Mexico City Airport Guide – Benito Juárez (MEX) Terminal Tips

Time Saver: Book a pickup or hotel shuttle to the arrivals curb—this helps you sidestep taxi queues and gate confusion. If you prefer public transit, the metro is the budget-friendly choice, but keep in mind you’ll need a short transfer from the airport area and some extra travel time.

Terminal Layout for Travelers: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 each have separate check-in zones, but clear signs guide travelers toward security and gates. In both terminals you’ll find large food courts, reliable Wi-Fi, and easy access to baggage claim. The placement of escalators and seating areas helps you move efficiently, and staff can point you to the right airline counter if you need assistance. Your travel route depends on your arrival time.

Baggage and Reservations: Use self-check kiosks to reserve seats or lounge access; there are several great options in both terminals, including quiet zones near the gates. Keep essential items in a small bag next to your carry-on so you’re not searching during security, and take advantage of the large duty-free selection that opens early.

Getting Around After Landing: Rideshares and authorized taxis line up at the curb; many travelers rely on them for predictable pricing. From the Buenavista station, you can catch the metro to reach central Mexico City. The route passes the Zócalo area and other historic districts; plan for traffic, especially during peak hours, whether you’re traveling solo or with family.

Today’s Reality: Many travelers arrive with reservations in hand but still need to locate their vehicles or rideshare pickups. If you’re visiting Mexico City, consider a short stroll along the coastal-inspired cafés near Reforma before your next flight.

MEX Terminal 1: Check‑in, security lanes, and baggage drop

Arrive 3 hours before international flights and 2 hours before domestic ones at MEX Terminal 1. Use self-service kiosks to print boarding passes and bag tags, then head to baggage drop to minimize queuing. This smart and practical approach saves time and keeps you moving through the terminal; knowing what to expect helps you stay calm, and it’s doable even on busy days. This plan offers plenty of comfort for travelers.

Check-in and Bag Tagging
Here are three steps to speed up the process. Self-service kiosks line the central hall on Level 1, beneath the glass roof. If you have a card linked to your airline profile, you can pull up your booking in seconds and print a bag tag. If you need help, counters are staffed, but expect longer lines during busy hours. The advantage of kiosks is speed and flexibility; check-in is faster during off-peak times. After tagging your bag, place it on the conveyor belt and proceed to security.

Security Lanes
The security area is along the main corridor; expect long lines during peak and popular hours. Have your liquids packed in a single clear bag, remove laptops, and keep your passport and boarding pass handy. On busy weekday mornings, queues can be long; at other times, you’ll get through faster. If your airline offers a dedicated or expedited lane, you can use it; otherwise, standard lines apply. The area is lively—a bustling hub of people moving toward the gates. Stay steady and move with purpose. Before security, prep your items to speed things along.

Baggage Drop
After check-in, head to the baggage drop zone near the main hall. Staff will scan your bag tag and route bags onto the conveyors. If you’re traveling carry-on only, you can skip this step. For larger bags, arrive at least 60 minutes before international departures or 45 minutes before domestic flights to ensure your luggage makes it on board. If you’re traveling tomorrow, plan accordingly and allow extra time for possible queues. At the information desk, staff can point you to the correct baggage belt and answer questions. For today’s travelers, this path saves time and helps you reach your gate stress-free—with careful planning and a calm pace. This option is sure to help many travelers.

MEX Terminal 2: Check‑in, security lanes, and baggage drop

Arrive at Terminal 2 at least two hours before domestic departures and three hours before international flights. With your ticket in hand, head to your airline’s designated check-in zone and use the self-service kiosks to print boarding passes and attach luggage tags. From there, you can proceed to the luggage drop and check any bags you don’t want to carry through security. Signs are clearly posted in English and Spanish, and staff are available at every step to assist you. If you’re traveling with others, consider making a quick plan to split up and tackle different lines to save time—especially on Sundays, when crowds tend to grow. Have your information ready to keep queues moving smoothly, and you’ll breeze through this part of your trip with minimal stress.

Check‑in flow

Enter Terminal 2 and choose the counters or kiosks marked for your airline. The best option for speed is to use the self-check-in kiosks—use them if you have a ticket or e-ticket. Have your passport or ID, ticket, and any visas ready. At the counters, present your boarding pass and confirm your seat; if you’re traveling with others, you can coordinate with the agent to check in everyone’s documents in one go, saving you valuable minutes. If you need to keep certain items in your carry-on, be aware of restrictions and dispose of any prohibited items before you reach security to avoid delays. After check-in, in most cases you’ll proceed directly to the luggage drop or the security corridor, depending on where your airline directs you. Flight information and current queue lengths are displayed, so you can estimate how long the process will take.

Security lanes and baggage drop

There are three main security lanes at the Terminal 2 entrance: standard, priority for premium passengers, and a lane optimized for families with children; their frequency adjusts based on passenger volume. At security, present your boarding pass and ID, remove large electronics, and place your carry-ons on the conveyor belt. Use the bins to dispose of any prohibited items, and keep bulky items out of your pockets to speed up the process.

There is a dedicated baggage drop near the security area for checked luggage, and you can see the belt number on the screen before you proceed. If you’re arriving or departing by car, you can use the clearly marked drop-off and pick-up lanes at the curb, which include separate zones for taxis and ride-hailing services. These routes help you avoid unnecessary detours, allowing you to get through the drop-off area in just minutes.

Before moving on, make sure you have all essential documents and any additional information handy to share with staff if needed—this helps reduce back-and-forth and keeps things flowing smoothly. On Sundays, crowds can make lines longer, so try to arrive early and take advantage of faster lanes when available.

Interterminal Transfer: Walking routes and transfer times between T1 and T2

Take the Interterminal Connector as your first option between T1 and T2. This amazing, affordable walking route keeps you inside the airport, so you avoid external transport and extra fees. The path is airport-operated, well marked, and takes about 15 minutes at a comfortable pace—10 to 12 minutes for brisk walkers and up to 20 minutes if you’re traveling with heavy luggage or lots of bags. This route is well known by frequent travelers for its consistency and ease, making it ideal for next-day connections or quick transfers when timing is tight. See the details below to plan your transfer and to explore the two practical routes available along with their conditions.

• Route overview: Start at T1 in the central concourse, follow the Interterminal Transfer signs toward the connector, and walk the flat, covered corridor to T2. The distance is around 1.2 km, with clear floor signs and occasional seating along the way.
• Route options: Route A goes straight via the main Interterminal Connector corridor; Route B adds a short detour through a secondary concourse area to enjoy brighter lighting and additional rest spots. Both routes end in T2’s departures hall.
• Estimated times: About 12–18 minutes at a normal pace; 10–12 minutes if you move briskly; up to 20 minutes with family or lots of luggage (a lot of equipment).
• Practical notes: The walk works well even with big crowds, offers ample shade inside the connector, and is accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. Also, some wayfinding decals include Puebla area references to help with orientation.

What to expect on the interterminal walk

Signs clearly indicate “Interterminal Transfer” and guide you along a single, straight corridor. The atmosphere is well known for its predictable conditions: clean, well-lit, and staffed with helpful personnel if you need assistance. This method reduces transfer times and offers a stress-free experience—ideal for travelers who want to quickly see their options between T1 and T2. If you’re early, you might enjoy a calm journey with little wait; if you’re tight on time, move briskly and check the details on the signs to avoid hesitation. For a closer look at the route, keep an eye on nearby signs and the location markers near the Puebla area displayed on the floor maps.

Practical tips and timings

1. No ticket is required for this interterminal transfer; you stay within the airport’s internal transfer zone.
2. Remember to allow extra time in your planning (around 5–10 minutes more) if you’re traveling with kids or heavy bags; this helps you stay on schedule and prevents stress during your journey.
3. If you need assistance, Frida and Felipe at the information desks are known to help quickly with directions and signage; they can point you toward departures and well-known locations in each terminal.
4. During busy periods, be prepared for crowding near peak times; otherwise, the estimated travel time remains stable, and the route stays safe and very convenient for transferring.

Location details: Start at Terminal 1 central concourse, follow the Interterminal Transfer signage, and end in Terminal 2 departures or arrivals depending on your next gate. Conditions such as weather do not affect the covered connector; however, brief open-air segments may influence comfort if you take a short detour for photos. This well-known and widely used option offers an efficient and familiar experience for many travelers; watch for signs for directions and details, and don’t forget to plan for tomorrow or early the next morning depending on your schedule and plans.

Ground Transportation: Getting to the city, rideshares, and taxis

Official taxis and fixed rates

Take an official taxi from the airport’s fixed-rate desk to the city center; it’s the simplest and most predictable option with upfront pricing. At Terminals 1 and 2, follow signs to the Authorized Taxi counters; an agent assigns a driver and prints tickets with the exact fare. The desks—located near baggage claim—display the fare for each zone. Typical fares to the Centro Histórico range from MXN 250–320; to Polanco, MXN 320–420. Rates are zone-based and shown at the desk, not influenced by traffic conditions. You can pay with cash or card where accepted, and keep the ticket until you arrive.

If you’re heading directly to a specific destination, tell the desk your direction and address, and they’ll confirm the best route. For comparing fares across locations, data-destination-countrymexique helps align quotes; you can reserve a ticket or arrange a simple transfer. Your ticket is printed at pickup, and if you like, you can grab a quick dessert at a café on the way.

Rideshares and alternatives

Rideshare apps—maybe Uber, DiDi, Beat—offer curbside pickup at the arrivals area. Open the app, enter your destination (for example, Centro Histórico, Roma, or Condesa), and compare price estimates and ETAs. Typical prices to Centro Histórico range from MXN 180–300; to Polanco, MXN 260–450. Surge pricing may apply during busy times. Thanks to live tracking, you can see the car approaching and won’t worry about getting lost; if needed, you can re-route mid-trip. Always verify the car’s license plate and driver’s name in the app before getting in.

Pre predvídateľnú možnosť si rezervujte súkromný transfer prostredníctvom hotela alebo renomovanej agentúry. Lístky sa často vydávajú vopred a môžete si ich rezervovať na presný čas. Ak máte celý deň, môžete požiadať vodiča, aby sa cestou zastavil v niekoľkých reštauráciách alebo na zaujímavých miestach. Medzi zaujímavé veci, ktoré môžete vidieť po ceste, patrí rýchla zastávka na dezert a výhľady na veľké triedy bohaté na históriu. Očakávajte, že za malé občerstvenie zaplatíte približne 20 – 60 MXN na osobu, v závislosti od vzdialenosti.

Noste so sebou mapu a použite pole data-destination-countrymexique na porovnanie nákladov medzi rôznymi webmi a vyberte si najlepšiu možnosť. Ak plánujete neskôr navštíviť Mayské lokality, naplánujte si trasu tak, aby ste minimalizovali návraty a udržali si jednoduchý a efektívny rozvrh. Vďaka pôsobivej architektúre a histórii mesta prídete pripravení na objavovanie.

Jedlo a nápoje: Najlepšie možnosti a rýchle občerstvenie podľa terminálu

V termináli 1 si vezmite burrito bowl pri pulte rýchleho občerstvenia; má dobrú cenu a je to najlacnejšia možnosť, ako rýchlo a poriadne začať s prestupom. Tu je tip: pri pulte blízko brány 12 si ho jednoducho vezmete so sebou a personál vás privíta s pohotovým úsmevom.

Terminál 1 je jednoduchý: burrito misky, torty, empanády, teplé pečivo a spoľahlivý kávový bar sú na dosah. V blízkosti centrálneho átria nájdete rad pultov, ktoré rýchlo obsluhujú. Poloha je jasne označená a môžete platiť kartou alebo hotovosťou.

Terminál 2 ponúka podobnú rýchlosť s kávovým pultom, čerstvými džúsmi, rýchlymi tacos a miskami pre ľahké jedlo medzi letmi. S mapovou aplikáciou v telefóne môžete prechádzať chodbami v priebehu niekoľkých sekúnd. Ak potrebujete tlačené menu, opýtajte sa člena personálu; zvyčajne hovoria po anglicky a môžu vám pomôcť s výberom.

Tipy na načasovanie: Čas medzi bránami vám dáva približne 12–18 minút na zastávku na občerstvenie, dlhšie, ak stojíte v rade na kávu, pečivo alebo jedlo so sebou. Trvanie typického zahryznutia je krátke, takže si naplánujte dlhé prestupy, ak si chcete sadnúť a chvíľu relaxovať.

Ďalšie ukazovatele: Ak si zbierate sladkosti z pekárne do lietadla, najskôr si pozrite najlacnejšie možnosti – hľadajte oblasť označenú ako „najlacnejšie“. Ak máte dlhšie medzipristátie, môžete si naplánovať budúci výlet do cenotov alebo si rezervovať ubytovanie v blízkosti, pričom majte na pamäti polohu pre ľahký prístup. Ak chcete rýchlo skočiť k možnostiam mimo terminálu, na určených stanovištiach sú k dispozícii taxíky; opýtajte sa na informačnom pulte a môžete si rýchlo vytvoriť plán, ako maximalizovať svoj čas, pričom zostanete pohodlne blízko vašej brány.

Vybavenie a pripojenie: Wi‑Fi, nabíjanie, salóniky a toalety

Pripojte sa k bezplatnej Wi-Fi sieti MEX v priebehu niekoľkých minút po príchode a prihláste sa pomocou telefónu, aby ste mohli začať prehliadať; táto praktická sieť udržuje cestujúcich pripojených pri presune medzi bránami. Nápisy v angličtine a španielčine s jasnými ikonami vám pomôžu nájsť zásuvky, toalety a salóniky v blízkosti čakacích priestorov a systém funguje vo všetkých zónach letiska. Základná relácia trvá šesťdesiat minút; hodinu po hodine sa môžete znova pripojiť na ďalší čas, ak je to potrebné. Toto jednoduché nastavenie je skvelé pre rôzne itineráre a ponúka pokoj vďaka spoľahlivej konektivite. Ak chcete veci urýchliť, nájdite si nabíjaciu stanicu v blízkosti vašej brány a udržujte svoje zariadenia napájané počas čakania.

Základy Wi-Fi a nabíjania

Nabíjacie zásuvky sú k dispozícii vo väčšine priestorov na sedenie; noste so sebou kompaktnú powerbanku a používajte káble USB-C alebo USB-A, aby ste mali svoje zariadenia počas prestávky vždy nabité. V prémiových zónach nájdete viac zásuviek a niekedy aj rýchle nabíjanie cez USB-C pri stoloch. Metóda je jednoduchá: zapojte, overte indikátor nabíjania a v priebehu niekoľkých minút sa vráťte k svojim aktivitám. Značenie používa jasné písma a ikony, vďaka čomu je pripojenie pohodlné pre všetkých cestujúcich, s pokynmi vo viacerých jazykoch. Systém vám umožní pridať si online čas niekoľkými kliknutiami, ak potrebujete viac minút.

Salóniky, toalety a navigácia

Salóniky ponúkajú skvelé pohodlie a tichšie priestory; možnosti prístupu zahŕňajú denné vstupy, členstvá v leteckých spoločnostiach alebo platený vstup do salónika, preto si pred cestou nezabudnite porovnať možnosti. Toalety sú rozmiestnené po oboch termináloch, s prebaľovacími pultmi v rodinných priestoroch a bezdotykovými armatúrami v zónach s vysokou premávkou. Ak potrebujete navádzacie tabule, pozrite si mapu letiska alebo sa spýtajte personálu letiska; ak stretnete ochotného sprievodcu, ako je Felipe, môže vás nasmerovať k najbližšej zásuvke alebo toalete. Počas špičiek sledujte modré servisné značky a do cieľa sa dostanete s niekoľkými minútami navyše, pričom si užijete vybavenie, ktoré spríjemní váš prechod.

Tipy na navigáciu: Mapy, značenie a informačné pulty v MEX

Po príchode si vezmite mapu na informačnom pulte pri stanici Benito Juárez a potom použite digitálnu kópiu z webovej stránky, aby ste sa rýchlo zorientovali.

Mapy a značenie v MEX

Používajte dvojjazyčné značenie, ktoré vás navedie k príletom, odletom a transferom. Mapy oblasti zobrazujú umiestnenie terminálu 1 a terminálu 2, s tromi zónami, ktoré vám pomôžu naplánovať trasu. Najlepší postup je začať pri informačnom pulte, zobrať si mapu a potom použiť webovú stránku na stiahnutie offline kópie. Ak váš let priletí vo štvrtok alebo počas dňa so zmenami brán, obrazovky sa aktualizujú každých niekoľko minút. Pre výlety do Tulumu alebo iných destinácií mapy zvýrazňujú najbližšiu stanicu a najlepšiu trasu pre vlakové alebo metrobusové spojenia. Mexické značenie často používa farebne odlíšené zóny; dávajte pozor na jasné šípky ukazujúce správny vestibul. Majte vytlačenú kópiu vo vrecku, aj keď sa spoliehate na webovú stránku, aby ste mali zálohu, keď nemáte batožinu alebo sa potrebujete rýchlo presúvať medzi terminálmi. Pre lety postupujte podľa pokynov na správne miesto a prečítajte si šípky, aby ste si overili svoju trasu.

Helpdesky a praktické tipy

Ak máte pochybnosti, vyhľadajte informačný pult v príletovej hale alebo v blízkosti bezpečnostnej kontroly. Dvojjazyčný personál vám tam môže vytlačiť mapu, vysvetliť usporiadanie alebo vám poslať pokyny e-mailom. Požiadajte o mapu vašej brány; to uľahčuje navigáciu po konkrétnej ceste. Ak cestujete naľahko bez batožiny, môžete sa pohybovať terminálom rýchlejšie, ale majte pripravený pas a palubné lístky – časy a zmeny brány sa môžu rýchlo meniť. Skontrolujte webovú stránku s aktuálnymi časmi odletov a buďte pripravení zmeniť bránu, ak je to potrebné. V prípade destinácií, ako je Tulum, vám rýchly prehľad troch trás – vlak, metrobus alebo taxi – môže často ušetriť čas a peniaze.