Is there Uber in Mexico? (And better options)
When I went to Colombia, I remember drivers would be weary of cops when they were driving Ubers. They would tell me to say that we’re friends if cops pulled us over. It was amusing. But no such shenanigans exist in Mexico. Mostly because there Uber has no restrictions here.
Uber is widely available in Mexico and come with different options ranging from Uber Black to Comfort. Upon landing to airports like Mexico City, you can easily request an Uber to safely transport you to where you are going.
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Ubers, and Rides at the Mexico City Airport
If you’re arriving at the Mexico City airport. You can either request in advance or when you arrive. The Uber driver will meet you at the curbside right outside the baggage claim.
Be mindful that if you stand out as a tourist, you will get many different people flock to you offering to carry your bags. I would advise to say no. They are expecting a cash tip once they either connect you to a ride or whatever it is they help with. And I’m assuming you won’t have cash when you first arrive.
It maybe better to order the Uber as soon as you get to the baggage claim. That way you can jet directly to your Uber when they arrive.
There are other transportation services you can choose from when you land. If you prefer taxis, there are taxi booths around where you can ask for a ticket to the general destination you are going. You then take that ticket outside and another person will greet you and assist you to a taxi.
Costs
So if you’ve just arrived from the airport, the costs will vary depending on the time of day.
For example to get to Condesa from the Mexico City it will cost between $9-$12 USD for a regular Uber. With Uber Blacks ranging $20-$25 USD.
That’s a distance of 9.64 miles with a time of 44 mintues.
If you’re already planted around the city you can expect Ubers to cost you $10 – $11 USD during the day from Santa Fe to Condesa. That’s about a 30 minute ride away.
Uber is Slow to Arrive (Alternatives to Uber)
Sometimes if I’m trying to get somewhere quicker, Uber will take a while longer before they arrive. This is why I like InDriver. It works on a bidding system.
For example, let’s say Uber is going to take 20 minutes to arrive (very rare) no matter how may times you cancel and request. In its place you can use InDriver and pay a little bit more. Usually they will accept your fare and come pick you up first. I’ve seen my wait time for car rides cut within a matter of minutes if I offered a little bit more.
The caveat to do this is that you should already have some local currency handy. You will have to pay the driver cash for this to make sense.
Related Questions
How much to tip Uber Drivers in Mexico City?
Uber will usually suggest an amount. I’ve frequently seen the same recommendations of 10, 20 or 30 pesos. I usually use other and tip a little more. Perhaps 50 pesos which is about $2.50 USD.
Which is better to take, a taxi or Uber in Mexico City?
For someone who doesn’t speak Spanish, it is better to take an Uber. It is often rumored that taxis will take advantage of you if your native language is English.
How safe is Uber in Mexico City?
Uber is generally considered safe. If you’re a female, it’s best practice to share your location or let someone know that you just got into an Uber. I’m an adult male and have never felt unsafe with Uber, even at 3 AM in the morning.
Can I use Uber Eats for delivery?
Uber Eats does work in Mexico City. Like I talk about in my article about if Amazon delivery in Mexico, my preference is use an app called Rappi. It has a lot more options.
