The historic centre is very walkable. From the Zócalo, every major sight — the cathedral, Biblioteca Palafoxiana, Museo Amparo, Rosary Chapel, Barrio de los Sapos — is within 15 minutes on foot. The streets are pedestrian-friendly and the layout is a logical colonial grid, so orientation comes quickly.
On arrival, a brief guided walk or a quick look at a map is worthwhile: the one-way street system and the fact that streets change names at the Zócalo can disorient first-timers. Most hotels can point you to a good starting route.
Taxis and Uber are the practical option for outer neighbourhoods and sights further afield — Cuexcomate, the Fuertes de Loreto (Cinco de Mayo forts), or the Talavera workshops on Calle 18 Poniente that are a 10-minute ride from the centre. Uber is available and reliable; always confirm the fare with a taxi driver before getting in.
RUTA buses (the municipal bus network) cover the wider city but are confusing for visitors: stops are not well-marked and routes can be hard to decipher without local help. If you need to get somewhere specific outside the centre, a taxi or Uber is almost always easier.
Day trips to Cholula — with its enormous pyramid and colonial church — are easy: shared taxis (colectivos) and buses run frequently from beside the CAPU terminal, taking about 20 minutes. The two cities are increasingly continuous; some visitors stay in Cholula and visit Puebla as the day trip.