Nuevo León is a landlocked state in northeastern Mexico bordering Texas, anchored by the industrial powerhouse of Monterrey beneath the dramatic saddle-shaped peak of Cerro de la Silla. It pairs a modern, cosmopolitan capital known for craft breweries, world-class museums, and rooftop dining with the pine-forested Sierra Madre Oriental, home to waterfalls, canyons, and the Pueblo Mágico of Santiago.
Monterrey's metro area runs on a mix of Metrorrey light rail, the Ecovia BRT, city buses, and widely available Uber/DiDi; a rental car becomes necessary for Santiago, Rayones, Potrero Chico, and other mountain and reservoir destinations outside the urban network.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Overview
- From MTY, rideshare (Uber/DiDi) ordered from the departures-level pickup zone is the cheapest reliable option; official taxi tickets are sold at a counter inside the terminal for a fixed fare.
- Items
- {'type': 'Uber/DiDi', 'route': 'MTY to downtown Monterrey', 'cost': 'MXN 250-350 (~USD 14-20)', 'duration': '30-40 minutes'}, {'type': 'Uber/DiDi', 'route': 'MTY to San Pedro Garza Garcia', 'cost': 'MXN 320-420 (~USD 18-24)', 'duration': '35-50 minutes'}, {'type': 'Official airport taxi', 'route': 'MTY to downtown Monterrey', 'cost': 'MXN 380-500 (~USD 22-29)', 'duration': '30-40 minutes', 'note': 'Buy a fixed-fare ticket at the terminal counter before boarding'}, {'type': 'Aerolineas Ejecutivas / Turimex shuttle', 'route': 'MTY to downtown hotel zone', 'cost': 'MXN 60-100 (~USD 3-6)', 'duration': '45-60 minutes', 'note': 'Scheduled departures, fewer than rideshare'}
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Overview
Metrorrey and the Ecovia BRT anchor the urban core; Uber/DiDi are reliable throughout the metro area and generally the easiest option for visitors, while camiones (city buses) require exact change and route familiarity.
Items
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Overview
- Official taxis operate from fixed stands (sitios) rather than roaming for hail-and-ride fares in most neighborhoods; agree on a price before departing since many do not run meters consistently.
- Items
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Overview
The Central de Autobuses de Monterrey (Nueva Central) is the hub for first-class and second-class coaches to Saltillo, Linares, Monterrey border cities, and destinations across northern Mexico.
Items
- Route
- Monterrey to Saltillo, Coahuila
- Operator
- Turimex / Autobuses Americanos / Transportes del Norte
- Cost
- MXN 130-200 (~USD 7-11)
- Duration
- 1.25-1.5 hours
- Frequency
- Departures roughly every 30-60 minutes
- Route
- Monterrey to Linares
- Operator
- Noreste / Transportes del Norte
- Cost
- MXN 180-260 (~USD 10-15)
- Duration
- 2-2.5 hours
- Frequency
- Several daily
- Route
- Monterrey to Santiago
- Operator
- Local coach and van lines
- Cost
- MXN 40-70 (~USD 2-4)
- Duration
- 45-60 minutes
- Frequency
- Frequent on weekends, hourly on weekdays
- Route
- Monterrey to Ciudad Victoria / Reynosa (border)
- Operator
- Futura / Transpais
- Cost
- MXN 250-450 (~USD 14-26)
- Duration
- 3.5-5 hours
- Frequency
- Multiple daily departures
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Nuevo León is landlocked and mountainous, and Monterrey's sprawling metro area is built for cars: the Sistema Vial Metropolitano of arterial roads and the Macroplaza sit at the hub of a region that stretches from San Pedro Garza García in the west to Apodaca and Guadalupe in the east. Metrorrey's three light-rail lines and the Ecovia bus rapid transit line cover the urban core reasonably well, city buses fill the gaps, and Uber/DiDi are widely available and generally cheaper than taxis. For the mountain towns of Santiago, Rayones, and Villa de Garcia, or a cross-state trip to Saltillo, a rental car or organized tour is the most practical option.
Airports
General Mariano Escobedo International Airport (Monterrey International Airport)
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Uber
DiDi
Moovit
Google Maps
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy a rechargeable Feria card at any Metrorrey station to use both the metro and the Ecovia BRT
Order Uber/DiDi from the departures-level curb at MTY airport rather than arrivals
Carry small peso bills for city buses and taxis, since drivers often cannot break large notes
Rent a car in the city rather than relying on public transport for Santiago, Rayones, or Potrero Chico day trips
Check weather and road conditions before driving to the Huasteca canyon or Matacanes in summer, when flash flooding can close access roads
Nuevo Leon runs on America/Monterrey (Central Time); confirm this if arriving from a different Mexican time zone