First time traveling to Mexico City: a practical guide for your trip during soccer season

If this is your first time in Mexico City, the experience can be incredible or overwhelming if you do not know how to get around. This guide brings together the essentials to help you enjoy both the matches and the city.

Before you arrive: what is Mexico City really like

Mexico City does not work like other tourist destinations where everything happens in a single area. Here, distances matter more than kilometers.

You might look close on the map and still take an hour to get there. Traffic is a normal part of daily life, especially between 7:00 to 10:00 in the morning and 17:30 to 21:00 in the evening.

That is why choosing the right neighborhood to stay in completely changes the experience, especially if it is your first time visiting the city.

Travelers who stay in central areas connected to public transportation usually spend less time commuting and more time enjoying the city.

How to get to the stadium and why to avoid driving

Estadio Azteca, now known as Estadio Banorte, is located in the southern part of the city and has direct access to the light rail system, which is the most reliable way to reach it.

That is why the most recommended combination is Metro plus Light Rail because it:

Helps you avoid traffic. Driving may seem more comfortable, but during major events like the world’s biggest soccer tournament, the number of people trying to arrive at the same time is enormous.

Offers wide service hours, and some routes will likely be extended for the event. It is important to follow the social media accounts of SEMOVI, the city’s mobility authority, to stay informed about special transportation schedules or road closures on major avenues.

Ride share apps work well for returning at night, but for getting to the stadium before the match, public transportation is almost always more efficient.

Key tip

Leave at least two hours before kickoff. In Mexico City, travel time depends more on the time of day than on the distance.

The truth about safety in Mexico City

The most common question for first time visitors is simple: is Mexico City safe for tourists?

The realistic answer is yes, especially in central and active areas. Neighborhoods with heavy pedestrian traffic, restaurants, and nightlife are usually the most comfortable for visitors. Safety there is supported by constant activity, lighting, and commercial presence.

Basic recommendations that make a difference:

• Avoid empty streets late at night

• Do not display cash while using public transportation

• Use ride share apps with card payment at night

• Keep important documents at your accommodation and carry a copy of your passport if needed

• You do not need to be paranoid, just follow the common urban habits you would use in any city you visit for the first time.

Traffic and real travel times

This is something that surprises many visitors: the city is measured in minutes, not kilometers.

A trip of eight kilometers can take fifteen or fifty minutes depending on the time of day. That is why staying in well connected central neighborhoods is often better than trying to stay close to Estadio Azteca.

Traveling from areas such as Roma, Condesa, or Juárez is often faster than from more distant neighborhoods, even if the map suggests otherwise.

What areas to choose for your stay

Instead of looking for the closest point to the stadium, it is better to choose a comfortable base for your entire visit. The most practical and safe areas for a first trip usually offer:

• Restaurants you can reach on foot

• Nearby and affordable transportation

• Constant activity so you can keep exploring the city

• A safer return at night

This is where a fully equipped apartment can change the experience. You can go to the match, return late, and still have a functional space where you can rest or plan the next day without depending on hotel schedules.

Tips that improve your experience

• Altitude

The city sits at more than 2,200 meters above sea level. On your first day, take it easy and stay hydrated.

• Weather

Mornings are mild and nights are cooler. Always bring a light jacket or sweater if you plan to stay out for several hours.

• Payments

Most businesses accept cards or mobile payments. Still, it is always useful to carry a small amount of local cash in case you want to buy something from a street vendor.

• Internet

Mobile coverage is good, and Wi Fi in accommodations makes it easy to organize your plans each day. Mexico City also offers a free public network, but it often becomes saturated. For getting around, it is best to have an international eSIM or a larger data package if you are traveling domestically.

Stay with Kukun during your trip to the World’s biggest soccer tournament

For a first trip, comfort matters just as much as location. Having a kitchen, space, and flexible access is especially helpful on match days, when celebrations can last for hours after the game ends.

Kukun stays are designed exactly for that: allowing you to move around the city and return to a place that feels like your own, not just another room. In a city as dynamic as Mexico City, that difference becomes clear from the very first day.