Travel to Mexico
Flying to Mexico
Mexico is well connected by international air routes, with several major airports serving different regions of the country. The primary gateway is Mexico City International Airport (MEX), which handles the majority of long-haul flights and serves as the main hub for domestic connections. Cancún International Airport (CUN) is another key entry point, particularly for leisure travellers heading to the Caribbean coast, while Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) and Monterrey International Airport (MTY) serve western and northern Mexico, respectively.
Major international airlines operate direct or one-stop services to Mexico from Europe, North America, Latin America and parts of Asia. These include carriers such as British Airways, Iberia, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Emirates, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. Regional connectivity across the Americas is extensive, with frequent services linking Mexico to major cities throughout the continent.
Mexico's national carrier, Aeroméxico, operates an extensive network of international and domestic routes. Other domestic airlines, including Volaris and Viva Aerobus, offer frequent and often low-cost connections between cities and tourist destinations.
Most long-haul travellers reach Mexico via major hubs such as Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam, Dallas/Fort Worth or Atlanta, with onward connections to Mexico City, Cancún and other regional airports.
Flight times:
From London to Mexico City: approximately 11 hours 30 minutes (direct).
From London to Cancún: approximately 10 hours 30 minutes (direct).
Airport guides
Airport Code: GDL. Location: Guadalajara International Airport is situated 17km (12 miles) southeast of Guadalajara. Money: There are several ATMs within the airport complex. Currency exchange services can be found at two... Read more
Airport Code: MEX. Location: Mexico City Benito Juárez International Airport is located 13km (8 miles) east of Mexico... Money: There are several banks offering bureaux de change facilities, as well as dedicated currency... Read more
Airport Code: MTY. Location: The airport is situated 24km (15 miles) northeast of Monterrey. Money: There is a bureau de change and several ATMs within the airport terminals. Two bank branches also... Read more
Airport Code: CUN. Location: Cancún International Airport is located 17.6km (11 miles) southwest of Cancún. Money: ATMs and bureau de change services can be found in each terminal. Read more
Travel by rail
There are currently no regular cross-border passenger train services between Mexico and the United States or Central America.
Driving to Mexico
Mexico shares land borders with the United States to the north and Belize and Guatemala to the southeast, with numerous official border crossings connecting the country to its neighbours.
The busiest crossings are along the United States border, including Tijuana–San Diego, Ciudad Juárez–El Paso and Nuevo Laredo–Laredo, which connect directly to Mexico's main highway network. These crossings are widely used by both private vehicles and commercial traffic.
In the south, crossings such as Chetumal–Belize and Ciudad Hidalgo–Tecún Umán (Guatemala) provide access to Central America. These routes are less heavily trafficked but remain important regional links.
Road conditions on major highways are generally good, particularly on toll roads (known as "cuotas"), which are well-maintained and connect major cities efficiently. However, border formalities can take time, and travellers should allow for delays, especially at busy crossings.
Foreign drivers must carry valid documentation, including vehicle registration and insurance. Temporary import permits may be required for vehicles entering Mexico from abroad, depending on the region and duration of stay.
Getting to Mexico by boat
Mexico has extensive coastlines along both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Cruise ships regularly call at its ports, but there are no regular ferry services linking Mexico with neighbouring countries.
Cruise ships:
Mexico is a major destination for cruise tourism, with several ports receiving international cruise liners. Key cruise ports include Cozumel, one of the busiest in the Caribbean, as well as Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Mazatlán on the Pacific coast. These ports are commonly included in regional and transoceanic cruise itineraries.
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