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), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

Quick answer

Terminals: 2 terminals, not airside-connected (re-security between some)
Minimum connection time: 45 min domestic, 1 hr 15 min international to domestic
Arrive: 2 hr before domestic, 3 hr before international
To Mexico City: about 45 min one-way
Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes

Terminals & connections

Mexico City Benito Juárez International Airport has 2 terminals. Not all terminals are airside-connected; transfers between some terminals require exiting security and re-clearing TSA. T1 and T2 are 3 km apart; AeroTrén is limited to premium/connecting passengers.

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: 1 hr 15 min
International to international: 1 hr
Transfer system: AeroTrén (premium tickets) or free shuttle bus (~15 min landside)
Airside connected: No

Layover helper

Interactive tool

Enter your layover details and we will tell you whether you have a tight connection, a comfortable connection, or enough time to leave MEX.

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at MEX is 40 minutes at peak and 15 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 2 hr before a domestic flight and 3 hr before international.

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

MEX is about 45 min from downtown Mexico City by the fastest transit option.

Option	Cost	Time
Metro Línea 5 Subway Direct Metro from T1 (Terminal Aérea); cheap but crowded.	$1	30-60 min
Metrobús Línea 4 Bus	$2	45-75 min
Uber / Didi / Cabify Rideshare Avoid unauthorized taxis.	$15-$40	30-90 min
Authorized Airport Taxi Taxi Buy tickets at authorized counters inside.	$20-$40	30-75 min

Parking

MEX parking ranges from Varies/day economy to $20/day short-term.

Short-term: $20/day
Long-term: $12/day
Economy: Not available
Valet: Not available

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. Round-trip to the city center is about 1 hr 30 min plus re-screening on return.

Traffic into central CDMX is extreme; 1.5-2 hours each way. 6+ hour layovers can visit 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?

Arrive at least 120 minutes before a domestic flight from MEX, and 180 minutes before an international flight. Peak-time TSA waits at MEX can hit 40+ minutes, so add buffer.

What is the minimum connection time at MEX?

MEX requires at least 45 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 75 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. MEX terminals are not all airside-connected; expect to re-clear security between some terminals. Transfer system: AeroTrén (premium tickets) or free shuttle bus (~15 min landside).

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

Budget 10 min for same-terminal transfers and 30 min for different-terminal transfers at MEX via AeroTrén (premium tickets) or free shuttle bus (~15 min landside). T1 and T2 are 3 km apart; AeroTrén is limited to premium/connecting passengers.

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. Round-trip to the city center is about 90 minutes plus re-screening. Traffic into central CDMX is extreme; 1.5-2 hours each way. 6+ hour layovers can visit 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?

The cheapest option is typically Metro Línea 5 at $1, taking 30-60 minutes. Direct Metro from T1 (Terminal Aérea); cheap but crowded.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at MEX?

MEX does not support TSA PreCheck and does not have CLEAR. Typical peak-hour wait is 40 minutes. 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: $20/day short-term, $12/day long-term. Book online in advance for significant discounts vs. drive-up rates.

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 69 airports in our dataset.

Best for layovers MEX is workable for 6h+ layovers With sleep pods See which airports offer capsule hotels and nap rooms Shortest MCT MEX dom-to-dom: 45 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 15 min

Airlines operating at MEX

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

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

overview: https://www.aicm.com.mx
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico_City_International_Airport

Verified 2026-04-14. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with Mexico City Benito Juárez International Airport before flying.