In 2023, one of our drivers took two hours to get from Roma to the Zócalo — only to find that the last two blocks were pedestrianized (and the GPS useless). Now we plan ahead. Navigating Mexico City during Día de Muertos is not just a commute. It is a festive nightmare with road closures, a million people, and impromptu marigold parades.
As the owner of Mexico-City-Private-Driver.com, I have experienced the madness of transport during these magical days. Below is the ultimate guide to getting around Mexico City for Día de Muertos in 2025 (right, who knows how many passes we are going to get). Consider, this is one of major events in Mexico City, as our Mexico City Grand Prix Race.
🚨 Important Dates to Consider:
- Thursday, Oct 30 to Sunday, Nov 2, 2025 = the core days of celebration
- Saturday, Nov 1 = Cemetery vigils will be underway (especially in Mixquic)
- Sunday, Nov 2 = Grand Parade will transpire on Reforma and into the Zócalo
Do not expect to escape massive crowds and detours from Oct 30 – Nov 2. Public transport will also be packed during these events, especially on Sunday.
🚗 Option 1: Private Driver (aka: your new best friend or new worst nightmare)
Good Points:
- Door-to-door service (most of the time – when available)
- Local driver will know alternate routes
- Pricing is under your control (no surge fares)
Bad Points:
- Road closures can also mean pickup or drop-offs may take up to 30 – 60 minutes, or longer
- Many pickup/drop-off points may be moved from the proposed location by 3-5 blocks away
- When you try to access the Centro Histórico, you are stuck
Real Story: One of our guests in 2024 had a dinner reservation at a rooftop restaurant near the Cathedral at 4:30 p.m. We dropped them off 2 hours earlier in Alameda. They made their way on foot – but they made it. By providing emergency WhatsApp support and giving them live updates, we moved them along the parade route block by block.
Pro Tip: Only book private service if you are outside Centro, Reforma or Mixquic during peak hours.
🚇 Option 2: Public Transit
Metro
Pros: Fast, cheap (5 MXN each trip), mostly underground and unaffected by crowds. Cons: Highly crowded in the parade zones.
- Stations will be closed temporarily around the parade, including Zócalo, Hidalgo, and Bellas Artes.
- Extended Hours: Metro will often run until midnight or until the last people have left on event days.
- Bicycles: Allowed after 10 pm
Metrobús
Pros: Exclusive lanes and connects the major neighborhoods. Cons: The parade will shut down many of the stations on Lines 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7.
RTP, Trolebús, Light-rail
Reliable enough, they just aren’t as glamorous of a ride. They often have delays, but they run. Shuttle services are added in to areas like Mixquic.
Local Survival Tip: If you plan on visiting the cemetery in Mixquic, either do it on the tour bus or arrive very early and take the metro + RTP. Expect traffic and the inevitable delay past sunset – it could take over 2 hours!
🚖 Option 3: Ride-Hailing Apps (Uber, Didi, Cabify)
Ghost Ride: Your phone says “5 minutes away” – but the driver is circling the block for 40 minutes, stuck behind the barrier.
- Surge Pricing: Fares can increase two-fold or three-fold
- Cancellation Rates: In high density areas, cancellation rates can be as high as 40% for origins and destinations in these areas
- Success Rate: 50%-60% of successful rides are completed
- In-app fixes: Uber added virtual pickup zones as of 2024, these zones fill up fast. Expect to walk.
🚴 Option 4: Ecobici & Scooters
Bicycles also become a secret weapon for navigating transport during the Día de Muertos celebrations:
- 60% increase in bike shares used last year
- Temporary bike lanes made along Reforma
- Scooter usage is legal, although watch yourself around parade routes
Note: The bike and scooter options are not ideal during heavier rain, or if wearing a Catrina
🚶 Option 5: Walking like a Local (or a Painted Skeleton)
When all else fails… walk. The celebrations are best done by foot:
- Paseo de la Reforma
- Centro Histórico
- Chapultepec Park
- Mixquic Cemetery (last part)
Pro Tip: Wear comfortable shoes, and plan to walk at least 5-10 km in a given day to attend events.
🚫 Where You Don’t Want to Drive
Parade Route (Nov 2nd):
- From Puerta de los Leones to Zócalo
- Will close: Reforma, Juárez, 5 de Mayo
Areas to Avoid due to High Congestion
- Zocalo (The entire day from, November 2nd)
- Mixquic (Evenings, November 1 & 2)
- Coyoacán
- Condesa/Roma (overflow of congestion from the other areas)
📱 Stay Plugged In
| Tool | Purpose | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| @OVIALCDMX (X/Twitter) | Live road closures | twitter.com/OVIALCDMX |
| Metro App | Station alerts | Android/iOS |
| Waze | Dynamic rerouting | App Store and Google Play |
| Hotel WhatsApp Groups | Updates from locals | Ask for that post on to contact concierge |
👥 Mobility Considerations
- Limited wheelchair access due to capacity restrictions
- Metro/Metrobús could have elevators, but long, long lineups
- Very few designated viewing spaces for those unable to walk
We always coordinate with families traveling with elderly elders or kids. In 2022, we helped a guest get to parade-viewing rooftop space with crutches – it took us 3 hours to solve the puzzle of getting him to the rooftop, but worth it.
🚫 Last Thoughts on Getting Around
- Book ahead of time (hotels fill up by October, private services do as well)
- Avoid downtown zones between 11 am and 9 pm, November 2nd
- Multi-modal transport ie. Metro + walking + Ecobici
- Bring cash for tips or pop-up parking (300 MXN is common)
- Expect delays, bring your water, and enjoy the ride.
Conclusion: Travel to Día de Muertos Like a Local, Move Through the City Like a Parade Float
Getting around during Día de Muertos in Mexico City is not transportation, it is choreography. While the city does a heroic job of adapting its infrastructure, the best solution is still knowing when to walk, when the ride, and when to let go.
Blocked avenues, ghost Ubers, uninvited parade routes, and 3 am tacos on Reforma means that this is not just transit, it is an experience, and we are committed to helping you experience it every moment.
If you are coming to Mexico City for Día de Muertos 2025, we would love the opportunity to be your local partner.
