How to survive a long layover in Mexico City’s airport

· by · in Mexico, North America, Travel practicalities. ·

Updated April 2019

Long layovers are one of the worst aspects of travel. But sometimes you have no choice, and other times the airfare savings are too good to resist.

Aeromexico has just opened a number of new routes, for example connecting my home city of Vancouver to many South American destinations. The prices are great, and the service better than I expected (a little packet with toothbrush, paste and an eyeshade (a comfortable one even!) for coach class?! How lovely!). One leg of our trip to São Paulo and Buenos Aires was even on the Dreamliner.

But flying Aeromexico means you likely need a long layover in Mexico City, and Benito Juárez International  Airport is not exactly conducive to that. Flights are often overnight as well, meaning you’ll arrive bleary-eyed in the early hours of the morning.

Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México is Latin America’s second busiest airport (after São Paulo) by passenger traffic — more than 100,000 pax go through daily. It’s the busiest by aircraft movements, and it’s operating at capacity. As a passenger, you certainly feel it.

A new airport is being constructed, however this will take some years. In the meantime, here’s how to survive a long layover at MEX. Oh, and I wrote up a version for Fodor’s too, published April 2019:  How to survive a long layover in Mexico City.
If you find this post useful, please have a look around the rest of my website for other tips about where to go, what to see, do and eat, and logistics on how to do it easily. I’d love it if you subscribed so you get notifications of all my new articles in your inbox, and if you’d follow me on social media.
If you’re looking for other transportation tips, you might find these useful:
How to survive MEX
1. Bring earphones
Announcements are frequent and throughout the terminal (not just the gates you happen to be near), and often shouted into the microphone. You’ll need to drown them out with your own music or podcast to remain sane, let alone sleep.
2. Bring warm clothes
MEX is freezing. I don’t think they heat the terminal, so during my two layovers in January and February, I shivered curled up under my pashmina until early afternoon when it warmed up a bit (on the return trip I remembered to pack my rain shell in my carry-on, which helped). The freezing winter temperatures make me wonder if MEX is stifling hot in the summer …. Have you been in the summer? What’s the temp like then?
 
Rare seats without arm rests so you can sleep Mexico City airport Johanna Read TravelEater.net

Look for the very few seats that have had their armrests flattened out so you can lie down

3. Search for the no-armrest seats
The grand majority of seats in the airport have armrests, which means you can’t lie down. But if you hunt through the airport, you’ll find a few that have had the armrests flattened so that you can stretch out across three or even four seats. Near gate 72 there is a stretch of eight seats with just one armrest dividing them in two, so you and your travel companion can stretch out with your heads together.
4. How to get free wifi 
I really don’t understand airports that don’t give passengers free and easy access to wifi. Sure, restrict my data so I don’t download a movie if you must, but let me check my email at a minimum! And airports that text you a code are ridiculous — I need wifi because I’m not turning on cellular roaming!
Mexico City’s airport isn’t THAT bad, but the free wifi requires a password. You get the password on a Starbucks receipt. The morning Starbucks line is ridiculously long (hint – there is a second, less busy Starbucks … When facing the Starbucks close to security, continue to your right and you’ll find it).
But if you’ve arrived at 6 am and will be here for another seven hours, you likely don’t want a coffee first thing. You just want to check your email and find a place to try to sleep. So, how do you get the wifi password if you neither want a coffee nor want to stand in the long queue?
I eavesdrop on conversations at the tables near Starbucks (looking for English or French) and just ask someone if they’ll share the password with me. (I bought coffee later, so I don’t feel guilty).
how to use wifi MEX airport

MEX airport wifi password

Now, the login information is a bit complex, so here’s how you can quickly focus on the info you need from the receipt, and not bother your generous fellow passenger too much (or, just take a photo of the receipt so you have it all!)

  • You will always use the “infinitum movil” network, there’s no need to get this from the receipt. 
  • The username is “Starbucks@infinitummovil”. Again, it’s written on the receipt, but you can ignore it if you’re trying to be speedy.
  • You only need the password from the Starbucks receipt.  I don’t know how often they change the password, but the same one lasted throughout both layovers. It was changed during my two visits separated by one month.
The login page is in Spanish, but if you just know the basics you can figure it out.
  • After you select the “infinitum movil” network, it will ask you which system you want to navigate with (navegar con): use the default “Infinitum“.
  • You then need to fill in a username (usuario), “Starbucks@infinitummovil”, and password (contraseña), which you have from the Starbucks receipt.
  • When you’re at the login screen, sometimes pushing the left button “Navegar” works, and other times only pushing the right “Prueba el Servicio” button works. If you get a wrong password message, just try the other button.
How to log in to MEX airport wifi

MEX wifi login page – what you need to know

Sometimes the wifi kicked me off after a time, other times I had to forget the network and log back in for it to work. It seems to work throughout the airport, regardless of how far away from the Starbucks you are.
5. Buy water at the pharmacy
There are no water fountains at MEX, and even in countries where I trust the water won’t upset my Canadian stomach, I don’t like filling a water bottle at a bathroom sink.
I tried to bring a bottle with water from my first flight, however MEX is one of those airports that thinks that water is a dangerous good and Security makes you drink it before you can get to your gate (which isn’t the case in several South American airports). You’ll need to buy water.
Cheapest place to buy water in MEX airport

Cheapest place to buy water in MEX airport

Tip: go to the pharmacy (farmacia) where you can get a one litre bottle of water for the same price (or less!) as a 500 mL bottle at an airport food kiosk or at the Hudson News outlet. The February 2016 price was 18 pesos ($1 US).
6. How to get through immigration and customs smoothly
While the system is fairly simple, the signs aren’t always accurate depending on which stations are open that day. You can figure it out on your own, but since I’m giving you tips anyway, it might make your trip a touch easier to know this in advance.  Most officials speak at least a little bit of English.
Immigration
  • You need to fill out two paper forms — an immigration form for each passenger and a customs form for each family / traveling party. Not everyone on both our flights seemed to get them both.
  • There are two lines for Immigration – one for Mexicans and one for foreigners. Once the line for Mexicans is empty, officials will shift some foreigners over and the queue will start to move more quickly.
  • You’ll need the small piece of paper Immigration will return to you in order to board your connecting flight – don’t lose it!
 Customs
  • After Immigration you need to pick up your checked bag. While signs say you go to the left for flights from South America and to the right for flights from North America, that system may or may not be in use during your visit. Follow the crowd.
  • Once you have your bags, get in the lineup to go through the X-ray machines. They may or may not be on the side of the building where you picked up your bags. Put your carry-on and checked bags through the machine and at the other end, hand your Customs form to the official. She/he will likely ask your next destination.
  • Then s/he’ll ask you to push a red button on a small stand. They can not push the button for you. The line is slow because every person who has never been to MEX processes this piece of information and, if they don’t speak Spanish, asks for it to be repeated before they push the button. A sign explaining this in the lineup would be very beneficial. I assume the button is a randomizer; it lights up a green “pass” or a red sign indicating you need to go to secondary to get your bag searched. As a connecting passenger, you’ll probably get the green light.
  • You’ll then need to take your checked bag to the connecting flight bags drop-off. There is one on each side of the building, but if the conveyor belt near you isn’t running, that means you’ll have to walk it over to the other side (through the hallway under the Connecting Flights sign). Though the small crowd of people may make it look like they are putting their bags on the belt near you, it may actually be Customs opening bags to search them.
Once you’ve gotten rid of your bag, walk back toward the escalator which will take you up to security and the gates. You need to show your boarding pass and passport at the bottom of the escalator.
7. How to get through Security smoothly (and a safety issue to watch for)
At the top of the escalator, you’ll go through the Security checkpoint. There is often a large crowd here, congregating at the top of the escalator. This is a safety problem.
My first time up, people weren’t moving away from the top of the escalator because of the crowd. The escalator, of course, just keeps moving people forward. I was worried we were going to have a people pile-up at the top or that people would fall backward down the escalator (luckily Paul shouted for people to move, and, after they clued in, the disaster was prevented). When you’re there, have a look to make sure there’s space for you (and all the people behind you) to get off the escalator safely.
I’m not sure why, but airport officials never seem to understand that the rules in their airport ARE different from the rules in other airports, and it would be so much easier for everyone if they just explained this. Seldom are there signs, and even if there are, they are rarely 100% accurate (YVR, you may be the best airport in North America, but you have an improvement to make here!).
At MEX, these are the security rules:
  • Officials like ALL your electronics and allowable liquids (the regular 100 mL in a 1 L bag rules) to be out of your luggage and in a separate tray.
  • Not just your laptop, but your tablet, camera, even your phone need to be out of your luggage. Don’t argue.
  • Filled water bottles aren’t allowed (as they are in many South American airports), so drink up before you get there.
  • You can’t wear jackets, shawls etc; put them in the tray too.
  • Thankfully you can keep your shoes on.
Once you’re through, get the wifi password and find a spot to sleep (gate 72!). You’ll need to move later because gate assignments are only posted on the screens three or four hours prior to takeoff.
8. A note on washrooms
Though a cleaner is on hand at almost all times in each washroom, the quality of cleanliness and repair in the bathrooms vary. Some are much bigger than others. Some toilets don’t have seats. If your chosen bathroom isn’t great, just move on to another — it will likely be better.
9. Going into town isn’t too hard
Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México is one of the closest airports to downtown in the world. If you have a layover of at least seven hours, you’ll have time to do a little sightseeing.
There are lockers for your bags near Lounge A.
You can take the metro downtown. I’ve not done it, but I’m told it is quick and easy. Go out of the terminal to the left and look for line 5. Go one stop (Pantitlan) and change to line 1 and travel to Insurgentes for central Mexico City. Keep a close eye and firm hand on your valuables.
HOWEVER, note that the train cars are sex-segregated (and very crowded), so if you’re traveling with a member of the opposite sex, make sure you both know which stop you’re getting off at before you board the train, or you may spend the rest of your layover trying to find each other.
Any other tips to share about the Mexico City airport? What’s your favourite airport and why? (Mine is Singapore, with its quiet hallways, orchid gardens and great layover entertainment). 
There’s more tips on the Travel Practicalities page, including how to avoid scams and easy tips for travelling respectfully in Buddhist countries.

58 responses to “How to survive a long layover in Mexico City’s airport”

  1. I’m travelling with a 8 month old puppy and have a four hour holdover in Mex City Airport, after getting off a two hour flight. Then a five hour flight to Toronto. How can she relieve herself once we’re through security. She’ll never e able to hold it that long.

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  2. How long do you think one can get through customs at CDMX if it’s just a layover on our way to Cancun? Our flight arrives at 10:45 PM

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    • Processing times have sped up with the introduction of e-kiosks, assuming your passport can be used on one. But I’m not sure if the kiosks are now in both terminals or not.

      You’ll get the most accurate info for your circumstances by asking your travel agent or checking the airport’s website.

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  3. Hello. I am travelling from Vancouver BC to Mexico City than Mexico City to Panama City. We have a two hour layover in Mexico City. Aero Mexico has stated we do have to go through immigration and customs when transiting in Mexico City but they take care of our checked bags getting through. Is this true?

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hi Tamara — The YVR-MEX route is the one I often fly as well. You’ll enjoy Panama, but you’ll want to read my post about the Tocumen airport (https://traveleater.net/2018/07/15/panama-tocumen-airport-guide-need-to-know/).
      To answer your question: As they’ve told you, you do need to go through Immigration (the kiosks are quick, but be careful not to lose the slip of paper they give you — you need it to exit the country) and Customs (extremely quick), and then go through Security again to get to your gate.
      With respect to checked bags: The last time I did that route with a checked bag was two years ago and I needed to take my bag from the carousel and walk it through Customs and then put it on a conveyer belt before going up to Security. It was tagged through to my final destination but I did have to move it about 50 meters myself. The last two times I went through MEX I only had carry-on so I’m not aware of any recent change.
      I would ask again when you check-in in Vancouver, but then go to the carousel for your flight and double check whether it comes out or not in MEX.

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  4. my party is arriving at terminal 2- me at terminal 1- can I show the authorities my used boarding pass to ride the inter-terminal train to 2?

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    • Hi That’s not my understanding of how the system works, but you should check with an authority from the airport. Hope you have a great trip. Johanna

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  6. Hello im travelling to lima (im from there) but im actually in london and im having a stop on mexico my flight from london to mexico city is in aeromexico and from mexico city to lima its in aeromexico too do you think ill have to take out my check in baggage and do the check in again or something like that even if my both of my flight are on aeromexico? Is this airport really big? Do i have to take a train or bus or something? Hope u can answer me i need help as ive never been to this airport but i talk spanish so thats good i guess

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    • You are unlikely to need to check in again but will need to go through security. Almost all connecting flights stay in the same terminal so it would be unusual to need to take the train/bus between terminals. Click on the article I wrote for Fodor’s for more info.

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  7. Hi there!
    Very informative article as I will transiting in MEX from Europe to Peru and back. In Europe I transit again (luggage checked through there) and friends want to get a liquor from duty free.
    Just to make sure: If I buy the liquor in a duty free shop in Peru, will I get it through the security check in my hand luggage? If not: What about checked luggage?
    Thanks in advance!
    Marcus

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      • Hi Johanna,
        Thanks a lot for you quick response! Would I be able to put duty free items from Peru airport (i.e. after drop off/security) into my checked bag at Mexico Airport (I would suppose so since I have to handle it BUT it might be locked/whatever)?
        Regards
        Marcus
        PS: Thanks for the link! :) I visited the South last year excluding M.P.. This year it’s jungle and the north.

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  9. This applies to Landside, Terminal 1 as I have not yet had the misfortune of dealing with Aeromexico which is predominantly the occupier of Terminal 2…previous reviews said that they weren’t sure that Starbucks wi-fi was working; it was, and it was the best in the terminal. The downstairs Starbucks in Terminal 1 is right next to some kind of Mexican government Animal Control office so there would presumably be dogs barking 24/7; even though the “security” down there didn’t seem to care if people slept there/lied down. Three times in one night, twice in the Starbucks/Food Court second floor area and once over near the ticket counters for Air France, Lufthansa, KLM, etc, I got roused by “Security” and told you couldn’t sleep lying down for some weird reason but my problem with them is that they only seem to think it applies to ME and not anyone else who was fast asleep lying down with their heads on their backpacks. The first time was a little after midnight, at which point I told the security guard who was hassling me “that’s discrimination” and that I had a right to have this crap told to me in ENGLISH, at which point he just walked away and I don’t think made any attempt to get me an English-speaking employee – it’s called “I have a right to an interpreter when dealing with police or security guards” and they’re obviously violating that by speaking to me in nothing but Spanish and acting all bent out of shape when I don’t understand them. I can only think of one reason for that and it’s spelled R-A-C-I-S-M. The next time the security guard came around and made everyone “sit up” she did it to the white guys I was sleeping next to, too, but still in only Spanish. I’d report them to the United Nations Human Rights Commission but the United Nations is already the ones paying my way out of this racist craphole of a country. It looks like I’m going to be hassled and discriminated against until the bitter end, Mexico?!?

    OK maybe Mexico thinks people are supposed to “assume” that “sleeping in airports” means “sitting completely UP but, really, NO. Since some airports in some countries have completely reclining padded cushioned seats even Landside, that would be a big ol’ NO, Mexico.

    So, OK there’s plenty of ROOM to sleep, on the floor of course, but apparently they’re selectively discriminating about WHOM they will LET do it. I’m getting sick and tired of this country and its security-guard-to-people ratio of like 20:1. An earlier review also stated that there were more secluded places to sleep on the upper floors, with “no security” but that sounds like a pretty good alternative to having way too many police-type people around all the time harassing you!! Mexico is just overdoing it BIG-TIME with the level of security guards and police everywhere – even in 7-11’s and OXXO’s there is usually a guard armed with a machine-gun. And I’ve been in what feels like their version of “coast to coast” – from Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez to Cancun and Chetumal and now “back.”

    The other major problem is that the “infinitum movil” network in the airport only allows you FIVE MINUTES seeing as how the password on the Starbucks receipts is WRONG. Fortunately at least in Terminal 1, two of the Starbucks’ are open 24/7 or so they say (this is, after all, Mexico. Signs mean nothing. Everything is a lie. This is Mexico. How do you know a Mexican is lying – their mouth is open and sound is coming out. Five minutes on infinitum-movil was not even long enough for me to type this review. I’m typing this review after being roused at 3:45 and told, through someone also sleeping lying down who barely spoke English, to “sit up.”

    Oh, and getting here from the bus station – there is a local Metro station right under Terminal 1 but if you have a bunch of luggage, beware! I don’t know what kind of country has an “Airport Terminal” Tube station with no escalators or lifts, just STAIRS. And lots of them. This country as a whole is not very wheelchair- or wheeled-luggage-accesible. But in agreement with a prior review, apparently requiring [only certain people] to “sleep” sitting up and rousing you at 3:45 in the morning is their way of forcing you to buy overpriced coffee. If I wanted to give anything in Mexico “the benefit of the doubt” I’d hypothesise that maybe they think they can’t tell the local homeless population from the actual travellers if they let people sleep lying down Landside in Terminal 1. Because they can’t require to see your boarding pass before letting you in the door Landside, and after all they’re open 24/7 and I don’t know if this is a “bad” neighbourhood or not but Mexico City has a vast homelessness problem for reasons that are entirely their society’s own fault. There are no homeless shelters. So an international airport that’s open 24/7 may be the only resort for the local homeless; added to the fact that apparently Mexico thinks I look like “one of them” the way they treat me and refuse to get English interpreters for me for things they seem to think I “should” understand in Spanish. I need to talk to the Irish Embassy about that but meanwhile I’m writing this review to basically “tear them a new one” once again, if anyone is reading this and cares….

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    • I understand that you had a difficult time, Pamela, and I wish that hadn’t happened to you. It seems very unfair that an arbitrary rule seemed to apply to you but not to others near you.
      I debated deleting your comment — which you’ve clearly posted on multiple websites — but I don’t believe in censorship.
      I do need to say that I think it is wrong to make many of the generalizations you have made, about both people and a country, based on a few negative experiences that you have had. While you may think some individuals discriminated against you, this does not make Mexico a “racist craphole of a country”. Not “everything [in Mexico] is a lie”. Saying “How do you know a Mexican is lying — their mouth is open and sound is coming out” is a cruel and sweeping overgeneralization. I assume you are from a quite rich and very well-developed country and that all your travels have been in similar destinations, otherwise you would be aware that many countries in the word do not have escalators and elevators in their airport terminal subway stations.
      And it is important to note that when you are in another country, you do not have the right to have the language of your choice used when talking to officials. To speak in any language but their official language(s) is a courtesy they may or may not provide. If you were under arrest, you would be able to call your consulate and get help with interpretation. There is nothing in the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights about the right to an interpreter when a security guard is speaking to you, let alone if you are arrested.

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      • This country can go to Hell for the way it’s treated me and that’s that. I came here over an English-teaching job offer and got jerked around from border to border after they SAW me so yes the whole country is a racist shithole. And the airport is no exception, apparently. “Letting” white people sleep lying down and harassing me about it telling me it’s against some arbitrary “law” they just made up to apply to only NON-white people is a load of crap and should be reported to the UN. And yes I do have a right to be spoken to in my language otherwise they have no fucking right to expect me to understand THEM.

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      • I am sorry that you are so angry about what you experienced and sincerely hope that it fades over time and you can return to experience how wonderful the majority of Mexicans are.
        I have chosen not to delete your comments, but I want anyone reading this to know that I think that negatively generalizing an entire people and country as you have written above is wrong.

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    • It’s wild to me that someone who has the primary complaint about racism in the country they are a guest in is also making racist and derogatory remarks against the people in that country. I have a feeling if Pamela was the one running the airport R-A-C-I-S-M would most certainly be prominent towards the people she hates for their different skin tone and culture. Word to the wise to all travelers and home bodies alike: if you are upset about racial profiling don’t racial profile others with hateful generalizations.

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  10. I can’t find a date on this article so don’t know if it’s still relevant. You said they were constructing a new airport, so the date is important.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hi Millie The article is from 2016, but I went through the airport again in November 2017, spring 2018 and October 2018 and everything still holds true. A Google search tells me that the airport is expected to be completed in 2020. Thanks Johanna

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  11. Thanks for the information. I will have a 10 hr layover. My Air Canada flight lands at Terminal 1 and my Aeromexico flight to Guatemala leaves from terminal 2, what’s anyone’s experience going between terminals? Do you ou have to carry your checked luggage to terminal 2? Thank you in advanced for any info.

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    • Hi Tania The info in my article applies to all flights. After you go through immigration you get your checked bag off the baggage carousel, go through a quick check with officials, and then drop the bag on another conveyer belt. Then you go upstairs and through security with your carryon bags and proceed to your terminal and gate. Johanna

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  12. This article was extremely helpful. I have a layover in mexico city from 10pm to 10am next week. Would you recommend I leave and check out some sights? My fear would be that the trains might not be running early in the morning when I need to return to the airport. Any advice would be helpful.

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  13. I will be arriving at MEX around 1pm from LAX. Then, I will have to wait for a tour group arriving around 6pm from Chicago to join them. At first I thought that I will just hang around the gates and eat, shop, etc. Then, I realized that I will need to go thorough the immigration/customs and won’t be able to return to the air side (The tour is for Mexico City, and we won’t be connecting). My web search about MEX shows that there isn’t any shops or eateries on the land side of the airport. Is this true? Will I just have to sit on the bench for 5hrs?! Please help me!

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  15. Hello! My daughters are 19 and 21 will have a layover in MX city from 1am to 6apm. I know they’ll be nervous, any recommendation’s and should they be concerned or can they just sleep at terminal 72 like you stated?

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    • Hi Elizabeth Well, it’s been a year since I was in the airport and of course I can’t guarantee anyone’s safety. All I can tell you is that I felt comfortable sleeping on two occasions (with my bag under my head so I’d notice if anyone tried to move it). Thefts in airports are rare, but they do happen. However, the grand majority of people are kind and look out for each other. It’s always smart to be aware when travelling, but usually little need to be nervous. Hope your daughters have a great trip, wherever they’re off to! Johanna

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  16. Vou para o Canada no dia 20 e terei uma conexão de 11 horas no México, o que vc aconselha para um período assim? daria tempo de fazer um turismo na Cidade?

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    • Hope you enjoy your trip to Canada, Clara. I think 11 hours is enough time to get out and see some of Mexico City and still get back in enough time to go through security. Have fun!
      Johanna

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  17. “Long layovers are one of the worst aspects of travel”

    What are you talking about??? I usually choose the longest layover possible – it’s a great chance to visit the city. Thanks to this I had chance to see Dubai, part of Sri Lanka and Guadeloupe, Rome and Amsterdam and Mexico City soon. It’s the best aspect of travelling – apart from your main destination, you get something extra

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    • Well, yes, you’re completely right. It depends on the nature of the layover.
      The layovers of about 6-7 hours I think are the worst, because in most cities that’s not enough time to get out of the airport, see something, and get back (at least without a lot of stress whether you’ll make it!)
      I also find that I often have a long layover in a cold city when I’m going somewhere warm, and have packed very light (eg the December trip I’m planning to Thailand with a potential 24 hour layover in Beijing). And I worry about my stuff … do I carry my heavy carry-on with my valuable electronics during my layover city visit or do I trust it to an airport locker?
      Perhaps I worry too much! :-)

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      • Beijing in December will be very cold. I haven’t been to Beijing in a good few years now, but I remember arriving in January and seeing the fountain outside of the hotel frozen. just to give you an idea.

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    • I totally agree! How long a layover did you have and what would you recommend we see? We have only 😔 a six hour layover.
      🇨🇦

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      • Hi Donna. A six-hour layover likely isn’t long enough to leave MEX unless you’re travelling on domestic flights and don’t need to pass through the lengthy immigration lines.

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  18. Thank you for the detailed, clear and welcome information. I will be enduring an eleven-hour layover on my way to Ecuador and will make use of everything you mentioned. Especially lockers and security tips and Starbucks workaround.

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    • You’re most welcome. Yikes … 11 hours! Ecuador will be worth it though. I have some articles on this site about Ecuador and I’m happy to answer any questions. Have a great trip!

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  19. I recently went to this airport and did not have to take off my jacket.

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  20. Thanks for sharing, I came here by searching for free water, sad to know there’s no free water here. I hate so much buying water, that hurts me. Anyway, for the geeks-ish: free wifi is easy with “infinitum movil”. You enter any fake email and get 5 minutes. Then you change your mac address, open an incognito window in your browser and add another fake email for 5 more minutes. And so on and so on… For linux users, ex:

    ifconfig wlan0 down
    ifconfig wlan0 hw ether 0a:b3:68:3e:32:0a up
    iwconfig wlan0 essid “infinitum movil”
    dhclient wlan0 -v

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    • Thanks for your comments. Seems much easier to ask someone for their Starbucks receipt, or just buy a coffee, than to be interrupted and have to log in again every 5 minutes, but thanks for the info.

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  21. Women are allowed into the general cars, it’s just that the last cars are women-only. You don’t have to split up with your partner! I highly recommend checking out Mexico City’s historic center on a layover (between metro stations Zocalo and Bellas Artes!) Here are the highlights starting at metro Bellas Artes:

    Museum of Popular Art – Museo de Arte Popular (amazing masks, day of dead, crafts) – a MUST
    Bellas Artes Fine Arts Palace – murals (pay)
    Sanborn’s House of the Tiles (courtyard, second floor, murals, stairway)
    Postal palace
    Madero street
    “Hotel Downtown” with shopping gallery in Condesa’s palace (Restaurant – Azul Histórico)
    Zocalo
    Cathedral (quickly)
    National Palace (Diego Rivera murals) – a MUST
    Rooftop cafe El Mayor for view of Aztec pyramid ruins

    Optional
    Frans Mayer – excellent museum of interior design
    Museo Nacional de Arte (art history of Mexico)

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    • Thanks for the helpful article. I’ve already had one layover there, and yes, it’s VERY COLD – and dark. But I’ll be there for six hours mid December. Unfortunately, my layover is from 4:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Is there anything I can do in Mexico City during those hours, and still get back in time for my outgoing flight?

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      • Thanks very much — yes, it is a chilly airport! I don’t know about a six hour layover at such an early hour …. I’m not sure how much will be open and if the trains even run that early. I think six hours might be a touch tight for leaving the airport, but I’m sure someone who has done it can give you that advice. Check Brian’s comment above for things to do. Hope you enjoy your trip :-)

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  22. Thank you for your clear easy to understand guide. Everything was as you described and you made my long layover more bearable! Thanks a million!

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    • Thanks Melissa — I’m glad it helped! I was certainly more prepared for long layover #2 after my first experience (and spent some of the time writing this article until it warmed up enough to take a nap!) :-) Happy travels Johanna

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    • I just found a fantastic place for overnight stay at the Mexicio city airport, on the ground floor, after the exit E gate, by the side of cloak room there are stairs that lead to exit, walk on the bridge and immedeately after you get down, towards your left is HOSTEAL AEROPUERTO, ABIERTO LOS; 365DIAS DEL ANO ph 57850303

      one room * attached bath USD 40 and dorms at USD 16

      It is just five mintues walk from the airport arrival terminal

      Normally you will get the room as it is not booked,

      No need to hang around for layover passangeres, just go to this place and rest

      posted on 14 june 2016

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