Go Off The Beaten Path with Mexico City’s Cablebús Tour
You’ve only got so many days in Mexico City. Should you really spend half a day riding a cable car?
If you’re craving local Mexico City life—less seeing the city through an Uber window, more tacos-in-a-market-with-no-other-tourists-in-sight—then yes, you definitely should.
Mexico City’s Cablebús is safe, fun, and gives you a glimpse of CDMX and neighborhoods most travelers never see.
I’ve lived in Mexico City since 2018, use public transport all the time, and I was surprised by how much I learned and took away from this tour, so I just know you’re gonna love it.
It’s local, off the beaten path, and perfect for the adventurous traveler.
Think sweeping views, colorful street art, public transit lessons you’ll actually use, and delicious tacos de carnitas from the market.
🚡Want to see a side of CDMX most tourists miss? Reserve your spot on the Cablebús tour here.
Why I Was Hesitant to Take a Cablebús Tour
I’ll be honest—I was hesitant to take this tour at first.
The idea of turning a public cable car into a tourist attraction felt… weird.
Line 2 passes over Iztapalapa, one of the most densely populated (and often stigmatized) areas of the city.
It’s not a place most tourists visit, and I didn’t want to feel like I was gawking at people’s everyday lives from above.
There’s a fine line between curiosity and intrusiveness, and I wasn’t sure where this tour fell.
But after hearing so many other travelers say it was a highlight of their trip, I figured it was worth seeing for myself.
I wanted to find out if this tour was something I could genuinely recommend to readers who want to explore responsibly and go deeper than the typical Roma-Condesa-Chapultepec-Centro circuit.
And honestly? I was surprised by how awesome it was.
It felt way more thoughtful and culturally enriching than I expected, and it gave me a better understanding of a part of the city most tourists (and locals!) never get to see.
We went after rush-hour so it wasn’t busy and I didn’t feel like we were taking a seat from a local commuter. Plus, having a local guide made sure we explored responsibly.
🚡Get a deeper understanding of CDMX and see what life is like outside of Roma-Condesa. Ride the Cablebús to Iztapalapa.
Why Go With a Tour Instead of Flying Solo
Even though I’ve lived in Mexico City for 7 years now, use public transport like EcoBici and the Metro regularly, and have ridden Line 3 of the Cablebús on my own, I wouldn’t do Line 2 solo.
If you want to ride the CableBús in Mexico City by yourself, take Line 3 over Chapultepec Park.
But Line 2? You’ll have the best experience with a guide.
This route takes you through Iztapalapa, which isn’t the kind of place you just wander into without knowing where you’re going.
It’s a deeply local part of the city, and while it’s full of culture and color, it also has its challenges and a reputation that makes even locals nervous (my boyfriend included).
But having a local guide like Fernando made all the difference.
Not only did I feel completely safe the entire time, but I also learned way more than I would’ve just riding the cable car on my own.
Fernando gave context to the murals we saw, explained how the Cablebús has benefited the community, and pointed out things I never would’ve known to look for.
It felt more like hanging out with a knowledgeable local friend than being on a formal tour.
Sure, it’s much cheaper to pay the $7 pesos and go on your own, but for around $45 USD, you get the full experience while supporting a local guide.
🚡 Skip the tourist trail—soar over vibrant Iztapalapa, eat market-fresh tacos, and see a side of CDMX most visitors never do. Save your seat here.
Cablebús Tour Itinerary
9:30 a.m. – Meet in Centro Histórico
9:45 a.m. – Public Transport Crash Course
10:00 a.m. – Metro Ride to Iztapalapa
10:30 a.m. – Street Art, Statues, and City Hall Mural
11:00 a.m. – First Cablebús Ride
11:30 a.m. – Visit to a (Unique) Local Community Center
12:00 p.m. – Market Stop + Tacos de Carnitas
12:30 p.m. – Final Cablebús Ride to the End of the Line
1:00 p.m. – Metro Ride Back to Centro Histórico
Who This Tour Is For
✅ You want to go beyond the usual tourist highlights and see a different side of the city.
✅ You’ve got more time in your itinerary or you’ve been to Mexico City before and want something off-the-beaten-path.
✅ You prefer immersive, meaningful travel over polished, tourist stops.
✅ You’d love for a local to show you how to use public transport so you feel confident navigating the city on your own.
🚡Ready to float over CDMX on the world’s longest cable car line? Let’s go!
Who This Tour Is NOT For
🚫 You’re on your first trip to Mexico City and only have a couple of days (focus on the must-see highlights this time around).
🚫 You’re not comfortable with stairs, lots of walking (10,000+ steps), or being on your feet for long stretches.
🚫 You get anxious in cable cars or crowded metro stations.
🚫 You’re only interested in the polished, Instagram-perfect side of Mexico City.
Is the Cablebús Tour Worth It?
Yes! I couldn’t wait to recommend this tour to other travelers before it was even over.
This is the tour that lets you experience Mexico City more like a local—even if you’re only here for a few days.
It combines everything that helped me dive deep into the city when I first arrived years ago: riding public transport, walking through everyday neighborhoods, eating tacos in a busy market.
When I first came to the city, I had two months to slowly figure all that out while volunteering at a hostel.
But this tour fast-tracks it.
In just an afternoon, you get a feel for how the city works, how to move through it, and how to explore with confidence—all with a local guide showing you the ropes.
Fernando made the whole experience feel personal and approachable, like you were being shown around by a friend who genuinely loves his city.
If you’re an adventurous traveler who wants to go off the beaten path in a way that’s safe, insightful, and actually useful for the rest of your trip, I’d 100% recommend this tour.
It’s also one of the more affordable tours in Mexico City (around $45 USD when I went), which made it an easy yes for me.
👉See CDMX through local eyes, not Instagram filters—learn the transport system, meet the neighborhood, and savor that carnitas stop. 🌮
How to Book It
I booked the tour through Viator. I think Fernando also has the tour listed on AirBnb Experiences, but I always book through Viator when I can.
Their cancellation policy is super flexible (great if you’re the type who likes to keep your options open), and you earn credit every time you book, which you can put toward future tours.
That’s actually how I paid for this one—using credit I earned from a hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacán I booked earlier in the year for my 30th birthday!
👉Get flexible cancellation and earn points to use towards future tours when you book with Viator.
Tips & Things to Remember
⏰ Give yourself extra time to get to the meeting point—CDMX traffic is no joke.
☕️ Eat breakfast beforehand. The tour includes 1 taco at around noon, but if you’re a big eater (like me!), you’ll likely be hungry.
🧼 Bring hand sanitizer and wash your hands in the market before eating your taco. Out of our group of 6, I was the only one to wash my hands before we ate…and people wonder why they get Moctezuma’s revenge!?
👟 Wear comfy shoes—you’ll be walking a lot (I clocked over 10,000 steps).
👖 Dress modestly—this isn’t Roma or Condesa. Wear long pants if you want to be more discreet.
FAQs
Is the Cablebús Tour safe for solo-travelers?
Yes! I went solo and felt totally safe the entire time. Having a local guide makes all the difference—especially in a neighborhood like Iztapalapa, which you really shouldn’t explore alone.
Do I need to speak Spanish to take this tour?
Nope. The tour is in English, and Fernando explains everything clearly. Spanish definitely isn’t required.
How long is the tour?
The tour is about four hours total. It starts at 9:30 a.m. in Centro Histórico and ends around 1:30 p.m. at a different spot in Centro not too far from the Zocalo.
What’s included in the tour?
The tour includes a guided walk through Iztapalapa, all your metro and Cablebús rides, and one taco de carnitas from a local market stall.
Do I need to bring anything?
Comfy shoes, a bottle of water, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer. (Seriously—bring the hand sanitizer.)
Need Help Planning Your Trip?
This tour is one of the best ways to experience a lesser-known side of Mexico City.
It’s fun, informative, and gives you a deeper, more local feel for the city—all in just a few hours.
Want more insider tips and local recs like this?
Join my free Facebook group — Mexico City Things to Do 💚
It’s a friendly space (no internet trolls allowed) where I share recommendations, answer your questions, and help you plan an unforgettable trip.
Whether you’re visiting for a few days or a few months, you’ll find a like-minded community of travelers who want to experience the real CDMX.
