Sachin Walls
Mexico City International Airport, officially called the Benito Juárez International Airport, is the busiest airport in Latin America. With 50 million passengers in 2019, it is the largest airport in Mexico and the one with the largest influx of passengers. The airport has two terminals, with 226 shops, ATMs, banking services, currency exchange, duty-free shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, and more. However, some travellers have warned that the airport is oversaturated, with not enough gates to receive planes, causing delays in baggage claim. On the other hand, Toluca Airport is a smaller alternative, with only a few flights a day, making it a quicker transition to the bus station.
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What You'll Learn
Mexico City International Airport's Terminal 1 and 2
Mexico City International Airport, also known as Benito Juárez International Airport or AICM, is the largest airport in Mexico and the closest to the city centre. It is considered the busiest airport in Latin America, with 50 million passengers in 2019. The airport consists of two main terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which are approximately 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) apart. Terminal 1 is the older and larger of the two, featuring a two-story building. The ground floor handles domestic arrivals and baggage claim, with 22 carousels, while the upper floor is designated for international check-ins and departures, with multiple security checkpoints. Terminal 1 also has various amenities, including currency exchange booths, ATMs, lounges, and a monorail station. It is connected to several hotels, including the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel and the Hilton Hotel.
Terminal 2 of the Mexico City International Airport was inaugurated in 2007 and primarily serves as a hub for Aeromexico. It has a similar layout to Terminal 1, with check-in areas, security checkpoints, and a main concourse connected to three piers. The ground floor of Terminal 2 handles both domestic and international arrivals, with baggage claim and currency exchange services. The upper level has security checkpoints, toilets, and access to the Aerotrén monorail, which connects to Terminal 1.
Passengers can transfer between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of the Mexico City International Airport via the Aerotrén, a people mover system, or by public transfer buses. The Aerotrén operates from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm and takes approximately 4 minutes and 40 seconds to travel between the terminals. The bus service is also available 24 hours a day and is wheelchair accessible, with air conditioning and luggage space. The bus fare for a one-way trip between terminals is $16.00 MXN per person.
Both terminals offer a variety of dining and shopping options, with over 100 shops and restaurants combined. Fast food options include McDonald's, Subway, and Starbucks, while sit-down restaurants serve Mexican cuisine, such as La Mansion and El Cardenal. Terminal 2 also has duty-free shopping available. Overall, Mexico City International Airport provides a range of facilities and services to accommodate the needs of its passengers, offering a comfortable and efficient travel experience.
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Benito Juárez Airport's poor service
Mexico City International Airport, also known as Benito Juárez International Airport, is one of the busiest airports in Central America. It is the closest airport to the city centre, just a seven-minute taxi journey away (not accounting for the city's notorious traffic). It is also the largest airport in Mexico, with the highest number of passengers in the country and is considered the busiest in Latin America.
Despite its convenience in terms of proximity to the city, Benito Juárez International Airport has a poor reputation for congestion and delays. Landing delays, long immigration lines, and lengthy taxi times are common. The airport's proximity to the city centre means it is surrounded by busy roads, and traffic is often heavy. This can cause issues for travellers with tight connections, and it is recommended that sufficient time is allowed for travel to and from the airport.
The airport has two terminals, connected by an Air Train shuttle train, which takes around five minutes. However, passengers must have a boarding pass or e-ticket to use this service. Minibuses also operate around the airport site, and there are regular airport buses to various destinations in Mexico City, departing from outside the terminals.
The airport offers a wide range of shops, including duty-free, gift shops, clothing boutiques, and bookshops. There are also various restaurants, cafes, bars, and an internet cafe. Other facilities include ATMs, currency exchange, information points, luggage storage, pharmacies, and showers. There is also a medical clinic in Terminal 2.
Despite the range of facilities, travellers have reported issues with the airport's services. There are few ticket sales offices, and some travellers have reported problems with boarding due to issues with return tickets. The surrounding areas have also been described as unsafe, and sleeping in the airport is reportedly uncomfortable.
In summary, while Benito Juárez International Airport offers a comprehensive range of facilities and services, its congestion and delay issues, as well as its location in a busy urban area, can make for a poor travel experience. Travellers should be prepared for potential delays and allow for sufficient travel time when using this airport.
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Toluca Airport as an alternative
Mexico City International Airport, also known as Benito Juárez International Airport, is the largest airport in Mexico and the busiest airport in Latin America. However, some travellers have warned against using this airport due to issues with overcrowding and long wait times.
As an alternative, travellers may consider flying into Toluca Airport (TLC). Toluca is a smaller airport with only a few flights a day, making it easier and faster to get in and out. It is also geographically closer to Morelia, which could be convenient for those heading to that city. Additionally, the airport is served by Volaris, an all-executive-class airline that offers bargain airfares.
Toluca Airport is a good choice for those who want to avoid the potential issues of a large and busy airport like Mexico City International. It is also worth considering for a stopover, as the city of Toluca and its nearby areas have attractions worth exploring.
However, it is important to note that Toluca Airport may not have as many amenities and services as a larger airport like Mexico City International. It may also have fewer transportation options, so it is essential to plan accordingly.
For travellers who are connecting to another flight, it is crucial to consider the time required for the transfer. In Mexico City International Airport, a minimum of three hours is recommended for a transfer flight, and even then, there is a risk of missing a connection due to various factors such as immigration and customs procedures. On the other hand, Toluca Airport, being smaller, may facilitate faster connections, but the availability of connecting flights should also be considered.
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Immigration and customs at Mexico City Airport
Mexico City International Airport, also known as Benito Juárez International Airport (AICM), is the largest airport in Mexico and the busiest in Latin America. The airport is located just outside the city centre, about a seven-minute taxi ride away (without considering traffic).
When entering or exiting Mexico through Mexico City Airport, there are specific procedures to follow, depending on your residency status.
For foreign visitors, there are standard paperwork procedures when entering and exiting the country. If you are given a paper FMM (visitor permit) upon entry, keep it safe as you will need it when you exit. If you lose your visitor's permit, you must apply for a replacement at a local immigration office or the airport, with a fee of around US$50. If you lose your passport, which had an entry stamp, you must visit the local immigration office to explain the situation and seek guidance.
Foreign residents with a Residente Temporal or Residente Permanente card must present their passport and resident card to the Immigration Officer when exiting Mexico. If you have lost your residency card, you need to apply for a replacement. Although some airports no longer issue Exit Stamps to holders of residency cards, Mexico City Airport continues to do so. It is recommended that you obtain an Exit Stamp before leaving the country.
The airport has automated kiosk lanes where tourists can register their entry by scanning their passports. These kiosks issue a receipt with a QR code, which can be scanned to obtain a digital version of the FMM. This process is only available to passport holders from specific countries, including the US, Canada, Japan, and the UK, and has age restrictions.
Airport Facilities
Mexico City Airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 operates both domestic and international flights and is connected to several hotels, including Marriott, Hilton, and Fiesta Inn. The airport offers a range of services, including ATMs, currency exchange, duty-free shops, cafes, restaurants, information points, luggage storage, and more.
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The airport's free Wi-Fi and other amenities
Mexico City International Airport, also known as Benito Juárez International Airport or AICM, is one of the best airports in the world, ranking third according to money.co.uk. It is the largest airport in Mexico and the busiest in Latin America, with 50 million passengers travelling through it in 2019. The airport has two terminals, with 36 boarding areas in Terminal 1 and 23 boarding lounges in Terminal 2. Terminal 1 also has a food court and Terminal 2 has corridors and a food court.
The airport offers free Wi-Fi to its users, with a broadband speed of 3.5 Mbps per user. The network is called Gratis_CDMX_Aeropuerto and covers the boarding areas, corridors, and food court of Terminal 1, as well as the boarding lounges, food court, and corridors of Terminal 2. Up to 8,000 users can connect to the network simultaneously, and there is no time limit on Wi-Fi usage. The network can be accessed through electronic devices via WiFi-enabled poles identified with signs providing connection instructions.
In addition to free Wi-Fi, the airport provides a range of amenities to enhance the travel experience. These include ATMs, banking services, currency exchange, duty-free and gift shops, convenience stores, cafes, bars, restaurants, information points, luggage packaging services, pharmacies, a post office, showers, smoking areas, travel agencies, and luggage storage facilities. There are also VIP lounges available, and the airport is connected to several hotels, including the Courtyard by Marriott, Fiesta Inn, Hilton, and Camino Real.
The airport is located just outside the city centre, about a seven-minute taxi ride away (without considering traffic). It ranked seventh for on-time flights, with 80.3% of flights departing on time, and fifth for taxi fares, with a week of parking costing 2,212 pesos (US $106).
Overall, Mexico City International Airport offers a wealth of amenities, including free Wi-Fi, to ensure a convenient and comfortable experience for its passengers.
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Frequently asked questions
Mexico City has two airports, Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) and Toluca (TLC). MEX is the closest airport to the city centre, with 226 shops and free Wi-Fi. However, it is often over-saturated, with long queues at immigration. TLC is a smaller airport with fewer flights, but it is further from the city and from Morelia, where many travellers take a bus to.
The airport is often busy, so it is recommended that travellers give themselves at least three hours for a transfer flight. There are often long queues at immigration, so it is worth checking if you need to go through immigration or pick up your bags at a different airport.
There are two terminals. Terminal 1 operates domestic and international flights and has arrivals and departures floors. Terminal 2 operates international departures and domestic departures. Both terminals have charging stations.
The airport has ATMs, banking services, currency exchange, duty-free shops, gift shops, convenience stores, cafes, bars, restaurants, information points, luggage packaging, pharmacies, a post office, showers, smoking areas, travel agencies, and luggage storage facilities.
Terminal 1 is connected to the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, the Fiesta Inn Hotel, the Hilton Hotel, and the Camino Real Hotel.
