Green taxis, Mexico City

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The only time I got robbed by taxis was on the airport taxis that charge 205 pesos to get to the Zocalo. After that I took green taxis with no problems and the drivers were very nice and I felt no danger. They charge a fourth of what the "safe" taxis charge.

All of the horror stories that you have heard about driving in Mexico City are essentially true. But if you want to get around quickly (and fairly cheaply) take the Green Cabs. Notice I didn't say "get around safely". They do give new meaning to the term "aggressive driving". Just make sure to get a price up front and close your eyes for the duration of the ride.

"Safe is always relative" ie. there is no guarentee that you won't have bad luck with the best of precautions, but here are a few suggestions for the first time visitor with little or no Spanish:
1) Know where you want to go. If you do not speak Spanish having a hotel card might help. 2) Do not get overly intoxicated. 3) If you have gone into a restaurant or club and you do not feel the place was a ripoff dive, ask cashier/manager for a, "TAXI de confianza, por favor" (taxi day con-fee-on-sa.)(You could ask them to call you a taxi (ya-ma-may un taxi por fah-vor) My experience is that they will be eager to help. (I have stood inside a place with Mexican customers while we waited together for our taxi's.) 4) Fix the price if there is no meter or it doesn't work before you go. (You can ask the cashier/waiter/managager -- Quanto? (Kwan-toe?)and confirm with the driver that price. 5) Do not take a taxi with someone already inside other than the driver. 6) Try to take a glance at the taxi driver license card before you close the door. If the picture does not match the driver, I suggest that you get out.
7) If you are just on the street, in a plaza or airport you have several options -- just do not take the taxi of someone who comes up to you asking if you want one. The rule in this situation is to choose your own taxi. I will even take one of the VW bug taxis if I see that it has just dropped off passengers. (Other people advise against using them at all as they are the most commonly robbed.) 8)Usually there are many places where taxis are lined up. Look for a sitio sign for a little re-assurance. 9) If you need help look for a policeman or shop owner. (Taxi, seguro. (say-gu-row) por fah-vor.) You chose the policeman, he or she choses the taxi.
The odds are heavily in your favor even if you do not follow these suggestions. These are just suggestions to try to improve those odds even more. I have taken many a Mexico City taxi without ever having a problem.

We never used one, but like everyone else, we'd heard that these little green taxis were a sure way to get yourself assaulted. Who knows the truth behind these claims - we weren't adventurous enough to try one out.

A far better option if you have a specific destination is to use a tourist taxi. They are no where near as cheap as the little green bugs, nor as plentiful, but you're certain to reach your destination without having been mugged.

The green VW beetles crawl ... ahem ... like beetles all over the city! They're a sight to behold. BUT, they're to be avoided apparently, as many are mafia run, and have been known to kidnap tourists and other such woeful things. But they are cool. The front passenger seat has been taken out, so the passenger can jump into the back. Neat. Oh, and they're really cheap. Anyhow, according to a local there some are ok to take (they can't all be bad, right). So keep an eye on the licence plates and the condition of the car. Avoid ones w/out plates -like the plague - and ones in bad condition.

They're all freakin' over town, you pretty much have to swat them away like, well like bugs...these are the notorious beetle taxis though, the ones every guide and book and guidebook warns you away from. We didn't see any murders or robberies (involving these cabs) actually taking place, but you never know. Is that how you want to be remembered? Is that how you want to be talked about on your local news? There are countless legit taxis on the Mexico City streets as well, use them.

Green taxis (as I write on the warnings and dangers tip) can be dangerous, but if you have to take one just make sure to look at the ID card of the driver.

In Mexico taxis (specially green ones) are not expensive, just try to not look very "tourist" and know exactly were are you going and the adress, You will not find a driver who speaks english...

Taxi.
Metered Taxi.

Taxis operate under distinct sets of rules.

For example, there are about 85,000 metered taxis everywhere in the city. They are mainly green or white/red VW 'beetle' that have white plastic roof signs bearing the word TAXI and TAXI painted on the doors.

These taxis operate strictly by the meter (taxímetro). If the driver says his meter isn't working, find another taxi.
Usually you may hire a gouging driver, or one who drives farther than necessary or applies other tricks/cheats to run up the tab.
Riding a taxi in Mexico City couldn't be a good idea if you think there are more than 4,000,000 cars fighting to pass first.

Metered taxis are essential for many people getting around the overcrowded city. They dart in and out of traffic with great ease, all for a good price.
But they are frequently involved in crimes against passengers. Virtually everybody here in this metropolis knows someone who has been held up at gunpoint in a taxi!
Taxi driver is also a dangerous profession in Mexico City, they are often the victims of assaults or even murders.
Homicide is not part of the routine, though beatings are common.

The governments of the US, UK, Canada, and Australia warn visitors against flagging down a taxi on the street.
As a tourist, perhaps your most serious crime problem here is taxi robbery.
This problem is more or less unique to Mexico City, so many forign tourists aren't aware of the problem.

Well, anybody who lives in Mexico City knows that taxi robberies are a problem, and takes certain precautions to prevent themselves becoming a victim.
The exact recommendations for residents and tourist may vary, but it is unwise to ignore the problem.
Any case, never forget that there are thousands of 'pirate' taxis (painted in green or yellow!).

IMPORTANT: If you do decide hire a taxi in Mexico City, read your correspondent government travel advisories about taxi cabs before you arrive, because taxi crime in the city is real.