Sachin Walls
Mexico City Airport is notorious for its inefficiencies, with travellers reporting frustration due to the casual attitude of airport staff. The airport is divided into Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with the latter mostly dedicated to Aeromexico flights. If you are travelling on the same airline for both legs of your journey, you will remain in the same terminal and your bags will be checked through, meaning you should have enough time to transfer within an hour. However, if you are travelling on separate tickets, you will need to collect and re-check your luggage, go through customs and immigration, and possibly transfer terminals, which will be extremely challenging within an hour. Travellers recommend a minimum of a 2-hour layover for international connections, and an 8-hour layover if you want to explore the city.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum layover time | 1 hour |
| Minimum layover time for international connections | 2 hours |
| Minimum layover time for exploring the city | 8 hours |
| Transport to the city | Uber, Metro |
| Transport cost to the city | $2.50 USD (Metro), $200 pesos (Uber) |
| Transfer between terminals | Inter-terminal train, bus |
| Transfer time between terminals | 30 minutes |
| Passport control | Required |
| Baggage | May need to be collected and re-checked |
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What You'll Learn
- Domestic to domestic connections can be made in 35 minutes
- International to international connections can be made in an hour
- Terminal transfers are possible via inter-terminal train or bus
- Customs and immigration can take 10-15 minutes
- It's recommended to have a minimum of 2 hours for international connections
Domestic to domestic connections can be made in 35 minutes
If you're connecting from a domestic flight to another domestic flight, you can make the connection in as little as 35 minutes. However, it's worth noting that the Mexico City airport isn't very efficient, and you may encounter delays due to casual staff attitudes and long lines. If you have a tight connection to make, the laid-back attitude of the staff may not be very helpful.
If you don't have to change terminals, it's just a matter of walking from one gate to the next. Terminal 2 isn't very large, so this shouldn't take too long. However, if you do have to change terminals, you'll need to take the inter-terminal train or bus, and you'll have to go through the security checkpoint again. The bus is extremely slow, and you have to pay for it.
If you're travelling with checked luggage, you'll need to pick it up and re-check it before your next flight. There will be a baggage drop area where you can offload your checked luggage. If you're connecting from a domestic flight, you'll first go through passport control and then retrieve your luggage before proceeding through customs. Chances are your luggage will already be checked through to your destination, so you'll just need to give it to the agent and walk away.
To save time, you can use the passport control at Gate 19 on the domestic side of the airport. It's a good idea to ask one of the airline staff for directions if you're unsure where to go.
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International to international connections can be made in an hour
If you are transferring between international flights in Mexico City, you will be pleased to know that you do not need to go through customs or passport control. This means that a one-hour layover is usually sufficient.
However, if you are transferring from an international flight to a domestic one, or vice versa, you will need to go through customs and passport control. This adds a significant amount of time to your connection, and most sources recommend a minimum of two hours to make your connection. If you are travelling from an international to a domestic flight, you will also need to pick up your luggage and take it to your next flight.
The Mexico City Airport is quite small, with only two terminals, but it is extremely crowded and chaotic. It takes around 10-15 minutes to walk from one end of the airport to the other, but this can take longer if you arrive at a 'remote' location and need to wait for a bus to take you to the terminal. If you need to change terminals, you can take the Aerotrén, which takes about 30 minutes in total, including walking and waiting time.
If you have a long layover, you may wish to leave the airport and explore the city. In this case, you will need at least eight hours, to account for security checks, transportation, and exploring the city. Uber is a convenient and affordable way to get to the city centre, and street food is a great way to sample local culture.
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Terminal transfers are possible via inter-terminal train or bus
Mexico City's Benito Juárez International Airport is divided into Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with both terminals operating domestic and international flights. Terminal 2 is mostly dedicated to Aeromexico flights.
If you need to transfer between terminals, you can take the Aerotrén, a free train service that takes approximately 4 minutes and 40 seconds to travel the 3km distance between the terminals at a speed of 45km/h. The Aerotrén operates from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., with the first route starting from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 and the last route ending at Terminal 2. It has a capacity of 100 passengers with hand luggage, and the waiting time between trains is approximately 11 minutes. However, the entire process of transferring between terminals, including walking time, can take up to 25 minutes.
As an alternative, you can use the paid bus service, which is also available for terminal transfers. The bus has wheelchair access, air conditioning, and luggage space. It operates 24 hours a day and is useful if you have oversized luggage. The bus fare is $16.00 MXN per person for a one-way trip between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and $6.00 MXN per person for a one-way trip from Terminal 1 to Customs or from Terminal 2 to the Hangares metro station.
If you are travelling to the city centre, you can take the Line 4 Metrobus outside Terminals 1 and 2. These buses operate from around 4:30 a.m. every 15 minutes until midnight, with a journey time of approximately 30 minutes.
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Customs and immigration can take 10-15 minutes
When arriving in Mexico, you will need to go through customs and immigration. This process can take as little as 10-15 minutes, but it is recommended to allow more time. The Mexico City Airport, or Benito Juárez International Airport, is not known for its efficiency, with staff described as "casual". If you have checked luggage, you will need to pick it up and re-check it, which can add time. It is recommended to have at least a two-hour layover for international connections, and eight hours if you plan to leave the airport and explore the city.
The time taken to clear customs and immigration can vary depending on several factors. The efficiency of the airport staff, the number of other travellers, and the need to change terminals can all impact the time taken. Mexico City Airport is a small airport with two terminals, and it can take about 30 minutes to transfer between them via the Aerotrén. However, this does not include walking time to and from the train, as well as waiting time. There is also a bus that shuttles passengers between the terminals, but it is slow and requires a fee.
If you are entering Mexico on a layover, you will need to go through customs and immigration before connecting to a domestic flight. However, if you are just transiting between international flights, you typically do not need to go through customs. It is important to note that some travellers have reported inconsistent experiences with customs in Mexico City, with some reporting no customs check at all, while others have experienced longer wait times.
To expedite the customs and immigration process, it is recommended to have your documentation ready, including your passport and any required forms. Some travellers have reported that the automated eGates have shorter lines than the manned stations, so this may be an option to save time. Additionally, if you are travelling with checked luggage, it is important to allow enough time to retrieve and re-check your bags.
In summary, while customs and immigration can take as little as 10-15 minutes, it is important to allow for potential delays and factor in time for terminal transfers and luggage retrieval. A one-hour layover may be possible, but it is not recommended, especially if you are travelling internationally or plan to leave the airport during your layover.
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It's recommended to have a minimum of 2 hours for international connections
When travelling, it is always recommended to have a minimum of two hours for international connections to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience. This buffer allows for any potential delays and provides ample time to navigate the airport, especially when transferring between terminals.
In the case of Mexico City Airport, a layover duration of two hours or more is highly advisable. The airport itself is not particularly efficient, with reports of "casual" and unhurried staff attitudes. While the airport is fairly small, with only two terminals, transferring between them requires a ride on the inter-terminal train or a slow shuttle bus, adding to the overall transit time.
Additionally, the layout of Mexico City Airport can be confusing, especially for those arriving on international flights. Passengers may need to clear immigration, collect their luggage, go through customs, and then re-check their bags before proceeding to the next flight. This process can be time-consuming, and the risk of missing a connection increases with shorter layovers.
A two-hour minimum layover provides a comfortable buffer to navigate these procedures without rushing. It also allows for potential delays, which are common in air travel. With a longer layover, passengers can relax, enjoy airport amenities, and even explore the city for a short period if they wish.
Furthermore, having a minimum of two hours for international connections can provide peace of mind and reduce travel anxiety. It ensures that even if there are unexpected delays or complications, travellers will still have a good chance of making their connecting flights without undue stress or worry.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on several factors. If you are transferring between international flights, you may not need to go through customs or immigration and an hour should be sufficient. However, if you are transferring from an international to a domestic flight, you will need to go through customs and immigration and collect your luggage, so an hour may not be enough. It is recommended to allow a minimum of two hours for international-to-domestic connections.
It takes around 30 minutes to transfer between terminals at Mexico City Airport. The airport recommends allowing 11 minutes for walking time to and from the train and waiting time between trains.
Yes, it is possible to leave the airport during a layover in Mexico City. However, it is recommended that you allow at least eight hours for your layover to give you enough time to explore the city and account for security checks and transportation.
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