Navegar el Metro de la Ciudad de México con niños
The Mexico City Metro is the fastest way to bypass traffic with kids, provided you avoid the morning and evening rush hours. Always keep children in front of you when boarding, use the designated 'women and children only' cars, and keep your backpacks on your front to prevent theft.
- Buy an Integrated Mobility (MI) card. Purchase a 'Tarjeta de Movilidad Integrada' at any ticket booth or kiosk inside the station. It costs 15 pesos for the card and you can load it with credit. Do not rely on paper tickets.
- Time your travel. Avoid 'hora pico' (7:00 AM–9:30 AM and 6:00 PM–8:30 PM). During these times, carriages are dangerously crowded for small children.
- Use the front cars. During rush hours, the first three cars of every train are reserved for women, children under 12, and the elderly. Use these if you are a mother or traveling with children.
- Boarding protocol. Let passengers off before you attempt to board. If you have a stroller, fold it completely before entering the station; it is difficult to navigate turnstiles and crowded cars with an unfolded stroller.
- Mapping your route. Download the 'Metro CDMX' app or use Google Maps. Identify the 'correspondencia' (transfer stations) ahead of time as they can be long, underground tunnels requiring a lot of walking.
- Is the Metro safe for children?
- It is safe, but be vigilant about pickpockets in crowded stations. Keep children close at all times and hold their hands tightly in the 'correspondencia' tunnels.
- Can I bring a stroller on the Metro?
- Yes, but it must be folded. Most stations have steep stairs and very few have functional elevators, so you will likely be carrying the stroller and the child simultaneously.
- How do I know which direction to take?
- Look for the terminal station name of the line you are on. The signs indicate the final stop in each direction, not just the next station.