Mexico City Travel Guide (Mexico City, Mexico)

unprepared in the vastness of Mexico City may seem daunting, but in fact it's not hard to get into the centre, or to a hotel, from any of the major points of arrival. The only problem is likely to be hauling large items of luggage through the invariable crowds - take a taxi if you are at all heavily laden. The airport and all four major bus terminals have a system of authorized taxis designed to avoid rip-offs, particularly prevalent at the airport where people will offer rides at anything up to ten times the going rate to unsuspecting newcomers. The authorized system is the same wherever it operates from - you'll find a large map of the city marked out in zones, with a standard, set fare for each; you pick where you're going, buy a ticket at the booth, then walk outside and present the ticket to one of the waiting cabs. One ticket is good for up to four people to one destination. The driver may drop you a block or two from your hotel rather than take a major detour through the one-way systems (best to accept this unless it's very late at night), and he may demand a large tip, which you're in no way obliged to pay. Most hotels are used to late arrivals, so don't be overly concerned if your flight gets in late at night, though it would be wise to have somewhere booked in advance for your first night.