Landed InFrom the airport to the city center
CheapestMetro Line 5 from Terminal 1 (Terminal Aérea station)
MX$5 (about $0.30)
40 to 70 min
Metro Line 5 from Terminal 1 (Terminal Aérea station)
MX$5 (about $0.30)
40 to 70 min
- 1Collect your bags and exit to the Terminal 1 arrivals area.
- 2Walk to Metro Terminal Aérea, a short walk from the terminal.
- 3Take Line 5 toward Pantitlán, then transfer to Line 1 toward Observatorio for the center.
- 4Get off at Pino Suárez, Isabel la Católica, or Salto del Agua depending on your hotel.
- 5Keep bags in front of you. Avoid this at rush hour with large luggage.
EasiestUber from the airport pickup zone
MX$150 to MX$300 ($8 to $17)
25 to 60 min
Uber from the airport pickup zone
MX$150 to MX$300 ($8 to $17)
25 to 60 min
- 1Collect your bags and connect to airport Wi-Fi or your data.
- 2Request an Uber and follow the in-app pickup instructions, as the designated zone differs by terminal.
- 3Check the plate and driver photo before getting in.
- 4Set your destination to your hotel in the city center (Centro Histórico, Reforma, or nearby).
FastestAuthorized airport taxi (Sitio taxi)
MX$250 to MX$450 ($14 to $25)
25 to 60 min
Authorized airport taxi (Sitio taxi)
MX$250 to MX$450 ($14 to $25)
25 to 60 min
- 1Collect your bags and exit customs into the arrivals hall.
- 2Find the official prepaid taxi booth inside the terminal.
- 3Give your hotel name or address in the city center and pay at the booth.
- 4Take the printed ticket to the taxi queue and hand it to the driver.
- 5Don't accept offers from people approaching you in the hall.
Want a driver waiting for you?
Book a fixed-price transfer before you fly and skip the taxi queue.
- Welcome PickupsA driver waiting in arrivals with your name
- KiwitaxiFixed-price airport transfers worldwide
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Money
Mexican peso
MXN
$1 is about MX$17 to MX$20
Cards
Cards are widely accepted in hotels, malls, and most restaurants. Street food, markets, small shops, and the Metro need cash.
Tipping
Tip 10 to 15 percent at sit-down restaurants, often not included. Round up for taxis and tip a few pesos to bag handlers and helpers.
Cash
- Carry small bills and coins for tacos, tips, and the Metro.
- Break large bills at supermarkets or pharmacies when you can.
- Keep a small cash stash separate from your wallet.
ATMs
- Use ATMs inside banks or malls during the day rather than street machines.
- Decline dynamic currency conversion and choose to be charged in pesos.
- Check your bank's foreign fees before you go.
Apps to download
Messaging hotels, tours, and restaurants; locals use it for everything
Stay connected
An eSIM set up before you land is the easiest option. Airport SIM counters exist but cost more.
- Install an eSIM like Airalo before you fly and activate it on landing.
- Buy a Telcel SIM at the airport or a Telcel store in the city.
- Use hotel and cafe Wi-Fi, and download offline maps as a backup.
Get your eSIM before you fly
Install it at home and you'll have data the moment you land, with no airport SIM queue.
- AiraloCheap data packs for 200+ countries
- HolaflyUnlimited data plans
- SailySimple plans from the makers of NordVPN
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Good to know
- Use Uber or authorized taxis. Avoid hailing street cabs, especially at night.
- Drink bottled or purified water and avoid ice from unknown sources.
- Pickpocketing is common on the Metro and in crowded areas. Keep phones and wallets out of back pockets.
- Greet shopkeepers with a quick buenos días. It goes a long way.
- The altitude can cause headaches and tiredness. Go easy on alcohol the first day or two.
- Stick to well-lit, busy areas and stay aware of your surroundings.
- Some neighborhoods are less safe. Check with your hotel on where to avoid.
Prices and tips are AI-written estimates, so double-check anything important.