Sleeping in Airports

Mexico City Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Mexico City Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

No sleeping allowed, airport security regularly patrols the entire airport and will kick the feet of anyone who is sleeping. – a traveller (July 2022)

MEX Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Mexico City International Airport.

What to Expect

Mexico City Airport (code: MEX) consists of two terminals (T1 and T2). T2 is newer than T1, and houses all AeroMexico and most Star Alliance airlines. The terminals are approximately 3km apart, and are connected by a free train, and a fare-charging bus. Train passengers must have a valid ticket and carry-on luggage only. If you have checked luggage or no proof of onward travel, you must pay to use the bus or other ground transportation.  Both terminals have a decent range of shopping and dining options, with a number of 24-hour options located throughout. The airport also offers free WiFi.  For those looking for a little extra comfort, there are first class lounges that economy class passengers can pay to access.  See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and access information.

Sleeping in Mexico City Airport

mexico city airport guideMexico City Airport doesn’t receive great reviews from travellers who try to sleep there. It would seem that the airport is, as a whole, uncomfortable and loud. Earplugs or noise cancelling headphones and some kind of cushion are definite assets for the weary.  It’s worth noting that only those with boarding passes for onward travel are allowed to sleep airside. Everyone else will be asked to stay landside or at a hotel. If you are sleeping landside, know that seating is quite scarce – best to prepare to sleep on the floor.  Explore our guide to sleeping in Mexico City Airport or read some traveller reviews for more tips.  If you don’t mind spending a bit of money, there are sleep capsules in T1 and T2, a hotel connected to T1 by a covered walkway, and two hotels in T2. There are several other hotels nearby, which are connected by shuttles.  See Airport Hotels in the  guide below for more information.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information.  For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Mexico City Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!

Terminal 1
  • American Airlines Admirals Club – Location: Airside, Concourse H, 2nd Floor. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door with proof of American Airlines ticket • Lounge membership programs.
  • Avianca Lounge – Location: Airside, next to Gate 31. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
  • Centurion Lounge – Location: Landside, between Gate 8 and F1 (International Departures) • Airside, between Gates 17 and 18 (Domestic Departures).  Lounge Access: American Express® Card Members • Lounge membership programs.
  • Grand Lounge Elite – Location:  Airside, near Gate H. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
  • Lounge 19 – Location: Airside, Ground Level, Gate 19. Showers are available. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
  • The Lounge Mexico by Global Lounge – Location: Airside, next to Gate 31.  Hours: open 24 hours.  Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
  • United Club – Location: Airside, Mezzanine Level, 2nd Floor. Lounge Access:  Pay at the Door with proof of United Airlines ticket • United Club Membership.
Terminal 2
  • Aeromexico Salon Premier – Multiple Locations – (1) National Departures and (1) International Departures (Showers available at this location). Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
  • Centurion Lounge – Location: Airside, Mezzanine Level.  Lounge Access: American Express® Card Members • Lounge membership programs.
  • Salon Aeromar – Location: Terminal 2, Airside, Mezzanine Level. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
  • Terraza Premier Aeromexico By Heineken – Location: Terminal 2, Airside, near Gate 75. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
  • VIPort Lounge  – Location: Airside, next to Gate 1. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.

Related Pages: Mexico City Airport Lounges

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in Mexico City airport sounds like a nightmare, there are several hotels connected to the terminals and other nearby hotels that provide free airport shuttles:

Hotels inside MEX Airport

IZzzleep – Sleep capsules are located inside Terminals 1 and 2. Minimum stays from 2 hours. Showers are available for 160MXN. Locations:

  • IZzzleep Terminal 1 – Landside, near the fast food area and foreign bus terminal. » Check Rates
  • IZzzleep Terminal 2 – Landside, bus terminal. » Check Rates

Hotel NH Collection Mexico City Aeropuerto T2 – Located on the 6th floor of Terminal 2.  Take the elevator from International Arrivals Area. Free airport shuttle is available.  » Check Rates

Hilton Mexico City Airport – Located in Terminal 1, International Arrivals Area, 3rd floor, Gate F1, Door 8. Free shuttle bus to/from Terminal 2. » Check Rates

Hotels on airport grounds

  • Courtyard Mexico City Airport – Connected via covered walkway to Terminal 1. Free airport shuttle to Terminal 2 available on request. For airport pick-up from Terminal 2, call 52-55-4631-4000. » Check Rates
  • Camino Real Aeropuerto Mexico – Connected via covered walkway to Terminal 1 (Gate B).  Free airport shuttle to Terminal 2.  » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Mexico City Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

Airport WiFi / Internet

WiFi is available at Mexico City Airport through TelMex.

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport

Communications

  • Postal Services – Post and courier services are available from 2 providers: Redpack (T2 Lower Level) • Correos de Mexico (T2, Lower Level  • T1 Lower Level • T1 Upper Level).
  • SIM Cards – There are several cell phone providers in T2 (Upper & Lower Levels) and T1 (Upper & Lower Levels) that may have SIM Cards.
  • Telephones – Public pay telephones can be found throughout the National and Internation terminals.
  • WiFi – see “Airport WiFi/Internet” above.

Food & Drinks

  • Food & Drinks – Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. These options are open 24 hours:
    • Terminal 1 (Upper Level) – 7-11 (x 2) • Circulo K • Deli & Cia Daily Smart Food (x 2) • Dino Snack & Fast Food • Dotcom Cafe • El Fogoncito (x 2) • Juan Valdez Cafe • Ke Rico • Krispy Kreme (x 2) • La Bagatelle (x 2) • La Buena Tierra • La Taba • Las Juanas Torteria • Maison Kayser • Oxxo (x 2) • Poxo • Pronto Gino’s (x 2) • Rock and Wok • Sala 21 • Salute • Sbarro • Starbucks (x 3) • Sushi Roll • Tacañon • The Urban Deli & Cafe • Urban Corner • Wings (x 4).
    • Terminal 1 (Lower Level) – 7-11 (x 2) • Baron Rojo • Cinnabon • Circulo K (x 2) • El Globo Coffee Shop • Krispy Kreme • No Aplica • Oxxo (x 2) • Restotel • Starbucks • Wings.
    • Terminal 2 (Upper Level) – 7-11 (x 5) • Kerico • Krispy Kreme • La Cochinita Pibil • Poxo • Salute • Terraza MX.
    • Terminal 2 (Mezzanine) – Baron Rojo • Toks.
    • Terminal 2 (Lower Level) – 7-11 • Oxxo

Information

  • Information Desk – There are a total of 12 information points in the two terminals (Arrivals, Departure Halls and Boarding Gate area).
  • Tourism Information – Travel information is available in Terminal 1.
  • Travel Agencies – If you are arriving in Mexico City and need local arrangements or help planning a really last minute trip abroad, there are several travel agencies with offices in Terminal 1 on the lower level that can probably be of assistance: Century XXI • Mundo Joven • Club Regina • Go Mexico • Viajes Kokai.

Luggage

  • Luggage Storage & Lockers – Lockers are available in 3 locations: Mexicana de Lockers (Terminal 1, Landside, Lower Level) • Viajes Kokai (Terminal 2, Lower Level). Hours: open 24 hours. Rates: 250 MXN per locker according to a reader who sent us an update in November 2022.
  • Luggage Trolley – In Terminal 1, you can use the baggage carts from the baggage claim to the exit.  In Terminal 2, you are able to take the carts outside the terminal  to the parking lots for a fee of 10 pesos.
  • Luggage Wrapping – Available in 5 locations in T1, Lower and Upper Level.

Medical Services

  • Medical Services – Health services are available. Location: T2, Upper Level. Hours: 9:00AM – 7:00PM (Mon – Fri) and 10:00AM – 2:00PM (Sat).
  • Pharmacy – There are a number of pharmacies throughout the airport, the following are open 24 hours:
    • Farmacia Benavides – T1, Lower Level (2 locations) • T1, Upper Level (x 2) • T2, Upper Level (x 4).
    • Farmacia International – T1, Lower Level.

Mobile Charging

  • Mobile Charging – A reader (January 2019) tells us “There are now many Huawei branded mobile charging station areas with tables throughout the international terminal.”

Money

  • ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available 24 hours a day. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: throughout the Upper and Lower levels of Terminals 1 and 2.
  • Banking Services – Banks throughout the airport operate daily, on varying schedules. Locations: T1 (Upper and Lower levels), T2 (Lower Level and Mezzanine). Some banks are open as early as 5:00AM, but the majority of them are open around 8:00AM or 9:00AM. There is a Scotiabank in T1, Lower Level which is open 24 hours. The following banks are available in the airport: Banamex • Banorte • BBVA/Bancomer • HSBC Bank • IXE • Santander • Scotiabank.
  • Currency Exchange – Currency exchange offices operate daily, on varying schedules, throughout the airport. A large variety of 24-hour currency exchange kiosks are located in Terminal 1, on the Lower Level.

Rest & Relaxation

Shopping

  • Duty Free & Shopping – Dufry duty-free shopping is available 24 hours on the Upper Level of Terminal 1, and also on the Upper and Lower levels of Terminal 2, open daily from 5:00AM – 11:00PM. In addition, a wide variety of retail stores, gift shops, and newsstands are also available, with some open 24 hours.

Showers, Salon & Spa

  • Showers – Showers are available in the airport lounges [ see Airport Lounges above ] and at the izZzleep Capsule Hotel [ see Airport Hotels above ]

Smoking

  • Smoking – The SMK Lounge offers two designated airside smoking areas.  Locations:  Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Hours: 7:00AM  to 11.59PM, 7 days a week.

Airport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

Layover Sightseeing

Do you want to make the most of your stopover or long layover by getting out of the airport to do some sightseeing?  Check out our Mexico City Airport Layover Sightseeing guide or explore Things to do in Mexico City on Tripadvisor.

Airlines

Mexico City airport is served by the following airlines: Aeromar • Aeroméxico • Aeroméxico Connect • Air Canada • Air France • All Nippon Airways • American Airlines • Avianca • British Airways • Copa Airlines • Cubana Airlines • Delta Air Lines • Emirates • Iberia • KLM • LATAM • Lufthansa • Magnicharters • United Airlines • Vivaaerobus • Volaris • Westjet • Wingo.

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

Mexico City Airport has two 24-hour bus terminals, offering round-the-clock transportation to major cities surrounding Mexico City. The Terminal 1 bus station is located near the car ramp leading to the Internationals area. Terminal 2 buses depart from Gate D, between Entrance 4 and the Domestic Arrivals exit.  For fare, routes and schedules, visit the Mexico City Airport website.

Metrobus Line 4 connects the airport to central Mexico City.  The first major station on the route is San Lazaro, where you can transfer to the Metro (subway).  Boarding zone: Terminal 1, Door 7 and Terminal 2, Door 2. Hours: 4:30AM – 12:00AM (Mon – Sat) and 5:00AM – 12:00AM (Sun).  Fare: 30 pesos per person, per ride.  Payments can be made by Metrobús smart card, which can be purchased at machines located in both terminals.  Cards cost $10.00 pesos.  For more information, visit the Metrobus web site.

Car Rentals

Car rental agency desks can be found in Domestic and International walkways of Terminal 1 (Lower Level) and Terminal 2 (Lower Level). Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Europcar • Fox • Gold Car • Green Motion • Hertz • National • Sixt • Thrifty. Most counters operate on a 7:00AM – 11:00PM schedule, but a few are open 24 hours.  Visit our travel partner at Tripadvisor to search for car rentals deals.

Hotel Shuttles

Some area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Camino Real AeropuertoCourtyard by Marriott Mexico City Airport  •  Fiesta Inn Aeropuerto Ciudad de México   •   Hilton Mexico City Airport   •  Holiday Inn Express Mexico Aeropuerto  •   Holiday Inn Plaza Dali Mexico City   •   NH Collection Mexico City Airport T2  •  We Hotel Aeropuerto

The hotel shuttle stop is at Entrance 4 of Terminal 1. Passengers arriving into Terminal 2 can visit the hotel service counters in the Arrivals Hall in order to request shuttle service.

See also Airport Hotels above.

Inter-Terminal Transportation

The Aerotren (Airtrain) is a free train that transports passengers between Terminals 1 and 2. In order to board the train, passengers must have an e-ticket or reservation code, a hard copy airline ticket or a boarding pass. Carry-on luggage is allowed. Passengers with check-in luggage or oversized luggage must use ground transportation.  The boarding zone locations are: Terminal 1, Airside, Gate 6 • Terminal 2, Airside, Gate 4.  Trains run from 5:00AM – 11:00PM, and the total trip time from one terminal to the other is under 5 minutes.

The alternative to the Aerotren is the “Transportacion entre Terminales” bus service. This service is for passengers with oversized or extra luggage, but can be used by anyone.  Rates range from $6.00 pesos to $16.00 pesos depending on start and destination (Terminals, Customs, etc.).

Metro (Subway)

Mexico City’s metro system is a 12-line network that covers most of the city. The closest stop to the airport is Terminal Aérea Station (Line 5 – yellow), which is within walking distance from Terminal 1. Fare: 5 pesos per person, per ride.  Payments can be made by Metro smart card, which can be purchased at machines located in both terminals.  Cards cost $10.00 pesos.

Taxi

Taxis operate from both terminals 24 hours a day. For your safety, it is highly recommended that you use only taxis from companies authorized by the airport. Taxi tickets are sold at modules near the arrival gates and in the walkway.  These companies are: Porto Taxi • Sitio 300 • Confort and Yellow Cab • Nueva Imagen • Excelencia. Any other taxi company operating at the airport is there illegally.

Last updated: 2022-10-31

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.