Mexico Transport

Mexico has several gateways for international visitors, depending on where you’re heading. Most people arrive in Mexico by air and there are more than 30 international airports which are all well serviced by North American cities.

Air
Regularly scheduled and charter services from international destinations make Mexico readily accessible to air travellers. Benito Juarez International Airport is the main port of entry into Mexico and serves both international and national flights.

Both short- and long-term parking can be found in a total of four car parks. They are all located close to the terminal building and offer parking for a total of 5000 vehicles.

Airport facilities include several banks, all offering exchange facilities; ATMs, which are available 24 hours a day and located throughout the airport. A post office can be found in the Domestic Arrivals area and mobile phone hire is available. There are internet cafés and restaurants located throughout and a wide variety of shops including duty-free outlets. Passengers will also find 24-hour medical facilities and pharmacies.

Transport to and from Mexico City’s international airport includes: local buses and shuttle services, metro services, taxis and hire cars. Some hotels provide private shuttle services for their guests and there are many reputable car hire companies available at the airport.

Rail
A reasonably good rail network crosses the country, although it isn't a popular way of entering the country. Most land visitors arrive from the north and the journey to Mexico City and other resorts can be long and boring.

Bus
Buses cover routes across the northern border but are only really practical for visiting locations close to the border as distances are long and can get uncomfortable. Greyhound-Trailways offers services from the US to the Mexican border, where passengers disembark, cross the border and buy a ticket for travel into Mexico. There are also 10 border crossings between Mexico and Guatemala, and fairly frequent bus services between border points and Guatemalan towns. Frequent buses also run between Belize City and Chetumal.

Car
Driving is an excellent way to see the countryside, but be aware that distances are long and the roads may not always be good. Travellers can cross into Mexico by road from the USA at one of the 40 official crossing points. There are also 10 border crossings between Mexico and Guatemala.

It can be difficult to bring a car over the border from the USA and you may find it more convenient to rent one in Mexico.

Sea
Many international cruise lines serve Mexico. Some arrive from California while others arrive from Houston or Miami en route to the Caribbean. Several cruise-tour specialists offer substantial discounts on unsold cabins if you can leave at the last minute.

Air
Travel by air within Mexico is convenient and reliable although it can be expensive. The country has two large private national carriers: Mexicana and Aeromexico. There are also several regional carriers such as Aerocaribe, Aero Mar and Aerolitoral.

Rail
Although more expensive than travelling by bus, going by rail can be more comfortable and ensure a safer journey. The highest class, Primero Especial, is recommended for daytrips and Pullman compartments are the best for overnight travel. Rail service is available between most major cities, and is run by the federal government.

Bus
Mexican bus services are surprisingly convenient and quite modern except in the Baja peninsula. Buses run frequently and are readily accessible, and routes go just about everywhere in the country. Most of the time, they will be your only option for transport to small villages.

Many private Mexican companies operate large, air-conditioned buses between most cities and they offer second, first and deluxe services. Deluxe buses often have fewer seats than regular buses, show video movies, are air-conditioned, and make fewer stops. Always try to buy your reserved-seat ticket a day in advance on long-distance routes and especially before holidays.

Car
Although you will see a lot of the countryside when driving yourself, you should be aware that Mexican roads are not always safe and distances can be long. Driving at night is very dangerous and not recommended. Additionally, Mexico charges some of the highest tolls in the world for its network of new toll roads. As a result, they are rarely used by Mexicans and you may find they save you a lot of time.

Taxi
It’s easy to get around Mexico's tourist areas by taxi. Fares for short trips within towns are preset by zone and are quite reasonable. Longer trips and excursions to nearby cities can be negotiated per hour or by a daily rate. Travelling by taxi is a comfortable alternative to bus travel or driving yourself.