Car Rental in Mexico City
Are you wondering whether or not to rent a car in Mexico City? Although Mexico City taxis are generally considered reliable, scams do occur, and communication issues may arise when drivers don’t speak English fluently. On the other hand, metro rides and bus journeys are a value-for-money option, as they are affordable and offer efficient service. That being said, neither of those alternatives can compare to Mexico City car rentals in terms of flexibility, independence, and convenience. Thus, if you value autonomous rides, you should definitely consider renting a car in CDMX. Various companies are present in Mexico City. Both local providers and international agencies operate in Mexico City, with numerous desks located throughout the city and inside Benito Juarez Airport. Therefore, you can compare your options and easily choose the one most suitable for your needs and budget.
Is it a Good Idea to Rent a Car in Mexico City?
If you plan to stay within the city limits, the short answer is no. Traffic levels are usually high, and local drivers often don’t respect the road rules. Moreover, roads tend to be narrow, making navigating around Mexico City challenging, while restrictions apply for driving due to the Hoy No Circula program. According to that program, vehicles can circulate around the city based on their license plate number. For example, cars with foreign license plates (not issued in Mexico City) aren’t allowed to circulate one day every week from 05:00 am to 10:00 pm and every morning from 05:00 am to 11:00 am. However, exemptions apply, such as for solar or electric-powered vehicles, as well as vehicles with Tourist Passes. Conversely, if you plan to travel beyond Mexico City and visit popular destinations like Texcoco, Teotihuacan, Valle de Bravo, or one of the majestic beaches, you’ll definitely appreciate the flexibility of Mexico City car rentals. In that way, you’ll be able to plan a more comprehensive schedule, offering more freedom than taxis or public transportation.
Is it Easy to Rent a Car in Mexico City?
Renting a car in Mexico City is an easy task, as plenty of car hire companies are present in the city, providing top-quality services and affordable prices. Therefore, you should check and compare the available options to come up with the ideal rental car for you. Once you’ve made up your mind, you’ll need to fill out the booking form with your personal details and the necessary information for your reservation. After completing the procedure, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Please be sure to keep it, as it may serve as the voucher for your booking.
How to Rent a Car in Mexico City?
How to find the optimal rental car in CDMX? Check the following guidelines to make the most of your car hire reservation and enjoy a top-notch car rental experience during your stay in Mexico City:
- Book your Mexico City car rental as early as possible. In that way, you’ll find low prices and more available vehicle types and models.
- If you can’t choose between the numerous car hire companies in Mexico City or have doubts about the ideal vehicle type, you should check previous customers’ reviews.
- Choose to refill the car yourself to save money on fuel charges.
- Car hire companies charge per 24 hours. Therefore, you must return the car within that time frame to avoid being charged extra.
- Take pics of your vehicle before picking it up to capture damage. In that way, you won’t be held responsible when returning it.
- Some car hire companies set mileage restrictions. If you want to explore Mexico with your rental car, you’ll need to make sure that such restrictions don’t apply.
- One-way car rentals are typically available. While they often come with an extra fee, they can be a convenient option and might even save you money on gas.
- You can add various extra amenities, such as GPS, luggage racks, child seats, etc., to optimize your rides. However, you should bear in mind that they are charged extra.
How Much is a Car Rental in Mexico City?
Overall, rental cars in Mexico City aren’t considered expensive. Expectantly, several factors, such as the vehicle model, the time of the year, the rental duration, and any added extra amenities, affect the final cost. In general terms, a Mexico City car rental costs about MXN565 ($29/€25) per day. On the other hand, Mexico City airport car rentals are slightly more expensive. Thus, if you rent a car from Benito Juarez Airport, you should expect to pay around MXN633 ($32/€28) per day.
Our Tip: Compact cars are widely favored by Mexico City visitors. Alternatively, SUVs are also a popular choice, especially for travelers planning to drive beyond the city limits. In fact, the Nissan X-Trail is one of the most popular rental cars in Mexico City.
Do I Need Separate Car Insurance in Mexico City?
If you rent a car in Mexico City, the price will include a minimum level of insurance. However, it is advisable to add extra insurance packages to enhance the level of protection. Thus, if you add extras such as supplemental liability insurance, loss damage waiver, and third-party liability, you should be fully covered in case of theft, damage, or an accident.
Is Parking Hard in Mexico City?
Street parking is typically paid and hard to find in Mexico City. Still, even if you find a parking spot on the street, you aren’t advised to park your Mexico City car rental there. Indeed, parking on the street can be risky, as theft and damage incidents are fairly common. Therefore, you should book a hotel with parking services and use the various parking lots around the city to park your rental car. Of course, parking spaces in private car parks are subject to availability.
Car Rental at Mexico City Airport
AICM passengers, valuing flexibility, typically rent a car from Mexico City International Airport. Although the airport offers various transit options to suit all preferences and budgets, Mexico City airport car rentals remain the top choice for exploring the city at your own pace. Explicitly, you can check the main reasons why car hire at MEX Airport is a highly preferred option:
- Car rental at Mexico City Airport gives you control over your schedule
Planning to stay within the city limits? Taxis and public transit options should get you to your destinations. Have you changed your mind and wish to visit other popular attractions near Mexico City or even remote locations that are difficult to access? That’s when a car rental proves its value. In other words, car hire allows you to plan your journey’s schedule exactly as you like. Last-minute changes of mind are easy to handle. Overall, Mexico City airport car rentals give you the freedom and flexibility to adjust your plans as you wish.
- Car hire allows you to customize your travel experience
From the vehicle type to extra amenities, you can fully tailor your journeys to your needs while booking your Mexico City airport car rental. Car hire companies in Benito Juarez Airport have fleets consisting of various car types; from SUVs and family cars to compact vehicles, convertibles, or even luxurious models and minivans, travelers have the ability to choose the ideal rental car based on their requirements. Moreover, several add-ons, such as luggage racks, child seats, GPS, additional drivers, etc., are also available. Although they come with extra fees, they guarantee the ultimate travel experience, as customers can customize their rides to perfectly suit their needs.
- Car rentals are more convenient than the metro and buses
Metro and bus journeys are more affordable than car rentals, but are undoubtedly a more tedious option. They often require line changes, resulting in tiring, time-consuming, and complicated trips. Plus, the bus stops and the metro stations may be located far from the MEX passengers’ accommodation, meaning they’ll need to walk with their luggage and find their way around Mexico City. Conversely, if you book a car rental from Mexico City Airport and use GPS, you’ll easily reach the exact location of your destination. Even better, if your hotel offers parking services, you can conveniently leave your vehicle and check in.
- Mexico City airport car rentals end up more budget-friendly than taxis
Taxis from the airport are a convenient option, as they offer door-to-door rides. Moreover, they are regarded as fairly affordable, especially when compared to taxi rates in the U.S.A. and Europe. That being said, they end up being rather pricey if used for all journeys during a traveler’s stay in Mexico City. Plus, they also require advance planning and can only take you so far, making it hard to discover the area’s hidden gems. Therefore, car hire at MEX Airport outweighs taxis when it comes to affordability and convenience.
The Mexico City Airport Car Rental Options
AICM Airport offers car hire options in both terminal buildings. Thus, no matter your arrival terminal, you’ll find car rental companies operating inside the terminal building. Local and international agencies are present at MEX Airport, providing passengers with a wide range of vehicles and services. If you are looking to rent a car at terminal 1 of Mexico City International Airport, you’ll find counters located in both domestic and international Arrivals areas of the terminal. Hence, car hire desks can be found on the Ground level, close to Gates E2-E3 of the international zone and Gate A1 of the domestic Arrivals. On the other hand, car rental counters lie at the international Arrivals area of terminal 2.
Our Tip: There are several car hire providers with off-airport desks. They are typically more affordable than Mexico City airport car rental companies, but lack convenience, as a shuttle ride is required to reach their premises.
Useful Tips about Car Rental in CDMX
- You should avoid driving during the city’s rush hours, that is from 06:00 am to 09:00 am and from 05:00 pm to 07:00 pm.
- You’ll find toll roads (cuota) around Mexico City. Please note that payments can be made either with electronic toll transponders or cash. Bank cards aren’t typically accepted.
- Drivers in Mexico City use the right side of the road.
- Speed bumps (topes) are widely used to slow traffic. However, they are very tall. Thus, you should be extra careful while passing them to avoid damaging your Mexico City rental car.
- You should always respect the speed limits. In detail, drivers can drive with a speed up to 40km/h (25mph) in urban areas, while the speed limit on highways ranges from 90km/h to 110 km/h (56mph – 62mph). Of course, if the road signs indicate otherwise, you should follow them.
- It’s important to keep in mind that exits on highways may be located at a considerable distance from each other and/or may be found on the left side of the road.
- Military checks are common in Mexico City. In fact, several checkpoints can be found, especially on highways.
- All passengers must wear seatbelts, while children must be seated in child seats.
- The legal alcohol limit in Mexico City is 0.04%.
FAQs
Is it easy to drive in Mexico City?
In general terms, driving around Mexico City has its challenges. Roads are often narrow, local drivers tend to drive aggressively, and traffic congestion is a common sight, especially during rush hours. Moreover, navigating the city can be hard, at least without a GPS system. Even more so, the “Hoy No Circula” program imposes circulation restrictions depending on the vehicle’s license plate number. On the other hand, if you want to explore the countryside and travel around Mexico, you’ll definitely benefit from the flexibility that comes with Mexico City car rental.
Is it safe to drive in Mexico City at night?
You are advised to avoid driving around Mexico City during the night, as some of the city’s districts can be dangerous. However, if you must drive your car rental, make sure to use the main roads and avoid alleys and poorly lit areas.
What is required to rent a car in Mexico?
What documents do you have to hand over to rent a car in Mexico City? To begin with, you’ll have to present your national driver’s license along with a form of identification (ID/Passport). Moreover, a credit card in the main driver’s name is required. Debit cards aren’t typically accepted. Lastly, you may also be asked to provide an International Driving Permit (IDP), which is a translation of your driver’s license issued by your home country.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in Mexico City?
Each car hire company has its own age policy. However, in general, drivers must be at least 21 to rent a car in Mexico, while higher age limits usually apply for luxury and expensive vehicle models. Moreover, young drivers (21 to 25) may be asked to pay an extra fee (young driver’s fee).