Uber and Didi
One of the easiest ways to get around Mexico City is with ride-hailing apps like Uber or DiDi. Both are convenient, flexible, and safer than hailing a taxi on the street— rides are tracked, drivers are vetted, and the apps keep a record of your trips for security. That said, be careful about when and where you request a ride: heavy traffic can leave you stuck, and in some neighborhoods drivers may ask you to cancel and rebook if pickup is difficult.
Bus and Metro
Bus and the Metro are reliable ways to get around Mexico City, especially for short trips or hopping back and forth along major avenues like Paseo de la Reforma or Insurgentes. They’re affordable and convenient, though the Metro is usually faster and less affected by traffic than buses.
Buses are great outside of rush hour, but during peak times they can get stuck in traffic and become slow. For safety, the city’s public transport is generally fine in the daytime, but be cautious with your belongings—pickpocketing can happen, especially in crowded trains and buses. Avoid empty cars late at night, keep your phone and wallet secure, and stay aware of your surroundings. Using a Metro card or contactless payment also reduces the need to handle cash.
Taxi
Avoid regular street taxis—usually white or pink with “TAXI” signs—as they are not tracked like Uber or DiDi. Using them can leave you more exposed to scams or unsafe situations. If you need a taxi, it’s much safer to book through a ride-hailing app or a trusted hotel/reception service.
Bicycle
Not for everyone, but my absolute favourite and preferred way to get around. Mexico City has a great cycling infrastructure in terms of feeling safe biking in bike lanes.
I used to bring my bike but now I rent with Ecobici, there are hundreds of stations all over the city and they are easy to use and get from A to B efficiently.
Enjoying the ride on the way to your photography trip is a big part of the experience for me. I recommend you set up your Ecobici app before you come here. If you run into an issue, you will have to go to one of the dedicated booths with customer support.
Safety notes
Mexico City is generally safe in well trafficked areas, but it’s smart to be prepared. Keep only what you’re willing to lose when heading out—around 700 MXN in cash, plus a credit card and ID is usually plenty for a day; that way, if anything happens, the loss is limited.
If you encounter police, stay calm, polite, and avoid arguing—most interactions are routine, but some officers may expect small fines or “facilitation payments.” Don’t carry large amounts of cash or flashy valuables, use common sense in crowds, and stick to main streets, well-lit areas, and ride-hailing apps for transport.
Avoid staying out late at night, and trust your instincts when choosing streets or neighborhoods to explore. Stick to welllit, busy areas and if something feels off, move on—there’s always another street or plaza to discover safely.
Mexico City is a vibrant and generally safe city for tourists, but don’t fall for the “everything is safe” trap—you see warnings like that everywhere, yet staying alert and using common sense is still essential. Stick to busy streets, be aware of your surroundings, and travel prepared with only what you’re willing to lose.
Stay in the neighborhoods listed in this photography guide, follow the tips and safety notes, and you’ll have a fun and worry-free time exploring Mexico City.
These apps are especially useful for areas that are tricky to reach by Metro or for latenight travel. Pair them with Google Maps to plan your route, avoid rush hours if possible, and always use designated pickup points. Once you get used to it, Uber and DiDi make getting around Mexico City fast, safe, and hassle-free, letting you focus on exploring the city instead of worrying about transportation.
Planning a photography and filming trip to Mexico City?
I put together a free Creator's Call Sheet for Mexico City — a complete one-day photography and filmmaking itinerary designed to help you shoot the city's best locations in the best light while avoiding the biggest crowds.
It's built to minimize planning so you can spend more time creating and less time figuring out where to go next.
Download it free here → Creator's Call Sheet for Mexico City
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Transportation Guide for Photographers
As you’d expect from any modern city, there’s many ways to get around town, but some methods are better than others…
