Mexico City Airport: Navigating The Hustle And Bustle

Mexico City International Airport (MEX) is one of the busiest airports in Latin America, serving over 47 million passengers in 2024. It is the primary hub for Mexico's flagship carrier, Aeromexico, and offers excellent transport connections to the city centre. The broader Mexico City Airport System, which includes Toluca and Felipe Ángeles International Airports, is one of the busiest city airport systems in Latin America. With such a high volume of passengers, travellers can expect a bustling atmosphere and potential crowds, particularly during peak hours.

Transport options to the city centre

Mexico City International Airport is one of the largest and busiest airports in Latin America, with over 100,000 passengers passing through each day. Luckily, the city has an excellent public transport system, which extends to the airport.

Metrobus

The Line 4 Metrobus service runs from outside Terminals 1 and 2 to the city centre every 15 minutes from around 4:30 am until midnight. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes and costs around $1.50 USD/€1.60 per person one-way. There is also a long-distance bus service available if you are travelling further afield. However, there is not much space for luggage on the bus, so this may not be the best option if you have a lot of belongings.

Metro

The Metro Line 5 transports passengers into Mexico City from the Terminal Aérea Station, located a short walk from Terminal 1. This is a cost-effective way to travel, with tickets costing less than $0.50 cents/5 MXN ($0.20) per single 50-minute journey. However, very large luggage is not permitted on the Metro, and it can get extremely busy during rush hour (6-9 am and 6-9 pm Monday to Friday). The Metro is also not the safest transfer option, so it is important to keep your belongings close.

Taxi

Official airport taxis are available 24/7 outside Terminals 1 and 2 and can be identified by their red and gold or pink and white markings. They are a convenient and reasonably priced way to reach the city centre, with fares costing around $13-15 USD/$250-350 MXN to the Condesa/Refoma area. The journey time is around 20 minutes, although it may take longer in busy traffic conditions. You can purchase your ticket at the "Transporte Terrestre" kiosk before getting into the taxi.

Uber

Uber is another option for travellers, with fares from the airport to the city centre rarely costing above $10-12 USD. Uber drivers know all the shortcuts, so you'll reach your destination quickly and effortlessly.

Shuttle

Airport shuttles typically cost a little more than a taxi or Uber, but they are a convenient and secure way to travel. You can book them in advance, and they offer nicer vehicles with more legroom.

Car

Renting a car is likely to be the most expensive method of getting to the city centre, and driving in Mexico City is not for the faint-hearted. However, this may be a good option if you plan on doing a lot of exploring outside of the city centre, as traffic in the city centre is notoriously busy and it can be difficult to find parking.

The airport's location

Mexico City International Airport, officially known as Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez, is located in the neighbourhood of Peñón de los Baños within Venustiano Carranza, one of sixteen boroughs of Mexico City. It is situated 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) east of Downtown Mexico City. The airport is in a densely populated area, which has limited infrastructure expansion due to urban constraints.

The airport features two terminals, two runways, and more than 30 gates. Terminal 1, which has been operational since 1958, is the fourth-largest terminal in the world and has undergone several expansions, with significant upgrades in 1970, 1989, 1998, 2000, and 2004. It has a total surface area of 542,000 square metres (5,830,000 square feet) and is an 800-metre (2,600-foot) long, two-story building, with international services in the eastern section and domestic services in the west. Terminal 2, inaugurated in 2020, features an extension named Pier L, adding seven gates to reduce the use of buses.

Passenger numbers

Mexico City International Airport (MEX / MMMX), also known as Benito Juárez International Airport, is located in the northeastern part of Mexico City, the country's capital and largest city. It is one of the busiest airports in Latin America, serving as the primary hub for Mexico's flagship carrier, Aeromexico.

The airport handled approximately 47 million passengers in 2024, with over 100,000 passengers passing through each day. The broader Mexico City Airport System, which includes Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) and Toluca International Airport (TLC), is one of the busiest city airport systems in Latin America. The system handled over 180 million passengers in 2024.

Cancún International Airport (CUN) is the busiest airport in Mexico and Latin America by international passenger traffic, but Mexico City International Airport remains the country's busiest by total passenger traffic. It is also one of the largest airports in Latin America, with excellent public transport infrastructure, making it easy for passengers to get to their desired destinations.

The airport offers a range of facilities for passengers, including duty-free shops, restaurants, cafes, ATMs, currency exchange services, passenger lounges, VIP facilities, and more. The primary language spoken at the airport is Spanish, and it features over 10,000 parking spaces.

While the airport is busy, there are efficient transportation options available. The Metro, for example, is one of the quickest and most affordable ways to get from the airport to downtown Mexico City, with tickets costing only 5 MXN (approximately $0.20) per journey. However, it is important to note that large luggage is technically not permitted on the Metro, and it can get extremely busy during rush hour (6-9 am and 6-9 pm on weekdays).

Facilities available at the airport

Mexico City International Airport is one of the largest and busiest airports in Latin America, with over 100,000 passengers passing through each day. The airport offers a wide range of facilities to cater to the needs of its many travellers.

Transport

The airport is well-connected to the city centre and other nearby areas through various means of transportation. These include the Metro subway, local buses, private transfers, taxis, and car rentals. The Line 4 Metrobus, for example, operates from around 4:30 am every 15 minutes until midnight, with a journey time of approximately 30 minutes into Mexico City.

Airport Lounges

The airport has several lounges offering a range of amenities, including snacks, alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, newspapers, magazines, TV, children's areas, internet terminals, and telephones. Some lounges also provide premium food, showers, flight monitors, private rooms, and spa services for an additional fee. These lounges are typically located near the gates and are open during specific time slots, with a few operating 24 hours.

Dining Options

Mexico City International Airport boasts over 100 eateries, ranging from cafes and bars to sit-down restaurants. Some highlights include Cucara Macara, Casa Avila, La Mansion, and Bistrot Mosaico. Several options are open 24 hours across both terminals, ensuring that travellers can find a meal or a quick bite at any time of the day or night.

Additional Amenities

The airport also provides essential amenities such as toilets, information desks, currency exchange services, ATMs, smoking rooms, nurseries, mobile charging stations, luggage storage, and nearby airport hotels. These additional amenities enhance the overall convenience and comfort of travellers passing through the airport.

How to navigate the airport

Mexico City International Airport is one of the largest and busiest airports in Latin America, serving one of the world's most populated cities. It can be a confusing airport to navigate, with the added challenge of a lack of English speakers. Here is a detailed guide on how to navigate your way through the airport and on to the city.

Before Landing:

It is important to complete your customs declaration form thoroughly and honestly before landing. This will be provided by your airline and asks about the goods you are bringing into the country, including currency, food, and valuable goods. Inaccuracy or incomplete information can cause delays. Be aware of prohibited items, such as certain foods, plants, animals, and medications without a prescription.

At the Airport:

Upon arrival, you will need to present your passport and the "Forma Migratoria Múltiple" (FMM), or tourist card, to customs officials. Be prepared to answer questions about your visit and the duration of your stay. After the initial documentation check, you will proceed to the baggage claim and then the customs declaration area. Here, you may be randomly selected for a further inspection of your luggage.

Navigating the airport can be tricky. It is known for having charging stations that don't work, and a lack of workspaces. There are pay-to-access lounges if you need to get work done. The Wi-Fi situation has improved, with two networks to choose from. English speakers are hard to come by, so you may need to ask a fellow passenger for help.

To the City:

There are various ways to get from the airport to the city centre. Taking the Metro is the cheapest and one of the quickest options, with tickets costing around $0.20 for a 50-minute journey. However, it can be very busy during rush hour, and large luggage is not permitted. The Line 4 Metrobus is another good option, with buses running every 15 minutes from 4:30 am until midnight, costing around $1.50. Taxis are available 24 hours a day and are reasonably priced at around $13-15 each way. Uber is also a popular choice, with similar pricing to taxis, and drivers who know the shortcuts. If you plan to explore outside the city, renting a car is an option, but driving in Mexico City is not for the faint-hearted due to heavy traffic and parking difficulties.

Frequently asked questions