The subway is an amazing way to get around the city, cheap, safe and fast, but like in other big cities is important to know how to navigate it.
Some basic information:
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 5:00 – 24:00
Saturday 6:00 – 24:00
Sunday (and holidays) 7:00 – 24:00
Cost: $5 MXN (.25 USD ) per ride no matter the distance
Security
Like in other big cities, riding the subway is an adventure and you need to take some precautions.
- Is better to put your backpack or purse on the front, if the subway is crowded hug them tight.
- I f you have your phone and wallet in your pockets, put your hands inside and grab them all the time.
- Avoid wearing valuables, expensive watches, gold necklaces and earrings are thieves favorites items to steal.
- The first to two subways cars are women and kids only during rush hours
- Sexual harassment is very common, if you are a woman avoid the subway during rush hours (7:30 – 9:30 and 17:00 – 19:30) or make sure to be next to a wall and wearing jeans.
The system
Mexico´s city subway has 12 lines with different colors and numbers, every stop has a symbol, if you don´r know how to pronounce the stops names in Spanish, just learn the color and symbol and you will be fine.
Te intersections
Some lines have intersections with other lines, in Spanish are called “CORRESPONDENCIAS” if there is an intersection the symbol of that stop will have 2 or 3 different colors according to the lines that intersect at that stop. If you need to change lines, you must follow the “correspondencia” signs with the color of the line you are looking for.
For example, at this stop (Chabacano with the apricot symbol) there are 2 intersections, if you need to go to the green line, keep walking straight and follow the green arrows, if you need to change to the brown line turn right and follow the brown arrows.
Sometimes is complicated to find this sings, just pay attention and look up and you will see them.
Which direction to go
Every station has 2 directions, check on your map to see which one you need to go, every stop will have clear signs indicating the direction of the train. This train goes on Pantitlán direction (the sign “salida” means exit) if you are in the wrong direction you need to search for the stairs to cross to the other side.
This is the full map of the subway
Example 1
If you are staying at Condesa, near the Parque México, the closest stop is Chilpancingo (brown line) if you need to go to the Zocalo square you will need to ride the subway on Pantitlán direction get of at Chabacano stop or the apricot symbol, and look for the Blue correspondencia following the blue arrows, once at the blue line, you will ride the subway on Cuatro Caminos direction and get off at the Zócalo stop or the eagle symbol.
Example 2
If you are staying at the hotel area of Polanco, the closest stop is Auditorio from the orange line, if you need to go to the Basílica de Guadalupe Church, ride the orange line to El Rosario direction, there look for the red line correspondencia and follow the red arrows, el Rosario is the first stop, so the only option is ride the subway on Martín Carrera direction and get off at La Villa Basilica stop or the modern church symbol (it looks more like a soccer stadium actually) .
Google maps can show you subway stops near popular attractions, plan your trip before so you can know exactly where to go and enjoy your ride!
