Mexico City Airport to the City: Taxis, Metrobús and Metro
The airport says app rides are not authorized inside its federal zone. Authorized taxis, the airport Metrobús and the Metro, terminal by terminal.
From Mexico City’s main airport (AICM), the three ways into the city are an authorized taxi paid at a booth inside the terminal, the MXN 30 Metrobús Line 4 airport bus, and the Metro from Terminal Aérea station beside Terminal 1. As of March 2026, the airport says ride apps are not authorized in its federal zone.
Which terminal are you arriving at?
The airport has two terminals, T1 and T2, and they are not within walking distance. Your airline determines the terminal, so check your boarding pass. A free Aerotrén train links the terminals, and shuttle buses also run between them, stopping at gate 7 of T1 and gate 4 of T2.
The airport’s operator now also uses the name Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez Ciudad de México (AIBJCM) in its announcements; signs and most travelers still say AICM. Mexico City is also served by Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), north of the city in the State of Mexico. Check which airport your ticket names: AIFA is a separate trip.
How do authorized airport taxis work?
Authorized taxis (taxis autorizados) are sold at booths inside the terminals at fixed prices by destination zone. You pay at the booth, get a ticket and take it to the taxi rank outside. The airport tells passengers to use only these authorized taxis, which operate from both terminals’ national and international arrivals areas.
- After customs, look for the taxi booths in the arrivals area. In March 2026 the airport said booths inside the international customs zone would move to comply with customs rules, so they may be just outside it.
- Give the address or neighborhood and ask for the price for your zone and vehicle size (sedan or van).
- Pay at the booth and keep the ticket.
- Follow signs to the taxi rank (bolsa de taxis) and hand the ticket to the driver.
Prices change, so confirm the fare before paying. Turn down offers from people approaching you inside the terminal and use only the booths.
Can you use Uber or other ride apps at the airport?
The airport’s position is that app-based ride services are not authorized to operate in the airport’s federal zone, which it repeated at a meeting with taxi groups in March 2026. That makes authorized taxis, the Metrobús and the Metro the options the airport itself supports for arrivals.
Rules on ride apps have been disputed for years and can change. Check the current position on the airport’s site and in the app before you rely on one for a pickup.
How do you take the Metrobús from the airport?
The Metrobús airport service is the Quetzalcóatl route of Line 4. As of February 2026, the fare is MXN 30, and temporary stops are at gate 7 of Terminal 1 and gate 4 of Terminal 2 while works continue.
| Option | Cost | Where to board | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authorized taxi | Fixed by zone, paid at booth | Booths in arrivals, both terminals | Luggage, late arrivals, door to door |
| Metrobús Line 4 airport route | MXN 30 | T1 gate 7, T2 gate 4 (temporary) | Centro, Reforma, TAPO bus terminal |
| Metro Line 5 | MXN 5 | Terminal Aérea station by T1 | Light luggage, connecting across the city |
The buses run from Monday to Saturday from 4:30 to midnight and on Sundays from 5:00 to midnight. They go to Amajac station on Paseo de la Reforma, passing the TAPO bus terminal and the Historic Center. Pay with the MI card, sold at machines in both terminals; see our guide to the Mexico City Metro fare and MI card. The airport’s Metrobús notice has the latest stop locations.
Can you take the Metro from the airport?
Yes. Terminal Aérea station on Metro Line 5 is next to Terminal 1, and the fare is MXN 5 with transfers inside the Metro network included. Metro trains get crowded at rush hour, so the Metro works best with a backpack or small suitcase. From Terminal 2, use the Aerotrén or the inter-terminal bus to reach Terminal 1 first.
What should you have ready when you land?
- Your address written in Spanish, with colonia and postal code.
- Some pesos in cash and a card that works in Mexico.
- A phone with data or the airport Wi-Fi to check traffic.
- An MI card or contactless bank card if you plan to use public transport.
- If you are moving on a residency visa, your passport and the FMM issued on entry, which you need for the INM canje.
How do you get back to the airport for a flight?
The same options work in reverse. Metrobús Line 4’s airport route picks up along Reforma and in the Historic Center and drops off at both terminals, and Metro Line 5 reaches Terminal Aérea for Terminal 1. Check your terminal first, since crossing between T1 and T2 adds time. Traffic on the roads around the airport is heavy at peak hours, so leave a wide margin.
Bottom line
With luggage, or arriving late, buy an authorized taxi ticket at a booth after customs. With light bags and daylight, the MXN 30 Metrobús or the MXN 5 Metro is cheaper; check the latest stop locations before you fly.
FAQ
Is there a train from the airport to the city center?
The Metro is the rail option: Line 5 stops at Terminal Aérea, beside Terminal 1. Connect to other lines to reach the center.
How do I get between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2?
Use the free Aerotrén or the inter-terminal buses, which stop at T1 gate 7 and T2 gate 4. Allow extra time for connections.
Can I pay the airport Metrobús in cash?
The airport says payment is made with the Metrobús smart card, sold at machines in both terminals. Load enough for MXN 30 per person.
