This week I experienced a distinct shift happening in the way Mexicans get around. While Europe has long embraced the iron rail and China continues its breakneck expansion of high-speed transit, Mexico is currently in the midst of its own rail renaissance with 13 passenger projects in the works. Even Florida has joined the fray with a private high-speed link between Orlando and Miami. Florida!!!

To me, this isn’t just about logistics; it is about culture. Choosing a comfortable seat with a panoramic window over the “mobile parking lot” of a congested highway says something about how we value our time and our environment. Less asphalt means more room for people. If you’ve ever traded a search for a parking spot for a leisurely stroll down a pedestrian mall, you know exactly what I mean.

Yesterday, I decided to test a “multi-modal” experiment. I managed to tie together three distinct modes of transit—two of which offer soaring, bird’s-eye views of Mexico City—into one seamless day trip.

The Ascent: Cablebús and Chapultepec

The journey began on Cablebús Line 3, Mexico’s public transit solution to getting people up and over its many hills. Gliding in a gondola above the gridlock, you get a perspective of the city that most drivers never see. The line passes directly over Chapultepec Park, including the newest addition, Section 4. As the cable car climbs higher up the mountain, the sprawling urban mosaic of Mexico City slowly reveals itself.

While the line terminates at a somewhat puzzling location, it is a simple five-minute walk to the new Vasco de Quiroga train station. This is where the magic of connectivity happens.

The Modern Oasis: Santa Fe

From Vasco de Quiroga, it is just one stop to Parque La Mexicana in the Lomas de Santa Fe district. This park is a marvel of urban planning, featuring a lake, hidden viewpoints, and manicured exercise paths, all framed by a backdrop of hyper-modern skyscrapers. It is a fantastic spot for lunch, with numerous restaurants offering views that contrast lush greenery against steel and glass. In the Lomas de Santa Fe neighborhood overlooking the park, there are more restaurants and a lushly landscaped shopping center sunk beneath a park.

The Main Event: El Insurgente

After exploring Santa Fe, I boarded the newly completed El Insurgente train. This line is a game-changer. What used to be a 2.5-hour “slog” through mountain traffic has been transformed into a sleek, one-hour sightseeing experience.

A few observations from the ride:

• The Soundtrack: Smooth jazz plays throughout the cabin. It’s a bit louder than you might expect, but it effectively masks the tinny sound of someone else’s phone speakers.
• The Discipline: Security guards roam the aisles with fastidious attention to detail, ensuring no feet are on the seats and that priority seating remains clear.
• The Temperature: In true Mexican long-distance coach fashion, the air conditioning is set to “arctic.” Bring a jacket.
• Future-Proofing: The station platforms are twice as long as the current trains, a clever bit of engineering that allows the city to double capacity the moment demand requires it.

For the best views, the stretch between Santa Fe and Lerma is the undisputed highlight. The train climbs steeply into the mountains, slicing through tunnels and gliding past dense stands of high-altitude pines. Once you pass Lerma and enter the suburban outskirts of Toluca, the scenery flattens out. Unless you are catching a bus to the lakeside retreat of Valle de Bravo or heading to the Piedra Herrada butterfly sanctuary in the Sierra de Temascaltepec, I recommend turning back at Lerma to maximize the “excursion” value.

How to Replicate This Excursion

If you want to spend a day “investing” your time in Mexico’s new rail culture, here is the rough blueprint for the loop.

The Logistics:

• Total Transport Cost: Approximately $11 USD (roughly 180-200 Pesos) for the round trip.
• Duration: Roughly 2 to 3 hours of transit time.

Step-by-Step Itinerary:

1. Start at Los Pinos / Constituyentes: Board the Cablebús Line 3. Enjoy the views of Chapultepec Sections 1 through 4.
2. Transfer at Vasco de Quiroga: Exit the Cablebús and walk 5 minutes to the El Insurgente train station.
3. The Santa Fe Stop: Hop off for an hour or two at Parque La Mexicana. Walk the perimeter, grab a coffee, and enjoy the architecture.
4. The Mountain Climb: Re-board the train heading toward Toluca/Zinacantepec. Ride at least as far as Lerma to see the pine forests and mountain passes.
5. The Return: Ride back toward Mexico City. The train terminates at Observatorio, which is a major transport hub.
6. The Final Mode: From Observatorio, you can take the Metro back into the city center (transfer at Tacubaya for the Pink or Orange lines).
7. My “Eco” Finish: If you have an Ecobici subscription (available for daily or weekly use), you can grab a bike at the end of the line to navigate back to your starting point.

Pro Tip: If you end your trip back at the Constituyentes Metro station, you are right next to an entrance to Chapultepec Park. It’s the perfect place for a final stroll to ground yourself in the park you saw while suspended in the air on the Cablebús.

Traveling the city without a car makes me want to invest more of my visits in places that prioritize trains and public transportation. It’s a great way to enjoy the scenery and an opportunity to get to know the locals.