Mexico City Taxis
Mexico City is a huge and exciting place, but it can also be very difficult to navigate. With many roads sounding the same and different boroughs having areas with the same name, the best way to get around easily is by taking a Mexico City taxi.
There are four different types of taxi in Mexico City. Authorized taxis can pick up people from set areas such as the airport, metro, and bus stations. Pink and white sitio taxis wait at official taxi ranks and belong to a set company or hotel. Libre taxis are Nissan Tsuruses that drive on the street and are individually owned and operated. Finally, radio taxis are taxis you can call to have them pick you up at any location within the city.
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HOW MUCH IS A MEXICO CITY TAXI?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEXICO CITY AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER | 16 € | 18 € | 15 MIN |
| CITY CENTER TO FRIDA KAHLO MUSEUM | 15 € | 17 € | 15 MIN |
| CITY CENTER TO LAKE TEXCOCO ECOLOGICAL PARK | 20 € | 25 € | 30 MIN |
| ARENA MÉXICO TO DOWNTOWN MEXICO CITY | 3 € | 4 € | 8 MIN |
| GRAN HOTEL CIUDAD DE MÉXICO TO EL MORO CHURERRÍA | 4 € | 5 € | 11 MIN |
Taxi cost in Mexico City
Mexico City taxi rates depend on which type of taxi you’re taking. Libre taxis only use a taximeter, so charge based on the distance and time taken. Authorized taxis only charge a set-rate fee, paid in advance. Radio and sitio taxis offer a taximeter or a set rate put in place by the government. All prices increase by 20% during the nighttime hours of 23:00 to 06:00.
TAXI LIBRE
Base price: €0.57 (MXN 12)
Price per km: €0.47 (MXN 10)
TAXI SITIO
Base price: €1.18 (MXN 25)
Price per km: €0.75 (MXN 16)
RADIO TAXI
Base price: €2.36 (MXN 50)
Price per km: €0.94 (MXN 20)
You can expect a Mexico City taxi from the airport to the city center to be around €16 (MXN 350).
Overall, Mexico City taxi fares are relatively cheap, with libre taxis being the most cost-efficient. However, travelers have reported that sitio and radio taxis are usually the safest as their rates are established or negotiable.
You can call a radio taxi who will often tell you the price over the phone, or you can pre-book a private Mexico City transfer for a fixed-rate price.
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How to get a taxi in Mexico City
There are over 14,000 taxis in Mexico City, making it one of the largest fleets in the world. This makes getting one extremely easy. You can choose to hail one from the street, walk to a taxi rank, or call a radio taxi company. Just be sure to look for the official white and pink taxis, with the taxi number clearly printed on the side doors and the bonnet. Taxis that you hail in the street are the least trustworthy of all CDMX taxis as they often give the worst prices based on a taximeter. However, if you’re on a busy street and need to get somewhere fast, they are a good option.
Non-official taxis looking to scam tourists by overcharging them are referred to as ‘taxis piratas’. We highly recommend only using official taxi services in Mexico City, and confirming the approximate price with your driver beforehand.
Alternatively, booking a taxi in advance with a reliable service like Welcome Pickups can give you peace of mind. You’ll receive a fixed price in advance and can rest easy knowing a driver will be waiting for you on time.
The taxis located at taxi ranks known as ‘sitios’ can be found all over Mexico City – at shopping malls, on bar streets, and outside the main squares and parks. All you need to do is walk to the front of the queue and ask the first driver or the person operating the ‘booth’. Most sitios also offer a radio taxi service where you can call a taxi from anywhere in the city and they will dispatch one to you. However, it’s worth noting that there will be an extra charge for using this service.
How to get a taxi from Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
Mexico City Airport taxis are available 24/7 at the ranks at Terminals 1 and 2. You can purchase a ticket at the taxi booth inside the airport.
How to get a taxi from Monument to the Revolution
This popular memorial arch is located in the Plaza de la República, in downtown Mexico City. You can find the nearest taxi ranks, Sitio San Cosme and Sitio 149 San Rafael, a few blocks away.
How to get a taxi from Arena México
After an event, you can easily get a taxi from the nearby taxi sitio Taxi Mex.
How to get a taxi from the Chocolate Museum
This delightful attraction is located at Milan 45. You can order a radio taxi or walk to the corner of Roma Street where the sitio can be found near the bus stop.
How to get a taxi from Hotel Embassy
If you need a Mexico City taxi from this hotel, or its surrounding shops and cafes, you can walk a few minutes to Agrupacion de Choferes A.C. Sitio Niza.
Popular Mexico City taxi apps
During busy periods, bad weather, or at nighttime, taxi ranks can be very busy, and hailing a cab from the street can be risky. Because of this, locals and tourists alike usually secure their taxis using Mexico City taxi apps like Uber. These apps may be more expensive, but are much safer.
However, there can still be lengthy waiting periods when you use apps. Instead, if you know where and when you want to be picked up, you can book a private Mexico City taxi instead with Welcome Pickups.
Useful Mexico City taxi numbers
There are hundreds of radio taxi companies in Mexico City. We recommend doing as the locals do, and having the phone numbers of radio taxis at sitios saved in your phone.
A few Mexico City taxi numbers include:
Sitio Rojas: +52 (55) 5251 9285
Sitio San Cosme: +52 (55) 5592 8768
Servitaxis 152: +52 (55) 5516 6020
Benefits of booking your Mexico City taxi in advance
During busy times, it can be difficult to find an available taxi quickly, particularly if you’d rather not use a taxi off the street.
To ensure your plans run smoothly and you’re not left waiting outside for a CDMX taxi, or for a timely Mexico City Airport transfer to or from the airport, you can book your Mexico City taxi service in advance.
This service will secure a no-surprises fixed cost, professionally trained English-speaking drivers, and friendly, comfortable journeys.
Wheelchair-accessible taxis in Mexico City
Unfortunately, standard taxis in Mexico City aren’t wheelchair accessible. However, you can request one at sitio taxi rank.
This does mean that there may be waiting times while they arrange for your radio taxi vehicle. But after this wait, you can save the taxi phone number for future use.
Mexico City taxi tips
- A lot of destinations in Mexico City sound the same. We recommend naming a landmark to your driver as it will help them find the correct location.
- Be sure to carry small bills to avoid scams or lack of change from the driver.
- Taxis that aren't pink and white are likely to be the least regulated. We don't recommend using these unless you have to, or are confident speaking Spanish.
- If you have any expensive equipment with you, be sure to go to a sitio or call a radio taxi. Don't hail one from the street.
- As of 2008, Mexico City taxis have been re-licensed with new distinctive white license plates beginning with a capital letter and 5 numbers.
- If you decide to take a taxi off the street, there are three tests we recommend to check if it is safe. 1) Check that the license plate number begins with A or B, and that this number matches the one painted on the side of the vehicle. 2) Check that the driver's ID card is visibly displayed in the vehicle. 3) Make sure the driver matches the photo on the ID card.
- You can pre-book online with Welcome Pickups for a guaranteed on-time pickup, 24/7 customer care, an English-speaking driver, and flexible cancellation.
- The driver's ID card should be a white, laminated document with official stamps. It should be in colour and not a photocopy.
- It’s customary to tip a Mexico City taxi driver if they are using a taximeter, but not if they are giving a flat-rate fee.
- Most taxis in Mexico City will accept payment in USD, but not all. It’s worth asking before you begin your journey and keeping change in Mexican Pesos with you when at all possible.
Mexico City taxi safety and complaints
Generally speaking, taking a taxi in Mexico City is safe. Rumors of extortionate and illegal activity are often outdated or urban legends. However, scams do occur, as with any city.
The most common problem is overcharging or taxis taking you to the wrong location. The best way to ensure this doesn’t happen is to only enter an official Mexico City taxi and use taxi ranks. Check for the white and pink color, the taxi number printed on the bonnet and the side, and that your driver’s photo ID matches the person behind the wheel.
If a problem does occur, be sure to note these details down and report them to Agencia del Ministerio Público by calling +52 (55) 5345 5382.