Mexico City Airport Transfers

To get from the Mexico City airport to the city center, you have several options such as the subway, bus or cab. In the case of the subway, you can take lines 5 and 9 to the historic center. You also have the option of taking some of the buses that provide service from the airport; or if you prefer more comfort, you can use a cab.

The distance from the airport to downtown Mexico City is approximately 13 km, so the transfer time may vary depending on the means of transportation you use and the traffic on the roads. Regardless of the option you choose, it is clear that before thinking about the best things to see and do in Mexico City, it is essential to know how to get around.

The shared car transfer from the Mexico City Airport to the city center is a valid option that many travelers choose. Basically it is about sharing the car with other passengers who have similar destinations and in this way the price is divided among all of them.

This option, without a doubt, offers a good balance between economy and comfort, especially in the case of those who want to avoid public transportation or unauthorized cab drivers at the airport. It is clear that, as it is a shared service, you will not have ample privacy during the transfer and in many cases you will have to wait for the quotas to be filled. Generally this type of transfer is offered in minibuses.

Details of interest

• Duration of the trip: in general, the duration of the trip is around 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Price: you will have to pay around 11 to 15 euros per person.
• Advantages of using this method: they offer both comfort and safety. You will share the cost of the service with other passengers. It is more economical when compared to private cabs. You can book online this option.
• How to book this transportation: you can hire this service at the airport or from authorized cab companies.
• Recommended if... You are traveling alone and want comfort at an affordable price.

When you make your reservation at a hotel in Mexico City, I recommend you to confirm if they offer shuttle service, which is a private transportation that takes you directly from the airport to your hotel. The shuttle bus will pick you and several passengers with the same destination and offer a door-to-door service, so it is a good option if you want to arrive early for a tour of the CDMX. The good thing about this option is that you can take all the luggage you need.

The price of the service may vary depending on the hotel, while other accommodation sites include it in the cost of the reservation. Undoubtedly, this way of transportation is one of the most comfortable and it is also ideal to avoid the stress of public transportation. Generally this transportation can be shared with three to four other people, although it all depends on the number of people going to the same hotel as you.

Interesting details

• Duration of the trip: it will take between 20 to 30 minutes to get from the airport to the hotel or lodging place, although it depends on where the hotel or lodging place is located.
• Price: this service may be included in the cost of the reservation or you may be charged a low price, which can be around 10 euros or a little less.
• Advantages of using this method: you arrive directly to your hotel without any inconvenience. You can take as many suitcases as you want or need.
• How to book this transportation: to book this option, you have to ask at your hotel or accommodation site if they have this service, at the time of booking.
• Recommended if... You are staying at a hotel that includes this service.

This service is one of the most comfortable that you can use, because it basically combines the advantages of a cab with the exclusivity of a transportation programmed in advance. With this service you will be able to customize your transportation experience from the airport to your accommodation. In addition, you will have the possibility to choose the language of the driver, the pick-up time and the size of the vehicle you need.

Using this type of transportation is a good alternative if you plan to arrive at the airport early in the morning or if you are traveling with large groups for excursions from Mexico City. One of the things you will like most about this type of transportation is that the driver will take you directly from the airport to the hotel or accommodation site without additional stops.

Interesting details

• Duration of the trip: it will take you between 20 and 30 minutes to get to your accommodation, although this amount of time depends on the traffic.
• Price: you will have to pay approximately 35 euros per person.
• Advantages of using this method: it is a completely exclusive trip. You will be able to carry as many suitcases as you want. It is a very comfortable transport. It can be booked. It is suitable for several people.
• How to book this transport: to book this transport you will have to do it online, through a booking company.
• Recommended if... You are traveling with the whole family and you want an exclusive and comfortable transfer from the airport to the city.

This is the option you should choose if you want to be picked up at the airport and taken directly to your hotel in Mexico City. In fact, taking a cab is one of the best options if you plan to arrive at night, early in the morning or with a lot of luggage. But before you book, you should know that this is the most expensive option.

To get into a cab you have to look for the cab stand in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, where the international and domestic arrivals exit is located. These cabs are available throughout the day. Before boarding a cab, you must make sure that it is authorized by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, to avoid illegal cabs.

To use this service, you have to buy your ticket at the airport counters that are set up for this function, which are generally located near the exits of each terminal. An advantage of this option is that if you are traveling with a large group, you have the opportunity to request cabs of 8 passengers to share the journey and reduce the cost.

Details of interest

• Duration of the trip: it will take you between 20 and 30 minutes to reach your destination, depending on how the traffic is maintained.
• Price: you will have to pay approximately 20 euros.
• Advantages of using this method: you will be picked up at the airport gate. You can use this service even in the early morning. It is exclusive, you can use it only you and your group.
• How to book this transport: to use the cabs you will have to buy the ticket directly at the airport, at the exits of each terminal.
• Recommended if... You are traveling with a group of friends and you want to share the costs.

A good way to get to downtown Mexico City from the airport is to use the Uber app, which offers you convenience and a more affordable price when compared to other services such as traditional cabs. It will take you the same amount of time as with a cab, but without a doubt the cost will go down considerably.

One good thing about this service that is available in Mexico City is that by using the app, you will be able to know the exact price of the ride before confirming the service request, so you can plan your budget in advance. You can find these designated zones for Uber drivers, inside the airport terminals. You also need to know that you don't need to purchase tickets, because everything is done through the mobile app.

Interesting details

• Duration of the trip: the ride lasts about 20 to 30 minutes, depending basically on traffic.
• Price: you will have to pay between 8 and 11 euros.
• Advantages of using this method: it is a cheaper service than a cab. You can use it with or without a reservation. You do not need a physical ticket because you can do everything from your mobile.
• How to book this transportation: you can request this transportation through the Uber app.
• Recommended if... You are traveling alone or as a couple and you want comfort while paying a low price.

The train is one of the cheapest options to get from the Mexico City airport to downtown Mexico City. It is not the fastest option, but it is efficient, economical and safe. The closest metro station to Terminal 1 is Terminal Aérea, where you can get on Metro Line 5. This line will take you downtown in about 40 minutes.

Depending on where your hotel or accommodation is located, you will have to transfer to other lines, so your trip may take longer. In case you have landed at Terminal 2 of the airport, you can go to the Pantitlán metro stop, which is a few minutes walk from the terminal. There you can get on lines 1, 5, 9 and A.

One of the best things about this metro is that the cost of the ticket is fixed and does not change regardless of your destination or the number of transfers you make. The metro has a frequency of about 5 minutes, so you won't have to worry about waiting too long.

Interesting details

• Travel time: it will take you between 40 and 50 minutes to get from the airport to downtown Mexico City.
• Price: all tickets, regardless of the route, cost about 0.25 euros, including transfers. But it is also a free service for seniors over 60 years old and children under 5 years old.
• Advantages of using this method: this means of transport is fast. You will have to pay much less than other popular means of transport. The metro has cars exclusively for women.
• How to book this transport: you don't book this transport, you just walk to the metro station and buy your ticket to use the service.
• Recommended if... You are traveling on a budget and want to see the city like a local.

To get to downtown Mexico City from the airport in a more direct way and without transfers, I recommend using the bus. In the city these bus lines are known as Metrobus. To use this service you will have to get on line 4, which arrives at Buenavista station in about 30 minutes.

One of the most interesting things about this service is that the bus runs in an exclusive lane, so you will be able to avoid the capital's traffic. In addition, line 4 has other intermediate stops that you can use to get to your accommodation. In this way, this means of transportation becomes an ideal option if you need to transfer to the subway.

Metrobus service runs every day of the year, and operates from 4:30 to midnight on weekdays, and from 5:00 to midnight on Sundays and holidays. To board the Metrobus, you have to buy a rechargeable transport card, which you can also use on the city's entire metropolitan bus network.

Details of interest

• Travel time: it takes about 30 minutes to get from the airport to Buenavista station.
• Price: you have to pay around 1,42 euros. Children under 5 years old and over 70 years old travel for free.
• Advantages of using this method: it is quite cheap. It is less crowded than the metro. You can make a direct route without transfers.
• How to book this transport: there is no reservation for this service. What you can do in advance is to buy the rechargeable card with which you can pay for the transfer.
• Recommended if... You are traveling alone, backpacking and want to save money.

Renting a car can be considered a very useful alternative if you expect to travel with your family or if you need to carry a lot of luggage, although it is also a good option if you expect to stay for some time in the city and do not expect to travel by subway or bus.

With this means of transportation you will have more freedom of movement if you want to visit other locations adjacent to the city. In general, this is a good option if you are considering adventures such as a trip from Mexico City to the Pyramids of Teotihuacan.

Because Mexico City is known for its high traffic density, this option may not be the most popular or appropriate, but it does depend on your personal tastes. To rent a car, you can go to Terminals 1 and 2 of the airport, where you will find several car rental counters.

Details of interest

• Travel time: It will take between 20 and 30 minutes to get from the airport to the city center, although this time depends on traffic.
• Price: the price of the rental car depends on the car rental company, the price of fuel and the conditions, although they usually charge between 8 and 12 euros per day.
• Advantages of using this method: you will have complete freedom and control over the transfer, the routes you want to follow and the time you want to take.
• How to book this transportation: you will have to do it online in the different car rental websites.
• Recommended if... You want to visit other places outside Mexico City.