How to get to Mexico: airports, flights and border crossings

Pick the airport that matches where you are going, not the cheapest fare. Mexico is large: a cheap flight into Cancún is no bargain if your plan is Mexico City, Oaxaca and Guanajuato, and a flight into Mexico City is wrong for a week on the Riviera Maya.

Season changes price more than route. December to April is high season on both coasts and in the Yucatán, when fares and seats are tightest. May to October is cheaper and hotter, with rain on the Pacific and Caribbean sides and hurricane season from June to November. The highland cities such as Mexico City, Oaxaca and San Cristóbal are pleasant for much of the year.

From the United States, Mexico is a short-haul destination. Nonstop flights run from most large hubs to Mexico City, Cancún, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and more. Budget carriers keep fares low on the busiest routes, especially to Cancún and Los Cabos. A nonstop from the US east or west coast is usually a few hours; add a connection and it can double.

From Canada, Toronto and Montreal have nonstops to Cancún and Mexico City, and Vancouver has nonstops to several beach and Baja airports. From the UK and Europe, nonstops go to Cancún and Mexico City, with connections through the US, Madrid or Panama for other cities. From Australia and New Zealand there are no nonstops; you connect through the US or Asia, and the total travel day is long.

Fares move with season and how far ahead you book. As a rough guide, a US–Mexico round trip can be cheap in low season and much higher around Christmas and spring break; long-haul fares from Europe, Australia and NZ are a bigger cost and worth booking early. Treat any figure as a 2026 estimate and check live prices.

Land entry from the United States is straightforward at dozens of crossings in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. You can walk or drive across at busy points such as Tijuana, and cross by bus or car further east. Bring your passport, and expect queues at peak times; walking across is often faster than driving. If you drive into Mexico, check your insurance: US policies usually do not cover Mexico, and you need Mexican coverage.

By sea, cruise ships call at Cozumel, Costa Maya, Progreso, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas. Cruise passengers usually clear immigration at the port and can explore for the day without a separate visa process. If you arrive on a private boat, you must clear in at a port of entry and get a permit; rules differ from cruise arrivals.

For all entries, the document that matters is your passport, and most visitors receive a permit on arrival. Rules and fees can change, so confirm the current requirement before you travel.

At Mexico City (MEX), the airport sits inside the city. Authorised prepaid taxis and ride-hailing apps are the usual choices; the Metro also reaches the airport, and a suburban train link serves some terminals. Allow extra time in traffic, which is heavy most of the day.

At Cancún (CUN), the airport is well south of the hotel zone. Shared shuttles, private transfers and ADO buses run to Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum; the bus is the cheapest and leaves frequently. At Guadalajara, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, taxis, ride-hailing and airport buses cover the main areas. Always agree the fare or use a prepaid counter before you get in.

Book the airport that matches your route, then book onward transport. Domestic flights inside Mexico are cheap and fast, and they beat long overnight buses for most first trips. If you plan to move between regions, flying is usually the better use of a short holiday.

Check your passport validity and the entry permit rules before buying tickets. Buy travel insurance that covers medical care and, if you plan to drive, rental car excess. Sort out money and a SIM or eSIM before or on arrival so you can pay and navigate from the airport. Finally, check the season: hurricane season affects both coasts from June to November, and holiday weeks fill hotels and raise fares.