Why Take a Taxi from Mexico City Airport
Benito Juarez Airport is efficiently connected to CDMX and other surrounding regions via various transit modes, such as bus lines, subway, and taxis. Still, Mexico City airport taxis are considered one of the most convenient ways to travel from MEX Airport, especially after a long and tiring flight. Airport taxis provide door-to-door services to the exact location of the passenger’s destination. Hence, travelers don’t need to search for the right bus or subway line, deal with crowded public transport, or navigate through the city to reach their destination while carrying their luggage. Instead, they can simply catch their taxi, put the luggage in the vehicle’s boot, and begin their ride. While MEX airport taxis were once known for scamming passengers, they are now government-regulated, providing safe and reliable services. The vast majority of taxi drivers at the airport speak English adequately. Thus, travelers don’t typically face communication problems. Expectantly, rides can be time-consuming and rather tiring during rush hours, when traffic levels are high. Fortunately, Mexico City airport taxis offer set fares for all rides from the airport. As a result, traffic congestion doesn’t affect the cost of the journey.
The MEX Airport Taxi Categories
Although there are four types of taxis operating in Mexico City, not all of them are allowed to provide their services at AICM Airport. Hence, sitios (the pink and white taxis waiting at the taxi ranks), libre taxis (taxis that can be hailed from the street), and radio taxis (can be called via phone or through a taxi app) are present throughout Mexico City. However, only authorized taxis (cabs licensed to operate at the airport) can pick up passengers at the airport. They are pink and white cabs belonging to companies authorized to offer their services at Benito Juarez Airport, providing reliable rides at set prices.
You should never trust individual drivers approaching you at the airport. Rides with unlicensed taxis in Mexico City can be dangerous. Therefore, you must always catch your taxi from the airport taxi ranks. In fact, official taxis have white license plates consisting of one letter (A or B) and five numbers. It’s important to keep in mind that the same five-digit number must be written on both the license plate and the vehicle’s side and hood. Moreover, the driver’s ID (the original, in color with official stamps and not a photocopy) must be clearly displayed inside the vehicle. Please check that the ID photo matches the driver. As long as you do so, you should enjoy a safe and pleasant journey.
There are two types of taxis at Mexico City Airport: standard sedans that can accommodate up to 4 passengers and executive cabs that can accommodate up to 8 passengers. In detail, the taxi companies that are authorized by the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT) to operate at the airport, having fleets that fully comply with the safety and regulatory standards, are:
- Porto Taxi Ejecutivo
- Yellow Cab
- Prho Taxi
- Casadey
- Confort Unlimited
- Nueva Imagen
- Sitio 300
Our Tip: Ride-hailing companies (such as Uber) are also an option for passengers arriving at AICM Airport. However, since they aren’t part of the licensed taxi services operating at the airport, their pick-up points are typically situated further from the terminal buildings.
Mexico City Airport Taxi Price Lists
Even though CDMX taxis are metered, authorized Mexico City airport taxis offer fixed fares for rides from the airport based on a zone price list. Hence, the cost of taxi rides depends on the destination’s zone, not on the exact distance or travel time. As a result, traffic jams don’t affect the final price, nor does traveling during the night shift. Indeed, although night rides in Mexico City are costlier, traveling by taxi from Mexico City International Airport between 11:00 pm and 06:00 am isn’t more expensive. Plus, shorter journeys might be pricier than longer rides, depending on the zone. Overall, prices may differ depending on the taxi companies. That said, the difference isn’t significant. Just to have an idea, the 15- 20-minute ride from Mexico City Airport to CDMX costs around MXN370 ($18.90/€16.60). Expectantly, executive taxis are costlier. Thus, if you catch an executive taxi, you’ll have to pay about MXΝ560 ($28.50/€25.10) for the same journey.
You won’t pay the fare for your MEX airport taxi ride to the taxi driver. Instead, you’ll have to reach one of the taxi counters located inside the terminals, pay the taxi fee depending on your destination, and display the ticket to the taxi driver in line. Payments can be made in cash (in the local currency) or via bank cards. The taxi counters can be found inside both terminals. They are located near the baggage claim areas, along the aisles, and in front of the gates where the taxi ranks are situated.
MEX Airport Taxi Fares to Popular Destinations
As already mentioned, Mexico City airport taxi fares are fixed, meaning all rides to a specific zone cost the same, regardless of the exact drop-off location, travel duration, or time of day. Specifically, you can check the fares for airport taxi rides to some of the most popular destinations in and around Mexico City:
| From | To | Price *(MXN) | Price ($) | Price (€) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico City Airport | Downtown CDMX | 370 | 18.90 | 16.60 | 20-25 min |
| Mexico City Airport | Roma Norte | 370 | 18.90 | 16.60 | 25 min |
| Mexico City Airport | Polanco | 440 | 22.40 | 19.70 | 22 min |
| Mexico City Airport | Condesa | 415 | 21.10 | 18.60 | 22 min |
| Mexico City Airport | Santa Fe | 690 | 35.10 | 30.90 | 30 min |
| Mexico City Airport | Puebla | 1,290 | 65.70 | 57.80 | 180 min |
*Prices refer to standard taxis and not executive cabs.
Where are the Mexico City Airport Taxi Ranks
Both AICM airport terminals feature official taxi ranks. Thus, no matter your arrival terminal, you’ll easily locate the taxi stand once you collect your luggage, and conveniently start your ride to your final destination without having to make your way from one terminal to the other to catch a cab. In fact, the two MEX terminals have two taxi ranks each. Hence, terminal 1 has one taxi rank at the Domestic Arrivals area, near Gate 1, while another taxi stand can be found close to Gates 9 and 10, at the International Arrivals zone. On the other hand, a taxi rank lies in front of Gate 4 at the Domestic Arrivals level of T2, while international passengers can locate a taxi rank in front of Gate 3 of terminal 2 (International Arrivals).
Airport Taxi from Mexico City Airport to Hotel
Do you want to get to your hotel in Mexico City as quickly as possible after landing at Benito Juarez Airport? A Mexico City airport hotel is the perfect option, offering quick and direct rides to the exact address of your accommodation. Simply head to one of the taxi counters, pay the fare for your destination zone, and board the taxi in line at your terminal’s taxi rank, showing your ticket. Still, although catching a taxi from Mexico City Airport guarantees a comfortable journey, you should first check if your hotel offers free airport shuttle rides. If that is the case, you’ll save money on your transit expenses and reach your accommodation just as comfortably.
Tips on How to Catch a Taxi from Mexico City Airport
- Many streets in CDMX are similarly named. Hence, you are advised to have the address of your destination written on paper to avoid communication issues.
- While Mexico City airport taxis are generally considered safe, some scamming incidents can still occur. Hence, you should always catch your cab from the taxi rank after buying a ticket from the taxi desks inside the terminals.
- If you want to file a complaint about your taxi ride, you should call 55 2482 2299, or 2758.
- During rush hours, demand for a MEX airport taxi is high. Therefore, you may have to wait up to 30 minutes to catch a taxi from Mexico City Airport.
- You’ll pay the taxi fare for your destination zone at the taxi desk, but you’ll need to provide the exact address of your destination to the taxi driver.
- Please keep in mind that traffic levels around CDMX are higher from 06:00 am to 09:00 am and from 05:00 pm to 07:00 pm.
- Tipping the driver is optional. It is more common during metered rides and less customary during set-price journeys.
FAQs
How much is a taxi from Mexico City Airport?
Mexico City airport taxis offer set-price services based on a zone fare system. Thus, the cost of the taxi ride to your destination depends on the zone it belongs to. For example, the journey from Benito Juarez International Airport to Mexico City costs about MXN370 ($18.90/€16.60), as each taxi company has its own price list.
How do I book a taxi at Mexico City Airport?
If you want to catch a taxi from Mexico City Airport, you’ll have to access one of the taxi counters inside the MEX terminals. They can be found close to the baggage claim carousels as well as in front of the Gates where the taxi ranks are situated. Once travelers buy the ticket for their destination zone, they can catch the taxi in line. Alternatively, ride-hailing companies also operate at AICM Airport.
What is the safest way to get a taxi from Mexico City Airport?
If you want to be sure about the legitimacy of your taxi and the efficiency of the provided services, you’ll have to catch it from one of the official taxi ranks. Pay the fare for your destination at one of the taxi counters inside the terminals, and show the ticket to the driver to start your journey.