How To Get Around Mexico City Safely (All The Best Options)

Worried About Crime In Mexico City And Concerned About How To Get Around Safely In This Capital City?

I’ve visited Mexico City multiple times and used pretty much every single kind of transportation option available here, but being a young-looking female, there are definitely a few that have felt much sketchier to me, so I think there are better choices to get around this city safely.

🚘 How To Get Around Mexico City Safely As A Tourist

Airbnb is not a super safe option in my opinion in Mexico City.

⭐️ Overall, The Best Options To Get Around Mexico City Safely As A Tourist:

🤑 Cheapest – public transportation is definitely the cheapest, but not the safest, and it’s usually super crowded so I don’t recommend it for getting around the city

🚕 Most Widely Available – taxis are everywhere and sometimes they’re necessary, but they’re notoriously not safe, so I would avoid them whenever possible

🚘 Most Convenient – Ubers are available all over Mexico City and they’re generally safe (safer than taxis) so when getting from point A to point B, these are probably the best options

😌 Most Stress-Free – for visiting multiple spots in Mexico City or going further away, the best and most stress-free ways to get around safely are definitely guided tours

🚐 Best For The Airport – when you have all your belongings and are trying to get from the airport to your hotel, the safest and most convenient option is getting private transportation

Continue reading for more details on each of these so you can plan out a safe trip to Mexico City.

🚇 Every Way To Get Around Mexico City

Mexico City is not known as one of the safest places to visit, but if you’re cautious and aware of your surroundings, you choose the safest areas to stay, and opt for the best transportation options, you should have a wonderful trip to this amazing city.

➡️ Still Concerned About Safety In Mexico City? here is a guide to help you out on how to be extra safe in this large Metropolitan area

Is Uber Safe In Mexico City

Uber is generally a good way to safely get around Mexico City.

Uber is generally one of the best ways to safely get around places in Mexico, and that includes Mexico City.

Sometimes there are better, safer options depending on where you’re going or where you’re coming from, but to get from point A to point B, Uber is usually the cheapest safe option and it’s super convenient.

I’ve used Ubers to get around this entire city during the day and at night and not had any problems, but I have read about some issues, so even though it’s generally one of the safer options, it’s still important to remain cautious and aware.

Are Taxis Safe In Mexico City

Ride-shares are typically much cheaper compared to taxis.

Taxis are notorious for being unsafe in Mexico City, because there are a significant number of fake taxis, they’re known to way overcharge (especially foreigners), the drivers can be pretty sketchy, and communication can be much harder, so generally it’s best to avoid taxis here whenever possible.

If you do have to use a taxi, make sure to get an official, certified one and don’t hail any off the street to be as safe as possible.

Is Mexico City Walkable

Parts of Mexico City are walkable but you can't walk everywhere and it wouldn't always be the best way to safely get around.

There are parts of Mexico City that are walkable (like Centro, Polanco, La Condesa, etc.), but as a whole it’s not a very walkable city.

Unless you plan to go from the airport straight to the area your hotel (or home rental) is located and not explore any other areas or attractions around Mexico City, you’ll definielty need some other forms of transportation.

Is Public Transportation Safe

Getting to Puebla and Cholula, Mexico is pretty easy from Mexico City.

Mexico City has both short distance busses and long distance busses, as well as a metro subway, but except for a few scenarios, these are not great ways for tourists to safely get around.

On my first visit to Mexico City I was out with local friends who took me on the subway, and luckily I had them to help and protect me, otherwise I would highly recommend not ever using the Mexico City subway system because it’s incredibly crowded and a very easy place to be the victim of a crime (especially pickpocketing).

The only way I would really suggest using the bus system is if you plan to visit some places a little outside of Mexico City. I used the bus to get to Puebla so I could visit the Great Pyramid of Cholula and it was a super easy process, while some also prefer to get to Teotihuacan this way to avoid big group tours.

Are Private Transfers Better

Private transport is one of the safest options.

Probably the best way to get around Mexico City safely is with private transfers, plus they are way easier and more convenient, especially to/from the airport when you have all of your belongings with you.

There are even private car hires in Mexico City that are great, especially for events. I used one on my first visit to Mexico City when I went to a Club America soccer game and it was really nice to have a trustworthy person waiting for me outside of the stadium (especially since it was late at night).

Is It Easier To Go On Guided Tours

Although it's technically located outside of Mexico City, no week long trip is complete without seeing the Teotihuacan Pyramids.

When planning on visiting multiple places in one day or visiting some further away places like Xochimilco (the touristy but still cool Aztec canal system) or Teotihuacan (the archeological pyramid site), taking a guided tour is so much easier, sometimes cheaper, more convenient, and less stressful.

Here Are A Few Popular, Higher Rated Options For Mexico City:

🏙️ Private City Tour of all the Mexico City highlights and hidden gems

🛕 Teotihuacan Day Tour with the Guadalupe Shrine and Tlatelolco

🌋 Puebla And Cholula Day Tour with Tonantzintla and optional lunch

🎈 Teotihuacan Balloon Flight with a visit to the pyramids and breakfast in a cave

🛶 Xochimilco Boat Tour with food and drinks

🌮 Taco Bike Tour with tacos recommended by the Michelin guide

🤼 Lucha Libre Tour with tacos and drinks before the show (it’s a silly but cool cultural event that’s worth seeing at least once)

Should You Rent A Car In Mexico City

No. I would not recommend renting a car in Mexico City because it’s one of the craziest driving places I’ve ever seen.

It would definitely be too stressful for me, but if you do still want to rent a car here, I’d recommend only really using it to get to further away places like Teotihuacan, and not within the city.

➡️ Trying To Find Places To Eat In Mexico City? here are some delicious and healthier restaurant options that should keep your stomach safe

📆 How Many Days Do You Need In Mexico City?

There are quite a few restaurants serving organic options in CDMX.

There is so much to see and do in Mexico City to easily fill a week, but it does depend on your interests and budget to determine exactly how long you should stay here.

I’ve been to Mexico City multiple times and I still want to continue visiting (especially for the soccer games), so I think with all the attractions within the city as well as the interesting nearby locations, you should plan for at least a 5 day trip.

🔁 Sum Up: How To Get Around Mexico City Safely

Mexico City is not known as one of the safest places to visit, but if you stay cautious and aware of your surroundings, you choose to stay in the safest areas of the city, and you opt for the best transportation options to get around this metropolitan area (particularly Uber, Private Transportation, and Guided Tours), you can definitely safely visit this Mexican capital and have a wonderful trip to this amazing city.