Mexico City Car rental
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Mexico City is the long-running capital city of Mexico – interestingly, it’s one of the only instances in which a country has been named after the city. It positively vibrates with culture, incredible food, wonderful locals, and tonnes of cultural landmarks. With so much to see and do, it’s no surprise that millions of international visitors land in Mexico City each year.
Mexico City is huge, and the traffic can be awful. But if you avoid certain rush hour periods, you can bypass the worst of it. The morning rush hour can start as early as 7am and end at 9.30am. There’s then a second rush from 1pm to 3pm when parents are collecting their children from school. The last rush is from 5pm to 8pm, when people tend to finish work and head home.
Watch out for the window cleaners on the roads. They usually approach you at a traffic jam or red light. If you spot someone approaching the car like they’re about to clean your window, simply indicate with your hand that you wouldn’t like a clean. Otherwise, they’ll end up demanding payment. People are simply trying to make a living, so if you would like a clean then it’s usually just a couple of pesos.
The speed limit in Mexico City is organized by the type of road you’re driving on. Most roads are 30 miles per hour (50 kilometres per hour) and side streets are 25 miles per hour (50 kilometres per hour). The limit changes depending on how calm the area is, if there’s a school nearby, and if it’s a residential area, so keep an eye out for the appropriate signage. Remember that speed limit signage is in kilometres, not miles.
Mexico City is served by four airports: Mexico City International Airport, Felipe Ángeles International Airport, Lic. Adolfo López Mateos International Airport, and Hermanos Serdán International Airport. These airports serve hundreds of international destinations and connect Mexico City domestically, too.
Things about Mexico City
A brief overview of Mexico City
Mexico City is the capital and largest city of Mexico, with a population of over 20 million people in the metropolitan area. It’s the 12th most populous city in the world as of 2022.
Getting around Mexico City by Metro
As one of the most populous cities in the world, efficient public transport is essential. Mexico City has the Metro, a mostly underground railway system, which serves around 5 million people a day. It might seem overwhelming at first, but it’s easy to get the hang of. Even if you don’t speak Spanish, the 12 Metro lines are colour-coded in an easy-to-understand network map and stations are well-signposted. The main changing stations are Tacuba, Hidalgo, Balderas, Tacubaya, and Centro Medico.
Visitors and locals do admit that some of the trains are outdated and while they’re usually every couple of minutes, there can be delays during peak times. However, it’s a cheap way to get around the city – every fare is 5 pesos, which is around 35 cents. You can buy a ticket at the station’s ticket booth or buy a smart card (tarjeta) for 10 pesos – the machines are cash only. You can put up to 120 pesos on the card and it can be used for multiple people travelling together.
Getting around Mexico City by Metrobús
The Metrobús is a rapid transit system with dedicated bus lanes, transporting over 1 million people a day. It also only opened in 2005, so it’s a more modern choice for getting around Mexico City. You’ll find most of the stations in the middle of the city’s central areas, such as Avenida de Los Insurgentes and Paseo de la Reforma. There are some curb-side bus stops, too. The neighbourhoods of Roma and La Condesa are not well served by the Metro, so the Metrobús is a good choice for those staying in those areas.
All Metrobús rides are 6 pesos, around 40 cents – you pay by tapping your smart card and there are machines where you can buy/top-up your smart card at every station. Like the Metro, these machines are cash only. You don’t have to pay an additional fare for transferring to a different Metrobús line if you started your journey under two hours prior and you’re heading in the same direction.
Things to do in Mexico City
Mexico City is bursting with vibrant culture, celebrating the past and present – a stroll through the downtown area gives an insight into the pre-Hispanic and colonial eras, as well as the sprawling metropolis it is today. It’s cultural diversity at its best – where old-school local markets meet glamorous designer shopping malls. While you’re downtown, a visit to the Metropolitan Cathedral is a must.
One of the best things to do in Mexico City is visiting the Frida Kahlo Museum – the former home of the iconic artist. For a change of pace, head to the ultra-modern Museo Suomaya – it’s completely free and houses an incredible selection of art.
Mexico City is a bustling metropolis and if you start to crave a respite from the big city, Chapultepec Park is just the ticket. At nearly double the size of New York City’s Central Park (a whopping 1600 acres), you can easily forget you’re in the city. Rent a paddleboat and enjoy the peacefulness of the lake, explore the park’s museums, or check out the local wildlife in the free zoo.
Eating out in Mexico City
One of the best things to do in Mexico City eats. From 50-cent tacos courtesy of a friendly street vendor to 10-course fine dining, the city is bursting with culinary delights. Mexican cuisine has strong links to the country’s history, which is as diverse as its landscape. It’s been heavily influenced by Spanish and Aztec cultures, along with various indigenous cultures. They have a deep love for bold flavours, street food, no-nonsense ingredients, and spice.
For traditional cantinas: Head to Coyoacán. This is the neighbourhood where Frida Kahlo lived, and its long history is entwined with Aztec culture.
For upscale restaurants: Head to Polanco. This is the city’s swankiest neighbourhood – many of the gourmet restaurants sit on Avenida Masaryk. You’ll find Pujol here, consistently voted as one of the best restaurants in the world.
For trendy eats: Head to La Condesa or Roma. As the hip neighbourhoods of Mexico City, there are tonnes of bistros, open-air cafes, and international spots in these areas.
For taquerías: Head to Alameda Central. Taquerías are unpretentious restaurants specialising in tacos and burritos. Alameda Central is home to El Huequito, considered to have the best tacos in the city. El Abanico is another popular spot in Colonia Tránsito.
Transport
Car rental in Mexico City can start from as little as $6 a day if you book in advance, even less when you use Enjoy Travel’s 5% online discount.
There are four main airports in Mexico City: Mexico City International Airport, Felipe Ángeles International Airport, and Lic. Adolfo López Mateos International Airport, and Hermanos Serdán International Airport.
Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
Mexico City International Airport, otherwise known as Benito Juárez International Airport, is the busiest airport in the country. It’s the most well-connected to other parts of the world, and it has the best car rental options too. You’ll find them at both national and international walkways of Terminal 1 and at the international arrivals area.
Car rental agencies available at MEX: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Europcar, EZ, Firefly, Goldcar, Green Motion, Hertz, Keddy, Mex, National, Sixt, Thrifty.