Mexico City Airport (MEX)
Mexico City Airport (MEX) has two passenger terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and a free AirTrain that runs between them for passengers with a boarding pass. On arrival you clear immigration, collect your bags and pass through customs. It is a large airport, so leave time between the plane and the taxi. Check which terminal your flight uses.
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Updated October 2026
The terminals at Mexico City Airport
Mexico City International Airport has two passenger terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The airline that flies your flight decides which one you use, so check the terminal on your ticket and on the airline's site before you travel.
The AirTrain connects the two terminals:
- It is free of charge, and it runs daily from 5:00 to 23:00.
- A boarding pass is required to board it.
- At Terminal 1 you board between Gate 5 and Gate 6, and go upstairs.
- At Terminal 2 you board at Gate 8, on the left side.
When the AirTrain is not running, a TETSA bus connects the two terminals, from Gate 7 at Terminal 1 and Gate 4 at Terminal 2, every day from 5:00 to 1:00. The bus is not free.
Getting to and from Mexico City Airport
The airport is in the Venustiano Carranza borough, inside the city and east of the historic centre. The distance is short, but traffic decides how long the trip takes, so leave extra time at rush hour.
The metro and the airport bus are the cheapest way into the city, and the airport has authorised taxi stands. At rush hour, the bus or the metro can be as fast as a car.
Mexico City has a second airport, Felipe Ángeles (NLU), in Santa Lucía, north of the city, and some flights use it. If your ticket says NLU, that is a different airport in a different direction, so check the code.
What happens when you arrive at MEX
Keep your passport and any form you filled in on the plane with you the whole way, from the aircraft door to the exit.
If you are connecting to a domestic flight, for example to Cancún, Guadalajara or Monterrey, you still clear immigration and customs at MEX first and then check your bags in again for the domestic flight. Check the terminal of your connecting flight, because it may be the other one.
Mexico City Airport with children
Keep water and a snack in your carry-on bag: with two terminals and a large customs hall, a family can walk a long way before reaching the car. The AirTrain and the moving walks make the trip between the terminals easier with a stroller.
If someone in the family needs a wheelchair, ask your airline for assistance when you book, and allow extra time for the walk to the gate.
Plan your stop at Mexico City Airport
Terminals, airlines and arrival procedures change, so check with the airline and the airport's own site before you travel. And check with the embassy or consulate about the documents your family needs for the entry rules of every country on your route.
Sources
- Official page of the Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México on the AirTrain between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2: it is free, a boarding pass is required, and it runs daily from 5:00 to 23:00. It also says where to board it in each terminal. — aicm.com.mx (checked 21 October 2026)
- Official page of the same airport on the TETSA bus between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, the alternative when the AirTrain is not running. — aicm.com.mx (checked 21 October 2026)
- Official programme document of the Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México, which describes the Sistema Aeroportuario Metropolitano: AICM together with Felipe Ángeles in Santa Lucía and Toluca. — aicm.com.mx (checked 21 October 2026)
Frequently asked questions
How many terminals does Mexico City Airport have?
Two passenger terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Your airline decides which one you use, so check the terminal on your ticket.
How do I get between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at MEX?
With the AirTrain, which is free and runs daily from 5:00 to 23:00. You need a boarding pass to board it. If it is not running, a TETSA bus connects the two terminals for a fare.
How far is MEX from the city?
It depends on the traffic: the airport is inside the city, east of the historic centre, but the roads are often busy. Leave extra time at rush hour.
What do I do first when I land at Mexico City Airport?
Keep your passport and any form you filled in on the plane with you the whole way, from the aircraft door to the exit, and check with the airline's desk about a domestic connection.
Can I connect to a domestic flight at MEX?
Yes. You still clear immigration and customs at MEX first, and then check your bags in again for the domestic flight. Check the terminal of your connecting flight, because it may be the other one.