How to get from CDMX airport to downtown: AICM and AIFA (2026)

From CDMX airport to downtown: the 2026 guide

Mexico City has two active airports that often get confused: AICM (Benito Juárez, code MEX) in the eastern part of the city, and AIFA (Felipe Ángeles, code NLU) 45 km north in the State of Mexico. Which one is yours completely changes the transfer plan, so check your ticket before you leave.

AICM or AIFA: which one is mine?

• AICM (MEX) — most international flights, Aeroméxico, Volaris (most), VivaAerobus (most), Delta, United, American, Iberia, Air France, etc.
• AIFA (NLU) — Volaris (some routes), VivaAerobus (some routes), Aeroméxico Connect, Mexicana de Aviación, and cargo. Used for cheaper domestic flights and some international (Houston, Caracas, Lima, Bogotá).

If your ticket says MEX, you arrive/depart from AICM. If it says NLU, it's AIFA — verify carefully because they're 90 minutes by car apart.

From AICM to downtown

AICM has two terminals (T1 and T2) connected by a free 4-minute aerotrain.

Option 1: CDMX Metro

• Cost: $5 MXN.
• Time to Zócalo: 35-50 minutes.
• How: from T1 international exit, walk 5 min to Terminal Aérea station (Line 5 yellow). From there two transfers: La Raza (Line 3) → Hidalgo (Line 2) → Zócalo. Or Line 5 → Pantitlán (Line 1) → Pino Suárez (Line 2) → Zócalo.
• Pros: unbeatable price.
• Cons: does NOT allow large luggage (official rule: carry-on only). Crowded, no AC, transfers with stairs. Rush hour (7-9 AM and 6-8 PM) is overwhelming.
• Best for: backpackers with small bags, no large luggage, frequent travelers.

Option 2: Metrobús Line 4 (best option for most)

• Cost: $30 MXN (top up your Metrobús card at machines inside the terminal).
• Time to historic center (Buenavista): 50-70 minutes depending on traffic.
• How: stop is outside T1 (gate 7) and T2 (gate 2). Bus passes every 10-15 min and runs along Eje 1 Norte to Buenavista, stopping at San Lázaro, Bellas Artes, Hidalgo and Plaza de la República.
• Pros: allows luggage, very cheap, connects to several downtown points without transfer.
• Cons: rush hour takes longer; dedicated lane but not fully exclusive.
• Best for: almost any traveler not arriving overnight, going downtown or to Buenavista.

Option 3: Authorized airport taxi

• Cost: $250-450 MXN downtown by zone (fixed price via voucher purchased inside the terminal).
• Time: 30-60 minutes by traffic.
• How: buy the voucher at counters labeled "Taxi Autorizado" in arrivals. Do NOT get into taxis offering rides outside the official counters — they're pirate and charge 3-4x.
• Pros: fixed price (no surprises), verified drivers, formal receipt.
• Cons: 30-60% more expensive than Uber.
• Best for: nighttime arrival, heavy luggage, first time in CDMX.

Option 4: Uber / DiDi

• Cost: $130-280 MXN downtown (varies with surge pricing).
• Time: 30-50 minutes.
• How: after immigration and customs, exit to the street (T1: gates 7-8; T2: gate 4) and walk to the designated rideshare area (signs indicate it). Do NOT request inside the terminal — drivers get fined for entering the authorized-taxi zone.
• Pros: cheapest if not rush hour, pay by card or cash, you rate the driver.
• Cons: surge can triple the price (New Year's, World Cup, heavy rain). At T1 demand is higher — wait 5-10 min.
• Best for: most travelers with smartphone and data. Default option unless arriving overnight.

Option 5: Pre-booked private transfer

• Cost: $700-1,500 MXN by vehicle (sedan to van).
• Time: same as taxi/Uber but the driver is already waiting.
• How: book online via platforms like Kiwitaxi or Welcome Pickups. Driver waits with your name at arrivals.
• Pros: no searching on arrival, comfortable vehicle (Toyota Hiace or similar), ideal with kids or seniors, drivers speak EN/ES.
• Cons: the most expensive.
• Best for: families, executives, first visit with zero context.
• Book: get a quote on Kiwitaxi — fixed price, free cancellation up to 24h before.

From AIFA to downtown

AIFA is 45 km north of CDMX, in Santa Lucía, State of Mexico. It's new (2022), nice and half-empty, but connectivity remains the main complaint.

Option 1: Mexibús (metropolitan bus)

• Cost: $30 MXN to Indios Verdes (north CDMX).
• Time: 50-80 minutes.
• How: from AIFA take the Mexibús direct to Indios Verdes. From there, Metro Line 3 downtown ($5 MXN, 25 min more).
• Pros: very cheap, every 15 min.
• Cons: requires transfer, total 1h 20min to 2h. Medium luggage OK, not full bags.

Option 2: Suburban Train (since February 2026)

• Cost: $40 MXN.
• Time: 45 minutes to Buenavista.
• How: the AIFA-Buenavista Suburban Train branch entered service early 2026. Every 20 min.
• Pros: fast, comfortable, luggage-friendly, no traffic.
• Cons: new service, still limited hours (5 AM - 11 PM).
• Best for: almost any AIFA traveler. Best 2026 option.

Option 3: AIFA authorized taxi

• Cost: $700-1,200 MXN downtown by zone.
• Time: 60-90 min no traffic, 90-120 min rush hour.
• Pros: direct, formal receipt, verified drivers.
• Cons: expensive due to distance.

Option 4: Uber / DiDi from AIFA

• Cost: $500-900 MXN downtown.
• Time: same as taxi.
• Important: there are NOT always cars nearby. Wait 10-25 min by hour. Request BEFORE going outside, ride out surges briefly.

Option 5: Pre-booked private transfer

• Cost: $1,000-1,800 MXN.
• Pros: no Uber dependency, large vehicle, driver waits.
• Best for: families, large luggage, night arrival, no risk-taking.
• Book: get a quote on Kiwitaxi — fixed price, free cancellation up to 24h before.

Quick comparison table

Common costly mistakes

• Accepting a pirate taxi approaching inside the terminal — they can charge $1,500 MXN for a $250 ride.
• Confusing AICM with AIFA and landing 90 minutes from your hotel.
• Requesting Uber without leaving the airport zone — driver cancels because they can't enter.
• Arriving at AIFA with no Mexican SIM or eSIM — no data means no Uber. Best to buy eSIM ahead (we compare options).
• Paying Metro with large luggage — staff may deny entry, you waste time.

Final recommendation by profile

• Solo, no luggage, small backpack, AICM: CDMX Metro. $5 and Zócalo in 40 min.
• Couple or family, normal luggage, AICM: Metrobús L4 if daytime, Uber if after 9 PM.
• Night arrival at AICM or AIFA: pre-booked private transfer. Worth the extra $200 to avoid improvising at 11 PM.
• AIFA daytime any traveler: Suburban Train. The new 2026 option that changes the math.
• AIFA arrival no booking, weekend: authorized taxi. Uber takes too long.

Next steps

If you go to AICM and want a city-wide transport overview, read our full Metro and Metrobús guide. If your hotel is in a specific zone, see the CDMX neighborhood guide with real times from each airport. If you don't have a flight yet, compare current prices to CDMX.