Puebla is one of Mexico’s most vibrant and historic cities, known for its rich culture, colonial architecture, and dynamic urban life. With a growing population and constant movement, an efficient public transport system is essential for both locals and visitors.

Getting around Puebla is generally easy thanks to its wide range of transportation options. The city offers buses, taxis, and modern systems like RUTA Metrobus, while many residents also rely on private cars or simply walk through the busy streets of the historic center.

For tourists, the most convenient and popular ways to travel are the Metrobus and Uber. These services offer reliable, comfortable, and affordable transportation, allowing visitors to explore Puebla’s attractions, markets, and neighborhoods with ease and flexibility.

Public transportation in Puebla

Ground transportation in Puebla is extensive and diverse, allowing residents and visitors to move easily throughout the city. From public buses and taxis to shared rides and bicycles, Puebla’s transportation network is essential for daily commuting and urban mobility.

Public transport buses carry the majority of passengers every day. They operate across hundreds of routes that cover nearly 80% of the city, reaching both central neighborhoods and suburban areas. This system remains the most affordable way to get around Puebla.

The city’s privatized bus network offers hundreds of routes without a unified map, making travel challenging for newcomers. Knowing your destination and asking locals for guidance is key, while being aware of potential pickpockets during crowded hours is recommended.

Buses run roughly from 07:00 to 22:00.

Taxis also play a major role in Puebla’s transportation system. With more than 20,000 registered units across the city, taxis provide a fast and flexible option for those who prefer direct travel. Many drivers now use digital platforms to improve service reliability.

Metrobús (ROUTE)

The Metrobús, officially known as RUTA (Red Urbana de Transporte Articulado), is Puebla’s modern bus rapid transit system. RUTA operates through exclusive corridors designed to improve mobility and reduce traffic congestion across the city.

RUTA buses are one of the most common ways residents move around Puebla. The service is known for its speed and affordability, though buses can get crowded during peak hours. Despite that, it remains one of the most efficient public transport options in the city.

All RUTA lines use a prepaid card system, allowing passengers to transfer easily between routes without paying multiple fares. This system also enhances security by eliminating cash handling and ensuring a smoother, faster boarding process.

Line 2 of RUTA was inaugurated on April 10, 2015. It runs for 13.8 km along 11 Norte–Sur Avenue, connecting Diagonal Defensores de la República with the Margaritas terminal and extending to Calle Limones. It includes 16 feeder routes and links directly with Line 1.

Line 3 began operations on November 13, 2018, and stretches 15.3 km along Boulevard Valsequillo, connecting Periférico Ecológico and CAPU. It has 35 feeder routes and integrates with the same prepaid system as Lines 1 and 2, ensuring consistency and convenience.

Teleférico de Puebla

The Puebla cable car, known locally as Teleférico de Puebla, is one of the city’s most distinctive tourist attractions. Located in the scenic Los Fuertes area, it offers a unique aerial view of Puebla’s skyline, nearby volcanoes, and the surrounding valleys.

The cableway connects the Exhibition Center (Centro Expositor) with the Monument to General Zaragoza, two key landmarks in Puebla’s historic zone. Spanning a total distance of 688 m, the ride provides a panoramic experience over the city’s modern and colonial contrasts.

More than just a transport system, the cable car is a popular leisure activity for visitors and locals alike. It operates daily and serves as a scenic way to explore the Los Fuertes park area, a place rich in history, museums, and recreational attractions.

Public bicycles in Puebla

In addition to conventional transport, Puebla promotes sustainable mobility through its public bicycle network. The system encourages locals and tourists to move around in an eco-friendly way while reducing traffic congestion and pollution in busy areas.

Since 2017, the Mexican company Cycloshare has managed the public bike program, connecting the historic center with Ciudad Universitaria. The network continues to expand, intending to become one of the largest urban bicycle systems in Latin America.

Puebla-Cholula Tourist Train

The Puebla–Cholula Tourist Train is a modern light rail system designed to connect two of the most culturally rich destinations in central Mexico – the historic center of Puebla and the magical town of Cholula, famous for its pyramid and vibrant traditions.

Covering a total distance of 17 kilometers, the train runs at an average speed of about 35 km/h, offering a comfortable and scenic journey through the Puebla Valley. It was created to encourage tourism and provide a direct, sustainable link between the two cities.

Although initially planned as a purely tourist service, the project was later adapted to benefit local residents. The state government introduced reduced fares for Pueblans who regularly use the train as a convenient and affordable means of transportation.

The Puebla–Cholula train was officially inaugurated on January 23, 2017. With its modern stations and panoramic views, it has become a symbol of Puebla’s efforts to promote eco-friendly mobility while connecting visitors to the region’s cultural heritage.

Intercity buses

Puebla is well-connected to other regions of Mexico through its extensive intercity transportation network. The city serves as a major travel hub, linking central Mexico with destinations across the southeast, including Veracruz, Oaxaca, and the Yucatán Peninsula.

The Central Passenger Bus Terminal of Puebla, known as CAPU, is one of the largest and busiest terminals in Latin America. It provides access to nearly every major Mexican city through numerous national and regional bus companies operating daily routes.

Because of Puebla’s proximity to Mexico City, many routes from CAPU connect directly to the capital’s main bus stations. This makes travel between Puebla and Mexico City fast, convenient, and affordable for both tourists and local commuters.

Outside CAPU’s main gates, local buses and authorized taxis are available to transport passengers safely into the city. Travelers are advised to use official taxi services to ensure fair prices and reliable service when arriving or departing from the terminal.

Major bus lines operating at CAPU include ADO, Estrella Roja, Futura, AU, OCC, ORO, ERCO, ATAH, and Estrella Blanca. These companies connect Puebla with destinations across Mexico, offering frequent departures, modern buses, and comfortable travel options.

In addition to CAPU, the 4 Poniente terminal in downtown Puebla handles buses operated by Estrella Roja and other lines. The smaller terminal is located near local buses and taxis, offering travelers a manageable option for regional routes within and around the city center.

Taxi services in Puebla

Taxis in Puebla are widely available, generally safe, and require passengers to agree on fares before traveling, as meters are uncommon. Secure taxi services like Top Driver Express operate from CAPU and 4 Poniente, where payment is made to a cashier rather than the driver.

Getting to Puebla City by air

Hermanos Serdán International Airport (PBC) serves Puebla with direct flights from Houston, Dallas, Panama City, and various Mexican cities. Passengers can use Volaris shuttle services or the public bus, which departs every 30 minutes, to reach Puebla’s city center.

Mexican Railroad (Ferromex)

Puebla is also served by Ferromex, one of Mexico’s largest freight railway companies. The railroad plays a vital role in the region’s logistics and industrial sectors, connecting Puebla with national and international distribution routes across the country.

The city forms part of Ferromex’s extensive rail network, which handles cargo transport, loading operations, and equipment maintenance. This infrastructure supports Puebla’s growing economy by facilitating the movement of goods and raw materials efficiently.