Honestly, if you're planning a trip to the capital right now, you’re probably staring at your flight options and feeling a bit of a headache coming on. Is it MEX? NLU? TLC? It’s not just alphabet soup. Getting the wrong one can mean the difference between a 20-minute Uber and a three-hour odyssey through the edge of the State of Mexico.
Mexico City’s aviation scene has changed more in the last four years than it did in the previous forty. We went from "one crowded airport" to a decentralized system that feels, frankly, a little chaotic if you aren't prepared.
The Grand Dame: AICM (Benito Juárez)
Most people still fly into AICM (Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez). It’s the one right in the city. You land, you grab your bags, and you're in Roma or Condesa in half an hour if the traffic gods are smiling.
But here is the catch. AICM is basically at its breaking point. For 2026, the government is pumping about $460 million into renovations because, let's be real, the place was starting to look a little rough around the edges. They are fixing the floors, the drainage, and the bathrooms specifically to get ready for the World Cup.
If you're flying Aeroméxico or Delta, you’re almost certainly in Terminal 2. It's newer, though "new" is a relative term now. Terminal 1 is the sprawling, slightly confusing labyrinth where almost everyone else lives—United, American, Volaris, and the European carriers.
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The New Kid: AIFA (Felipe Ángeles)
Then there is AIFA. You’ll see it on your booking site as NLU.
It’s built on an old military base way out north in Santa Lucía. People love to hate on it because of the distance, but the terminal itself? It’s actually nice. It’s clean, it’s modern, and the bathrooms are weirdly famous for being themed after Mexican culture (think Lucha Libre and Mariachi).
The big news for 2026 is the Suburban Train extension. For a long time, getting to AIFA was a nightmare of expensive private transfers or endless bus rides. The new rail link from Buenavista station is supposed to make the trip in about 40 minutes.
It's a game changer.
But don't be fooled—if you're staying in the south of the city, like Coyoacán, you’re still looking at a very long haul. AIFA is mainly great for budget hunters. Volaris and Viva Aerobus often run deals there that are $50 to $100 cheaper than MEX.
The Wildcard: Toluca (TLC)
Don't forget Toluca.
It’s further west, technically in another city, but it serves the CDMX wealthy business crowd in Santa Fe. If your Airbnb is in the skyscrapers of Santa Fe or Interlomas, Toluca is actually closer than the "main" airport. It’s tiny. You can walk from the curb to your gate in ten minutes.
What about the money?
We have to talk about the TUA (Tarifa de Uso Aeroportuario). This is the airport fee that’s baked into your ticket price, and in Mexico, it’s steep.
For 2026, the TUA at AICM has ticked up again. You’re looking at roughly $29.80 USD for domestic flights and a whopping $56.70 USD for international ones. That’s why that "cheap" $20 flight on a budget airline suddenly looks like $80 at checkout.
AIFA’s secret weapon is a much lower TUA. They use it to lure people away from the crowded city center.
How to actually choose
Stop looking at just the ticket price. Seriously.
If you land at AIFA (NLU) at 6:00 PM on a Friday, you are hitting the worst traffic in the Western Hemisphere. You might spend $40 on an Uber and two hours in a car, which cancels out the $30 you saved on the flight.
- Choose AICM (MEX) if you value your time and are staying in the city center.
- Choose AIFA (NLU) if you’re on a tight budget and don't mind a train ride, or if you're heading to the northern suburbs.
- Choose Toluca (TLC) only if your base of operations is on the far west side of the city.
One weird tip: check which terminal you’re in at AICM before you leave your hotel. The "Aerotrén" that connects Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 only takes passengers with a boarding pass. If you're meeting a friend and go to the wrong terminal, you’ll have to pay for a bus or a taxi to get to the other side of the runways.
Practical Next Steps
Check your flight code right now. If it says MEX, you’re central. If it says NLU, go ahead and look up the "Tren Suburbano" schedule from Buenavista to see if it aligns with your arrival. If you're flying internationally in 2026, expect some construction dust at AICM—give yourself an extra 30 minutes for security just in case.
Download the Didi or Uber app before you land. Authorized airport taxis are safe but usually 30% more expensive. Just keep in mind that at AIFA, the rules for ride-shares can change monthly based on local regulations, so keep an eye on the designated pickup signs.