Mexico City International Airport (MEX) sits close to the eastern edge of the city, and the safest, most practical answer to "how do I get into town" depends heavily on your luggage, your destination and, frankly, how comfortable you are navigating a very large, very busy Latin American capital on arrival. For most visitors, an authorised airport taxi or the Metrobús are the realistic choices; the Metro is cheaper still but comes with real caveats.
Authorised airport taxis: the recommended default
Mexico City's airport has staffed authorised taxi booths inside the terminals (look for "sitio" or official taxi counters, not drivers approaching you in the arrivals hall). You pay a fixed rate at the booth based on the zone you're travelling to, then get a ticket to hand to the driver — this removes any negotiation or meter uncertainty and is the method both the airport and most travel advice recommend for visitors, particularly on a first trip or when arriving with luggage.
Journey time to central areas such as the Centro Histórico, Roma or Condesa is typically 30–50 minutes, considerably longer in heavy traffic, which is common at most hours in this city. Fares are zone-based and reasonable for the convenience, and rise for destinations further from the airport, such as Polanco or Santa Fe.
Ride-hailing apps
Uber and other ride-hailing apps operate at MEX, though pick-up arrangements have shifted over time and can require walking to a designated area away from the terminal front rather than being flagged down at the curb — check your app for the current pick-up point when you land. Pricing is generally comparable to or below the authorised taxi rate, and for many visitors this is now the preferred option precisely because the driver and route are tracked through the app.
Metrobús Línea 4
The Metrobús — Mexico City's bus rapid transit system, running in dedicated lanes — has a line serving the airport directly. Línea 4 connects Terminal 1 to the Centro Histórico and on toward Buenavista, with a very low fare paid via a rechargeable card bought at the station. Journey time is roughly 40–60 minutes depending on traffic and stops, and the dedicated bus lanes make it noticeably more reliable than a taxi during the city's frequent congestion.
The Metrobús is a good option for budget travellers without excessive luggage, particularly if your destination is near the Centro Histórico. It is less comfortable than a taxi for large suitcases and busy at peak commuting times.
The Metro
Mexico City's Metro is the cheapest way to travel by a wide margin, and Línea 5 has a station connected to the airport (Terminal 1) by a short walk. It's an efficient network covering huge areas of the city at a very low fare.
That said, the Metro is not generally recommended for visitors arriving with luggage: trains and stations get extremely crowded, especially at peak times, there's limited space designed for suitcases, and petty theft is a realistic concern in crowded carriages. Travellers without much luggage and comfortable navigating a busy transit system may find it perfectly workable outside rush hour; anyone with bags, travelling solo late at night, or unfamiliar with the city is generally better served by the Metrobús or an authorised taxi.
The AIFA question
Mexico City is now served by a second airport, Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), built well to the north of the city to relieve pressure on the main airport. If your flight is booked into AIFA rather than MEX, the transfer situation is quite different: AIFA is considerably further from central Mexico City — commonly over an hour's drive in normal traffic, more at busy times — and ground transport options are less dense than at the long-established main airport. Some airlines and routes now use AIFA specifically, so it's worth double-checking which airport your ticket actually lands at before you plan your transfer, rather than assuming "Mexico City" means the main airport.
Which option should you choose?
For most visitors, especially on a first trip or arriving with luggage, an authorised taxi from the terminal booth or a pre-booked ride-hailing app is the sensible, safe default. Budget travellers without much luggage can save money on the Metrobús Línea 4, which is reliable thanks to its dedicated lanes. The Metro is cheapest of all but best reserved for light-luggage travellers comfortable with a crowded transit system. If you're flying into AIFA rather than MEX, budget considerably more time and expect to rely on taxi, rideshare or a bus service built around that airport specifically.
For onward travel from Mexico City, see our guides to Mexico City to Oaxaca, Mexico City to Puebla, west to Guadalajara, or east to the coast in Mexico City to Cancun.
Frequently asked questions
What is the safest way to get a taxi from Mexico City Airport?
Use only the authorised taxi booths inside the terminal, where you pay a fixed zone-based fare and receive a ticket for the driver. Never accept a ride from someone approaching you in the arrivals hall or hail a cab on the street outside.
Is the Metro safe to use from the airport with luggage?
It's cheap and functional, but stations and trains get very crowded, with limited space for suitcases and a real risk of petty theft in busy carriages. It suits light-luggage travellers outside peak hours better than anyone arriving with substantial bags.
What's the difference between MEX and AIFA?
MEX is Mexico City's long-established main airport, close to the city centre. AIFA (Felipe Ángeles International Airport) is a newer airport well to the north of the city, with a considerably longer and costlier transfer. Check which one your flight actually uses.
How long does it take to get from the airport to the Centro Histórico?
By authorised taxi or rideshare, typically 30–50 minutes depending on traffic, which is frequently heavy. The Metrobús Línea 4 takes a broadly similar 40–60 minutes but is less affected by congestion thanks to its dedicated lanes.
Sources and further reading:
- Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México — official ground transportation and authorised taxi information.
- Metrobús CDMX — Línea 4 route, fares and Metrobús card information.
- Sistema de Transporte Colectivo (Metro CDMX) — Línea 5 route and fares.