Mexico City International Airport (MEX)

Overview

Officially called Benito Juarez International Airport after the 19th-century president of Mexico, Mexico City International Airport is the busiest airport in Mexico, serving more than 26 million passengers each year.

The airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 is old, dim and confusing to navigate, while the enormous Terminal 2 houses hotels, conference and business facilities, and many shops and restaurants.

Despite its prominent status in Mexican air travel, Mexico City International Airport is failing to cope with the high volume of traffic it handles each year and is beset with long queues and frequent delays. The facility is in the midst of renovations that will increase its capacity to 32 million passengers per year. Passengers flying into Mexico City International Airport should allow plenty of time for making connections and finding their way around the airport, which takes longer than expected amid the chaos.

Flights to Mexico City International Airport come in from all over the world, including international destinations like Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Santiago de Chile, Paris, Los Angeles, Lima, Madrid, Chicago, Caracas, London, Amsterdam and Toronto.

Location

The airport is situated six miles (10km) east of Mexico City.

Getting to the city

The Mexico City Metro subway system links the airport to downtown Mexico City. There are also suburban bus services including Autobuses del Oriente (ADO) and Autobuses Estrella Roja. Some hotels offer a pick-up service; it is worth checking their charge as it is generally cheaper to take a taxi.

Time

Local time is GMT -6 (GMT -5 between the first Sunday in April and the second last Sunday in October).

Contacts

Tel: +52 (0)2482 2424.

Car rental

Car rental companies include Avis, Budget and National.

Airport Taxis

Taxis are regulated and passengers can pay in advance at the taxi counter in Arrivals. Authorized taxis are mustard yellow with an aeroplane logo. It takes about 45 minutes to the city centre.

Transfer between terminals

Passengers can ride the free Air Train between the two terminals. The general public have to take the public transportation bus between the terminals at a nominal charge.

Facilities

Facilities at the airport include ATMs, banks, bureaux de change, business facilities, a post office, restaurants, shops, hotel reservations and tourist information.

Parking

Parking at Mexico City International Airport is charged at MXN 44 per hour, up to a limit of MXN 288 per day.

Website

www.aicm.com.mx

Airlines

Flights to Mexico City International Airport are available via Aeroméxico, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Delta Airlines, Iberia, Aeromar, Air Canada, Copa Airlines, Interjet, KLM, Lufthansa, United Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, US Airways, VivaAerobus and Volaris.

Internet

Wifi is available in the international terminal.

Business Lounges

The International Business Club has an auditorium, meeting rooms, internet-ready workstations and catering services. More facilities are available in the Hilton Mexico City Airport Hotel, including fax, printing and copying services, as well as secretarial support.

Mexico City Airport Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.