Mexico is one of the easiest large countries to reach: dozens of airports take international flights, three land borders carry heavy traffic, and most visitors need nothing more than a passport. This page is the overview. For airline and fare detail see our flights to Mexico guide, and for nationality-specific rules see the Mexico visa guide.
Which airport to fly into
Mexico City: AICM and AIFA
Mexico City has two airports. AICM (Benito Juarez, MEX) sits about 13 km from the centre with two terminals and is Aeromexico’s main hub. It has direct flights from Madrid, Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt and London, from 20-plus US cities, and from across Latin America. Line 4 of the Metrobus runs from the airport for around 30 MXN, and an authorised taxi to the Centro Historico is typically 250-350 MXN. Our Mexico City airport transfer guide covers the options in detail.
AIFA (Felipe Angeles) opened in 2022, about 74 km north of the city in Zumpango. It mainly handles domestic and low-cost routes, and the express bus to Buenavista costs around 120 MXN and takes 90-120 minutes. Check which airport your ticket uses before you book, because the transfer time is very different.
Cancun
Cancun International (CUN) is Mexico’s second-busiest airport and the gateway to the Caribbean coast. It has direct service from Europe and North America all year, with more flights in winter. A taxi to the hotel zone is roughly 300-600 MXN depending on where you stay; see the Cancun airport transfer guide and our Cancun city guide.
Other international airports
| Airport | Code | Main international links |
|---|---|---|
| Guadalajara | GDL | Multiple US cities |
| Monterrey | MTY | US and Latin America |
| Los Cabos | SJD | US, Canada, some Europe |
| Puerto Vallarta | PVR | US, Canada |
| Merida | MID | US, via hubs |
| Oaxaca | OAX | Mexico City, limited US |
If you plan to visit several regions, an open-jaw ticket (into Mexico City, out of Cancun) avoids backtracking. Our 1 week Mexico itinerary uses exactly that shape. Compare fares on Aviasales before you commit.
Entry requirements
Who does not need a visa
Citizens of the EU, US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, Switzerland and most Latin American countries can enter as tourists without a visa for up to 180 days. In practice the immigration officer decides how many days to stamp, so check the number on your entry record.
Standard requirements:
- A passport valid for the length of your stay (six months of validity is the safe rule)
- A return or onward ticket
- Proof of funds, rarely checked but worth carrying
The FMM tourist card
Mexico’s multiple immigration form (FMM) has been digitised for most air arrivals, so many travellers no longer receive a paper card. If you cross by land, for example from Guatemala or Belize, you still obtain the FMM at the border post. The fee is roughly 600 MXN, and the exact amount changes, so confirm before travel. Keep the record safe, because you will be asked for it on departure.
Nationalities that need a visa
Some nationalities in Asia, Africa and the Middle East need a visa or an eVisa in advance. Check the official foreign ministry portal at sre.gob.mx and read our Mexico visa requirements guide for the full breakdown. Rules can change, so verify close to your departure date.
Arriving by land and sea
From the United States
The US border has some of the busiest crossings in the world: Tijuana-San Diego, Ciudad Juarez-El Paso, Nuevo Laredo-Laredo and Matamoros-Brownsville. Waits at peak times can reach two to four hours on the way back north, so use live border wait-time apps. If you drive in, read our car rental in Mexico guide and arrange Mexican liability insurance, which US policies do not cover.
From Guatemala and Belize
The most used crossings are Ciudad Hidalgo to Tecun Uman (Chiapas) and Chetumal to Belize City (Quintana Roo). ADO and other bus companies connect these borders with Palenque, San Cristobal de las Casas, Merida and Cancun. See our guide to San Cristobal de las Casas if you are heading into Chiapas.
Cruise arrivals
Cozumel is the busiest cruise port in the Mexican Caribbean, followed by Progreso (Yucatan), Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Ensenada. Cruise passengers generally do not need a visa for port calls. If you want to see more than the pier, book a Cozumel tour in advance.
Getting around once you arrive
- Domestic flights. Aeromexico, Volaris and VivaAerobus link the main cities. Mexico City to Oaxaca takes about 50 minutes, and Mexico City to Cancun about 2 hours 15 minutes. Fares start from roughly 500-800 MXN with advance booking.
- First-class buses. ADO, ETN and Primera Plus run reclining seats with air conditioning. Mexico City to Oaxaca takes 6-7 hours (about 380-530 MXN), Mexico City to Guadalajara around 5 hours (500-650 MXN), and Cancun to Merida roughly 4 hours (300-450 MXN).
- Tren Maya. The line opened in stages from 2023 and links Cancun, Tulum, Merida and Palenque. Fares vary by section and class, so check the operator for current prices.
- Car hire. Best for the Oaxaca coast, inland Yucatan and Baja California. Basic rentals start around 400 MXN a day with insurance. Avoid driving at night on minor roads.
The full picture is in our getting around Mexico guide.
Money, health and connectivity
The currency is the Mexican peso. ATMs at bank branches (BBVA, Banamex, Santander, HSBC) give better rates than airport exchange desks, and cards are widely accepted in hotels and mid-range restaurants but not in markets or on local buses. More in our Mexico currency guide.
Tap water is not recommended for visitors. No vaccinations are required for entry from most countries, though hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus are commonly advised. Private hospitals are good but costly, so take travel insurance and read our health in Mexico guide.
For data, a Telcel prepaid SIM (roughly 150-250 MXN for a few gigabytes, as of 2026) is cheap, or install an eSIM before you land. See also our Mexico eSIM guide.
Before travelling, check your own government’s travel advisory and the Mexican tourism board for current information.