Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City travel guide
One of the world's great food and museum cities
- Airports
- MEX Mexico City International Airport
- Region
- Mexico & Caribbean
- Best time to visit
- October–April is dry with warm days and cool nights; November's Day of the Dead and March's jacaranda bloom are highlights.
- Shortest flight
- 2h 20m from Houston
- Round trips from
- $96 (live)
- Time zone
- America/Mexico City
About Mexico City
The city is vast, but visitors concentrate in a few districts: the Centro Histórico around the Zócalo and the Templo Mayor; leafy Roma and Condesa for cafés, restaurants and Art Deco streets; Polanco for museums and upscale dining; Coyoacán for Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul and weekend markets; and Chapultepec Park for the Anthropology Museum and the castle.
Getting in: Benito Juárez International (MEX) is 30–60 minutes from Roma/Condesa depending on traffic. Use the authorized taxi counters inside the terminal (prepaid, about $15–$25) or Uber/DiDi, which pick up on the departures level. The Metro is only $0.30 but crowded with luggage. Felipe Ángeles (NLU) is a second, distant airport used by some low-cost carriers.
US citizens need a valid passport; no visa for stays under 180 days. Pay in pesos — cards are widely accepted in restaurants, cash rules at markets and taco stands. Tip 10–15%. Altitude is 7,350 feet: take it easy the first day. Tap water isn't drinkable; every restaurant serves purified water and ice.
Best time to visit
October–April is dry with warm days and cool nights; November's Day of the Dead and March's jacaranda bloom are highlights. May is hot; June–September brings afternoon rains but lush parks and lower prices.
Where to stay
Neighborhoods our travelers like: Roma Norte, Condesa, Polanco, Centro Histórico, Coyoacán.
Flights to Mexico City: typical round-trip fares
What economy round trips to MEX usually cost from major US cities, alongside the lowest live fare we can see in the next 90 days. Prices are per traveler and include taxes.
| From | Flight time | Typical fare | Lowest live fare | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) | 3h 45m | $218 | $132 · Tue, Oct 6 | Search dates → |
| Dallas (DFW) | 2h 40m | $228 | $96 · Wed, Dec 2 | Search dates → |
| Houston (IAH) | 2h 20m | $218 | $113 · Tue, Nov 10 | Search dates → |
| New York (JFK) | 5h 20m | $298 | $164 · Wed, Dec 9 | Search dates → |
| Chicago (ORD) | 4h 20m | $268 | $144 · Wed, Oct 7 | Search dates → |
| Miami (MIA) | 3h 35m | $248 | $114 · Tue, Oct 13 | Search dates → |
Typical fares are editorial estimates for economy round trips booked 3–8 weeks out. Live fares refresh several times a day and are shown for the cheapest departure date we found.
Airports in Mexico City
What to do in Mexico City
The places our editors send first-time visitors.
- 1
Museo Nacional de Antropología
The Aztec sun stone, Mayan tombs and the finest pre-Hispanic collection anywhere; plan half a day.
- 2
Teotihuacán
The Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, 50 minutes northeast; arrive at opening (9am) before the heat and tour buses.
- 3
Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul)
The artist's cobalt-blue home in Coyoacán; tickets sell out days ahead online.
- 4
Centro Histórico
The Zócalo, the cathedral, Diego Rivera's murals in the Palacio Nacional and the Templo Mayor ruins next door.
- 5
Roma and Condesa
Tree-lined streets, Parque México, taquerías and the restaurants that put the city on the global food map.
Mexico City weather by season
Average highs and lows in °F, with what each season means for fares and crowds.
Winter
72° / 45°
Dry, sunny days and chilly nights.
Spring
79° / 53°
Warmest and driest; jacarandas in March.
Summer
74° / 55°
Afternoon rains; green and cool.
Fall
72° / 51°
Rains taper by October; Day of the Dead in November.
Travel tips for Mexico City
- Buy Casa Azul and Teotihuacán tickets online before you fly; Frida's house sells out.
- Use Uber or authorized airport taxis rather than street cabs; fares are cheap and safer.
- Sundays are free at many museums for residents but crowded — go Tuesday to Friday.
- Rainy-season showers arrive around 4–6pm from June to September; plan indoor afternoons.
- Street food is excellent — pick busy stands with high turnover and eat what locals eat.
Mexico City flights: frequently asked questions
Is Mexico City safe for tourists?
The visitor neighborhoods — Roma, Condesa, Polanco, Coyoacán and the historic center by day — are busy and generally safe with normal big-city precautions. Use Uber at night, avoid flashing phones on the street and stick to well-lit areas.
How do I get from Mexico City airport to Roma or Condesa?
Prepaid authorized taxis from counters inside the terminal cost about $15–$25; Uber and DiDi are similar. Allow 45–60 minutes in traffic.
Do I need to worry about the altitude?
Mexico City sits at 7,350 feet. Most visitors feel only mild breathlessness; drink water, go easy on alcohol the first evening and take the stairs slowly at Teotihuacán.
More in Mexico & Caribbean
Mexico
Cancún
Caribbean water three hours from most of the US
Mexico
Los Cabos
Desert meets sea at the tip of Baja
Dominican Republic
Punta Cana
All-inclusive beaches on the Caribbean's east coast
Jamaica
Montego Bay
Reggae, jerk chicken and seven-mile beaches