Mexico City - Taxi

Give your children and teenagers a cell phone and record in the memory a few numbers for taxi cab centrals around your neighbourhood. Emphasize that it is NEVER safe to stop any taxi on the street, especially the green taxi cabs which are not properly regulated and whose drivers are not properly screened. The only safe taxis are those you hire inside the airport and those from a neighborhood taxi central, which you have to call to pick you up.

To be on the safe side, if a taxi driver turns aggressive, it is best not to argue with him and find a good reason (even a small lie) to leave the taxi cab as soon as possible.

As soon as one gets into a taxi, the driver should be advised of the destination and the price should be agreed beforehand.  Be aware that taxis in the suburbs and surroundings are usually cheaper than taxis you hire in the City proper. A small tip is always appreciated.

And a common sense rule applies even more strongly in Mexico City: never hitch-hike or pick up hitch-hikers, for any reason.

Recommended Taxi services:

• TaxiMex
  Tel: + 52 (55) 5519 7690
• Servitaxis
  Tel: + 52 (55) 5516 6020
• Servitel
  Tel: + 52 (55) 5751 9261

If you call one of these services, they will ask your name, where you are and sometimes what kind of clothes you are wearing. At the same time, they will tell you what kind of car (make and color) will pick you up, so you know what to expect, since those taxis do not have special colors. Always ask the taxi driver whom he is supposed to pick up, and which service sent him, so you do not to get into the wrong car. Those services charge a little more, but they are well worth it.