Mexico City International Airport (MEX) is about 13 km from the historic city center, and you can get there by Welcome Pickups private transfer from €27 (MXN 543) in about 20 minutes.
An authorized airport taxi costs around €16 (around MXN 325), Metrobús Line 4 costs €2.28 (MXN 45) in around 45 minutes, or Metro Line 5 costs €0.60 (MXN 5) in around 50 minutes. The Metro requires a connection to reach the historic center, while Line 4 runs through the Centro Histórico.
Don’t confuse Mexico City International Airport (MEX) with Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU/AIFA). Check the airport name and code on your ticket before booking your airport transportation.
Mexico City Airport to city center in 2026: Compare 4 transport options
PRICE FOR 
OPTION | PRICE | TIME | AVAILABILITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer | €27 | 20min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| The ideal option for anyone wanting an efficient, safe, comfortable journey. Especially good for those arriving late at night. | ||||||
Taxi | €16 | 20min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| Taxis are ideal for travelers who value convenience but who haven't booked a ride in advance. | ||||||
Metrobús Line 4 | €4.56 | 45min | 04:30–00:00 | Convenience | Read more | |
| An affordable option for travelers staying in Centro Histórico with plenty of time to spare. | ||||||
Metro (Line 5) | €1.20 | 50min | 05:00–00:00 | Convenience | Read more | |
| An option for those on a tight budget who don't have a lot of luggage. | ||||||
Mexico City Airport taxis are available from both terminals 24/7. Unlike a normal street taxi, you should buy your taxi ticket from an authorized taxi booth inside the airport before going to the vehicle.
How much is a taxi from Mexico City Airport to the city center?
An authorized airport taxi costs around €16 (MXN 325) to the city center. The airport has multiple authorized taxi groups, and they are in pink/white or maroon/gold colors.
Where do I get a taxi at Mexico City Airport?
Do not accept rides from people approaching you and offering a taxi. Go to an authorized taxi booth (overhead signs labeled “Taxi Autorizado” or “Transportación Terrestre”) inside the terminal, tell them your destination, pay the fare, and collect your taxi ticket.
Follow the signs to the designated taxi rank, give your ticket to the dispatcher/driver, and check that the taxi matches your ticket before getting in. AICM lists authorized taxi-ticket locations in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Convenience
An authorized airport taxi is one of the easiest options because it is available 24/7 and takes you directly to your accommodation. You also avoid the complicated airport pickup situation that affects app-based rides. However, the price is higher than public transport, and you still need to deal with the ticketing process for airport taxis.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreMetrobús Line 4 is one of the most useful public transport options from MEX because it connects both airport terminals with the Centro Histórico and other central areas. The airport service currently costs €2.28 (MXN 45) and operates from the airport to central Mexico City. The 2026 airport service is operating under the “Quetzalcóatl” route during airport remodeling works.
How much is Metrobús Line 4 from Mexico City Airport?
The airport fare is €1.52 (MXN 30). This is higher than the standard €0.30 (MXN 6) Metrobus fare because the airport service has a special airport tariff. If you don’t already have a Mobility Card, you also need to pay €0.76 (MXN 15) for the card, making your initial cost €2.28 (MXN 45).
The card can then be topped up for future journeys and can be used across Mexico City’s integrated transport network, including the Metro, Metrobús, RTP buses, Trolebús, Light Rail, Cablebús and Ecobici (bike sharing).
Airport Bus Line 4 service currently operates Monday–Saturday: 04:30–00:00, and Sunday 05:00–00:00.
Where do I catch Metrobús Line 4 at Mexico City Airport?
Currently (2026), the airport boarding points are temporarily at Door 7 of Terminal 1 and Door 4 of Terminal 2 because of airport remodeling. The route then runs through central areas, including the Centro Histórico.
Convenience
Line 4 is particularly useful if you are staying around Centro Histórico, because it provides a direct public-transport connection without the Metro transfer required by Line 5. It is also substantially cheaper than an airport taxi.
The downside is that it makes stops along the way and can be uncomfortable with several large suitcases.
Timetables
Metro bus hours and information
Useful Tips
You can go from Mexico Airport to the city by Metro. This is the cheapest transport option, but take note that Terminal 2 doesn’t have a metro station. From Terminal 1, the nearest airport station is Terminal Aerea on Line 5, and the standard metro fare is €0.60 (MXN 5). On Line 5, you will need to change trains to continue toward the central areas.
How much is the metro from Mexico City Airport to the city center?
A metro journey costs €0.60 (MXN 5). Contactless Visa, Mastercard, and American Express bank cards are accepted at metro gates on the network, although having a Mobility Integrated (MI) card is still useful if you plan to use several forms of public transport.
At Terminal Aérea, Line 5 operates Monday–Friday 05:00–00:00, Saturday: 06:00–00:00, and Sunday/holidays: 07:00–00:00.
Where do I get the metro at Mexico City Airport?
The airport does not have a Metro station inside the terminal building. From Terminal 1, you walk to Terminal Aérea station on Line 5, which is outside the airport complex. From Terminal 2, you have to walk about 10 to 15 minutes along the main road to reach Pantitlán Station.
Line 5 runs through stations including Oceanía, La Raza and Autobuses del Norte. To reach the historic center, you need to transfer to another Metro line, depending on your final destination.
Convenience
The metro is by far the cheapest option and can be useful for travelers with light luggage who are comfortable navigating Mexico City’s public transport. It can also avoid road traffic.
The problem is luggage and transfers. You have to walk from the airport to the station, navigate stairs and platforms, and potentially change trains. Recent travelers report that the route itself is straightforward but that carrying luggage through stations is the main inconvenience.
Timetables
Metro Information
Useful Tips
A Mexico City Airport transfer with Welcome Pickups costs from €27 (around MXN 543) for a sedan for up to 3 passengers and takes around 20 minutes in typical traffic. You get a fixed price, and your driver waits for you at Arrivals with a sign with your name. This is the safest way to get from Mexico City Airport to a hotel or accommodation.
How much is a private transfer from Mexico City Airport to downtown?
Welcome Pickups prices start at:
The fare is fixed when you book, so you are not paying by the meter, and it won’t increase while you’re stuck in traffic.
Private transfers are available 24/7 from Mexico City Airport (MEX).
Where do I meet my Welcome driver at Mexico City Airport?
Your pickup instructions and meeting point are provided when you book. Welcome Pickups includes 60 minutes of free waiting time after your flight lands, giving you time to get through passport control, customs, and baggage claim.
Convenience
This option is particularly useful at MEX because the airport can be confusing for first-time visitors: authorized taxi booths are mixed with other transport information, while Uber pickups can be complicated by restrictions and changing enforcement.
A private transfer removes those problems. You arrange the ride before your flight, receive a fixed quote, and have a driver waiting rather than trying to locate an app-based pickup point or negotiate with a taxi after landing.
Useful Tips
Sedan up to 3 passengers
€27Starting from 9 EUR / passenger
Minivan up to 6 passengers
€38Starting from 6.3 EUR / passenger
Minibus up to 12 passengers
€39Starting from 3.3 EUR / passenger
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Mexico City Airport to the city center?
There are multiple ways to get from Mexico Airport to the city center, such as authorized airport taxis, Metrobús, or metro. You can also book a direct prepaid transfer from the airport to your destination at a fixed fare.
What is the best way to get from Mexico City Airport to the city center?
A private transfer is the most convenient option to get from Mexico City Airport to the city center. You can also use authorized airport taxis, the Metrobús, or the Metro.
How much is a taxi from Mexico City Airport to downtown?
Yes, expect around €16 (MXN 325) for an authorized airport taxi to central Mexico City. The exact fare depends on your destination and the tariff displayed at the airport taxi booth.
Can Uber or DiDi pick you up at Mexico City Airport?
No, not inside the airport’s federal zone. AICM states that app-based taxi services are not authorized to operate in the airport’s federal zone, so you should not assume an Uber or DiDi driver can pick you up at the Arrivals curb.
If you want a pre-booked ride that meets you at the airport, a Welcome Pickups private transfer avoids the uncertainty around app-based airport pickups.
How long does it take to get from Mexico City Airport to downtown?
Consider around 20–40 minutes by road to get from Mexico City Airport to downtown in normal traffic. Welcome Pickups estimates around 20 minutes for its private transfer, but Mexico City’s traffic can make road journeys considerably longer, particularly during busy periods.
The Metrobús takes around 45 minutes, while the Metro can take around 50 minutes or more because you need to walk to Terminal Aérea station and change lines for some central destinations.
How far is Mexico City Airport from the city center?
MEX is about 10 km from central Mexico City. The exact distance depends on which part of the city you are visiting, but the airport is relatively close to Centro Histórico compared with many major international airports.
How do I take the metro from Mexico City Airport to the city center?
You can take the metro from Terminal 1. Walk to the Terminal Aérea station on Line 5 outside Terminal 1, then take Line 5 and change to another line based on your destination.
The metro fare is €0.60 (MXN 5) per person. The main drawback is that there is no metro station inside the terminal, and you may need to walk, change trains, and carry your luggage through crowded stations.
Can I take the metro from the airport with a suitcase?
Yes, but it is not the most convenient option with large luggage. The metro is inexpensive, but you need to walk from Terminal 1 to Terminal Aérea station and potentially change trains, so a large suitcase can make the journey cumbersome.
How do I get from Mexico City Airport to the city at 3am?
You can still get a private transfer or an authorized airport taxi at 03:00, but the metro and Metrobús are closed.
Is it safe to take a taxi from Mexico City Airport?
Yes, if you use an authorized airport taxi. Buy your taxi ticket from an authorized taxi booth inside the terminal and follow the instructions to the designated pickup area, rather than accepting a ride from someone approaching you in Arrivals.
Am I flying into MEX or AIFA (NLU)?
Check the airport code on your ticket before booking your transfer. MEX is Mexico City International Airport (Benito Juárez), while NLU is Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), a different airport much farther from central Mexico City.
Should I pre-book a transfer or take a taxi on arrival?
Yes, either works, but pre-booking is more convenient if you want a predictable arrival. An authorized airport taxi is available when you land, while a Welcome Pickups private transfer gives you a fixed price, a prearranged driver, flight monitoring, and luggage assistance so you don’t have to queue at a taxi booth or work out your transport after a long flight.
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