Mexico City is not among the most dangerous cities in Mexico, but it is essential to exercise extreme caution when visiting a foreign location. The chances of being mugged or kidnapped exist, and express kidnappings are usually performed by fake taxis. The best advice is to never resist, as their aim is to force you to withdraw funds from your credit or debit cards without injuring you. However, if you resist, there might be more risks.
Mexico City is a safe traveling destination, with the United States State Department identifying it at Level 3, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution. Some Mexican states have higher Travel Advisory levels, including the state of Mexico. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, is common in Mexico. Remain vigilant in airports, bus stations, buses, and the Mexico City metro system.
Mexico City is as safe as, and often safer than, most large cities such as New York City, Chicago, and London. It is important to be mindful of security checks at Benito Juarez and Felipe Ángeles International Airport. The airport guide aims to make your trip as convenient and stress-free as possible, and check the boarding time guidelines, which can vary.
An overwhelming majority of visitors enjoy a safe vacation in Mexico, and tourists are largely sheltered from the violence that grips local communities. To ensure a passable experience when flying into or out of this airport, follow these tips:
- Always wear your passport and identification card.
- Always check the weather forecast before leaving the airport.
- Always check the boarding time guidelines for your flight.
📹 What YOU need to do at Mexican airports! | WATCH THIS BEFORE YOU FLY!
Ecofiltro.mx ecofiltro code: 784N758 Book a one on one call with me for questions on training, supplementation or just to pick my …
Is it safe to go to Mexico city for a layover?
Mexico City, ranked 140th on the 2020 Global Peace Index, offers a safe environment for short-term visitors. To ensure safety, avoid walking alone at night, especially in groups, outside well-lit streets. Instead, ask your hotel or restaurant to call a “taxi de sitio” for a taxi, or use Uber for its safety and affordability. Wear bags close to your body and avoid leaving unattended bags on chairs. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry and beware of overly helpful people downtown.
Travel better with convenient and affordable prescription travel medications and vaccine support through Runway Health, a telehealth platform. Start your pre-departure telehealth consult at Runway Health. Mexico City offers various transportation options, including the Metro, Metrobus, buses, and scooter and bicycle sharing programs. Uber is significantly more affordable than in other North American and European cities, and defining your destination in advance through the app can save you from potential accidents and missed flights.
What is the safest way from Mexico City Airport?
The best options for transportation are to take an authorized taxi from a terminal stand or Uber, although cell phone use inside the terminal can be sketchy. Both are safe and relatively inexpensive.
Is Mexico safe to fly to right now?
Mexico is advised to exercise caution due to the high risk of violent crime, particularly after dark. Tourists visiting for 180 days or less will receive a visa upon arrival. High-risk crimes include murder, armed robbery, sexual assault, and kidnapping, often occurring at tourist spots and resorts. Criminals posing as police officers have also committed such crimes, often driving fake police cars.
How long does it take to get through Mexico City airport?
Mexico’s CDMX International Airport (AICM) receives 36 million passengers annually between national and international flights. To accommodate this demand, the airport has implemented strategies such as expansions and the opening of the AIFA. The airport began operations in 1928 under the name “Central Air Port of CDMX” and was inaugurated in 1952. In 2003, it announced the expansion and remodeling of Terminal 1, and construction began on Terminal 2, which reopened in 2008.
The airport has since expanded and remodeled Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, aiming to reduce the number of passengers it can handle. The airport’s growth has led to the construction of Terminals 1 and 2, which opened in 2008 and were reopened in 2003.
Is there a travel advisory for Mexico City in 2024?
The U. S. Department of State issued a Mexico Travel Advisory in February 2024, advising travelers to exercise caution due to crime, particularly violent crime, in hot spring break destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. The advisory applies throughout the country, particularly at night and in unfamiliar areas. While Mexico is a vast and diverse country, violent crime is a concern in some areas, and the majority of tourists experience Mexico safely. However, it is crucial to be aware of potential risks and take necessary precautions.
How long does it take to get through Mexico City Airport?
Mexico’s CDMX International Airport (AICM) receives 36 million passengers annually between national and international flights. To accommodate this demand, the airport has implemented strategies such as expansions and the opening of the AIFA. The airport began operations in 1928 under the name “Central Air Port of CDMX” and was inaugurated in 1952. In 2003, it announced the expansion and remodeling of Terminal 1, and construction began on Terminal 2, which reopened in 2008.
The airport has since expanded and remodeled Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, aiming to reduce the number of passengers it can handle. The airport’s growth has led to the construction of Terminals 1 and 2, which opened in 2008 and were reopened in 2003.
Is it safe to travel to Mexico at the moment?
Riot criminal gangs have clashed in popular Cancun tourist destinations, causing violent incidents and potential harm to nearby residents. Since 2021, several shootings have affected tourists. It is advised to be cautious after dark in downtown areas, stay in well-lit pedestrian streets, and follow local authorities and tour operators’ advice. For information on procedures, local laws, or social services, contact Mexico City’s public telephone service LOCATEL on 5658 1111.
Mexican authorities may ask for a passport and entry stamp to prove entrance and stay, and a digital registry of entry documents from the Portal de Servicios INM. If not provided, immigration officers may question and detain individuals, potentially leading to deportation.
Is it safe to take Uber from Mexico City Airport?
Uber allows users to tip and give cash directly to their drivers through the app. Safety is a top priority for Uber rides at Mexico City International Airport, with in-app safety features to help passengers stay protected. Users can share trip details with contacts, access emergency assistance, and explore more safety features. Uber offers 24/7 availability, upfront prices, and in-app safety features, unlike hailing a taxi at the airport. The app also allows users to share trip details with contacts and access emergency assistance buttons.
Is there a travel advisory for Mexico City?
Mexico City and Mexico State are urging increased caution due to violent and non-violent crime, particularly at night and outside tourist areas. Petty crime is common in both tourist and non-tourist areas. U. S. government employees in Mexico City and Mexico State have no restrictions on travel.
Is it safe to take a taxi from the airport in Mexico City?
Taking a taxi from Mexico City Airport is a safe and easy process, despite the airport’s reputation. Taxi booths are available inside the terminals, and passengers can choose their preferred company and agree on a price based on their destination. A ticket is provided to the driver, who is usually English-speaking. To avoid waiting in line or communication issues, passengers can book their ride online in advance.
Upon booking with Welcome Pickups, passengers receive an email detailing the transfer details and a second email four days before their flight with driver information, such as photo, phone number, and name. The cost of a taxi to the historic center is approximately €16 (MXN 300), depending on the company and negotiation. To secure a flat fee without negotiating and language barriers, passengers can book their Mexico City Airport transfer in advance with Welcome Pickups.
How safe is Mexico City for Canadian tourists?
Mexico is experiencing high levels of crime, particularly violent crimes. Victims must report incidents to local authorities immediately, and formal complaints must be made in person. The country has updated its entry and exit requirements, added tax-exempt items, and added information on health, laws, culture, natural disasters, and climate. Due to these issues, it is essential to exercise caution and report any crimes to local authorities.
📹 11 TIPS for STRESS-FREE TRAVEL AT MEXICO CITY AIRPORT
EDIT (01:56): The majority of international flights (United, Air Canada, Lufthansa, American, KLM…) depart from Terminal 1.
no FMM’s now yay! flew in & out last week, was quick with my Biometric Passport, but getting Downtown was more difficult- Uber was $30 and the City Bus never showed up, so i walked out into the city with my bags and caught a cab for $21. it was a chaotic friday night 8pm. way out was super easy, 5am and the Uber ride was $9.. also, BEWARE the Altitude
Some other tips: if you’re flying on Aeromexico, some of their flights are departing from Terminal 1; it’ll be noted if you buy on their website. Second, when buying your tickets back to the U.S., keep in mind layover times if you have to change planes: you’ll need to clear passport control, recheck bags, and clear the TSA checkpoint. And in the case of DFW and ORD you’ll have to change terminals.
My experience as US Citizen (I am Mexican/American) from LAX to CDMX AICM: October 2023 – No FMM needed – Delta, Terminal 2 – got stamped at immigration – was not given how many days allowed to stay / return was smooth. April 2024 – No FMM needed – Aeromexico Terminal 2 – this time I used the self-immigration check, passport/ face biometric kiosks – was not given how many days to stay officer just advise to keep the receipt when returning home. Never used it on my return home 6 weeks later…
I dread the CDMX airport, especially for connections. Three years ago I was with a friend flying on to Oaxaca and we COULD NOT find our gate (or even terminal). I asked 5 different people (in Spanish) and got told 5 different things. Finally we found a gringo couple we figured were also headed to Oaxaca. They had PAID someone to tell them where to go! We ended up having to change terminals and despite the long layover, almost didn’t make it. Something similar happened when I was flying domestically in April. I got to the airport two hours ahead but it was so chaotic (the people in front of me to check in took half an hour over some issue) that I was literally the last person on my flight to Huatulco. I recommend having your boarding pass on your phone. That’s what most people do and if I had done that I would have been in better shape. Make sure you have a backup battery for your phone if it runs out quickly like mine does!
We just flew Friday afternoon from MEX to Guadalajara and it was INTENSE! Great tips, especially giving yourself a lot of extra time,. They really checked our carryon carefully. Our biggest problem was finding the right gate. Their departure digital signs seemed chaotic including flights that had left 3 hours earlier. Please do a bus travel and booking article. Welcome back!
I’m a permanent resident and fly to the states atleast 2-4 times a year. I flew out in Nov, and and I’m leaving in 2 weeks, now a permanent resident doesn’t have to fill out a Fmm form. All she did was check my card and stamp my passport, but she did write RP on the stamp, entering they didn’t say anything. It’s getting easier.
Other than the time my luggage disappeared for several hours, my worst airport experience I ever had was at Benito Juarez. I was trying to transfer to a domestic flight, and there were two specific doorways I had to go through. The line was so long at the second one I had to convince people to let me cut. Then I couldn’t find gate B because they were all numbers. Apparently gate B meant I had to take a special bus to the plane. It was also very unclear what COVID protocols were still in place. I think that last problem is no longer relevant, but next time I’m just flying from Tijuana, so I don’t have to worry about immigration.
Weird I landed in that airport last Dec 2022 and wasn’t asked to fill that immigration paper, I know they used to give out forms to fill out way back when, but I got none last time I travelled. Leaving the gate and into luggage pickup was actually quite smooth, despite the foreign line having a ton of people. It was Wednesday noon so maybe that’s why. Good tips.
MexCity Airport is a madhouse… if you go in understanding that the madness begins to make sense in a strange way. Time, your #1 point, is the most important to remember. Plenty of time allows for the enevitable moments of blind wandering and you pass through any checkpoints. it’s a strange airport in that it has information booths, but most of them are either unattended or attended by someone who knows very little about what’s going on, but that does not mean that they will not try to help you out. I found that most staff of the airport, be it a guy who sweeps up to a Stern looking security guard, will seemingly do their best to minimally get you headed in the correct direction. one thing I recommend at every any major airport Internationally, even pre-covid, is to wear/take a surgical mask. nothing worse than getting a summer cold as you’re heading to the beach.
In Mexico City there are TWO Airports Not only one, and the second is new and much less crowded, you find out which airline lands in the second. The name of the first airport is Benito Juarez and is known as AICM: Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico City International Airport) The name of the second airport is Felipe Angeles and is called AIFA: Aeropuerto Internacional Felipe Angeles (Felipe Angeles International Airport) If the first is hell, the second is heaven.
Charles Schwab is my go to card too but the BBVA ATM at terminal 1does not give me the option to decline the conversion 🙁 I prefer terminal 1 (American Airlines) over terminal 2 (Aero Mexico) due to the metro just to the left outside the terminal about 5 minutes walk. Thank you for making this article.
I have permanent residency and thought I was being smart filling out and using the online FMM form. Flying into MX City, immigration threw away the part I needed to exit the country. At both immigration offices before security they did not tell me that there was one on the other side of security. It was a chore with my limited Spanish abilities to find this out. Wish your article would have been out two months ago. lol
I layover in MEX 3 nights a week. Once you get the hang of it all it’s super fast, also I’ve been operating turns out of QRO and SLP. Hope we cross paths 💕🇲🇽. Oh also the Terminal 1 area has a Metro station (near the end of domestic departures /door 1) 🚉 you can be in reforma in 40 mins… oh also terminal 2 area – it’s crazy … what else … of course there is the ADO/ various bus stations under the courtyard Marriott … check point G is for crew members only for the filters . After the check point f there is a cut through the duty free to avoid all the shops if you are a special assistance passenger, age, physical ability, with family etc . FMM they ask us to fill out the top portion but only box 1-8. I always use the Mexican line but usually I am in uniform and know the officers well, and with a permanent resident card. Best pick up for t1 is international departure with Uber … apparently they’re not supposed to be picking up so they prefer that …. Act like you’re their friend and then it’s less obvious. These are all the things I experience but as a regular crew member / resident …. I just wanted to give a point of view from someone who does it so many times weekly . Great articles – hope to see you !
I’m a permanent resident and I don’t travel too often so I knew nothing about the FFM at the time. I went through the gate without one, just my passport and card. Nobody blinked. When I returned, however, the person who checks these things excused herself to consult someone before letting me through Just had a thought about this. It might have been the ArriveCan app I had to fill out. It had all the same information plus vaccination details. Maybe this will be the prototype for the paperless future you mention.
Great article. Wish someone has shared tips like these with me years ago. I have had permanent residency for years now and was directed by a “greeter” at immigration a number of years back to go through the Mexican citizen line rather than extranjeros. Have done it ever since. Never an issue when I show the green card. Usually faster.
So how was the Bad Bunny Concert in the States……Worth it? I speak fluent Spanish and lived for many many years in Puerto Rico where He is from, and sometimes I can’t even understand the Lyrics, and I know all the Slang, so I wonder how People who were not brought up with Carribean Spanish ( Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Dominican Republic) can even understand the Jist, it is very colloquial. But very cool Music!
Good morning Alex, only city bikes the taxi drivers don’t want competition from bike rentals. My real question is there an expat community here in Queretaro? I have asked many Mexicans and they all have told me that there is little or no expats here and that this is for the most part a Mexican city. Staying in boutique hotel Cinco de Mayo and on weekends all hotel guests appear to be Mexican. So just in your estimation after living here 5 years plus can you meet other expats and other expats from the US or Canada or is that extremely difficult simply because there are so few. An honest assessment would be greatly appreciated…thank you so much…Tom.
Hola Alex, I have contacted you before. I am in Queretaro Centro and I love it. Ahhh please help thought I would just rent bike from BICCI city bikes all over Mexico however in Queretaro or maybe all of Mexico need to register with Mexican Gov’t (come on) and fill out application I was told was not such an easy process. I have lived in Merida for 15 months love Mexico but I want out of the Yucatan and strongly considering Queretaro and ability to rent a bike would make so much easier. Anyway I have researched on internet for “private” bike rentals not sure that there are any. SO do you know any private bike rental places? do they exist? ahhh please let me know if you know of any. I will be spending time in Queretaro possibly 2 weeks or more…a bike would be the major game changer. Thanks Tom.
Your article is too friendly !!! This airport is absolutely the worst in the world and does not deserve such a nice review. You actually did not tell the truth. I fly every two weeks to monterrey out of this MEX. Every time it is a stress!!!! you never know what to expect. Sometimes you can easily miss your flight even being in the very terminal it departs from: they may not announce it on the screen as in any normal airport around the world would be done – simply via microphone….. Also a tip: do not expect your flight to be as like 1 hour – always add up 1 hour more as after boarding you may well sit in the plane 0.5-1 hour just waiting to take off. This airport is a pure shame . Horibly saturated and unfriendly.