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There’s a new attraction in Mexico City and it’s…public transportation! It’s the CDMX Cablebús.
Hop on one of the new blue cable cars and glide gently over CDMX’s outer neighborhoods. You will catch a glimpse of everyday life buzzing below and admire amazing views of the sprawling metropolis that is Mexico City. If you are lucky (and it’s not too hazy), you might even catch a glimpse of the mighty Popocatépetl spewing its ashy volcanic clouds over neighboring towns.
The Sistema de Transporte Público Cablebús—just known as Cablebús (pronounced ka-blay-BOOS)—is Mexico City’s latest public transportation venture, providing a safer and faster connection to downtown for the city’s outer neighborhoods. They say the Cablebús has cut the average commute time in half for residents going to work downtown, shaving an hour off people’s daily commute.
And, while it wasn’t built for tourists, for a mere MX$7 you can hop on and enjoy the ride!
Read on to learn about the Cablebús, and how you can plan your own Cablebús adventure on your next trip to Mexico City.
History of the Mexico City Cablebús
The Cablebús system was launched in 2021 to connect residents of the outer, hilly, (typically poorer) neighborhoods with downtown. This new, cleaner, greener form of transportation has greatly reduced the amount of time and energy residents spend getting up and down the hills. Riders we spoke to also report that it is much safer than riding the microbuses down below, where they say you are prone to get robbed.
Cable cars as public transportation are gaining in popularity around the world. Other examples are in Medellín, La Paz, and actually, just next door with the Mexicable system in the state of Mexico (connecting to the CDMX metro at Indios Verdes).
Compared to other forms of transportation, cable cars are more energy efficient, less costly to construct and can be installed more easily in densely populated areas with existing infrastructure. And of course, all you skiers will know that cable cars are born to carry people up and over hills.
There are currently two Cablebús lines (Linea 1 and Linea 2) in Mexico City, with plans and construction in the works for more lines in the near future. Both lines were built under contract with seasoned cable car (or ropeway) companies, including Doppelmayr (Linea 1) and Leitner (Linea 2).
Fun fact: Lance Wyman, the American designer of the original Mexico City Metro font and signage system, was recruited to design the Cablebús logo and the pictograph logos for the new Cablebús stations. So in addition to connecting seamlessly with the Metro system, the Cablebús visuals also blend right in!
Learn more about Lance Wyman at the Mexico City Metro Museum.
How to Ride the Cablebús
If you have ever been on a ski gondola, the Cablebús will feel like home. It’s exactly the same technology and setup…but without the snow and clunky ski gear.
How to Pay
First, use your Metrocard to pay the MX$7 fare at the Cablebús station of your choice.
Then file into the line with all the commuters.
Getting on the Cablebús
A typically cheery, but occasionally grumpy, lady (usually) managing the line will direct you into the next available cabin. She will shout out the number of people that she needs to jump into the slowly moving cabin.
Despite what other sites have said, she does not take kindly when you try to resist her commands so that you can get into a car with fewer people, or all to yourself. (Your mileage may vary.)
Each car seats 10 people, and unless there is really no one around, she expects to fill it with 8-10 people, carefully balanced throughout the car.
We found that the cabin was generally full starting at the first stop but gradually emptied out, with few new people getting on.
Enjoy the Ride
Once the doors close and the Cablebús zips out of the station, you are free!
It is suddenly peaceful and much quieter as you float effortlessly over the city. While the Cablebús regulars sit there calmly, focused on their phones or just relaxing after a long day, you will be itching to look out of every window in every direction to absorb the new sights.
You will want to get up and take pictures through the tiny slits of open windows (hold on to that phone!). I can’t stop you. I did it myself. Enjoy! Just make sure to respect the other riders and keep the car balanced.
Getting Off the Cablebús
When you have had enough of your aerial adventure (or you have reached the end of line), simple step out of the slowly moving cabin and into your destination station.
If you are doing a round trip, you can just hop off and then back on a gondola going back the way you came, for no extra charge. Note that I have not tried just staying on the gondola at the end of the line to loop around, but I imagine they would let you do it (though probably only after yelling at you to get off). Let me know if you try it.
Avoiding Rush Hour
Given that this is regular people’s actual transportation, you should avoid riding on weekdays between 7am and 10am (into downtown), and again between 5 pm and 8 pm (out of downtown). It will be a better experience for you and your fellow riders!
How to Choose: Linea 1 vs. Linea 2
The word on the street is that views from both lines are beautiful, but that Linea 2 is the better choice.
Having ridden both Cablebús lines, I can confirm that Linea 2 has a slight edge.
First of all, Linea 2 floats immediately over neighborhoods, whereas Linea 1’s first leg stretches directly over a major roadway (not as peaceful).
Secondly, the lovely residents of Linea 2’s Itzapalapa have taken it upon themselves to paint beautiful and meaningful murals on their roofs.
Finally, Linea 2 offers better views of surrounding volcanoes, and top notch views of smoking hot Popocatépetl, Mexico’s favorite volcano.
Buuut, Linea 2 takes a bit longer and you have to change cars mid-stream.
That said, both lines have something to offer. And you can spot at least one airplane nestled into the neighborhood on either line! And one route might simply fit into your itinerary better. So you can’t go wrong either way.
Read on for details on both lines to help you make your decision. (The Mexico City government website actually has really good information on Cablebús Linea 1 and Cablebús Linea 2, describing things to see and do at each station, but it’s a separate page for each stop.)
Linea 1: Indios Verdes to Cuatepec or Tlapexco (splits at Campos Revolución)
Cablebús Linea 1 starts from Indios Verdes, one of the northernmost Metro stops, and heads even further north through the Sierra de Guadalupe to the neighborhoods of Cuatepec and Tlapexco. It takes about 30 minutes one way, end to end.
Station Information
There are six stations on Cablebús Linea 1, going from south to north:
- Indios Verdes
- Ticoman
- La Pastora
- Campos Revolución
- Cuautepec
- Tlalpexco
Read on for what to expect at each station. The official Mexico City government website provides really good information on the Cablebus (in English!).
Indios Verdes
You will most likely get on the Cablebús at Indios Verdes, a major Metro terminus. Exit the Metro at the southernmost exit, and follow signs to the Cablebús at exit J. You will have to do a quick u-turn at the top of the stairs and walk through the market to get to the Cablebús entrance. It’s pretty straightforward.
Once you get on the gondola, there is a beautiful mural to send you off on your way.
Look down below for the airplanes on the left (part of the Polytechnic Institute)!
The station symbol is the same as the Metro station symbol: Indios Verdes, or Green Indians, referring to two bronze statues depicting depict the Mexica Tlatoani (Kings), Itzcóatl and Ahuizotl, located in Mestizaje Park.
Ticoman
After cruising quietly above Calzada Ticoman and much of the Politécnico (IPN) campus, for about 7 minutes, you will arrive at Ticoman station. Most people getting off here will be going to the IPN. If you are into it, the Geology and Paleontology Museum is at this stop, so hop off. Otherwise, let’s keep going!
The station symbol depicts a clay figurine of an ancient ball game player, based on an actual figurine found in the area (now in the Anthropology Museum).
La Pastora
By the time you get to La Pastora (about 8 minutes later), you are getting closer to the Cerro del Chiquihuite, now famous for its bedazzling with towering TV transmitters. The area has a rich history of human settlements and freshwater springs. Still no need to get off here unless you have friends to visit.
The station symbol illustrates a sheep, representing this areas past as a pasture for sheep grazing.
Campos Revolución
When you get to Campos Revolución, you have a decision to make: stay on and head to Tlalpexco, transfer to Cuautepec, get off and explore the neighborhood, or get off and head right back to Indios Verdes (you have been on the Cablebús for about 20 minutes now).
If you exit the station here, you will be treated to an array of vochos for hire, and supposedly some good eats!
The station symbol of a football is a nod to the sports fields at this stop.
Cuautepec
This is one of the ends of the line! If you are not in a hurry, why not exit the station and walk around? Take in the views, explore the town center a mere five minutes away, check out the Cuautepec graveyard, and head towards the Mercado Cuautepec. At this point, you are halfway back to Campos Revolucion, so might as well keep going, and hop back on the Cablebús.
The station symbol represents an eagle above a hill, a nod to the Nahuatl origin of the name Cuautepec (Cuautli= eagle and tepetl = mount or hill).
Tlalpexco
Some might argue that the Tlalpexco station offers the most magnificent views. You be the judge! There are new businesses popping up in the area as a result of the Cablebús, so you can support them as you take in the views. The brave might want to venture out for a little hike up the mountains along the border with Mexico City and Mexico State.
The station symbol depicts the Cerro del Chiquihuite in all its telecommunications tower glory.
Is it worth it to ride Cablebús Linea 1?
My favorite parts of riding Cablebús Linea 1 were seeing the dazzling explosion of purple jacaranda trees sprinkled through the neighborhoods, spotting the infamous “vochos” (old VW bugs) below, admiring the coordinated painting of homes rising up the edge of the mountain, and trying to make out the downtown skyline in a shimmering haze.
Linea 2: Constitución de 1917 to Santa Marta
Cablebús Linea 2 was built by Leitner (a reputable Italian cablecar company), and opened in August of 2021. Its average speed is 20 kmh (12 mph) and it takes about 45 minutes to go from end to end.
It connects the neighborhood of Iztapalapa in the southeastern corner of Mexico City, with the Metro system. The Iztapalapa district comprises 15 different settlements and has almost 2 million residents.
Cablebús Linea 2 really delivers on the mountain views as you cruise past the Sierra de Santa Catarina, a chain of extinct volcanoes. On a clear day you can even spot Popocatépetl!
Station Information
There are seven stations on Cablebús Linea 2, going from west to east.
- Constitución de 1917
- Quetzalcoatl
- Las Torres Buenavista
- Xalpa
- Lomas de la Estancia
- San Miguel Teotongo
- Santa Marta
Read on for what to expect at each station. The official Mexico City government website provides really good information on the Cablebus (in English!).
Constitución de 1917
You can catch the Linea 8 Metro to Constitución de 1917 and make an easy connection across a bridge to the Cablebús. Don’t forget to check out the cool murals along the street!
You’ll barely be out of the station when you start noticing the brightly colored murals on the rooftops of the homes below. You are in for a ride!
The station symbol is the same as is the same as the Metro station symbol for Constitución de 1917. It represents, quite aptly, the 1917 signing of the Mexico Constitution, which codified the laws established during the Mexican Revolution and asserted the rights “to secular and free public education, land tenure, private property, industrial and labor relations, and separations of the Catholic Church, and other religions from the State” (per the Metro website).
Quetzalcoatl
The Quetzalcoatl station was built right on top of the Mercado Quetzalcoatl. This new mixed-use structure replaced a long-standing tianguis (market) that was always the heart of the neighborhood.
As you head out of the Quetzalcoatl station towards Las Torres Buenavista, look down below on the left for an airplane…it’s actually a library!
The station symbol depicts the classic Teotihuacan rendition of the plumed serpent god Quetzalcoatl.
Las Torres Buenavista
Las Torres Buenavista is named for the prominent high-voltage towers that run across the area, following the Avenida de las Torres. These towers actually presented a design and engineering challenge, as the cable car had to cross past them.
From here on out, the mountain views are really starting to get good!
The station symbol, not so subtly, depicts the high-voltage towers that the stop is named after.
Xalpa
We are at the hafway point!
I’m not quite sure why the design worked out this way, but everyone has to get out at Xalpa and change cars (or exit). It’s no big deal, just hop out, and shimmy into the line to hop onto another car on another cable, just a few meters away.
The station is named after the sprawling Xalpa neighborhood, which one thrived on the mineral extraction of sand (Xalpa means “on the sand”).
The station symbol represents the anolis porcatus, or False Chameleon, a color-changing lizard (but not part of the chameleon family) which used to call this area home.
Lomas de la Estancia
On the trip between Xalpa and Lomas de la Estancia, you won’t know where to look. Do I admire the colorful homes, or ogle the beautiful volcanic landscape? You can have it all!
The station symbol is a reference to one of the more popular names of the Tetlalmanche Volcano: Cerro de la Tortuga (Turtle Hill).
San Miguel Teotongo
If you want to get off the Cablebús and explore, this might be the stop for you. On Sundays, a community market near the Cablebús spreads for several blocks. You can get a real small-town feel in this hillside community in the big city.
The Community Museum of San Miguel Teotongo is apparenly also worth a visit (although I have not visited it myself).
The station symbol represents the sun, and is based on a golden pectoral shield, hovering above the pyramid of Monte Alban. These symbols are from the Oaxaca area, as indeed are many of the Chocholtec people who migrated to this neighborhood from Oaxaca in the 1970s.
Santa Marta
If you look to the right as you float from San Miguel Teotongo to Santa Marta, you will have your best chance of Popocatépetl views.
Other than that, prepare for the end of your Cablebús ride, as you coast into the more modern neighborhood of Santa Marta. If you pay attention, you might just spot another airplane converted into a library. Seriously, how are they transporting all these airplanes into these small neighborhoods?!?
Once you get into Santa Marta, you can hop off and connect to Metro Linea A…or hop off and hop back for the trip back to Constitución de 1917.
The station symbol is the same as is the same as the Metro station symbol for Santa Marta. It represents Santa Marta, the patron saint of the ancient town of Acatitla, and the patron saint of cooks!
Is it worth it to ride Cablebús Linea 2?
I had so many favorite parts of riding Linea 2. First of all, it was so quiet and peaceful just coasting over the colorful homes below, while trying to make out the downtown CDMX skyline through the haze. Then you start to spot the roof murals! There are quite a few murals making a statement against violence against women, but also some fun ones with animals and other figures. Then as the cable car goes higher and higher, you start to gawk at the beautiful mountains cupping Mexico City in their grasp. Then you spot Popo! And he’s spewing his ashes all over the place! What a ride.
Best Time of Day to Ride the Cablebús
Pre-sunset (around 5pm) is a great time to hop on either Cablebús line. You will have great late afternoon light hitting the colorful homes on the hills. And if you do a round-trip, you can catch the sunset on the way back.
To be honest, I haven’t tried any other times, but this seemed to be the sweet spot, so I recommend it.
Just note that I rode the Cablebús on weekends, so that 5pm was not especially busy. It will be a lot busier at that time on a weekday, so you might want to plan your visit for a weekend.
How Much Does the Cablebús Cost?
Just tap in with your Metrocard, and the Cablebús costs a mere MX$7. Not bad for a 45-minute ride! Or 1.5 hour ride if you double back without exiting the Cablebús station.
Final Thoughts
So, is it worth it to ride the Cablebús? Absolutely, 100 percent yes!
It does take a bit of time out of your day (expect to spend 3-4 hours getting there and back and riding the Cablebús), so it might not make it into the itinerary for your first visit to Mexico City.
But if you can fit it in, it’s an incredibly peaceful experience, floating over brightly painted communities and admiring the entire Mexico City valley, peppered with volcanoes, and blanketed in a light coat of smog.
