Mexico - Scared of the Mexico City Airport

I will be going to Mexico City in a few weeks and are a bit nervous about making it through the airport. I have traveled the world and have seen some run down and crowded airports but I hear that Mexico City is one of the worst. I am told by a friend I trust (who visited Mexico City last month) that once the passengers come into the arrivals hall they are hit with incredible crowds of people trying to get their attention.

Taxi! Taxi! Taxi!---- will yell countless men who drive unlicensed and illegal cabs. Many of these cabs are connected to organized crime and would like to rob and beat you after driving you to a far off slum.

Other people in the arrivals hall are corrupt cops ready to collect a bribe and will ask for a special fee for arrival in THEIR country. Others are overzealous porters who want to take your bags and collect a large tip. Finally, there are the touts from hotels. Oh I forgot the pickpockets and bag snatchers. And finally, there are the beggars who use the airport as your introduction to a city full of poverty stricken people who are desparate for rich Americans money.

No, I am not looking forward to the Mexico City Airport!

Mexico City airport is OK, not too bad. Just watch out.
I always remove the baggage tags ... than they can not see if you are arriving or departing.
I would use one of the more "official" taxis ... not a "strange" taxi, taxi, taxi yeller.

The airport is pretty crowded, but you can use it without any problems. I use it several times a year with my 7-years-old daughter without trouble. However as said before, once you leave the airport it's another world. Since I live in San Luis Potosí, we better use a direct bus station-airport bus when we cann't afford a SLP-MEX plane, so we don't put a feet in Mexico City.
NEVER use the unofficial taxis.

Just outside of customs is the "arrival hall" of which you speak. It really isn't all that bad, just keep your wits about you and ignore the touts.

The licensed porters (hand trucks with medallion or number) are OK to use. They work for tips (I tip US$1/bag for curb service, double that if we're hiking all the way into the parking garage). For ground transportation consult the "Transporte Terrestre" desk to book an official taxi or a shared ride van. Bilingual ATM machines can easily be found in the terminal or there are several money exchange booths.

I have been to Mexico City four times with my wife and infant son and have never had a problem with MEX. All of the times immigration has been crowded but once through I was able to quickly retrieve my luggage and proceed to the taxi counter.

As mentioned above there are two authorized taxi companies where you will give them your destination, buy a ticket and proceed outside to the taxi stand which will be well marked.

I do understand your concern because I was very nervous before I went there for the first time. If you have "traveled the world" I don't think you will have any problem with the city or airport.

Keba

once the passengers come into the arrivals hall they are hit with incredible crowds of people trying to get their attention.
Most of them are there for their loved ones, and couldn't care less about you.

Taxi! Taxi! Taxi!---- will yell countless men who drive unlicensed and illegal cabs.
Complete bogus. Such activity is illegal & sanctioned by the police, so the "countless" men will approach you quietly, not overtly.

Other people in the arrivals hall are corrupt cops ready to collect a bribe and will ask for a special fee for arrival in THEIR country.
Complete bogus. It would be very easy to report this to the appropriate authority, right in the airport, if it ever occurred.

Others are overzealous porters who want to take your bags and collect a large tip.
SOP, you can just say "no".

And finally, there are the beggars who use the airport as your introduction to a city full of poverty stricken people who are desparate for rich Americans money.
Bogus again. No beggars allowed in the terminal. And yeah, Mexicans have nothing better to do than wait for "rich Americans" at the airport....

No, I am not looking forward to the Mexico City Airport!
Easy. Don't go. :rolleyes:

chtiet:

You are a little "harsh"... however, I also wondered, why he is going to MEX

BTW, you may have "corrupt cops" in Mexico.
That's what happened to me: I was driving a rental car from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende. Two cops on two BMWs wanted to stop me in Mexico City ... didn't stop ... was driving especially careful. On a traffic light one cop came next to me and asked where are you going? I told him that it is not of his business .... "I am an American tourist, and going to complain at my embassy.." I handed him my note pad and asked him to write his name, which he did .. and was driving away...
Later I was told, better not to open the window, or only a bit. There have been occasions when the cops dropped drugs in the car, and troubled the driver.

Don't get me wrong. I like Mexico and especially the people. Have not been there for about 4 years, and would like to go again, cheap weekend flights from AA MIA-MEX-MIA Now my question: How is Mexico now? Better or worst than 4 years ago? Somebody (El Cochinito ???) posted some time ago that his mother (?) was robbed in a taxi ....

I second the point about getting a taxi chit and going to the rank. Sure, it's noisy and busy, but that's what Mexico City's about surely?

I didn't find it any worse for people hassling than many other places, and I arrived quite late at night on both my trips.

Keep aware, but relax and have fun...

Well, I agree. No beggars nor illegal taxis allowed inside the airport.

While I appreciate the replies, I DO NOT BELIEVE THEM!

The difference between the Mexico City Airport and most others in the DEVELOPING WORLD is that the general public is allowed in the terminal. Even those that have no business being there. This is why there are so many illegal taxi drivers, touts, beggars, con-men and officials looking for a bribe.

I have heard this from a number of people I trust who have been there. They also tell me that Mexico City is a great place to visit once you make it out of the airport alive!

While I appreciate the replies, I DO NOT BELIEVE THEM!

The difference between the Mexico City Airport and most others in the DEVELOPING WORLD is that the general public is allowed in the terminal. Even those that have no business being there. This is why there are so many illegal taxi drivers, touts, beggars, con-men and officials looking for a bribe.

I have heard this from a number of people I trust who have been there. They also tell me that Mexico City is a great place to visit once you make it out of the airport alive!

greenery.

I have to say that when I read your first post I thought it was a wind-up.

The second post - why bother asking for opinions if you're not going to believe them ? If you trust the 'number of people who have been there', why bother asking here ?

So now I'm certain this is a wind-up.

Enjoy El D.F. and its airport, which is just fine.

greenery.

I have to say that when I read your first post I thought it was a wind-up.

The second post - why bother asking for opinions if you're not going to believe them ? If you trust the 'number of people who have been there', why bother asking here ?

So now I'm certain this is a wind-up.

Enjoy El D.F. and its airport, which is just fine.

Do a seach and look at some of the other topics or so called " questions/topics" posted by the OP and you might just get an idea where he/she is " coming from" :rolleyes:

Then you decide if your involvement/response in any such is really worth any of your time.

mike

mike,

I answered first and did the search later.

will know not to waste my time again :rolleyes:

...Somebody (El Cochinito ???) posted some time ago that his mother (?) was robbed in a taxi ....Yes, that was me and it was my mother-in-law who was robbed. IIRC she was running late for a doctor's appointment and instead of taking a sitio (taxi stand) cab like she normally does she hailed a cab on the street. Mistake.

Crime in Mexico City is a problem for residents and my in-laws have been victimized on several occasions. Fortunately nobody has been seriously hurt by the perps, but there have been some very scary moments that they've had to live through including home invasion robbery, carjackings, burglaries and a couple of hold-ups. And they live in a decent neighborhood in Tlalnepantla (a city in the State of Mexico just north of the border with El Distrito Federal (Mexico City)). :(

Do a seach and look at some of the other topics or so called " questions/topics" posted by the OP and you might just get an idea where he/she is " coming from" :rolleyes:

Then you decide if your involvement/response in any such is really worth any of your time.

mike

Thanks you a lot. I'm so sorry for wasting my time.... :mad:

An interesting approach. Try to marginalize the original poster as a way to dispute his original statement.

So some people do not like some of my postings. SO? I know they are interesting topics that encourage alot of interesting discussion.

Now let's get back to the orginal question. How can I make it through the Mexico City Airport alive?

Now let's get back to the orginal question. How can I make it through the Mexico City Airport alive?The probability of you having some kind of problem at MEX is relatively low. Use the official transportation desks and ignore the touts. Not too much different from flying into several big US airports I've been to...

....Crime in Mexico City is a problem for residents and my in-laws have been victimized on several occasions. Fortunately nobody has been seriously hurt by the perps, but there have been some very scary moments that they've had to live through including home invasion robbery, carjackings, burglaries and a couple of hold-ups....
That's scary .... I think I better don't go. Don't want to bring Mrs. USAFAN and myself in trouble. We have been several times in Mexico City and liked it. Never had any problems, so it must have changed to the worst.
Thanks for the valuable information.

FWIW, Mexicans are scared of JFK (cab drivers trying to rip us off, not understanding the language most of them speak, taking us to someplace called Queens and killing us for the few dollars we were able to exchange our worthless currency for, disappearing into Brooklyn and never being heard from again...although we usually turn up in Spanish Harlem with a new family and BLAME it on the cab driver when eventually found. Don't even get me started on IAD...I'll have a panic attack.

IMHO, MEX is NOT a particularly dangerous airport and you have nothing to worry about if you take official airport cabs and watch your money/luggage to the degree you would in just about any major world city's airport.

Greenery

You are exagerating the situation. I go a lot, and the other poster was correct.

If you are that uncomfortable then fly to Toluca(sp). An airport in the Northwestern suburbs of the City.

It is very busy at times because MEX is a high volume airport that has out grown the infrastructure.

There can be a sea of humanity in the arrivals hall, which may give an impression and there is a lot of people as you just come out because they are waiting for their relatives. They are not their to kill you.

US cities have their problems too.

Does any one actually have the crime statistics per capita? I bet it is lower than a lot of cities here in the US.

The duty free section is pretty cool. It is great browsing because they will give you shots of the liquor they are selling and they even gave me a free cuban cigar which I got to smoke in the airport waiting for my plane.

NOw where else can you smoke a cigar in the airport?

Mexico City has vastly improved over the past 4 years to answer the other poster's question. It seems cleaner??

You need to be careful just as in anyother big city. Remember it is one of the World's largest cities.

I have never had one problem. I either take the sitio's or go ahead a hire a car from the hotel.

I also have had no problem walking around, but you want to remain low key. It is not a good idea to be flashy. This is not the time to wear all of your gold chains.

Common sense and you will prevail.

If you truly believe what you are posting, then why are you going?

Maybe you should try Utah or small town middle America? Just watch out for the meth addicts. I

.....Mexico City has vastly improved over the past 4 years to answer the other poster's question. It seems cleaner??

You need to be careful just as in anyother big city. Remember it is one of the World's largest cities.

I have never had one problem. I either take the sitio's or go ahead a hire a car from the hotel.

I also have had no problem walking around, but you want to remain low key. It is not a good idea to be flashy. This is not the time to wear all of your gold chains.

Common sense and you will prevail.....


coplatsat:
Thanks for posting this. Actually, I would like to go to Mexico City ... AA has some cheap weekend flights, the hotels are not too expensive and the people are very friendly ....
Still, I am a little concerned about El Cochinito's remarks. I have to think about this .. anyway the AA offers for the next weekend are gone ...

Folks,

I have just spent the last 4 months working in Mexico City flying back and forth between YYZ and MEX every single week on Air Canada.

I have not had any issues with security or the airport for that matter. Does this mean that Mexico City is totally safe? Not by a long shot - but here are some tips to make it an enjoyable time.

When arriving at the airport you will clear customs and exit the baggage hall. There is always a crowd of people but NOT ONCE has someone bothered me. You exit the International arrivals hall, turn right, and go all the way down to the end of the terminal to where the taxis are. There are 2 booths for taxis - if there are 2 of you go to the first booth. These are licensed airport cars and they cost about 130 pesos to go downtown. If there are more of you go to the second both and get a bigger vehicle (van or Suburban). These are about 300 pesos.

In regards to the the comments about corrupt cops, overzealous porters, touts from hotels, pickpockets, bag snatchers, and beggars I find this information innacurate. When you exit the baggage area there usually is a crowd of people, but they are either locals picking up people or pre-arranged taxis. I have NEVER seen a beggar in the airport. In regards to the porters they have never bothered me except when I arrive at the airport to head home. Just say "no gracias" and they will leave you alone. If you keep an eye on your bags they will be safe (no different than any other airport).

When you get to your hotel most of the large hotels have the Toursim taxis. Have the bellman get you a Tourism taxi (don't just take one off the street). To get a Tourism cab license they have to speak english. You can have them take you anywhere and they will also pick you up after if you request this service. If you are travelling alone and are not Mexican I would recommend that you only take the airport or Toursim taxis. Also, many of them are very knowledgeable of the city. I hired a driver for 3 hours to tour downtown Mexico City and he was incredibly knowledgeable of the city and it's culture.

If you are REALLY stuck and need to get a taxi off the street look for a taxi with a 6 digit license plate and a taxi license in the window. That is your best bet that the cab is properly licensed and won't try to rip you off. How tough is this to find - one day I let over 50 taxis pass me before I would get in one (I was at a client meeting away from downtown and needed to get to the airport).

From a safety perspective if your smart and vigilant you will have no issues. I shopped in the open markets many times in the Centro Historico, Zona Rosa, and Polanco areas of the city and had no issues. That being said I also tried to blend in, even though I'm visibly Canadian :), by not wearing flashy watches, etc, not carrying a visible camera, and not flashing wads of money.

Email me at sd5187@yahoo.com if you would like more info.

I find the airports in other "developing" countries much worse than MEX - BKK, BOM and DEL come to mind.

MEX by comparison to those is modern and clean.

Folks,

I have just spent the last 4 months working in Mexico City flying back and forth between YYZ and MEX every single week on Air Canada.......



Ive been watching this thread off and on, and what a shocker. It is all over the place. Thank you sd for composing such a great and helpful post. You are obviously not here just to rant-away. Ill be saving your instructions for future travels. thanks again. ^

No problem at all - glad I could assist. :)

I added in one more change in regards to Greenery's concerns about airport security, corrupt cops, etc.

From the OP:

I have shown the various postings on this topic to my friend who travels through Mexico City on a regular basis. He assures me that the taxi situation is confusing at best.

He reports that the following has happened to him:

He bought the zone fare taxi ticket to his hotel and went to the designated area and was tricked into going into a cab that was not connected to the official zone priced cab. The cab charged him about 1000P for the trip.

There is no officials out at the cab line directing you to the official cabs.

Porters will GRAB your bags and bring them out to unofficial cabs.

He insists that the scene at the Mexico City Airport is worse than ever because the general public is invited in to the terminal.

Though he reports Mexico City is still a great destination.

Greenery

It sounds like your friend's view is biased because he was scammed. I would not have paid the fare. Also, there is a line for the cabs, there is someone to direct you at the front of the line to the cab, and they take your ticket immediately.

From the OP:

I have shown the various postings on this topic to my friend who travels through Mexico City on a regular basis. He assures me that the taxi situation is confusing at best.

He reports that the following has happened to him:

He bought the zone fare taxi ticket to his hotel and went to the designated area and was tricked into going into a cab that was not connected to the official zone priced cab. The cab charged him about 1000P for the trip.

There is no officials out at the cab line directing you to the official cabs.

Porters will GRAB your bags and bring them out to unofficial cabs.

He insists that the scene at the Mexico City Airport is worse than ever because the general public is invited in to the terminal.

Though he reports Mexico City is still a great destination.

When your friend exits the baggage hall does he go to the left or the right? The reason I ask is that if he goes to the left he would be grabbing a cab by domestic arrivals, hence the problem. This taxi area by domestic arrivals can be confusing as this is also a drop-off area for domestic travellers so there may be non-airport cabs in this area.

When you exit the baggage area if you go to the right and go right to the end of the terminal (past the car rental and money exchange booths) you will go to the other taxi stand. There are only airport cabs allowed in this area (yellow taxis). When you buy your ticket you then go to the right and go to the front of the line of taxis and take the first yellow airport cab.I have taken this trip over 20 times in the last 5 months with no problems (and I speak only a little Spanish).

If you follow these directions the cabs will be a non-issue.

In regards to the porters just say "no gracias" and be firm - they will leave you alone. If your friend thinks Mexico is bad he should avoid some other Carribean countries such as the Dominican Republic, Antigua, etc. At Puerto Plata, DR airport you have to physically yank the bags out of the porters hands !

"He insists that the scene at the Mexico City Airport is worse than ever because the general public is invited in to the terminal"

Just to clarify, our constitution guarantees every Mexican the right to access public places. It's not as if we need to be "invited". If your friend's implication is that in order for foreigners to feel more comfortable in our airport, we should restrict access, he probably shoudn't voice that out loud while he is here. That would be far more dangerous than the airport itself.

I assume you are going to Mexico DF for business and not because you had the idea it would be a nice place to visit. Have your office arrange for a driver to pick you up at the airport, and during your stay have the hotel staff select a taxi for your needs if you go out for dinner or shopping or whatever.

There are nice parts of Mexico city but it is one of the biggest cities on earth, and has plenty of poverty, crime, etc, the same way you have in NYC, LA, Sao Paulo, etc... Just keep your wits about you, leave the rolex at home, etc...

Don't go out alone either, try to find a buddy either a fellow gringo or a native from your office or client facility. It's usually pretty easy to find people help you make use of your expense account.

Have fun and bring me back some Don Julio, ok? They've got great prices on it at the Mexico Sam's Club.

Go here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5365313#post5365313post5365313

by the way, amex card holders - plat and centurion at least, will enjoy the AMEX lounge that's in the mexico city airport.

Relief is just a post away: Your informants don't have to worry about believing me either, if their minds are closed.

But I have only been using MEX since, oh, 1948, and I can tell you much of what you are dealing with from your informants is hyperbole and grossest exaggeration.

When you (anyone who is reading this) exit Aduana (customs, which is hermetically sealed - unlike the gates areas where arrivals and departures mix indiscriminately - and not approachable by ANYONE from the outside) into the arrivals hall, it is busy and full of people much of the time, and full of various security officers as well. I have NEVER seen one of them try to extract money from a tourist (though traffic or highway cops are an entirely other matter; they do not work inside the airport.)

Porters with badges and dollies are eager to help you - a dollar a bag is a very good wage in Mexico City, why shouldn't they be? But saying "no, gracias" ("noe, GRUH-seeus") will politely see them off.

Sometimes, touts may as you if you want a taxi (what they are doing is against the law, but they are also quite aware and sneaky) - just say no, or ignore them, and go to the marked kiosks previously mentioned, where you will be issued prepaid chits for a legitimate taxi or shared van to your destination. (You may want to use the ATMs / cash machines - be cautious, as you would at home; we've had people robbed at the Wells Fargo bank in suburban Sacramento CA we patronize. Pirate taxis are a problem in many places - avoid 'em in Mexico or London.)

In any crowded place in the world, Mexico's Benito Juarez International Airport, downtown Amsterdam, wherever, watch your belongings and pockets when you are in crowds. Pickpockets and petty criminals target crowded places with people who are wealthy relative to the standard of living.

By the way, tell them anyone at all is allowed in most American airports - at least they were quite recently in Boston, San Francisco, Sacramento... but in no case, including MEX, are they allowed airside without going through security and demonstrating a same-day boarding pass and identification, or ID and their work badges.

If they DON'T BELIEVE that, tell them to look around as they enter the next airport you fly out of, before you pass through security, or say, at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX - they allow almost ANYONE in those places! :eek:

Hey, they shouldn' trust me - I am a relative newby at this, as I posted previously - 58 years is NOTHING - barely can write or speak English, and probably have ulterior motives.... In fact, if you don't PM me so I can give you my P O Box for my bribe, I will send your FT handle to my cronies in Mexico City. :D

Seriously, for anyone in a different place, take a deep breath, project the image you want others to see when you are in large masses of people and take it easy. Seeming confident and alert, you will probably help yourself considerably; most cons and crims will prefer to target someone who looks intimidated, tired, weary, afraid, lost... As we say, ¡Buen viaje!

(I see the OP actually already DID. :) )


While I appreciate the replies, I DO NOT BELIEVE THEM!

The difference between the Mexico City Airport and most others in the DEVELOPING WORLD is that the general public is allowed in the terminal. Even those that have no business being there. This is why there are so many illegal taxi drivers, touts, beggars, con-men and officials looking for a bribe.

I have heard this from a number of people I trust who have been there. They also tell me that Mexico City is a great place to visit once you make it out of the airport alive!