Tag: Flight Deals

Mexico City is one of the great cities of the Americas: a historic center built on the ruins of Tenochtitlan, museums that rank with any in the world, leafy neighborhoods full of cafés, and some of the best food you will eat anywhere, from street tacos to tasting menus. It is also a major airline hub, which is good news for anyone hunting for a fair price. Big hubs attract competition, and competition keeps fares honest. Finding a genuinely cheap flight still takes a method, though: choosing the right season, comparing airports and routings, understanding what each fare includes and knowing how the city’s two main airports differ. This guide walks through when to go, when to book, how to compare nonstop and connecting options from Canada and the United States, what the entry process looks like, how to get from the airport into the city, and how to keep the rest of the trip affordable. It is part of our flight booking series, which starts with our guide to the best time to book cheap flights and hotels.

The short answer

Travel outside the big holiday weeks, especially Christmas and New Year, Semana Santa (Holy Week) and the Día de Muertos period around the start of November, and you will usually find better fares and hotel rates. Book roughly two to four months ahead for ordinary dates and earlier for holidays. Search a range of dates and compare nonstop and one-stop options, because a sensible connection can be much cheaper. Check which airport your flight uses: Mexico City International (AICM, code MEX) is close to the city, while Felipe Ángeles International (AIFA, code NLU) is well to the north. Price the whole trip, with bags and seats included. And read the official entry requirements for your passport before you book. You can compare fares across a whole month on our flight search.

When to visit Mexico City

Mexico City sits in a high valley at about 2,240 meters, which gives it a mild climate year-round. It rarely gets very hot, and evenings can be cool at any time of year. The seasons that matter are wet and dry, not summer and winter.

For value, the rainy season can be surprisingly good: showers usually come later in the day, mornings are often clear, and the city is green. Pack a light rain jacket and plan museum visits for the afternoon. Visitors with respiratory conditions should note the Government of Canada’s advice that air pollution in Mexico City peaks between December and March.

Holidays and events that move prices

• Christmas and New Year: the busiest and most expensive period for flights from Canada and the United States.
• Semana Santa: Holy Week, the week before Easter, when many Mexicans travel. Flights and hotels across the country get expensive.
• Independence Day: celebrations on the night of September 15 and on September 16 bring big crowds to the historic center.
• Día de Muertos: the Day of the Dead celebrations around November 1 and 2 are a major draw, with events and decorations throughout the city in the days before. Book early if you want to be there.
• Summer school holidays: July and August bring family travel from the north and within Mexico.

If you want the best balance of weather and price, look at late January and February outside long weekends, late April and May after Semana Santa, and the quieter weeks of the rainy season.

When to book

Flights from Canada and the United States to Mexico City behave like other medium-haul international routes. Use these windows as a guide, then book when a fare lands at or below the normal level for your route.

Start watching fares as soon as you know roughly when you want to go. Look at a month view to spot the cheap days, set a price alert, and book once you see a fare that matches or beats what you have been seeing. For flights to or from the United States booked at least seven days before departure, most airlines let you cancel within 24 hours without penalty, which gives you a day to double-check. Our international flights booking tips explain the wider strategy for trips abroad.

Choosing your airports

At the Mexico City end

Mexico City now has two main airports, and it matters which one your ticket uses.

• Mexico City International Airport (AICM, code MEX), officially Benito Juárez International, sits inside the city, east of the center. It has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and handles most international flights. Being so close to neighborhoods like the Centro Histórico, Roma and Condesa, it is usually the most convenient choice. Check your terminal on your booking and on the airport’s official site.
• Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA, code NLU) opened in 2022 north of the city in the State of Mexico. Some domestic and a smaller number of international flights use it. It can be a good option if the fare is much lower, but the ground transfer to central Mexico City is much longer, and in traffic can take well over an hour.
• Toluca International (TLC), west of the city, handles a small number of flights. It is rarely the right choice for a visitor unless the fare saving is large.

When you compare fares, look at the airport code on each option. A cheaper flight into AIFA may cost you more in time and transport than it saves.

At your end

From Canada, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver have typically had nonstop service to Mexico City; from other Canadian cities, you will usually connect, either through one of those airports or through a U.S. or Mexican hub. From the United States, many large hubs have nonstops, including cities such as Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta, and connections are easy from almost everywhere. Search from every airport you could realistically use, and remember to include the cost of getting there. Our flights from Toronto, flights from Montreal and flights from Vancouver pages are a good place to start from Canada.

Nonstop or connecting?

A nonstop flight is the easy choice when the price difference is small. A connection can make sense when the saving is significant or when nonstop times do not suit you. Weigh these points:

• Total travel time. A connection can add several hours. Compare door-to-door time, not just the fare.
• Connection length. Very short connections are risky, especially if you need to change terminals or clear immigration. Very long ones eat into the value of the saving.
• Connecting through the United States. The U.S. has no international transit zone, so travelers connecting through a U.S. airport go through U.S. border formalities even if they never leave the airport. Canadians generally need only a valid passport, but travelers of other nationalities may need U.S. travel authorization. Allow extra time for the process.
• One ticket or two. On a single ticket, the airline rebooks you if a delay makes you miss your connection. On two separate tickets, you are usually on your own. Avoid self-connecting on a tight schedule.
• Checked bags. On a single ticket, bags are normally checked through to Mexico City, although you may need to collect and recheck them at your first point of entry in some countries. Ask at check-in.

Comparing airlines and fares

Mexico City is the main hub of Aeroméxico, Mexico’s flag carrier, and an important base for Mexican low-cost airlines such as Volaris and Viva Aerobus. Major U.S. and Canadian airlines also fly in from their hubs. That variety is the reason prices can be competitive, but it also means fares are structured very differently.

Compare the total with the bags and seats you actually need. A slightly higher fare that includes a checked bag can easily beat a bare-bones one. Our carry-on size guide explains how to check limits, and our flight details guide explains fare brands and baggage allowances.

Entry requirements: check before you book

Entry rules change, and they depend on your passport, so always read the official page for your nationality before booking.

• Canadians: the Government of Canada’s travel advice for Mexico says Canadian tourists do not need a visa for stays of up to 180 days, and that your passport must be valid for the expected duration of your stay. It also explains how arrival works: an officer may stamp your passport with your permitted stay, or you may be directed to an e-gate kiosk, and you may need to complete a digital migration form. Keep proof of your entry with you.
• U.S. citizens: read the U.S. State Department’s Mexico country information page for passport and entry requirements.
• Other nationalities: check Mexico’s requirements for your passport, and U.S. transit rules if you connect through the United States.

The same government pages carry safety and health advice, including regional advisories within Mexico, so read them as part of your planning. The Canadian page notes that Mexico City’s altitude can affect some visitors; take it easy on your first day, drink water and talk to a doctor before you go if you have heart or lung conditions.

Getting from the airport into the city

From AICM, the main options are:

• Authorized airport taxis. Buy a ticket at an official taxi booth inside the terminal, with the price based on your destination zone, then take it to the taxi rank. This is the simplest option for most first-time visitors, especially at night.
• Ride-hailing apps. App-based rides operate in Mexico City; follow the airport signs to the designated pickup areas.
• Metrobús and Metro. Metrobús Line 4 serves the airport terminals and runs toward the historic center, and the Metro has a station near Terminal 1. Public transit is very cheap but can be crowded, and it is awkward with large suitcases.
• Hotel transfers. Some hotels arrange pickups; compare the price with an authorized taxi.

From AIFA, allow much more time. Check the current transport options on the airport’s information before you fly, and weigh the cost of the transfer against the fare saving. Most visitors do not need a rental car in Mexico City itself: traffic is heavy, parking is limited, and taxis, apps and transit cover the areas you will want to see. A car can make sense for road trips beyond the city.

Where to stay, and how it affects your budget

Hotel prices vary widely by neighborhood. Choosing the right base can save both money and hours in traffic.

Book a refundable room on our hotel search once your flight is set, then recheck the price before your cancellation deadline. Our hotel booking tips explain how to compare total prices.

What to do once you are there

You can fill a week in Mexico City without leaving the city limits. The highlights most visitors build a trip around:

• The historic center: the Zócalo, one of the largest public squares in the world, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the ruins of the Templo Mayor and the Palacio de Bellas Artes.
• Chapultepec: a vast park with Chapultepec Castle and the National Museum of Anthropology, one of the most important museums in the Americas. Give it at least half a day.
• Coyoacán: the Frida Kahlo Museum, the Casa Azul, is hugely popular; buy timed tickets in advance.
• Xochimilco: the canals in the south of the city, where colorful boats called trajineras carry groups along the water.
• Teotihuacan: the pyramids of the Sun and Moon, an easy and very popular day trip northeast of the city. Start early to beat the heat and the crowds.
• Food: markets, taco stands, bakeries and some of the most celebrated restaurants in Latin America. Eating well here does not have to be expensive.

The city’s official tourism site, CDMX Travel from the Mexico City tourism ministry, lists attractions, neighborhoods and events.

Keeping the rest of the trip affordable

• Eat where locals eat. Markets, fondas serving set lunches and street stands offer excellent food for very little.
• Use the free and low-cost sights. Walking the historic center, Chapultepec Park and many churches and public buildings costs nothing; some museums have free days for residents, so check.
• Use transit or taxis wisely. Metro and Metrobús fares are very low; apps and authorized taxis are reasonably priced for longer trips.
• Carry some pesos. Cards are widely accepted in hotels and restaurants, but markets and small vendors often prefer cash. Use bank ATMs inside branches or shopping centers.
• Drink bottled or filtered water. Tap water is not recommended for drinking; most hotels provide bottled water.

Mexico City or the beach?

Many travelers from Canada and the United States think of Mexico as the beach. If you are deciding between a city trip and a resort, Mexico City often offers more to do for the money, with lower hotel prices outside the luxury end and a cooler climate. A beach resort offers rest and sun. Some travelers combine both, flying into Mexico City and continuing to the coast on a domestic flight. If the beach is calling, our guides to the best time to fly to Cancun and things to do in Cancun cover the Caribbean side, and you can compare fares on Cancun flights. For more ideas on stretching your budget, see our list of budget travel destinations.

Use alerts, points and flexibility together

The travelers who find the best fares to Mexico City usually combine several small habits rather than relying on one trick.

• Set alerts on more than one route. If you could fly from two or three airports, watch all of them. A fare drop from a nearby city might beat your home airport.
• Consider one-way fares. Flying out on one airline and back on another can sometimes give better times or a lower total, especially when low-cost airlines are involved. Compare with a round trip before booking.
• Price points against cash. Loyalty points can be good value on routes where cash fares are high, such as holiday dates. Compare the points price and taxes with the cash fare before redeeming.
• Stay flexible by a day or two. Moving your departure by a single day can drop the fare to a cheaper level.
• Book the hotel on a refundable rate. Once the flight is set, a flexible room lets you rebook if prices fall.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Not checking the airport code. A flight into AIFA instead of AICM can mean a much longer transfer.
• Booking during Semana Santa or Día de Muertos without meaning to. Check the calendar before choosing dates.
• Comparing base fares instead of totals. Add bags and seats, especially on low-cost airlines.
• Tight connections through a U.S. airport. Border formalities take time.
• Ignoring the altitude. Plan a lighter first day.
• Skipping the travel advice. Read your government’s page for Mexico before you book and again before you fly.
• Arriving too late for check-in. International check-in deadlines are earlier than domestic ones; our guide on how early to arrive for an international flight explains why.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest time to fly to Mexico City?

Outside the major holiday periods: late January and February outside long weekends, late April and May after Semana Santa, and the quieter weeks of the rainy season often have better fares. Check a fare calendar for your route.

How far ahead should I book a flight to Mexico City?

About one to three months ahead from the United States and two to four months ahead from Canada for ordinary dates, and earlier for Christmas, Semana Santa and Día de Muertos.

Which airport should I fly into?

For most visitors, Mexico City International (AICM, MEX) is the most convenient because it is inside the city. Felipe Ángeles (AIFA, NLU) is much farther north, so only choose it if the saving justifies the longer transfer.

Do Canadians need a visa for Mexico?

According to the Government of Canada, Canadian tourists do not need a visa for stays of up to 180 days. Entry rules can change, so check the official travel advice before you book and before you fly.

Is it cheaper to connect through the United States?

Sometimes. A connection through a U.S. hub can be cheaper than a nonstop, but you will go through U.S. border formalities during the connection, so allow enough time and check any travel authorization your passport requires.

Is the rainy season a bad time to visit?

Not necessarily. Rain usually comes in the afternoon or evening, mornings are often clear, and prices can be lower. Pack a rain jacket and plan indoor visits for later in the day.

Do I need a rental car in Mexico City?

Usually not. Traffic is heavy and parking is limited, while taxis, ride-hailing apps, the Metro and Metrobús cover the main areas. A car can be useful for trips outside the city.

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

From AICM, an authorized taxi bought at an official booth inside the terminal is the simplest option. Ride-hailing apps, Metrobús Line 4 and the Metro are alternatives.

Ready to plan your trip? Search a whole month of fares to Mexico City on our flight search to find the cheapest days and routings, then compare rooms in the neighborhood that suits you on our hotel search. For the bigger picture on timing, read our guide to the best time to book cheap flights and hotels.