picked up on the way irrespective if the bus is full or not. Bus companies see this as a way of of making extra cash for themselves and their employees.
Recognized bus lines of Mexico City are;
Autotransportes del Oriente (ADO - www.ado.com.mx)
Grupo Estrella Blanca (www.estrellablanca.com.mx)
Estrella de Oro (www.autobus.com.mx)
ETN (www.etn.com.mx).
Taxis in Mexico City
Due to increased hijackings and robberies in the 1980s, the US State Department issued a warning against calling taxis off the street. If you will be traveling by taxi calling a radio taxi will ensure you a trouble free ride. When buses no longer run late in the night, radio taxis (sitio) are worth the cost (almost twice more expensive than regular taxis). Ask at your hotel reservation or check the yellow pages of Mexico City for the best rates. Most of the time, an overpriced taxi recommended by a bar or restaurant is better than nothing. If you cannot locate a sitio number or a hotel taxi, try the well known Servi-taxi hotline at 5271 2560. To get to the airport quickly, try the Transporte Terrestre al Aeropuerto at 5571 9106. Regular taxi stands at the bus stations or the airport will usually give you a fixed rate.In all cases taxis are relatively cheap compared to international standards. Rates are higher on Sundays and in the evenings after 10pm. Tipping is mostly not expected. Always check that the taximeter is working and running before you drive off. The taximeter should read “2" (meaning 2 pesos) when starting a journey at regular hours.
Airports in Mexico City
Mexico City is serviced by the Benito Juarez International Airport (coded as MEX). This large airport has Latin America's busiest and largest traffic with daily flights to North America, other cities in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Europe and Asia.Benito Juarez International Airport’s terminals house the following major airlines:
Aeromexico http://www.aeromexico.com
Air France http://www.airfrance.com
American Airlines http://www.aa.com
US Airways http://www.usairways.com
British Airways http://www.britishairways.com
Air Canada http://www.aircanada.com/en/home.html
Continental http://www.continental.com
Delta Airlines http://www.delta.com
Japan Airlines http://www.jal.co.jp/en
Lan Chile http://www.lan.com/)
Lufthansa http://www.lufthansa.de/)
Mexicana Airlines http://www.mexicana.com/)
Northwest http://www.nwa.com/)
United http://www.united.com/)
There are many regular shuttles running between the local hotels and the airport. These shuttles are the best method to get to and from the airport.