Mexico City travel guide: flights, neighbourhoods and getting around
Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the Americas, with world-class museums, a famous food scene, leafy neighbourhoods and ancient history on its doorstep. It is also a major airline hub, with flights across Mexico, Latin America, the U.S., Canada and Europe.
Airports
Benito Juárez International (MEX) is the main airport, close to the city, with two terminals used by different airlines. Felipe Ángeles International (NLU / AIFA), north of the city, opened more recently and handles some domestic and international flights. It is much further from most visitor neighbourhoods, so factor in transfer time if a fare from AIFA looks cheap. Toluca (TLC) occasionally has useful flights too.
Altitude and climate
Mexico City sits at high altitude — well over 2,000 metres above sea level. Some visitors feel short of breath or tired for the first day or two; taking it easy, drinking water and going light on alcohol at first can help.
The dry season runs roughly from November to April, with sunny days and cool nights. The rainy season, approximately May to October, often brings afternoon showers, with mornings usually clear. Temperatures are mild year-round thanks to the altitude.
Finding cheaper flights
- Compare Mexican low-cost airlines with full-service carriers, but add bags and seats before deciding.
- From the U.S., compare several departure airports — many cities have nonstops.
- Combine Mexico City with the coast: multi-city trips adding Cancún, Oaxaca or Puerto Vallarta can cost little more than a simple return.
- Check holiday periods such as Christmas, Easter week (Semana Santa) and Día de Muertos, which are busy.
Getting around
The Metro is extensive and very cheap, though it can be extremely crowded at rush hour. The Metrobús rapid-transit lines cover major avenues. Ridehailing apps are widely used by visitors and avoid negotiating fares. From the airport, use authorised taxi booths inside the terminal or app-based rides from official pickup points.
Neighbourhoods such as Roma and Condesa are pleasant to explore on foot, and the city runs a public bike-share system.
Where to stay
- Roma and Condesa: leafy, walkable, full of cafés and restaurants — popular with first-time visitors.
- Centro Histórico: close to the Zócalo and historic sights, livelier by day.
- Coyoacán: a calmer, colonial-feeling area in the south, home to the Frida Kahlo Museum.
- Polanco: upscale, near Chapultepec Park and major museums.
Things to do on a budget
- Chapultepec Park is one of the largest city parks in the Americas and home to several museums, including the National Museum of Anthropology.
- Some museums offer free entry on certain days — check official sites for current policies.
- Street food and markets such as Mercado de Coyoacán are great value; choose busy stalls.
- Day trips to Teotihuacán, with its huge pyramids, are popular; arrive early to beat heat and crowds.
- Xochimilco’s canals and colourful boats make a fun group outing.
Food in Mexico City
Mexico City is one of the world’s great food cities, and much of the best food is cheap. Tacos al pastor, tamales for breakfast, tlacoyos and quesadillas from street stands, and comida corrida — a fixed-price set lunch served in many small restaurants — are all part of daily life. Markets such as Mercado de San Juan, Mercado de Coyoacán and Mercado Medellín are great places to explore.
Choose busy stalls with high turnover, where food is cooked fresh in front of you. If you have a sensitive stomach, it can help to ease in gradually during the first days and stick to bottled or filtered water.
A sample four-day plan
- Day 1: Centro Histórico — the Zócalo, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Templo Mayor ruins and the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Take it easy while you adjust to the altitude.
- Day 2: Chapultepec Park and the National Museum of Anthropology, then an evening in Roma or Condesa.
- Day 3: An early start for the pyramids at Teotihuacán, back in the afternoon.
- Day 4: Coyoacán and the Frida Kahlo Museum (book tickets ahead — it often sells out), then Xochimilco’s canals.
Guided day trips can simplify Teotihuacán and Xochimilco, especially if you prefer not to arrange transport yourself.
Safety tips
Millions of visitors enjoy Mexico City every year. Common-sense precautions help: stick to well-known neighbourhoods at night, use ride-hailing apps or authorised taxis rather than hailing cabs on the street, keep your phone out of sight on crowded transport, and carry only the cash you need. Some Metro lines have women-and-children-only carriages at busy times.
Earthquakes are a known risk in the city, which has a public seismic alert system. Take a moment to read your hotel’s emergency information when you arrive. Check your government’s current travel advice before your trip.
Money, tipping and costs
Mexico uses the peso. Cards are widely accepted in restaurants, hotels and shops in visitor areas, but cash is still useful for markets, street food and small purchases. Use ATMs inside banks or shopping centres, and decline dynamic currency conversion so you are charged in pesos.
Tipping is customary in restaurants, typically a percentage of the bill for good service, and small tips are common for hotel staff, guides and people who help with bags. Ride-hailing apps show the fare upfront. Prices vary greatly between upscale neighbourhoods and local markets, so the city can suit a wide range of budgets.
For a cheaper trip, travel outside major holidays, stay in areas with good Metro or Metrobús access, and eat at markets and fondas.
Getting around neighbourhoods on foot and by bike
Many of the areas visitors enjoy most — Roma, Condesa, Juárez, Polanco and the Centro Histórico — are walkable, with tree-lined avenues and plazas. On Sunday mornings, the city has closed a stretch of Paseo de la Reforma to cars so cyclists, runners and walkers can use it; check whether this is running during your visit. The public bike-share system has stations across central neighbourhoods, though you will need to register first.
Distances between areas can be large, so combine walking within neighbourhoods with Metro, Metrobús or ride-hailing between them. At high altitude, walking uphill or for long periods can be more tiring than usual, so pace yourself. Wear comfortable shoes and carry water, sunscreen and a light layer for cooler evenings, when temperatures can drop noticeably, especially in the dry season.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport should I use?
Most international flights use MEX. If a fare uses AIFA (NLU), factor in the much longer transfer to most visitor areas.
Is altitude a problem?
Many visitors feel mild effects such as tiredness or breathlessness for a day or two. Rest, water and light activity help. Speak to a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
Is it a good base for the rest of Mexico?
Yes — it is the country’s main domestic hub, with flights to beach destinations, colonial cities and Cancún. Buses to nearby cities such as Puebla are frequent and comfortable.
Practical tips
- Drink bottled or filtered water rather than tap water.
- Use ATMs inside banks or shopping centres and decline dynamic currency conversion.
- Check your government’s current travel advice before you go.
- Compare live flights below, or see deals from Los Angeles, from Miami and from New York.
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