The Metro Line at AICM Airport
Although Benito Juarez Airport doesn’t offer train connections, it provides subway journeys to CDMX. Mexico City Airport Metro Line 5 runs from the airport to the Mexican capital and connects with the other metro lines serving Mexico City. CDMX has twelve metro lines and a total of 195 subway stations, making metro rides one of the city’s most popular transit options. Hence, if you are looking for a cheap and traffic-independent way to travel from the airport, you should catch the Yellow Metro Line (Metro Line 5).
The Mexico City Airport Metro Line
Mexico City Metro Line 5 runs from Pantitlan to Politécnico, stopping at Mexico City International Airport on its way. The Yellow Line of the Mexico City metro system stops at the Terminal Aerea Station, near the MEX airport terminal 1. Many passengers catching the Mexico City Airport Metro alight at the Pantitlan Station on the line’s southeastern terminus. Pantitlan Station offers connections to Lines 1, 2, and A. On the other hand, travelers heading into the city alight at Oceanía Station, which also serves Metro Line B.
The Mexico City subway operates 7 days a week. In detail, it runs from 05:00 am to midnight on weekdays and from 06:00 am to midnight on Saturdays. On Sundays and public holidays, there are available routes from 07:00 am to 12:00 am. Overall, the Mexico City Airport Metro takes around 50 minutes to reach the city center.
While it is an efficient and value-for-money option for airport rides to CDMX, the Mexico City Airport Metro tends to get crowded during peak hours and doesn’t have designated luggage storage space. Hence, traveling via metro during rush hours can be tiring and challenging when carrying lots of baggage. In fact, there are luggage restrictions for metro rides, allowing passengers to carry only one large suitcase. In general, the CDMX metro is considered safe. That being said, the city’s visitors aren’t advised to use it during the night.
Our Tip: CDMX Metro has carriages specifically dedicated to women, allowing them to travel more safely and comfortably.
Terminal Aérea Station
The subway station of Mexico City International Airport isn’t located inside the terminals. It can be found 200m/0.1 miles from terminal 1. Terminal Aérea Station lies close to terminal 1, within a short walking distance from Gate A on the terminal’s Ground level. Therefore, it is located in Venustiano Carranza, serving the airport and the nearby areas (such as Peñón de los Baños). It is a modern station featuring six impressive murals created by the well-known artist David Lach.
Travelers arriving at terminal 1 can easily reach the Terminal Aérea Station by exiting through Door 1 at Gate A, bypassing the taxi rank, and following the signs to the metro station. However, passengers landing at terminal 2 have to make their way to terminal 1 to catch the Mexico City Airport Metro, as terminal 2 doesn’t house a subway station.
So, if you want to travel from terminal 2 to terminal 1, you’ll have to use the Tetsa Buses linking the two terminals. The Tetsa Buses depart from the bus stop outside Door 4 of T2’s Ground floor every 15 minutes from 05:00 am to 01:00 am. They travel the 3-km/1.9-mile distance in about 10-25 minutes, depending on traffic levels. The bus isn’t free of charge. Hence, passengers have to pay MXN25 ($1.19/€1.08) for the ride. Tickets are available from the driver inside the bus. Alternatively, travelers can also use the Metrobus 4 to get to terminal 1. However, their ride will be pricier, costing MXN30 ($1.53/€1.34). On the other hand, the AirTrain (Aerotren) is the monorail connecting the two terminals for free. That being said, it can only be used by passengers with boarding passes.
The Mexico City Airport Metro Fares and Prices
The ticket for the ride from Benito Juarez Airport to Mexico City costs MXN5 ($0.25/€0.22). Paper single tickets can be bought from the ticket booths and the vending machines located at the Terminal Aerea Station. Passengers can also buy a Mexico City Integrated Card (Tarjeta MI/MI Card). It is a reloadable smart card that is not only valid for metro rides but also for journeys on Metrobus lines, light rail, Ecobici, Trolleybus, and Cablebus. MI Cards cost MXN15 ($0.76/€0.67) and can be purchased from the vending machines of the metro station, as well as from the automatic machines located inside the terminal buildings. They must be topped up with at least MXN6 ($0.31/€0.27). The maximum balance allowed on each card is MXN500 ($25.50/€22.40). You can buy and recharge your MI Card using the same machines. Passengers using an MI Card can travel on metro lines in the same direction within two hours of the card’s first validation. Nevertheless, if they want to use a Metrobus Line, they’ll have to buy an extra ticket. In any case, children younger than 5 travel for free. Please note that you’ll have to tap your ticket or card to enter the Terminal Aerea Station. However, you won’t need to tap it to exit your alighting station.
Our Tip: You should keep in mind that the automatic vending machines do not give change. Therefore, if you don’t have the exact amount for your ticket (or for the MI Card plus the metro fare) in pesos, you should go to the ticket counters.
FAQs
Can you get the metro at Mexico City Airport?
A metro line links Mexico City International Airport to CDMX. Indeed, Metro Line 4 (Yellow Line) runs from the airport to the Mexican capital. The metro station at MEX Airport (Terminal Aérea Station) lies near terminal 1, within a 200-m distance from Gate A on its Ground floor.
Where to buy a metro card at Mexico City Airport?
MI Cards (Mexico City Integrated Cards) can be bought from the ticket booths and the vending machines of the Terminal Aérea Station. Moreover, automatic machines can be found inside the terminals as well. Please note that you can purchase and recharge your card using the same machines.