Getting around Caracas means catching the city's pride and joy: the metro. It's safe, fast, easy, well organised, clean and almost unimaginably cheap - and it serves most major city attractions and tourist facilities. There are three lines to choose from: Line 1 is the longest and most used, heading east-west along the city axis; Line 2 heads southwest from the centre (Capitolio/El Silencio) out to the zoo; and Line 3 runs from Plaza Venezuela south to El Valle. Some suburbs are linked to metro stations by Metrobús. The metro operates from 05:30 to 23:00, and you will rarely have to wait more than 10min for a train.

Caracas' bus system isn't bad either, covering all suburbs within the metropolitan area, and major neighbouring localities. The city centre is served by carritos, small buses that cost only half the metro fare, possibly because they're usually stuck in awful traffic jams. Taxis are affordable and are the smart and efficient choice for going out at night and in metro-less areas. Caracas taxis don't have meters, so the fare needs to be agreed on before you get in. Hiring a car is not recommended: leave it to the locals, who have been perfecting their own chaotic, aggressive driving style for generations, and seem to enjoy it.