A few months ago one customer asked me: I have a layover at Mexico City airport for 6 hours, what do you suggest I visit around the Airport? Can I get there by metro? So, considering that Mexico City is a huge city, I thought it would be an interesting topic to write about, so if this is your case and you have a few hours to spare, take a look at this guide with the Top best places to visit near the Mexico City airport on a layover and some recommendations:
What places can I visit near the Mexico City Airport?
The airport is located in the eastern part of Mexico City, and there are no interesting places that you can visit walking in the surroundings, so you need to know that you should move either by metro, taxi, or Uber to leave the area.
The closest tourist areas to the Mexico City airport are:
- Zocalo: Also known as the historic center.
- Basilica of Guadalupe: One of the most visited religious sanctuaries in all of Latin America.
Make the decision according to your tastes, but to get to any of these points in Mexico City you need to decide how you are going to move and it can be:
- Airport taxi: This is the option that you will have more at hand, but it is not the cheapest, it is convenient for you if you can go with someone else to share expenses.
- UBER: They are relatively cheap, the advantage is that within the app you can see an estimated rate depending on your route, and if it is ok for you, you can request the service.
- Metro or public transportation: We recommend that you should only take this option if you are familiar with Mexico City or if you are traveling with a local friend, about 250 meters from the main entrance (Terminal 1) of the Mexico City Airport is the “Terminal Aérea” metro station. On the other hand, avoid using this kind of transportation during peak hours, which are from 6am to 10am and from 5:30pm to 9pm. Its price is very cheap, (around 5 mxn per trip), here you can consult a map.
Mexico City “Zocalo” and Historic Center
If you decided to visit the Zocalo in Mexico City, I recommend that you bring only a digital camera/phone, tennis shoes or comfortable walking shoes, and a bottle of water to drink along the way.
The idea is that you first get to the Zócalo, admire the buildings that surround “Plaza de la Constitución”, the Metropolitan Cathedral and depending on the time you have free, you can visit the Templo Mayor Museum, which is right between the National Palace and the Cathedral. (It can take you at least an hour to visit the museum).
If you want a panoramic view of the Zocalo, enter the Cathedral and for a modest fee of approximately 1.5 usd, you can go up to the bell towers and take a walk through the crypts.
After visiting the zócalo, take Francisco I. Madero street and walk among dozens of colonial-style buildings, on this avenue, there are several clothing stores, opticians, pharmacies, shoe stores, some fast food establishments and little bars. If you go on the weekend, be patient and don’t be scared if you see a lot of people, imagine you are in New York ;).
After “losing yourself” on Avenida Francisco I. Madero, you will arrive at the corner where the Torre Latinoamericana is located. If you have already reached this point, be sure to go up to the viewpoint, by many the place with the best view of Mexico City:
If you have time you can take a walk along the Bellas Artes esplanade, go inside to see if there is any free exhibition or take a walk along the Alameda.
We could say that up to here you could complete a walk of about three or four hours depending on the stops you have made, try to go back 2 or 3 hours before your departing time, for any inconvenience with traffic or even demonstrations that are never lacking in Mexico City. Return to the airport of preference by Uber or taxi.
Basilica of Guadalupe
It’s an option if you only have about four hours to spare. The Basilica is the second most visited religious sanctuary in the world, behind only St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
The first thing you will notice when you arrive is its large esplanade, in front of which is the old basilica next to the Capuchinas Convent, and on your left is the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
Here there are three main points that you can visit, the interior of the new basilica, the interior of the old basilica and the “Cerro del Tepeyac”.
Personally, I like the interior of the old basilica much better, the floor is uneven due to the passage of time and you have the feeling of “falling”.
What attracts the most attention are the large paintings located on its walls of approximately 6 meters high and 3 meters wide, the old columns, and its beautiful altarpieces.
After visiting both basilicas you will easily find the entrance to Cerro del Tepeyac, which is climbed through some long stairs with several breaks along the way. There is a museum, a pantheon and in the highest part, the Capilla del Cerrito, which according to legend, was built in the same place where the Virgin of Guadalupe made her appearance before Juan Diego.
From here you can also have a great view of Mexico City:
Possibly you can come across a pilgrimage, most of them are very colorful and full of tradition, they all come from somewhere inside Mexico City or perhaps from hundreds of kilometers away.
Tips to better enjoy your trip in Mexico City
- Don’t carry all the luggage
- Bring enough money for some expenses
- Buy a bottle of purified water
- Don’t be flashy
- In the street, in most restaurants and other establishments, you can find free WiFi Internet access.
- At the Mexico City airport, there are some spots where you can charge the battery of your smartphone, laptop or tablet.
- As in any big city you always have to take care of yourself, if you carry a bag or backpack do not be careless.
- Use Google Maps to locate yourself and find other points of interest along the way.
- If you take a taxi, write down the number of the taxi before getting on it.
- Taxis in Mexico City use a meter, so they can take you the longest route to charge you more, whenever you can ask the taxi driver if “this is the fastest route to get there”, let him know you are on the lookout.
- On the other hand, if you take UBER you will not have the above problem.
- Enjoy your stay, and try something local!
- Find a partner who goes on the same flight as you, to share expenses.
- Please note that these itineraries are only suggestions, you may only be able to visit 1 or 2 places depending on your time.
I hope these tips help you! And if you decide to return or definitely stay in Mexico City to learn more about it > here you can find more tours and places to visit.