Uber In Mexico City: Guide To Safety, Rates & Info 2024

Uber In Mexico City

Uber is a safe, easy, and affordable way to get around Mexico City and is something I use a lot in this city. Most Ubers will arrive for pick up in 5 minutes or less, sometimes a few minutes longer if you’re outside the main areas.

Also, Mexicans take pride in their vehicles so every Uber I’ve ever taken in Mexico City has been clean, smells great, and is in good condition.

Uber Etiquette Quick Tips

Uber etiquette is all about respecting the vehicle and the driver you’re using. Here are a few things you can do to keep your driver happy and be a good passenger and stay safe in Mexico City.

Using Uber In Mexico City

Using Uber in Mexico City is a lot like using Uber anywhere in the world. Pull up the app, add your destination, and summon your chariot! But when it comes to using Uber in a foreign country or city as enormous as Mexico City there are a few things you should know first.

Types of Uber

Opening up the Uber app in Mexico City you’ll see a huge variety of service options. Where most places have UberX, Uber Black, and UberXL, Mexico City has a whopping ten service options.

Here’s a quick summary of the different Uber options in Mexico City and what they are best for:

Will My Uber App Work In Mexico City?

Yes! Your existing Uber app will work in Mexico City, all you need is WiFi or a local sim card. The good news is, Mexico City is bursting with free WiFi including the citywide WiFi and free WiFi available in almost every restaurant and cafe.

When you open the Uber app in Mexico City it will use your phone’s location services to recognize that you’re in Mexico and all the prices will be shown and charged in Mexican Pesos.

The app will charge whatever credit cards you already have loaded or you can switch to pay by cash in the Payment Options.

Is Uber Safe In Mexico City?

Although I’m sure we’ve all heard a horror story about an Uber ride gone wrong, Uber is a safe and affordable way to get around Mexico City and is easy to use even if you don’t speak Spanish.

In fact, when I’m in Mexico City I use Uber and DiDi as my go-to modes of transportation for anywhere that’s too far to walk to. They make any Mexico City itinerary that much easier to achieve.

As always, using common sense and paying attention to what’s going on around you is crucial to staying safe in any situation. In Mexico City, another really important consideration is to be aware of where you are when you order your Uber, especially at night.

For example, if you’re at a restaurant or bar, order your Uber from inside and stay there until it arrives.

If you decide to go see the Lucha Libre, don’t wait around outside the arena for your Uber, make the short walk over to Roma and wait there. Doctores is not a neighbourhood to hang around in.

Here are a few other safety tips to keep you on the move with Uber:

How Much Does Uber Cost In Mexico City?

Like anywhere, the cost of Uber trips in Mexico City vary depending on distance, service level, and whether or not there is surge pricing. But to help give you an idea, I’ve provided a couple of examples below.

In both of these examples I have used Panadería Rosetta in Roma as my pick up point. I chose this because it’s delicious and Roma is a popular neighbourhood for travellers.

For my first ride I’m looking for an Uber to the Zócalo (the huge square in the Centro Histórico). This journey is about 4km/2.5 miles and takes around 15 minutes depending on traffic. You can see that there are so many Ubers nearby and the pick up time is just a couple of minutes.

For a regular UberX from Roma to Centro Histórico the ride is about $70MXN [$4USD/$5.25CAD]. Uber Comfort costs around $100MXN [$6USD/$7.75CAD] and Uber Black would be $210MXN [$12USD/$16CAD].

For my second ride I’m looking for an Uber to the Museo Frida Kahlo which is in Coyoacán. This journey is a lot farther at 12km/7.5 miles and takes anywhere from 25 – 45 minutes depending on traffic.

For a regular UberX from Roma to Coyoacán the ride is about $70MXN [$7.50USD/$10CAD]. Uber Comfort costs around $130MXN [$10.50USD/$14CAD] and Uber Black would be $370MXN [$22USD/$29CAD].

You can use these examples as guidelines as you’re unlikely to pay any more than this for an average trip in Mexico City.

Always watch out for surge pricing and remember that keeping your driver waiting can run up the cost of the ride.

How Much Do You Tip Uber in Mexico?

Tipping is a controversial topic at best. No matter where you go there are different norms and expectations and it can be hard to know what to do in new places.

The good thing about using Uber is that it takes a lot of the guess work out for you. When you finish your ride the option to tip will appear on screen in the Uber app and will stay there until you either action it, or order another ride.

This screen offers you three tipping options which I classify as good, great, and excellent.

If you have an excellent driver who delivered a smooth ride in a spotless vehicle, reward them with the highest tip! If you have a driver who did alright but wasn’t fantastic, bring your tip down.

Remember that tipping is optional and should be decided on a case by case basis. Because rides in Mexico City are inexpensive you’re probably only looking at about 50 cents to a dollar extra anyways so try not to overthink it.

Uber At Mexico City Airport

Arriving at an airport as big as Mexico City International (Benito Juárez) can be overwhelming, especially if you’re arriving late at night or during a busy time.

While Ubers are allowed to pick up at this airport, it may not be the best way for you to get to where you’re going.

If you’re unfamiliar with Mexico City, are staying somewhere other than a well known hotel or hostel, or are arriving very late at night, it may be better for you to take an authorized taxi.

The main reason for this is that it is the job of professional taxi drivers to know the city. Uber drivers may live outside the city, or may not be familiar with the area you’re staying in.

The first time I visited Mexico City I rented an apartment and hadn’t considered that this would mean trying to find a door with no signage down a darkened alley at 5am.

The apartment I chose was really, really, tucked away and while Google Maps got us to the general area, it was my taxi driver’s knowledge that helped me find the exact location.

Authorized taxis are well marked at the airport. You can purchase tickets inside the baggage claim or outside at the taxi bay. You never have to pay the driver directly, as you will purchase a ticket from one of the ticket stands and they will assign a driver to you.

Authorized taxis are an affordable and reliable way to get into the city, especially for first-time travellers to the area, but if you feel comfortable navigating the airport and the city, Uber is a great option.

Most Ubers from Mexico City airport to central barrios like Roma or Condesa typically cost no more than $200MXN [12USD/$15.50CAD]. There are almost always Ubers around the airport so pick up times are very fast.

Where to Get an Uber at the Airport

There is no signage at Mexico City airport to say where Ubers can pick up so it’s important to know where to go when you arrive.

If you arrive into Terminal 1 at Mexico City airport the usual Uber pick up spot is outside exit 4. At Terminal 2 the usual Uber pick up is on the ground level outside exit 2 or 3.

Uber Alternatives In Mexico City

Uber is rarely the only option when it comes to getting around a major city. In Mexico City there are three popular alternatives: DiDi, Cabify, and regular taxis (which also have an app).

For me there is one clear winner with these alternatives but I’m going to explain all the options so you can decide for yourself.

DiDi

If you’re travelling to Mexico, DiDi is an app you should have on your phone. In Mexico I use DiDi as much as Uber, if not more in some places.

Much like Uber, DiDi offers rideshare and food delivery, and generally in Mexico where there’s Uber, there’s DiDi.

In Mexico City I always check both Uber and DiDi before booking a ride to compare prices and wait times, and you should too.

DiDi is often cheaper than Uber and some cities have a lot more DiDi drivers because they take a substantially smaller cut of the fare than Uber. Just like Uber, you can pay right through the app securely with your credit card or choose to pay in cash. You’ll also have the option to add a tip if you choose.

In terms of safety, DiDi is a major global company and offers a Safety Toolkit with safety features such as:

**DiDi monitors your trip and if they notice something unusual like a detour or accident they will send you a notification and you can hit the SOS button to connect to emergency services.

Cabify

Cabify is another option in Mexico City for those who don’t mind waiting a little longer for a guaranteed nicer vehicle.

This is an app based rideshare program that is common in Spain and across Latin America. The ethos behind Cabify is a little different from Uber.

Cabify uses only high quality vehicles, all rides are carbon neutral and because their pricing model is based on kilometres/mileage the price is fixed regardless of traffic or drive time.

The downside of Cabify is that they tend to cost a little more than Uber and as there are fewer drivers, this means longer wait times. But if you’re not in a hurry and prefer things like nice vehicles and eco-consciousness then this is a good option for you.

Taxis In Mexico City

Before the age of rideshare apps we had the good ol’ fashioned taxi cab. In Mexico City authorized taxis are cash only and easy to spot with their white bodies and hot pink roofs.

Other than at the airport, I’ve taken a grand total of one authorized taxi during all my time in Mexico City. This is because they are rarely cheaper than Uber or DiDi and because they shouldn’t be hailed in the street they aren’t as convenient.

Taxis are generally considered to be safe in Mexico City but there some scams that can occur.

If you’re going to opt for a traditional taxi there are a few non-negotiable rules you need to follow to stay safe.

Uber In Mexico City FAQs

You’ve got questions about Uber in Mexico City and I’ve got answers!

Is Uber Good In Mexico City?

Yes, Uber is good in Mexico City! Uber is a really convenient and inexpensive way to get around Mexico City and the cleanliness of the vehicles is usually superior to what I’ve seen in cities in the US and Canada. There are plenty of drivers so pick ups usually take less than 5 minutes.

Is Uber Available in Teotihuacan?

Yes, Uber is available in Teotihuacan. Taking an Uber out to Teotihuacan is easy because there are so many drivers in Mexico City. Getting an Uber back to the city usually means slightly longer wait times of up to 10 minutes, but is still very easy to get a ride.

However, if you are taking a hot air balloon ride I recommend taking the tour operator transfer instead.

Is there Lyft in Mexico City?

No, Lyft is not available in Mexico City. The main rideshare apps in Mexico City are Uber and DiDi. Cabify is also available and regular authorized taxis can be hailed through the CDMX app. Uber and DiDi tend to work best and I recommend checking both apps for wait times and rates before calling your ride.

Summary: Uber In Mexico City

Uber is a great way to get around Mexico City and is a favourite for both travellers and locals alike. By now you should have all the information you need to use Uber while staying safe and savvy in Mexico City.

Don’t forget to check the map before you order because you may just be a leisurely walk away from your destination. Taking a free walking tour to familiarize yourself when you arrive is one of the best things to do in Mexico City.

Always compare against competitors like DiDi when prices and wait times are high. And for longer journeys to other towns and cities, consider skipping Uber and take an amazing first class bus in Mexico instead.