Mexico City International Airport (AICM)

Formally inaugurated in November 1928 under the name of “Central Air Port” (Puerto Aéreo Central), the Benito Juárez International Airport of Mexico City (AICM) has evolved alongside the metropolis. Going from plains and dirt runways where biplanes landed to a colossal infrastructure that connects with more than 40 domestic and more of 55 international destinations, it is today the most important air connection hub in the country and the great gateway to the Mexican Republic. The architectural complex is strategically organized in the east of the capital, divided by its runways. Understanding its layout and the multiple ground transportation options it offers is fundamental for any visitor to achieve a safe, swift, and direct arrival to the hotel zones and tourist corridors of the city.

The two terminals

• Terminal 1 (T1): The original and largest building of the complex, located in the Peñón de los Baños neighborhood. It is the result of successive expansion stages throughout the 20th century and handles the vast majority of international and intercontinental companies, housing a huge offering of commercial services, banks, fine dining restaurants, and hotels connected directly to its hallways. The vast majority of international, intercontinental, and low-cost airlines operate here. It is divided into two main floors: the ground floor houses almost all international and domestic arrivals, while the upper floor concentrates the check-in counters, security checkpoints, and departure lounges (numbered from 1 to 36).
• Terminal 2 (T2): Inaugurated in 2008 to relieve the historic saturation of T1 and located in the Federal Zone. It stands out for its contemporary architecture of clean lines and large domes that flood its halls with natural light, a project led by architect Francisco Serrano. It functions as the main hub for Aeroméxico and its associated airlines (SkyTeam). Its ground floor welcomes all passengers (Arrivals), while the large hall on the upper floor concentrates all check-in counters under spectacular domes that bathe the space in natural light. The boarding lounges are divided into two large wings: “K” for international flights and “M” for domestic flights. In September 2025, T2 unveiled a vibrant work of urban art titled Memoria y Territorio (Memory and Territory). Created by talented urban artists (highlighting collectives from Iztapalapa), this new mural was installed as a grand aesthetic and emotional welcome letter for travelers. The artwork brings together historical and modern symbols of Mexico City, consolidating the airport as a space that celebrates the culture, tradition, and contemporary dynamism of the metropolis.

Ground Connectivity

To travel from the airport to the main tourist spots (such as the Historic Center, Roma-Condesa, or Paseo de la Reforma), the city offers a solid Integrated Mobility Network and regulated private options:

• Metrobús Line 4 (Airport Route): The fastest, most affordable, and safest public option. It features state-of-the-art buses equipped with air conditioning, video surveillance, and a special confined area for safeguarding heavy luggage. It directly connects the terminals with the Historic Center and Bellas Artes.
• Official Taxis (Taxi Stands / Taxis de Sitio): Transportation units regulated by the federal government that operate with fixed rates strictly calculated by geographic zones of the city. They provide maximum security and are hired exclusively by paying in advance at the authorized ticket counters inside the terminals.
• Mobility Apps (Uber, DiDi, Cabify): Digital private transportation platforms that operate legally in the capital. Due to federal zone regulations, their drivers cannot pick up passengers at the main doors, so their meeting points are located on the exterior roadways of the airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I move between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2?

Due to the distance separating both complexes, it is impossible to travel between them by walking. The airport features the Aerotrén, an automated and free monorail that connects T1 with T2 in a journey of just five minutes; it operates daily from 05:00 to 23:00 hours, but strictly requires showing a digital or printed boarding pass. If you are going to pick up a relative and do not have a flight ticket, you must use the red public buses (Ground Transportation) that depart from Door 6 (T1) and Door 4 (T2), charging a minimum fare.

What is the Metrobús fare and how do I pay it?

The special fare from the airport terminals is $30.00 MXN. Cash is not accepted under any circumstances; payment is made exclusively through the Integrated Mobility Card (MI), which you can purchase and top up at the vending machines at the stop. You can also pay directly at the validator using contactless credit or debit bank cards, or digital wallets from your smartphone or smartwatch.

Is it advisable to use the Metro from the airport?

A few steps from Terminal 1 is the Terminal Aérea station of Line 5 (Yellow). Although the cost is only $5.00 MXN, it is not recommended for newly arrived tourists with heavy luggage. The cars and turnstiles lack space for bulky suitcases, the entrances involve climbing up and down heavy stairs, and the route requires multiple complex underground transfers to connect with the city’s hotel zones.

How do I identify and take a safe taxi?

The golden rule for any international traveler is to completely ignore people offering transportation services in the arrival halls. Use only the Official Taxis by purchasing your ticket at the properly marked interior counters. If you are inside the city and need to return to the airport in a street taxi, identify it by its regulatory colors (white and pink) and you must use the “Mi Taxi” module of the App CDMX to verify the driver’s license plates and monitor your trip in real-time linked to the police C5.

What should I know if I request an Uber or DiDi at the airport?

Due to federal zone regulations, the apps will indicate a specific meeting point located on the external roadways, outside the access barriers of the terminals. If you are traveling light, it is an excellent option because you know the fare in advance and pay digitally; however, if you are carrying heavy or bulky suitcases, the walk outside dodging vehicular traffic can be uncomfortable and tiring, making it much more strategic for you to hire an official taxi at the ticket counter.