Find a Flight to Mexico City

Benito Juárez International (MEX) is the main airport, five kilometres east of the centre and one of the busiest in Latin America, hub for Aeroméxico and Volaris.

Before you book

Check the airport code. MEX is Benito Juárez, close to the city. NLU is Felipe Ángeles, opened in 2022, around 50 kilometres north — an hour to ninety minutes by road, with a suburban rail link from 2024. Both are sold as Mexico City.

Two terminals at MEX, on opposite sides of the airfield and not walkable. Aeroméxico and Delta use T2; most others T1. Allow 20 to 30 minutes to transfer.

Entry. Most European, North American and many other nationalities enter visa-free for tourism. Mexico stopped issuing paper FMM cards at most airports in 2022 — the permitted stay is now stamped in your passport and the number of days is at the officer’s discretion. Check it before leaving the desk; overstaying carries a fine on departure.

Altitude. You land at 2,240 metres. Plan a light first day.

When fares are lowest

May and June, and September, are the cheapest — either side of the summer holidays and into the rainy season.

Late October into early November is now the peak because of Day of the Dead, and books out months ahead.

December around Guadalupe and Christmas, and Semana Santa at Easter, both spike.

July and August are Mexican school holidays and busy.

Onward

Mexico is very large and domestic flights are cheap — Volaris, VivaAerobus and Aeroméxico all fly a dense network. Oaxaca is an hour, Mérida two, Tijuana three and a half.

Long-distance coaches are excellent and are the way to reach Puebla, Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato. ADO, ETN and Primera Plus run from four terminals on the four sides of the city.

On arrival

Take an authorised taxi ticket from a booth inside the terminal, or use Uber or DiDi. Never accept an approach in the arrivals hall. See airport to the city.

Withdraw pesos from a bank ATM rather than exchanging at the airport.