Mexico - Mexico City Airport: International to Domestic question

Hi

I will be arriving on my first visit to Mexico in November.

Arriving USAIR ex Phoenix at 1510. Am about to book an internal flight on Aeromexico to Aguascalientes which departs Terminal 2 at 1630
- I have three questions...

>>> Is this connection time too tight? The alternative is to overnight at an airport hotel, but I would much prefer to get to my destination


>>> Will US Air tag my bags to Aguascalientes, or will I have to re-check them? The USAIR and Aeromexico sectors will be separate tickets. This is occasionally an issue in Europe where I live and work.

>>> Does this involve a terminal change, and if so are the international and domestic terminals close to each other?

Many thanks

Grantosol

The connection is tight, no doubt. If you know where you're going, then you may be able to make it (most likely not though).

Unfortunately I cannot give you any specifics, but supposedly there is an airside bus that goes from T1 to T2. So when you pass immigration, instead of going to baggage claim, make a sharp left where it says "domestic connections", and hopefully AM will have a way to get you to T2 airside (which is on the opposite side of the field). Also, this is assuming that US will interline your bag to AM. If they don't, then you have to claim it in T1, clear customs, and re-check it, which will leave you landside. Then the somewhat cumbersome transfer process to T2 will take some time.

EDIT: So yes, there is a change from T1 to T2 - both have international and domestic wings. US is in T1, AM is in T2.

Btw, another carrier to AGU is Aeromar - they currently have a pretty good promotion is seems - MXN861 (approx. USD80) one-way web-fare bookable on their site Aeromar.com.mx (http://www.aeromar.com.mx/vuelos.php?ciudad=AGU). They fly ATR's.

Many thanks for prompt reply and useful info.. That's what I love about FT..:)

On your recommendation, I have booked on Aeromar leaving at 1840 which is perfect, plenty of time for transfer. Cost great too - around US$100 one way. Return flight doesn't work, but I'll figure out a way back to Mexico City once I get there. It's not that far - around 250 miles.

Much appreciated

Grantosol

Aeromar is in T2 as well, and I very much doubt that US will interline your bags to them. So you'll most likely need to claim your bags in T1, clear customs, and then walk over to the station for the tram to T2. That's a fair walk, as the station is over on the domestic side of T1 (figure about 15 mins to get there). That tram is a single train shuttle - so it only goes every 15mins. Important: you must have a copy of your receipt/itinerary or a boarding pass with you, otherwise they won't let you on! As Aeromar don't do web check-in yet, make sure you have a copy of your receipt/ticket. Once in T2 you'll be fine. If you have some time to kill, there is a good food court there, good restaurants too, and a little branch of the Museum of Anthropology.

Strange that the OP didn't think to book Phoenix-Aguascalientes on CO (with a transfer at IAH)! A lot less hassle I'd've thought.
Anyway, ETN offer probably the best bus service back to Mexico (Terminal Norte). The fastest journey time is four hours. The roadworks to the airport should be finished by November, although good cab drivers know how to bypass them; so allow another hour to make your check-in time.
ETN can be booked online.

[QUOTE Strange that the OP didn't think to book Phoenix-Aguascalientes on CO (with a transfer at IAH)! A lot less hassle I'd've thought.
QUOTE]

Many thanks Londinense and Bobsyouruncle.

CO is not an option for me - well not for a while yet until they join Star Alliance. I'm on a RTW redemption, in First and Business, taking in the UK, various points in Asia, LA, Vegas for US Election night (any suggestions???), Mexico, then home to Ireland. More info here (http://http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=10022429) Since that posting have amended the North American section to take in Vegas and Phoenix as well as LA

Cant wait..

Best wishes

Grantosol

Grantosol:
Just curious: why Aguascalientes? Hardly seems a top-knotch destination for someone on a TRW trip! Anyway, enjoy....

Yes, I was wondering the same! At first I thought it was a biz trip (think Nissan), but a vacation? It's nice, sure, but for example Zacatecas, not far away, is nicer. Especially as a first trip to Mexico?

Grantosol:
Just curious: why Aguascalientes? Hardly seems a top-knotch destination for someone on a TRW trip! Anyway, enjoy....

Good question !!

My daughter is a language student and is teaching for a year in Aguascalientes...

Probably not the most exciting place in the world but should be fun nonetheless...