How to Ride the Mexico City Cablebús As a Tourist
Riding the Cablebús over some of Mexico City’s lesser-visited colorful neighborhoods is one of the most underrated things to do in Mexico City!
This cable car is Mexico City’s newest public transportation solution, and it only costs $7 pesos (about $0.30) to ride! Although the Cablebús was built for local commuters, tourists are welcome to ride and enjoy the views.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about the Mexico City Cablebús, including how to ride it, which line to choose, safety tips, and whether it’s worth taking a tour.
🚠 Fun fact: There are three different Cablebús lines in Mexico City, including the longest and second-longest cable car routes in the world. 🤯
Traveling over a steep hill in Iztapalapa on Cablebús Línea 2
How to Ride Mexico City’s Cablebús
After living in Mexico and visiting Mexico City countless times, riding on this urban gondola is still one of my favorite things to do anytime I visit! Here’s exactly how to do it:
Mexico City Cablebús Tour
On your first time riding the Cablebús, I highly recommend going with a tour guide. This is what I did on my first time and I’m so glad I did.
The cable car lines take you into some of Mexico City’s more impoverished areas, so going with a local guide helps you travel responsibly, understand the history and current issues in the communities you’re visiting, and support local businesses!
Plus, you don’t have to worry about figuring out where to get on and off—your guide meets you in the center of Mexico City right next to one of the main landmarks (Palacio de Bellas Artes).
My husband and I loved our guide, he grew up in Mexico City and shared so many insights and stories about the neighborhoods we were visiting, and took us to local street vendors we would have never found on our own! In addition to riding the Iztapalapa line, we stopped a few times to explore Quetzalcoatl market, the Museum of Cultures, and taste pulque, a pre-hispanic alcoholic drink.
The tour costs $45, which is certainly more than the $7 peso cable car ticket, but you get so much more out of it—and support a small local business! Over 100 of my readers have booked this tour and left raving reviews (view here) so it’s definitely worth it.
🇲🇽 My Mexico City Favorites 🇲🇽
🌚 Hot Air Ballon Ride over the Sun and Moon Temples: Watch the sunrise over ancient Aztec temples at Teotithuacan from a hot air balloon (or stay grounded on a Teotihuacan walking tour).
🛶 Xochimilco and Frida Kahlo Day Trip: Join a floating fiesta boat ride through the ancient canals of Xochimilco then a visit Frida Kahlo’s iconic ‘Blue House’ on this brilliant guided day trip.
🚠 Discover Mexico City’s best hidden gems: Choose from my 21 favorite Mexico City hidden gems and explore lesser known parts of the city!
👟 Wander through Mexico City’s most vibrant neighborhoods: Head to Coyoacan (colorful part of town that Frida Kahlo called home), Roma Norte (lowkey greenery-filled neighborhood), and/or Condesa (a small but lively neighborhood).
🌿 Where to Stay: One-of-a-kind boutique luxury room at La Valise in Roma, a high end yet affordable room beside Parque Mexico at Casa Mannach in Coyoacan, or a charming budget-friendly room at NaNa Vida in Roma.
Some views of one of the Sierra de Santa Catarina dormant volcanoes along the Iztapalapa line of the Cablebús
Also Read: Mexico City in 4 Days: The Quintessential CDMX Itinerary
Riding the Cablebús in Mexico City Without A Tour
If you choose to ride the CMDX Cablebús without a guide, you’ll first need to decide which line to ride.
There are currently three urban cable car lines. Both feature impressive panoramic views, and both cost $7 pesos per ride.
Cablebús Line 1
Line 1 is the second longest cable car line in the world at 9.2 kilometers. The line runs between the neighborhoods of Indios Verdes and Cuautepec, a northern Mexico City suburb. The gorgeous ride takes about a half hour one-way to the edge of the Sierra de Guadalupe mountains.
Cablebús Line 2
Line 2 is the longest urban cable car line in the world at 10.6 kilometers. The line runs through the Iztapalapa district, featuring rooftop murals and views of the Sierra de Santa Catarina volcanoes! This line has a 40 minute travel time one-way.
Cablebús Line 3
The newest line, Line 3 was developed as part of Mexico City’s Chapultepec Forest Project: Nature and Culture with support from UNESCO! The 20 minute line runs through the giant Chapultepec Park (Mexico City’s version of Central Park) and connects to the Santa Fe neighborhood.
🗺️ Get the Mexico City map! I have the starting and ending points for all three lines pinned on my free Mexico City map—plus 40 of my favorite Mexico City restaurants, rooftop bars, neighborhood parks, museums, and more!
Which Cablebús is best for tourists?
All three Cablebús lines feature stunning views—the first line takes you to the urbanized Sierra de Gudaalupe mountains, the second through the Sierra de Santa Catarina volcanoes, and the third through Chapultepec Park.
However, if I were to choose one, I would recommend riding line 2, which is the longest! It’ll take far outside the city center to parts of Mexico City that very few tourists see. Another advantage of taking line 2 is that it starts and ends at Metro lines that easily connect back to other areas of Mexico City.
Although it’s half the distance, line 3 is also a lovely choice as it takes you through scenic Chapultepec Park, which is one of the best places to visit in Mexico City, anyhow! Before or after riding the cable car here, be sure to check out some museums in Chapultepec Park—my favorites include Chapultepec Castle and the Anthropology Museum.
👋🏽 Note from the author: Did this article impact the way you planned your trip? Have any questions? Please comment at the end of the article! It helps this blog grow and helps me know what types of articles to write more. 💛
More Unique Things to do in Mexico City: 21 Mexico City Hidden Gems
The Cablebús is apart of Mexico City’s public transit system. It wasn’t built as a tourist attraction, but to connect working locals across the city!
Getting On and Off
You can get on or off the Mexico City Cablebús at any of the stops. However, if you’d like to get the full CableBus, experience be sure to board at the beginning or end of one of the two lines:
- Indios Verdes Cablebús Stop (Line 1)
- Cuautepec Cablebús Stop (Line 1)
- Constitución de 1917 Stop (Line 2)
- Santa Marta Cablebús Stop (Line 2)
- Vas de Quiroga Stop (Line 3)
- Los Pinos Stop in Chapultepec Park (Line 3
🗺️ Free Mexico City Map: All these stops are pinned on my interactive Google Map of Mexico City for access on-the-go!
You can reach these cable bus stops via Uber, DiDi, or subway. Subway line 3 takes you to Indios Verdes, subway line 8 takes you directly to Constitución de 1917, and subway line A takes you directly to Santa Marta.
What to Expect: Boarding the Gondolas in Mexico City
After paying for your cable car ticket ($7 pesos), you will likely have to wait in a short line to board the cable car.
Boarding happens quickly, so be sure to have your entire group with you and all your belongings secured. A staff member will assist you as you board and will likely ask half of your group to sit on one side, and half on the other side for balance.
When you arrive at other stations in the cable car, don’t get off (unless you need to) and ride the cable car to the last station.
Gliding over Mexico City on the longest cable car route in the world!
Mexico City Cablebús FAQs
Is the Mexico City cable car system safe for tourists?
In general, Mexico City’s cable bus is perfectly safe for tourists. However, it’s important to take the same safety precautions you would when riding in public transportation in any other city.
Don’t wear flashy jewelry, be mindful of people standing close to you, and watch your belongings. And if you plan to get off the Cablebús and explore an unfamiliar neighborhood, be sure to do your research ahead of time.
If you have any safety concerns, I highly recommend booking a Cable Bus tour with a local guide rather than trying to do it on your own.
How many people fit in one cable car?
Each cable car fits up to ten people at a time.
Do you have to ride the cable bus with strangers?
If you are traveling by yourself or with a very small group, you may be asked to ride in a cable car with other people. However, you can always ask to take a car by yourself.
Why did Mexico City’s government implement the Cablebús system?
Mexico City’s aerial tram system was implemented as a public transportation solution for some of the poorest parts of the city. The Cablebús connects communities that don’t have direct access to the metro system, enabling people to shorten their commutes and gain greater access to jobs, education, medical care, and other essential services.
Does Mexico City have a gondola?
Yes! The Cablebús is one of Mexico City’s newest forms of public transportation, featuring the world’s longest gondola routes.
What are the current stops for Cablebús line 1, line 2, and line 3?
Cablebús Line 1 stops include:
- Indios Verdes Cablebús Station
- Ticomán Cablebús Station
- Cablebús La Pastora Station
- Campos Revolución Cablebús Station
- Tlalpexco Cablebús Station
- Cuautepec Cablebús Station
Cablebús Line 2 stops include:
- Constitución de 1917 Station
- Quetzalcoatl Cablebús Station (Mercado D.U. Quetzalcoatl)
- Las Torres Buenavista Cablebús Station
- Xalpa Cablebús Station
- Lomas de la Estancia Cablebús Station
- San Miguel Teotongo Cablebús Station
- Santa Marta Cablebús Station
Cablebús Line 3 stops include:
- Los Pinos Cablebús Station
- Panteón Dolores Cablebús Station
- Cecyt 4 / Lienzo Charro Cablebús Station
- Parque Cri Cri Cablebús Station
- Cineteca National Cablebús Station
- Vasco de Quiroga Cablebús Station
🗺️ Free map with Cablebús stations: The start and end stations for all three lines are pinned on my free Google Map of Mexico City.
Scenes from Mexico City’s gondola, the Cablebús!
Final Thoughts: Riding the Cable Car in Mexico City as a Tourist
I am convinced that these new cable car lines have the best view in all of Mexico City. Whether you’re a first time visitor to Mexico City, or a frequent visitor, I highly recommend taking the Cablebús to see and explore more of this gorgeous metropolis.
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Awesome about the cable car in Mexico City! Haven’t heard of it, and we will do it! Very helpful info here. We will keep reading! Thank you
What about heat or temperatures in the cable cars Are they air conditioned We are from Wales in UK generally cold and wet so not used to even the colder temperatures of Mexico I also suffer with asthma. Love the idea sound interesting and beautiful
If I remember correctly, the Cablebus cars in Mexico City are air conditioned! And if you do visit Mexico City, keep in mind that the temperature can really range throughout the day depending on the time of year. I have a full Mexico City packing guide that goes into more detail on the weather throughout the year and how to pack for it 🙂
Thank you very much for the article. We cruised through line 1 yesterday and your GPS pointers made it possible. We had a great time.
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it 🙂 And hoping you enjoy the rest of your time in CDMX!