Ruth Haines
Mexico City International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Latin America, with over 100,000 passengers passing through each day. The airport is notorious for being extremely busy and confusing to navigate, with chaotic energy, broken kiosks, overbooked flights, and long lines for baggage drop-off. However, the city has excellent public transportation infrastructure, which extends to the airport, making it easy to get to wherever you need to go. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about navigating Mexico City International Airport, from getting to and from the airport to dealing with security and finding your way around the terminals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official name | Mexico City Benito Juarez International Airport |
| Common name | Mexico City Airport |
| Airport code | MEX |
| Location | 8 miles (13 km) from central Mexico City |
| Number of terminals | 2 |
| Number of parking lots | 3 |
| Transport options to the city | Taxi, airport transfer, bus, metro, car, Uber |
| Average taxi fare to the city | $13-15 USD, €16 (MXN 300) |
| Average time to the city by taxi | 20 minutes |
| Average time to the city by metro | 50 minutes |
| Average time to the city by bus | 30 minutes |
| Number of passengers per day | Over 100,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Getting to the airport from the city
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 excellent public transportation infrastructure, which includes the airport, making it easy to get to your destination.
Taxi
Mexico City Airport taxis are available 24/7, making them a convenient way to travel to the city centre. The journey should take no longer than 20 minutes and will get you to the doorstep of your hotel. Official airport taxis are easily recognisable, featuring red and gold or pink and white markings. A taxi ride typically costs between $13 and $21 USD each way, although some sources state that it can cost up to $25 USD. It's also important to note that taxi fares will be slightly elevated when departing from the airport.
Metro
The Mexico City Metro network consists of 12 lines and has 195 stations in total. It's a huge system, and you'll probably need to change at least once, depending on your final destination. From the airport's Terminal 1, follow the signs to the Terminal Aérea Station on Line 5, which is a short walk away. Tickets are cheap, costing only 5 MXN ($0.20-$0.50 USD) per journey. It takes approximately 50 minutes to get from the airport to most locations in central Mexico City.
Metrobus
The Metrobus Line 4 will take you to the city centre in around 30-45 minutes. The service is direct, and buses leave every 15 minutes, making it a quick and easy transfer option. Be sure to purchase a Metrobus Smart Card and top it up with at least €1.60 (MXN 30, or $1.50 USD) before entering the bus.
Uber
Uber is another option for getting to the city centre from the airport. In some cities, you can add a tip for Uber drivers, but in Mexico City, this is not allowed. The cost is typically around $10-12 USD. However, some sources state that Uber is banned from the airport, and you may have to walk to the airport door to find your ride.
Car
If you prefer, you can hire a car at the airport from companies such as Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Hertz, and Alamo. It's a relatively easy drive into the city centre. As you exit the airport, look for signs to join Route 1. Continue on this road until you reach Parque Aguascalientes, where you join Route 3, turning left, then take the first right onto Héroe de Nacozari.
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Transport options to the city centre
Mexico City International Airport is just 8-11 kilometres from the city centre, but your journey time will depend on your mode of transport. There are four ways to get from the airport to the city centre: taxi, airport transfer, bus, or metro.
Taxi
The quickest and easiest way to travel is by taxi. The journey shouldn't take longer than 20 minutes and will get you to the doorstep of your hotel. Official airport taxis are easily recognisable, featuring red and gold or pink and white markings. They are available 24/7 outside Terminals 1 and 2. A ride to the city centre should cost around $13-15 USD or €16 (MXN 300). You can pay in the local currency of Pesos or in USD, but the ticket booth won't accept any other forms of cash.
Bus
Taking the bus service from Mexico City Airport to the city centre is easy. Simply jump onto the Line 4 Metrobus outside the Terminal 1 and 2 buildings. These buses operate from around 4:30 am, every 15 minutes, until midnight with a journey time of approximately 30 minutes into Mexico City. You can purchase Metrobus smartcards at the sales/filling machines for around $1.50 USD or €1.60 (MXN 30) per person one-way. If you’re travelling further afield, say to Cordoba, Puebla, Toluca, and Tlaxcala, there are long-distance buses available too.
Metro
The metro is the cheapest, quickest, and most efficient way to get from the airport to the city centre. From Terminal 1, follow the signs marked "Metro". It’s a fairly short walk to Terminal Aérea Station, on Line 5. Tickets are super cheap, costing only 5 MXN ($0.20) per journey. It takes approximately 50 minutes to get from the airport to most locations in central Mexico City.
Car
If you want to rent a car, you can collect one at the airport from Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Hertz, and Alamo. Car hire is reasonably priced, costing approximately $200 USD for a medium-sized vehicle that accommodates 5 passengers for one week. Driving in Mexico City is not for the faint-hearted, and you need to be an experienced and confident driver if you want to consider this option. The traffic is notoriously busy, it can be very difficult to find parking, and you’ll have to navigate your way out of the airport and into the city on congested roads. If you do decide to drive, it’s best to avoid the worst of rush hour (7-9 am and 6-8 pm, Monday to Friday).
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Navigating airport security
Mexico City International Airport, also known as Benito Juárez International Airport, is the busiest airport in Latin America. It is notorious for being extremely busy and confusing to navigate. The airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which handle both domestic and international flights. Terminal 1 is much larger and handles most flights, while Terminal 2 is served by AeroMexico, AeroMar, Copa Airlines, Delta, and some Singapore Airlines flights.
When navigating airport security at Mexico City International Airport, it is important to arrive early as the airport is very busy, and lines can be long, especially during peak times. It is recommended to arrive at least three hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic flight. Give yourself at least an hour to check your bags and get through security, and expect longer wait times during peak travel times like Christmas or summer holidays.
Mexico City International Airport follows international rules for carry-on baggage. Most airlines allow carry-on bags that are up to 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm and weigh up to 10 kg, but specific allowances may vary by airline. Personal items like purses, laptop bags, or small backpacks are also allowed if they fit under the seat in front of you. Make sure your carry-on items meet the size and weight limits of your airline to avoid problems. Bags that exceed the limits must be checked in. Certain items, such as firearms, explosives, and sharp objects, are prohibited in carry-on baggage. Some unusual items like sticky tape, measuring tapes, and powders are also not allowed. If you are carrying human ashes or organs, you will need proper documentation. Always check with your airline and the airport's security rules to ensure your items are permitted.
When passing through security, keep in mind that you cannot take photos in security areas, including immigration checkpoints, security screening zones, and customs. This rule is in place to protect privacy and maintain airport security. Additionally, outside food and drinks are not allowed through security checkpoints. For liquids, including drinks and liquid foods, ensure they are in containers of 100 ml or less and placed in a separate plastic bag. Any items that do not adhere to these rules must be consumed or discarded before proceeding through security.
After clearing security, you will find a long main corridor with two shorter corridors on each side, leading to the gates. The main corridor houses coffee shops, Starbucks, Subway, and a 7-Eleven, while the side corridors feature sit-down restaurants and duty-free shops.
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Terminal information
Mexico City International Airport, officially called the Benito Juárez International Airport, is one of the busiest airports in Latin America, with over 100,000 passengers passing through each day. The terminals are often considered the most confusing part of the airport, as they are not separated by domestic and international flights.
The airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. If you are taking a taxi to the airport from a city hotel, make sure you know which terminal you are flying from, as they have different drop-off points. Most international flights and Aeromexico flights depart from the newer Terminal 2, but not all international flights, so it is best to check in advance. Terminal 1 is served by Metro Line 5, which will take you into Mexico City in around 50 minutes. From Terminal 1, follow the signs marked "Metro" to get to the Terminal Aérea Station. Terminal 2 also has an immigration kiosk near the entrance of one of the two sets of gates, so if you have residency in Mexico, you will need to stop here.
There are several business lounges in both terminals, with 10 in T1 and 7 in T2. The United and American lounges are in T1, and the Amex Centurion lounges are in both terminals, while the Aeromexico lounges are in T2.
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Facilities and amenities
Mexico City International Airport, officially known as Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México Benito Juárez, is one of the busiest airports in the world, receiving over 40 million passengers annually. The airport is located just 8 miles (13 km) away from central Mexico City and is easily accessible by car or public transportation.
The airport consists of two terminals, with the majority of international and Aeromexico flights departing from Terminal 2. Both terminals offer a range of facilities and amenities to cater to the needs of travellers.
Lounges
There are numerous business lounges in both terminals, with 10 lounges in Terminal 1 and 7 in Terminal 2. Some lounges offer access for a fee and provide amenities such as snacks, alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, newspapers, magazines, TV, children's areas, internet terminals, and telephones. Terminal 2 also provides access to various VIP lounges, including the HSBC Premier Lounge, Salón Beyond by Citibanamex, Salón Centurión by American Express, and Terraza Premier by Heineken and Aeromexico.
Hotels
There are several hotels located near the airport, with some being attached to the terminals or accessible via a walkway. Three hotels are located inside the airport, offering traditional rooms and sleep capsules rented by the hour. Additionally, there are several hotels within a 5-minute drive that provide complimentary shuttle services. Nearby hotels include Camino Real, Courtyard by Marriott, Fiesta Inn by Fiesta Americana, Hilton, and NH Hotel.
Transportation
The airport offers various transportation options to and from the city centre. The Line 4 Metrobus, located outside Terminals 1 and 2, provides easy access to the city centre for approximately $1.50 USD per person one-way. The Metro Line 5 is also accessible from the airport, with tickets costing less than $0.50 cents per single journey. For those travelling by car, rental services are available from companies such as Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Hertz, and Alamo. Official airport taxis can be identified by their red and gold or pink and white markings, with fares ranging from $13 to $15 USD each way. Additionally, ride-sharing services such as Uber are available, with fares typically between $10 and $12 USD to the city centre.
Other Amenities
Mexico City International Airport offers a range of other amenities to enhance the traveller experience. Free unlimited Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport, along with mobile charging stations. ATMs and currency exchange services are available 24 hours a day in both terminals. Luggage storage facilities are also located in both terminals, allowing travellers to explore the city during layovers. Additionally, the airport provides information desks, health services, and a variety of dining options, including premium food and alcoholic beverages.
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Frequently asked questions
The quickest and easiest way to travel is to take a Mexico City Airport taxi or transfer. The journey shouldn't take longer than 20 minutes and will get you to the doorstep of your hotel. If you're looking for a cheaper option, public transportation is effective and straightforward. The metro service is the most comfortable for tourists. Metro Line 5 will get you to Mexico City in 50 minutes. Alternatively, the Metrobus Line 4 will take you to the city centre in 45 minutes.
Mexico City Airport security is diligent and thorough. Be sure to allow plenty of time to clear security. You will need to remove all electronic items from your bag, including cameras and laptops. You may also be asked to remove your belt and any metal items.
Mexico City Airport has a range of overnight accommodations located inside the airport, and is easy to get to and from by car or public transportation. The airport offers three parking lots, each equipped with handicap-accessible spaces, bathrooms, and elevators. Rates can be found on the airport website. The airport also has charging stations, restaurants, and business lounges.
