Mexico City

Mexico City's metro is one of the world's great urban rail systems — 12 lines, over 195 stations, fares around 5 pesos (roughly 20 pence) per journey. It is fast, frequent, and covers virtually all the major sights: the Zócalo (Zócalo station, Line 2), Chapultepec and the Anthropology Museum (Auditorio station, Line 7), Coyoacán (Viveros station, Line 3). I strongly recommend using it at least once — it is an experience in itself and gives a genuine sense of the city's scale. That said, it can be very crowded during rush hours (7–9am, 6–8pm), and pickpocketing does occur on the busiest lines; keep bags in front of you, phones in pockets. Front carriages are reserved for women and children — a welcome option for families.

The city's bus network is extensive but complex; route information is inconsistent and stops are not always marked clearly. For families, I'd use buses mainly for specific routes you've researched — for example, the Metrobús (Bus Rapid Transit on dedicated lanes) is excellent and user-friendly, with clear route maps and prepaid card ticketing. Lines 1, 4 and 7 cover most tourist corridors. Avoid unmarked minibuses (peseros/combis) unless you know exactly where you're going.

Uber is the easiest option for families in Mexico City and I use it almost exclusively for cross-city journeys and airport runs. It is inexpensive by UK standards, app-based, and avoids any fare negotiation. DiDi is a local competitor that is also reliable and slightly cheaper. Street taxis (sitio taxis from official ranks) are safe; avoid hailing random taxis off the street — this is the main safety advice I give every family visiting the city, as unofficial taxis are associated with robbery. Hotel-ordered taxis are always safe.

Within individual neighbourhoods, Mexico City is surprisingly walkable. The centro histórico, Roma, Condesa, and Coyoacán each reward slow exploration on foot. The altitude (2,240m) catches many visitors off guard — pace yourselves for the first day or two if anyone in your family is not accustomed to altitude. Pavements in the centro histórico and Polanco are generally good; in some areas they are uneven and require attention. The city's pedestrianised streets (calles peatonales) in the centro are genuinely pleasant to walk.

Mexico City has invested heavily in cycling infrastructure. The ECOBICI bike-share scheme operates across the central neighbourhoods (Roma, Condesa, Polanco, centro) with 480+ stations. A weekly tourist pass is very affordable and covers unlimited 45-minute rides. The separated cycle lanes (ciclovías) along Reforma and through Condesa are well-maintained and genuinely safe. Sunday mornings the main avenues close to motor traffic entirely (Paseo de la Reforma becomes a car-free cycling and walking route) — a highlight for active families.

I recommend a minimum of five full days for a first family visit — this allows a day in the centro histórico (Zócalo, Templo Mayor, National Palace), a morning at Chapultepec and the Anthropology Museum, a day in Coyoacán (Frida Kahlo Museum and market), a morning at Xochimilco, and a free afternoon for wandering Roma or Condesa. Seven days is better if you want to avoid the feeling of rushing.

Broadly yes, with sensible precautions. Stay in Roma, Condesa, Polanco, or the centro histórico; use Uber or DiDi rather than hailing taxis off the street; apply standard big-city awareness in crowded places. Millions of foreign families visit every year without incident. The neighbourhoods recommended for tourists are genuinely pleasant and well-monitored.

The Historic Centre and Xochimilco are among the best UNESCO sites in the world for teenagers, in my experience. The Templo Mayor is not a distant ruin or a dry exhibit — it is an excavated Aztec ceremonial complex in the middle of a living city, with a superb adjacent museum explaining the culture in depth. Teenagers who engage with the question "how did the Spanish build a cathedral literally on top of an Aztec temple?" tend to find it stays with them. Xochimilco is more experiential — the boat ride and floating gardens appeal across all ages.

Uber is the easiest option: open the app at arrivals, the journey to Roma or the centro takes 20–40 minutes depending on traffic, and the fare will be a fraction of London airport taxis. The Metro (Line 5, Terminal Aérea station inside the terminal) is very cheap and faster if you travel light and avoid rush hour. Avoid unofficial taxi offers inside the terminal.

October to December is the sweet spot for UK families: the rainy season is ending, air quality is excellent, temperatures are pleasant (15–22°C during the day), and late October brings the extraordinary Día de los Muertos celebrations — one of the most moving cultural events in the world and perfectly appropriate for older children and teenagers. March is also excellent if you travel outside Mexican school holidays (Semana Santa in late March/April brings very high prices and domestic crowds).

In my experience, yes — though the range of chilli heat varies and it is worth asking "¿es picante?" (is it spicy?) before ordering for younger children. Quesadillas (cheese-filled folded tortillas), arroz con leche, tamales, and most market soups are mild and universally liked. Tacos al pastor is a crowd-pleaser across all ages. The food markets are excellent for letting everyone choose their own, which helps with fussy eaters.

A basic knowledge of Spanish helps and is warmly received, but it is not essential in the tourist areas. In hotels, Ubers, major museums, and the restaurants of Roma and Condesa, English is widely understood. In markets and smaller taquería stands, a few Spanish phrases (plus pointing and numbers) go a long way. Teenagers who have done GCSE Spanish will find plenty of opportunities to practise and will likely surprise themselves.

The main gateway is Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX), located around 13 km east of the city centre. Direct flights from London Heathrow operate with British Airways and Aeromexico; journey time is approximately 11–12 hours. Fares from London typically range ~£500–£900 return per adult in economy, depending on season and how early you book; expect to pay more during school holidays. From the airport, the Metro Line 5 connects to the city centre (the Terminal Aérea stop is inside the terminal) — fast, cheap, and a good introduction to the system, though with luggage it can be cramped during peak hours. Taxis and Uber are both available from the airport; Uber is generally cheaper and avoids negotiation. Agree any taxi fare before getting in, or use the official taxi counters inside arrivals.

A newer option is Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU), around 50 km north of the city, opened in 2022. A dedicated suburban rail line (the Tren Suburbano) connects it to Buenavista station in under an hour. Some airlines have shifted routes here, so check which airport your flight serves before booking onward transport.

If you are combining Mexico City with other Mexican destinations, the long-distance bus network is excellent. TAPO (Terminal de Autobuses de Pasajeros de Oriente) and Terminal Norte are the two main bus terminals, both connected to the metro. ADO and ETN operate comfortable first-class services to Oaxaca (~6 hours), Puebla (~2 hours), and beyond. Families travelling from Cancún or the Yucatán who want to avoid a return flight may find the bus a practical option for one leg.