Mexico City airport to city centre: trains, buses, taxis and costs

Both Mexico City airports sit outside the historic centre, and neither has a rail link to it. MEX (Benito Juárez) is the close one, roughly 6–8 km east of the Zócalo. NLU (Felipe Ángeles) is about 45 km north, so the same trip costs more time and money. Pick by luggage and arrival hour, not by price alone.

At MEX, the simplest safe move is the authorised taxi. Counters sit inside the arrivals halls of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2: you state your destination, pay, and get a ticket for a driver outside. This avoids the unlicensed drivers who approach you in the hall. App cars work too and are usually cheaper, but pick-up points are restricted at the terminals, so follow the in-app instructions rather than waiting at the kerb.

The Metro is the cheapest way in and the least comfortable with bags. Line 5 stops at Terminal 1 only; from there you change to reach Centro or Roma. It runs roughly 05:00–24:00, is packed at rush hour, and pickpocketing is a real risk. Metrobús Line 4 serves both terminals and is a little easier with a suitcase, though still crowded.

From NLU, expect a longer, pricier ride. Authorised taxis and app cars both operate, and there are shuttle buses toward the centre, but confirm the current schedule and stop before you rely on one. If your flight lands at NLU and your hotel is in Roma or Condesa, budget the extra hour and the extra cost into your plan.

For a fixed price and no haggling, pre-book a private transfer before you fly. It costs more than an app car but removes the arrival-night guesswork, which matters if you land after dark or do not speak Spanish.

Prices below are 2026 estimates in pesos. The peso-to-dollar rate moves, so treat the brackets as rough.

Tipping is normal for drivers who handle bags: MXN 20–50 is fine. Public toilets at the airport charge MXN 5–10, so keep small change.

Buy your Mobility Integrated Card at a station machine if you plan to use the Metro or Metrobús more than once; it covers both and the city's other lines.

Ignore anyone in the arrivals hall who offers a taxi without a counter or a meter. Walk to the official desk or open the app.

If you land between 17:00 and 20:00 on a weekday, add 30–45 minutes to any road option, or take the Metro to avoid the traffic entirely.

Have your hotel address written in Spanish, including the colonia (district) name. Drivers need it; street names repeat across the city.

Sort out mobile data before you land so your app car and map work on arrival. See our eSIM guide.