Mexico - Safe Taxi Rental at MEX

Will be arriving Mexico City June 25 on AA from DFW. Going to Sheraton Centro Historico for two nights. Should I reserve car or taxi through hotel services or take regular cab from airport? Is it possible to pre-pay taxi before exiting airport? Any particular company should I favor. What is customary tipping rate? Would subway be a safe experience with minimal baggage? Will appreciate any assistance. Haven't visited the city in 35 years other than in changing planes. Thanks!

Will be arriving Mexico City June 25 on AA from DFW. Going to Sheraton Centro Historico for two nights. Should I reserve car or taxi through hotel services or take regular cab from airport? Is it possible to pre-pay taxi before exiting airport? Any particular company should I favor. What is customary tipping rate? Would subway be a safe experience with minimal baggage? Will appreciate any assistance. Haven't visited the city in 35 years other than in changing planes. Thanks!

You can prepay for a taxi at a booth. Your guidebook can probably tell you the names, as I've forgotten. Your guidebook can probably tell you about tipping, but my recollection is not to tip unless the driver gives you special assistance.

I know people have taken the metro from the airport. The thing I didn't like about that idea is that you have to make multiple line changes. I think the nearest metro station to Sheraton Centro Historico may be Bellas Artes, and that's probably a 3-block walk. (It's possible there's a nearer one I'm not remembering.)

At the time I went, the taxi price was the equivalent of about $10 USD, which seemed quite worth it.

I would not using the metro unless you know Mexico City very well.

As for taxis, use only Radio Taxis at the airport. Upon arrival at MEX ask your airline to show you where to go. Stay away from all other taxis. Tipping drivers is not need unless they do something extra special.

Enjoy your trip.

I would not using the metro unless you know Mexico City very well.

As for taxis, use only Radio Taxis at the airport. Upon arrival at MEX ask your airline to show you where to go. Stay away from all other taxis. Tipping drivers is not need unless they do something extra special.

Enjoy your trip.

How can I be sure I have a "Radio Taxi" upon leaving terminal? Can I purchase a fare/ticket for the radio taxi within the terminal or is there a special line outside? Will be arriving on AA but will not know where to find an AA employee who will know this information. I definitely will not use metro until I have studied map at hotel (Sheraton Maria Isabella or Centro Historico). I guess I might consider metro on return to airport IF there are few changes involved. I will only be carrying one small bag. What do you think?:eek:

As WillTravel mentioned in a previous post you can prepay your taxi at a booth in the airport. You'll then be directed to the company's queue and you're on your way. If you need a taxi at your hotel, ask your doorman to get you a radio taxi. If you need a taxi while out and about, say at a restaurant, ask the restaurant to call you a cab.

The airport's website's taxi page (http://www.aicm.com.mx/PublicacionHome_en.php?Publicacion=11&seccion=4) will tell you all about the authorized cabs including fares - they are all yellow/white with a black airplane symbol painted on them. In other words, you can't miss or mistake them. All other cabs are not authorized to pick-up passengers from the terminals (but they can drop off people going to the airport.) You may get solicited in the arrivals area, but you can just say 'no thanks'. IIRC you can buy your ticket in the baggage claim area; there used to be taxi booths there as well as currency exchange places.

Do not hire a cab off the street - always take a 'sitio' taxi, i.e., a radio taxi.

Taking the subway is cheap ($2 - and $ is the peso sign ;)), but from international arrivals in T1 it is a hike to the station, and it requires 2 line changes to get to the Sheraton. However, it is easy to use - just like any other subway system. Be prepared for crowds, pickpockets, and hawkers selling everything under the sun, though.

Either my driver or the guy who got me the taxi outside the airport asked me for money, I don't remember (I was sick when I arrived), but I handed him 10 or 20 pesos and was done with it. I'm so used to tipping taxis in the U.S. that I think I did give taxi drivers a tip in Mexico City, but usually 10 or 20 pesos, or just rounded up the cost.

The taxis at the Centro Historico were expensive, but worth piece of mind. I did get cabs twice off the street (once in front of the hotel and once in Zona Rosa) and everything was perfectly fine (and cheap). My friends in Mexico City always went to a taxi stand (sitio) to get a cab.

Bob'syourUncle and El Cochinito given good advice. Follow it and all will be OK.

Good luck

Thanks to "Bob'sYourUncle" for the link to the Mexico City Airport. It contains some valuable information on using ground transportation and quotes prices within city zones. Muchas gracias!!

Hi,

I arrive at MEX from the US almost every month. When you come out of International Arrivals (you will be arriving at Terminal 1 if you are coming on AA), turn right and head to the very end of the airport terminal. Next to the glass doors leading out of the terminal at the end of it, you will see a sign marking it as Door 10.

Exit through those doors and immediately to your left you will see a booth for the taxis. That is where you prepay your taxi. Just tell them where you are going. As the link provided above for the airport taxis states, you will be quoted a fixed price based on your destination and which Zone it falls into.

You may pay with a credit card (even AMEX). They will then give you a ticket. Walk to the front of the taxi line (you can't miss it), and a person will tell you which taxi to get into. You do not tip in Mexico.

Good luck. I am a sole female traveler and never have any concerns or complaints about the yellow/white airport taxis. There is no need to pay for a hotel car. I did that once and had to walk with the driver who met me at arrivals into the parking garage to get the car (and this was the Four Seasons hotel transportation!).

I would not take the metro unless you want that particular experience and you have no luggage.

Thanks to everyone for your assistance. I ended up booking through Grayline for $15 each way and will have someone meeting me inside the terminal who will escort me to his shuttle. I know I'm paying a small premium for the service, but I am a real "worry-wart" and this eases the anxiety. I foresee future trips in the year, so later in 2009will use the cheaper methodology as my familiarity with MEX increases. Again, thanks to all!!!

Thanks to everyone for your assistance. I ended up booking through Grayline for $15 each way and will have someone meeting me inside the terminal who will escort me to his shuttle. I know I'm paying a small premium for the service, but I am a real "worry-wart" and this eases the anxiety. I foresee future trips in the year, so later in 2009will use the cheaper methodology as my familiarity with MEX increases. Again, thanks to all!!!
Have to report that Grayline was remarkably efficient in getting me to and from my hotel destinations in Mexico City. I was quite delayed upon arrival because of extra security checks - first time in over 50 trips to Mexico. The security officer spotted a "suspicious" item in my luggage. Turned out to be a malicious red apple. After a stern lecture on not bringing fruit into Mexico, I was released. Nevertheless the 30 minute delay, there were two gentlemen waiting outside security with a large sign with my name printed on a placard. One of them escorted me to my driver. I was the only passenger in a new Dodge sedan. Same gentleman met me at the Maria Isabella on return, introduced himself in the hotel lobby, and drove me, again singly, to the airport. For $30 plus tip I consider this a great value in an ultra safe environment. Hats off to Grayline! Ole!!!