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The Best Airports in Mexico

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Quick Answer

What are the best airports in Mexico?

The best airports in Mexico are among the most frequently flown to and highly rated. Their great locations, good connections and high-quality service have helped them cement themselves as the best airports in Mexico.

These are Mexico's best airports:

  1. Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
  2. Cancún International Airport (CUN)
  3. Guadalajara International Airport (GDL)
  4. Monterrey International Airport (MTY)
  5. Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)


Discover more about each airport below.

Outside MEX

Mexico City International Airport (MEX)

MEX is the primary airport of Mexico. It's located in the capital, Mexico City, and it's the largest Mexican airport, in terms of physical size as well as daily flights. It's also often the busiest airport in Latin America (sometimes overtaken by São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport).

MEX is a 3-star airport according to Skytrax, which gives it an average overall score. It guarantees a satisfactory experience. ⭐⭐⭐


If you want to visit Mexico City, then there's no better airport than MEX. It's located within the city limits and is just 5 kilometres from the city centre. From the airport you'll find the metro, buses and taxi services available.


MEX has a wide variety of shops, including a large duty-free section. It's also well-appreciated for its Loma Linda Grill steakhouse, which can be found by Terminal 2.

MEX has multiple airport lounges. Depending on the lounge you choose, you can expect complimentary alcohol, gourmet food and spas to relax in.


You can get a direct flight to MEX from various locations across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.


MEX is the main hub for Aeroméxico, Mexico's flag carrier ✈️

The wing of a plane flying over Cancun

Cancún International Airport (CUN)

Even though MEX is the busiest airport in Mexico, CUN still serves a larger number of international tourists, making it the busiest Mexican airport for international travel.


CUN is a 3-star airport according to Skytrax ⭐⭐⭐

CUN serves Cancun, a tropical beach destination with aquamarine waters and soft sandy beaches. CUN is located within Cancun and is about 20 kilometers south of downtown. You can travel from CUN to downtown on one of the bus services.

There are plenty of shops to keep you busy at the airport, including global names as well as local businesses. You'll also find many restaurants and cafes, in case you get hungry.

CUN has several lounges for you to relax in while you wait for your flight. Expect free Wi-Fi, complimentary food and drink, and a cool atmosphere, thanks to the state-of-the-art air conditioning.


You can fly directly to CUN from locations in the Americas and Europe.


CUN is a hub for VivaAerobus and more✈️

Plane outside GDL

Guadalajara International Airport (GDL)

GDL is the third largest airport in Mexico. In 2024, it served around 17.8 million passengers.

GDL is a 3-star airport according to Skytrax ⭐⭐⭐

GDL serves Guadalajara, a thriving city with beautiful architecture and a lively atmosphere. GDL is is just 16 kilometres from the city centre. You can easily get a tram service into the city centre from GDL for affordable travel.

There are plenty of shops at GDL, with places to eat, buy beauty products, and purchase souvenirs - the perfect parting gift.

GDL has 2 VIP airport lounges, one to the east and the other to the west of the airport. Expect amenities such as premium food and alcohol, children's play areas and a spa.

You can fly directly to GDL from locations in North America and Europe.


GDL is a hub for Volaris and more✈️

Monterrey

Monterrey International Airport (MTY)

The fourth busiest airport in Mexico is MTY. It's also the airport that gets the most traffic in Northern Mexico.

MTY is a 3-star airport according to Skytrax ⭐⭐⭐

MTY serves Monterrey, a beautiful part of Mexico that combines city life with nature, thanks to its modern architecture and mountainous backdrop. You can get a bus service to the main part of Monterrey, but this often takes more than an hour. For quicker transport, consider booking a taxi, which cuts the journey down to 30 minutes.

MTY has plenty of shops, including a generous duty-free section where you can buy spirits and perfumes.

MTY has lounges at Terminal 1 and 2. Its lounges are disability-friendly. Expect TVs, magazines, and newspapers to read, as well as complimentary alcohol.

You can get a direct flight to MTY from North America.

MTY is a hub for Aeromexico Connect and more✈️

Tijuana

Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)

The final of the five best airports in Mexico is TIJ. In 2024, it served around 12.6 million passengers.


TIJ is not yet rated on Skytrax. However, it has a 4.4 rating on Google Reviews, demonstrating a high customer satisfaction rate. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

TIJ serves Tijuana. It's one of the Mexican cities that borders America, specifically California. TIJ is located within Tijuana, immediately placing you in the lively city. You can get the bus to downtown, which takes around an hour. Alternatively, for a much faster trip, you can get a taxi or drive for around 15 minutes.

TIJ has plenty of shops and restaurants to keep you occupied while you wait for flights. It also features the CBX bridge, which connects Tijuana to San Diego, facilitating quick transfers between countries.

TIJ's VIP lounge features a cosy environment with complimentary snacks, as well as a private smoking area. It also has a kids' room with video games available.

You can fly directly to TIJ from North America.

TIJ is a hub for Volaris ✈️

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The best airports in Mexico FAQs

What are the main airports in Mexico?

The main airports in Mexico, so the ones serving the largest number of yearly passengers are:

  1. Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
  2. Cancún International Airport (CUN)
  3. Guadalajara International Airport (GDL)
  4. Monterrey International Airport (MTY)
  5. Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)
Which is the best airport for international travel to Mexico?

Mexico City International Airport (MEX) is the best airport for international travel to Mexico. It offers direct flights to and from more global destinations than any other Mexican airport.

You can get a direct flight to MEX from the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

How many airports are in Mexico City?

There are two commercial airports in Mexico City. These are Mexico City International Airport (MEX) and Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA).

How many airports are in Mexico?

There are 80 officially recognised airports in Mexico. 45 of these offer international flights.

Is it better to fly into a major airport or a smaller regional airport for my destination?

This depends on what you're looking for and where you're travelling from.

For international travel, major airports are better as they offer more direct flights. The downside is that major airports are a lot busier, leading to longer queues.

If you're travelling domestically, a regional airport can be favourable. They tend to be a lot less crowded and are often less expensive. However, there'll be fewer destinations where you can get a direct flight.