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MEX - Mexico City International Airport / 🛫AICM🛬 master thread

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Old Jul 2, 2014, 12:19 am
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GENERAL INFORMATION

"AICM" - Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México
(Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez)
Av. Capitán Carlos León S/N
Col Peñón de los Baños
Delegación Venustiano Carranza, DF
CP 15620, México

Phone: (+52 55) 2482-2424 and 2482-2400

Website: http://www.aicm.com.mx/home_en.php (English language version)

Link to AICM airlines information, including terminals.

Most comprehensive information: Wikipedia (Castilian Spanish)

Mexico City Airport Guide to lounges, sleeping, etc. by SleepinginAirports.net

Venustiano Carranza is one of the 16 boroughs (delegaciones) of the Federal District; it serves Mexico City, and is located 3.1 miles / 5 km east of downtown (getting there takes significantly longer than you would think; traffic can be very congested). The airport is one of the oldest, opening in 1928, and is limited by two runways at high altitude (7,316 ft / 2,230 m above MSL) and can not expand due to encroaching population. Recent attempts to open a new, higher capacity airport were ended by the new President, so this airport, Latin America's second busiest, will do for now.

NOTE: See post 380 (23 May 2018, by BenA) for information on the new automated passport reading kiosks in Terminal 2 and a shorter option to lengthy arrivals queues.

FLIGHT INFORMATION: http://www.aicm.com.mx/informacional.../fids/fids.php

CONNECTIONS: Check to see if you need to connect between terminals, and allow plenty of time for that. See MEX Connection Times international / domestic master thread

From an international flight to an international/domestic flight – Clear immigration, customs and security with any (retrieved at carousels) check-in baggage, then place your baggage on the flight connections carousel located on the right hand side, before proceeding to your departure gate.

If you are traveling on separate ticketing, you will have to go to the terminal airline ticket counter, check in and check your bags.

If you are connecting to the same airline to a domestic destination, you will recover your baggage once you arrive there. Look for the transit queue and processing.

From a domestic flight to an international flight – Proceed directly to the appropriate terminal and departure gate
([B.
Interterminal Transportation - Aerotrén / Air Train: The landside elevated Aerotrén APM (Automated People Mover) claims to move only those connecting passengers with boarding passes between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. It consists of two to four cars, each with 25 passenger (with baggage and hand carry) capacity, per train, which travels at 28 MPH / 45 kph over the 1.9 mi / 3 km range. Time en route is 4:40 (min), dwell time in each terminal is 60 seconds, time between trains is 10:45 (min).


Aerotrén route

Interterminal Transportation - Landside red shuttle busses[/B] operate 05:00 (am) to 01:00 (am), also used during Aerotrén breakdowns, are labeled ""Transportación entre Terminales"; the stops are at entrance No. 6 of Terminal 1 and entrance No. 4 of Terminal 2. They are air conditioned, have luggage spaces and are wheelchair-accessible.


MEX airport map

ARRIVING: If you are arriving from an international flight without a connection (you are terminating at MEX), you must have your forms filled out - see Requirements for visiting Mexico as a tourist ("tourist card", visa etc.).

You may have a lengthy walk down the glassed-in arrivals corridor. This corridor has glass door controlled areas to allow people from the departures area cross through the arrivals corridor (like using an air lock), so you could be detained by a boarding aircraft. In one instance we were detained nearly fifteen minutes enough route from the 30s gate as a TACA flight boarded and our passage was blocked by glass doors.

Proceed to the corridor end and down one floor to the not-so-well marked exits for "Migración" and proceed to the sometimes lengthy queues to present your passport and documents. Your tourist card will be stamped and you will be given a portion back - turn it in on your departure (if you lose it, expect to pay a fine and have to spend some time with formalities). (When you check in at MEX, the form will be stapled to your boarding pass, and removed at the boarding gate - if somehow you do not have it at counter or gate, you'll have to return landslide and fill out forms and pay a MXN 307.00 fine.

Once your passport is stamped and your "Tourist Card" / FMM is validated, proceed to the baggage carousels and look for your flight to be displayed. Carts are available. Retrieve your baggage and proceed to "ADUANA", where you will queue up one more time. Normally, as you approach the customs kiosk, you will walk up to what looks like a small traffic light / robot and press the large button; a Green light means you can proceed, a Red light means further Customs formalities and inspection. You normally then put your bags on a conveyor belt for x-ray screening, As your bags have been x-rayed prior to delivery you no longer have the x-rayed upon exiting the Aduana hall, though bags may be selected for secondary screening; then you are landside in the arrivals floor scrum.

BAGGAGE STORAGE (link)

If you recover your baggage and have a layover, there are left luggage / baggage storage / GUARDAEQUIPAJE* at AICM, ~100 MXN per day.

*Goo-ARR-dah ek-kee-PA-heh

Terminal 1: Internacional area 10 between Gates 7 and 8, Area E-2; 24 hours a day.

Terminal 2: in front of the Domestic Arrivals area, 24 hours a day.


TERMINALS

Terminal 1 is the original terminal, and has expanded a number of times. Terminal 2 was opened in 2007, increasing the airport's capacity 40% from the frequently expanded Terminal 1. SkyTeam, including local member Aeroméxico, excepting Air France and KLM, are located in Terminal 2.

See this WikiTravel page for further information, including airlines and terminals: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico_city_airport

Terminal 1:

Premium Lounges in T1:
  • Salón Premier Internacional T1 (Aeroméxico - SkyTeam; Diners Club)
  • United Club (United Airlines, Priority Pass)
  • Admirals Club (American Airlines, U.S. Airways, oneworld - near Gate 23
  • American Express Platinum Centurión Lounge (near Gate 30 - much closer to AA, U.S. etc. departures than some of the airline lounges).
Hotels:
  • izZzleep microhotel, $170 MXN (under USD $9.00) for two hours, MXN $160 for a shower, etc. See IZZZLEEP
  • Camino Real Aeropuerto de México (connected to terminal 1-B by walkway - 600 rooms, budget) <link>
  • Courtyard Mexico City Airport by Marriott (connected by walkway and free shuttle to Terminal 2 - 288 rooms) <link>
  • Fiesta Inn Aeropuerto Ciudad de México by Fiesta Americana (Located across from Terminal 1 and offers free shuttles - 327 rooms, budget) <link>
  • Hilton México City Airport (Level 3, near gate F1 in the International arrivals area - 110 rooms) <link>
See this excellent page on Arriving in Terminal 1, from www.midwesternerinmexico.com.

Terminal 2: (Domestic subterminal and SkyTeam other than KLM and AF)

Premium Lounges in T2:
  • Club Diamante (Aeromar)
  • HSBC Premier Lounge (landslide)
  • Salón Premier Nacional (Domestic side - Aeroméxico - SkyTeam; Priority Pass; Diners Club; Airport Angel)
  • Salón Premier Internacional T2 (Aeroméxico - SkyTeam; Priority Pass; Diners Club, Airport Angel)
  • Riedel Wine Room (Aeroméxico)
  • Travel Pass Elite Lounge (Banamex/Citibank)
  • Centurión American Express Lounge (American Express)
Hotels:
  • izZzleep microhotel, $170 MXN (under USD $9.00) for two hours, MXN $160 for a shower, etc. See IZZZLEEP
  • NH Collection Mexico City Airport Terminal 2 (287 rooms, 6th floor)<link>

FOR HOTELS, LOUNGES, SLEEPING:

A fairly comprehensiveresource is www.sleepinginairports.net. Their intro page to MEX is here, and it covers everything from hotels to Lounges and ad hoc sleeping in airports. E.g. Avianca Lounge is 24/7 and day passes are currently available.

Izzzleep sleep capsules in Terminal 1 (140 MXN hourly, minimum two hours, WiFi, bathrooms, showers for 130 MXN fee - bookable via Bookings.com, Expedia, etc.) Landsude, just “past the entrance to the Marriott Courtyard, in/on top of the T1 bus terminal structure.” (Gracias to flugvergnugen)


OFFSITE TRANSPORTATION:


Mexico City Area Map (midwesternerinmexico.com http://bit.ly/1iTjS4P)

By taxi: The authorized taxi stands at the airport have "Transporte Terrestre" kiosks where you can buy a ticket to your destination, and then proceed outside to the taxi line to catch the taxi. DO NOT pay attention to touts or walk across the street to pick up unaffiliated or pirate taxis - kidnapping and assault are not unknown if you choose to do this.

Uber: see https://www.uber.com/cities/mexico-city; see post #146.

You may wish to read over this informative page about using taxis (and the various kinds of taxis available), with particular emphasis on Mexico City taxis.

Walking out of the airport - Taxi Sitio (Rank) (from WikiTravel - http://wikitravel.org/en/Mexico_City)
Be aware the airport is not located in the best area of the city, so it is not recommended for tourists to walk outside the airport terminal in search for cheaper taxi service unless you have pre-arranged your service. Definitely do not attempt this if you are not comfortable speaking Spanish. Despite this, an alternative Taxi Sitio (site) can be reached by using the overpass located outside of Gate D. Taxis here are about half the price of the official airport taxis and are considered secure. This is the Sitio (taxi rank) that is set up for the airline employees.
By Metro: If you have no luggage, you can use the Metro (Line 5 / Yellow Line, station Terminal Aérea) (serves Terminal 1 only - use interterminal shuttle bus to Terminal 2)and connect to your destination (most will connect to other lines at Pantitlán south, or Oceania north of Terminal Aérea). Tickets (and passes) can be purchased from kiosks, and cost $3.00 pesos per trip (~€ 0.15, or ~US$ 0.24). Hours are 05:00 a 24:00 weekdays, starting 06:00 Saturdays, and 07:00 Sundays and holidays. Website (Castilian Spanish).


Local Bus: The best local bus is the articulated BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) Metrobús Line 4 - the electrically-powered red bus runs in priority roadway lanes from 04:30 (am) to midnight), departures every 20 minutes, takes 30 minutes to downtown historic center / centro histórico, costs $30.00 pesos (about US$2.40 / €1.80) single / one way, has luggage space. Catch it on the ground floor of Terminal 1 opposite Gates 6 - 7, and Terminal 2 near the taxi rank on the ground floor / arrivals. Get your tickets from automated kiosks with peso coins or credit card; sweep your card past the validator as you board. See this page (English version) for details.

By Intercity Bus: There are stations in each terminal with reliable, economical and safe buses to various national destinations. See this page for the bus schedule, and for more on Mexican busses here: Bus travel in Mexico, the definitive thread.

"AICM Terminal 1 land terminal (Terminal terrestre de autobuses - open 24 / 7) is located in front of the international area vehicular ramp and its facilities include various services for the comfort of our passengers. Among others, it offers VIP lounges, internet, resting, reading and meeting halls. The terminal also offers a fast food area, shops, souvenirs and currency exchange offices.

The AICM Terminal 2 land terminal is located at gate D, between entrance 4 and the national arrival passenger exit, and its facilities include resting halls and a fast food area."

INTERCITY BUSSES:

- Autobuses del Oriente (ADO)
Tel: 5133-2424 and 01800-702-8000
Operations: 6:00 to 21:00 hrs. 7 days
Destination: Córdoba, state of Veracrúz

- Autobuses Estrella Blanca
Tels: 5786-9341, 5786-9358, 5786-9338 & 5786-9342
Operations: 24 hrs. / 7 days
Destinations: Pachuca, state of Hidalgo

- Autobuses Estrella Roja
Tels: 5786-9341, 5786-9358, 5786-9338 & 5786-9342
Operations: 24 hrs. / 7 days
Destination: Puebla, Puebla

- Autobuses La Piedad
Tels: 5786-9341, 5786-9358, 5786-9338 & 5786-9342
Operating Hours: 24 hrs. / 7 days
Destinations: Querétaro, Qro.

- Autobuses Pullman de Morelos
Tels: 5786-9341, 5786-9358, 5786-9338 & 5786-9342
Operating Hours: 24 hrs. / 7 days
Destination: Cuernavaca, Mor.

- Autobuses TMT Caminante
Tels: 5786-9341, 5786-9358, 5786-9338 & 5786-9342
Operating Hours: 24 hrs. / 7 days
Destination: Toluca, Mexico
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MEX - Mexico City International Airport / 🛫AICM🛬 master thread

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Old Mar 9, 2017, 11:11 pm
  #271  
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
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I transited MEX T2 this week without any issue. Everything took at most 30 minutes (immigration, transit desk, baggage claim, customs, baggage recheck, security). There is no transit zone or automatic bag transfer.

However, this was late at night with almost no lines and my bag that showed up quickly on the belt. It might not be the same experience at other times of the day...

As this is an AM to AM flight, you should already have your boarding pass for your onward flight in hand. Show it to the immigration agent along with the immigration form. Without checked baggage, you go immediately through customs and take the escalator on the left before the exit (boarding pass required) to the security checkpoint.
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Old Mar 10, 2017, 12:27 pm
  #272  
 
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Originally Posted by jerry_greece
* Do I have to clear customs/immigration @ MEX or is there transit zone? It's an AM/AM flight from Terminal 2 (I plan on having only hand-luggage).
You definitely have to clear customs/immigration at MEX, then reclear security, although that is generally pretty quick. The whole process should take no more than 45 minutes.

* For the return, there is a possibility with AM and KL on the inbound. Connection is 2 hours and i see that KLM flies from T1 (AM lands on T2). Would that be enough time? I read scary stories...
That's a bit tight, but as long as both legs are on the same reservation, it's the airline's responsibility to get you back home. I wouldn't worry about it - a two-hour connection time is probably fine, and if there's a problematic delay with the LAS flight, then the agent should be able to give you another option.
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Old Mar 10, 2017, 1:11 pm
  #273  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Thanks a lot!

Am not that worried for the outbound since the AMS flight arrives at 04.00 and the LAS flight departs at 09.30. So plenty of time...

For the return, I think I will take my risk, because KL departs @ 21.00 and if I loose it, they can always put me on AM @ 23.58.
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Old Mar 18, 2017, 10:05 am
  #274  
 
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Is Uber allowed to pick up at the Mexico City Airport?? I know Uber is in Mexico City but I know a lot of cities are not allowing Uber to pick up because of competition with the local taxis.
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Old Mar 18, 2017, 9:53 pm
  #275  
 
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Yes. I used Cabify from the airport last month:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mexi...city-safe.html
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Old Mar 26, 2017, 1:19 am
  #276  
sw3
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Actually, no, they're not allowed. It is illegal for any non-federally-licensed transportation provider to pick passengers up at all airports in Mexico. However, honoring their track record of disregarding laws and regulations everywhere, they'll do it anyway.
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Old Mar 28, 2017, 10:13 pm
  #277  
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The Priority Pass website is now showing this:

Terraza Premier Aeromexico by Heineken
Mexico City Benito Juarez Intl (Terminal 2)
Airside - after passing Security, on the left hand side, proceed to the next level and the lounge is located at the end of the hall by Gate 75.

Anyone here know anything about this? (If I missed it somewhere upthread, sorry.)


https://www.prioritypass.com/en/loun...9-1bb8eec0e192
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Old Mar 29, 2017, 3:09 pm
  #278  
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: MEX
Programs: AM, UA, AA
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Has been there for a while, it was officially opened last week. Seems really nice
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Old Apr 1, 2017, 1:39 am
  #279  
 
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While the whole Uber situation was a bit rogue in the past, there are most certainly designated door pickup points now. I'm not sure if this is in violation of or coordination with federal law, but it's now pretty seamless versus the past.

Originally Posted by sw3
Actually, no, they're not allowed. It is illegal for any non-federally-licensed transportation provider to pick passengers up at all airports in Mexico. However, honoring their track record of disregarding laws and regulations everywhere, they'll do it anyway.
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Old Apr 17, 2017, 8:45 pm
  #280  
 
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5 hour connection in MEX

Hi all - I have a 5 hour morning connection in MEX (T2 international > T2 domestic) next week. Is there a difference between the Centurion Lounge in T1 and T2? Is it worth it to check out any of the other lounges in T1? If so, can you connect airside between terminals without a boarding pass for a departing flight out of the opposite terminal? What are the best lounges to check out in either terminal?
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Old Apr 18, 2017, 10:31 am
  #281  
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Originally Posted by safra1
Hi all - I have a 5 hour morning connection in MEX (T2 international > T2 domestic) next week. Is there a difference between the Centurion Lounge in T1 and T2? Is it worth it to check out any of the other lounges in T1? If so, can you connect airside between terminals without a boarding pass for a departing flight out of the opposite terminal? What are the best lounges to check out in either terminal?
You cannot connect airside, and I don't think they'll let you take the inter-terminal train without a BP for the other terminal. The AX lounge is a "pay for nearly everything" and isn't a Centurion Lounge as you know them.
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Old Apr 18, 2017, 2:00 pm
  #282  
 
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Originally Posted by Eastbay1K
You cannot connect airside, and I don't think they'll let you take the inter-terminal train without a BP for the other terminal. The AX lounge is a "pay for nearly everything" and isn't a Centurion Lounge as you know them.
Okay, thanks. In that case, what are the best lounges in T2?
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Old Apr 19, 2017, 8:53 pm
  #283  
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Others can perhaps confirm, but as of last month, the T2 Amex Lounge that's international airside was still closed for renovation. But that may not have been an option for you anyway, as you're connecting I->D. (I haven't done a connection at MEX before.)

If you have Priority Pass, there are a few lounges in T2 that are available for you as well, but I know that at least one of the AeroMexico lounges in T2 was also closed for renovation recently.

(Sorry for not being able to provide a lot of concrete info - merely wanted to make you aware that regardless of which lounges are nicer, you'll want to check to see which ones are currently open. )
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Old Apr 19, 2017, 10:03 pm
  #284  
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Originally Posted by JY1024
Others can perhaps confirm, but as of last month, the T2 Amex Lounge that's international airside was still closed for renovation. But that may not have been an option for you anyway, as you're connecting I->D. (I haven't done a connection at MEX before.)
There's no I and D separation @ MEX.
The T2 Amex Lounge currently isn't in their loungefinder
https://www298.americanexpress.com/b...#/loungefinder
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Old May 19, 2017, 5:56 pm
  #285  
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Originally Posted by ibizenco247
Is there a fast track arrival vip service that I can use to avoid cues at immigration? I have googled but only found one ridicously priced at 500 Euros. Any input very much appreciated. Thanks
You can get an ABTC card if you belong to a member country and then use the APAC line. But this is technically restricted to business travelers so they many not permit family members to accompany you. The alternative, as noted above, is Mexico's version of GE program. However you have to pre-register for that in Mexico I think, so won't be helpful on your first visit. Otherwise just suck it up. Arrival lines used to be 1 hour long on peak days at CUN and SJD, but they seem to be doing better now. Not sure about MEX.

Originally Posted by M60_to_LGA
There are several ATMs in the airport, mostly located outside security on the lower level, alongside currency exchange booths, taxi kiosks, and shops. I haven't had any problems in the airport - the machines seem to be filled and maintained pretty well.
Be sure to read Krebs report on ATM skimmers in Cancun hotels. The bottom line is that you would be well advised not to trust most ATMs in Mexico with the exception of those actually attached to banks. I have never had a problem at the airport, but the inconvenience of being skimmed is not worth even a small risk to me - YMMV.

Link to Part I Krebs report on Cancún ATM skimming

Last edited by JDiver; May 24, 2017 at 10:14 pm Reason: Add links
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