Can I use contactless or card to pay for public transport in Mexico?

In Mexico City I used the metro every day for a week and had to buy a rechargeable card at the station. That worked fine, but you need cash to load it. No foreign cards accepted at the machines. I also used RTP buses and those needed exact fare in coins. It feels a bit old-school but that’s the reality in most parts of the country. Unless you’re only using taxis or ride apps, you’ll definitely want to carry coins for public transport.

During my time in Oaxaca, I didn’t find a single public bus or colectivo that accepted any kind of card. Even the shuttle to the airport wanted exact change in pesos. I started carrying a small coin pouch with 20 and 10 peso coins just for transport. It made things much easier. I also noticed that drivers usually don’t have much change, so giving them a big note will cause delays or frustration.

I was surprised that public transport in most cities I visited still runs on cash. In Guadalajara, I had to pay the bus driver directly in coins or small bills. No card machines, no apps. The only place where I saw a more modern setup was Monterrey with their Metrorrey card system but even there you had to top it up with cash. If you're moving between cities or using local colectivos, coins are your best friend.

In Mexico City, the Metro still runs mostly on physical tickets or reloadable cards like the Tarjeta de Movilidad. You can’t just tap your international debit card like in some European cities. I kept a bunch of five and ten peso coins for buses and occasional metro top-ups. Some stations have long lines for card recharges so having coins saved me a few headaches. Don’t expect contactless everywhere just yet.