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MEX · Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico · International Hub

Mexico City Benito Juárez International Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Mexico City Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX), sourced from the airport or the operator that runs each service, with minimums from OAG data.

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On this page
  1. Map
  2. Terminals & connections
  3. Layover helper
  4. Security & TSA
  5. Lounges
  6. Amenities
  7. Ground transport
  8. Parking
  9. Can I leave?
  10. FAQ

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 2 terminals
  • Minimum connection time: 45 min domestic, 2 hr international to domestic
  • Arrive: 2 hr before domestic, 3 hr before international (airport's advice)
  • Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes

Map

Open in OpenStreetMap

Terminals & connections

Mexico City Benito Juárez International Airport has 2 terminals. Transfer system: AeroTrén (free for connecting passengers with a boarding pass) or paid public bus between terminals (landside). T1 and T2 are about 3 km apart. Connecting passengers ride the AeroTrén free; the public inter-terminal bus is paid.

Terminal 1

14 airlines: Volaris, American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, British Airways, Air France, and more

Older original terminal.

Terminal 2

1 airline: Aeromexico

Newer terminal; Aeromexico hub.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
45 min
Domestic to international
1 hr
International to domestic
2 hr
International to international
2 hr
Transfer system
AeroTrén (free for connecting passengers with a boarding pass) or paid public bus between terminals (landside)
Airside connected
Not published
Check your connection time at MEX

Layover helper

Find how long to plan for a connection at MEX: the official minimum connection time, plus a comfortable time of 30 minutes more, or 60 more when you clear customs or go through security again after a terminal change. Adjust trip type, terminal change, and checked-bag assumptions to match your itinerary.

Minimum connection at MEX

45min

Comfortable

75+ min

The shortest connection airlines usually sell here. Includes the walk between gates. Source: OAG

Comfortable is our guidance, not a rule.

Flying Aeromexico both ways?Aeromexico is a hub carrier here, with its own same-airline minimums
Both flights on Aeromexico?
ConnectionAeromexicoAirportvs airport
Domestic → Domestic45'45'0
Domestic → International60'60'0
International → Domestic75'120'-45'
International → International75'120'-45'

Aeromexico's same-airline minimums (OAG). Mixed-airline connections use the airport standard.

Based on:
Connection times are estimates. Verify with your airline.Powered by Travel VientTerms

Writing about MEX? Embed this connection time calculator on your site

Security & TSA

Security waits at MEX vary by time of day and checkpoint. Mexico City Benito Juárez International Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight.

TSA PreCheck
Not available
CLEAR
Not available
Global Entry
Not available

MEX can have very long immigration queues.

Lounges

1 notable lounge at MEX, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.

Aeromexico Salón Premier

Terminal 2

Aeromexico / SkyTeam

Access: Business, SkyTeam Elite Plus

Amenities: Showers, Bar

Amenities

6 of 7 core amenities available at MEX: showers, free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pharmacy, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.

Showers

Available

Premium lounges, pay-per-use spa

Sleep pods

Not available

WiFi

Free (good)

1 hour free.

Nursing rooms

Available

Both terminals

Chapel

Available

Catholic chapel in both terminals

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas

Dining highlights

Terminal 1: Sanborns, Wings

Ground transport to Mexico City

No official source we checked publishes a ride time from MEX to downtown Mexico City.

OptionCostTime
Metro Línea 5
Subway
Direct Metro from T1 (Terminal Aérea); cheap but crowded.
VariesVaries
Metrobús Línea 4
Bus
VariesVaries
Uber / Didi / Cabify
Rideshare
Avoid unauthorized taxis.
VariesVaries
Authorized Airport Taxi
Taxi
Buy tickets at authorized counters inside.
VariesVaries

Parking

MEX on-airport parking is $21/day. Approximate USD; AICM prices in MXN. Official 7-24h daily maximum is MXN 391 (~USD 21 at ~18.5 MXN/USD), per the AICM site ('Estancia de 7 a 24 horas ... $391.00 maximo'). AICM uses a single daily tariff, so there is no cheaper on-airport long-term tier and no long-term rate is listed. Valet MXN 61 plus time.

Short-term
$21/day
Long-term
Varies
Economy
Not published
Valet
Not published

Can I leave MEX during a layover?

With a 3-hour layover, stay inside MEX. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Mexico City.

Traffic into central CDMX is extreme. 6+ hour layovers can visit the Zócalo. US 180-day visa-free.

Overnight layover hotels

  • NH Collection México City Airport T2
    On-airport T2
    $$$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at MEX?

Mexico City Benito Juárez International Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, so add buffer at busy times.

What is the minimum connection time at MEX?

MEX requires at least 45 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 120 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. Transfer system: AeroTrén (free for connecting passengers with a boarding pass) or paid public bus between terminals (landside).

How long does it take to get between terminals at MEX?

We have no officially published terminal-to-terminal transfer time for MEX, so plan around the minimum connection time and add time for the terminal change.

Can I leave MEX during a 6-hour layover?

With 3 hours you should stay inside MEX. A 6-hour layover is enough to leave the airport briefly. Traffic into central CDMX is extreme. 6+ hour layovers can visit the Zócalo. US 180-day visa-free.

Does MEX have showers?

Yes, MEX has showers at Premium lounges, pay-per-use spa.

Does MEX have sleep pods?

MEX does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.

Is WiFi free at MEX?

Yes. MEX offers free WiFi throughout the airport. 1 hour free.

What is the cheapest way to get from MEX to Mexico City?

See the ground transport section for all options from MEX to Mexico City.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at MEX?

MEX does not support TSA PreCheck and does not have CLEAR. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint. MEX can have very long immigration queues.

Where should I eat at MEX during a layover?

Notable dining at MEX includes Sanborns (Terminal 1), Wings (Terminal 1).

How much does parking cost at MEX?

MEX parking rates: $21/day short-term. Approximate USD; AICM prices in MXN. Official 7-24h daily maximum is MXN 391 (~USD 21 at ~18.5 MXN/USD), per the AICM site ('Estancia de 7 a 24 horas ... $391.00 maximo'). AICM uses a single daily tariff, so there is no cheaper on-airport long-term tier and no long-term rate is listed. Valet MXN 61 plus time.

Is there a hotel at MEX for overnight layovers?

Yes. NH Collection México City Airport T2 is on-airport (On-airport T2) in the $$$ price band. This is the easiest option for overnight layovers or early-morning departures since you can reach the terminal on foot without a shuttle or rideshare.

Which terminal does my airline use at MEX?

MEX has 2 terminals. Major airline assignments: Terminal 1: Volaris, American Airlines, United Airlines; Terminal 2: Aeromexico. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.

Are there pet relief areas at MEX?

Yes. Pet relief areas.

Is there a chapel or prayer room at MEX?

Yes. Catholic chapel in both terminals.

Compare MEX to other airports

See how MEX ranks against the other 111 airports in our dataset.

Best for layoversMEX is workable for 6h+ layoversWith sleep podsSee which airports offer capsule hotels and nap roomsShortest MCTMEX dom-to-dom: 45 min · intl-to-dom: 2 hr

More on Mexico City and MEX

Go deeper on connecting through MEX and on visiting Mexico City.

Airlines operating at MEX

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of MEX.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Connection times, security, ground transport and parking verified Oct 2026 against the sources above. Amenities, lounges and nearby hotels without a listed source are not yet verified. Always confirm with Mexico City Benito Juárez International Airport before flying.

If a figure looks wrong, email hello@vient.org, see how we handle corrections, or browse past fixes in our public changelog.