Mexico City is one of Latin America’s busiest gateways, with Benito Juárez International serving well over 50 million passengers a year and sitting about 5 kilometers east of the historic center. That combination of scale and proximity makes cheap flights from Mexico City easy to catch whether you are heading for a weekend away or a long awaited adventure.
With its two terminal setup and a constant flow of domestic and international departures, flights from Mexico City cover quick hops across North America, cultural capitals in Europe, and far reaching long haul routes to Asia and South America. The atmosphere is energetic yet efficient, and the sheer range of destinations gives you the flexibility to choose nonstop options or creative self transfer journeys that can save money and time. For flexible travelers, this is a launchpad where last minute flights from Mexico City and planned multi city itineraries both make sense.
No matter your destination, Benito Juárez International is an adaptable starting point thanks to its urban location, efficient layout, and vast array of scheduled departures.
From short breaks to epic journeys, Mexico City pairs you with routes that fit every plan. Durations are approximate and subject to change, but they help set expectations when comparing options.
Short haul crowd pleasers in the United States include Los Angeles at about 4 hours 30 minutes, New York around 6 hours, Dallas Fort Worth around 3 hours, Miami roughly 4 hours, and Chicago about 4 hours 30 minutes, all popular for family visits, business trips, and sports or music weekends. If you are watching for a deal on cheap one way flights from Mexico City, these routes are often a good start. Europe stays high on the list for culture rich getaways: Madrid is typically around 10 hours, London about 11 hours, and Paris about 11 hours 30 minutes; if you are deciding between two classic capitals, compare the timings and prices on flights from Mexico City to Paris and flights from Mexico City to London to see which suits your schedule best.
Southbound, Lima comes in around 7 hours and Buenos Aires around 9 hours, attractive for food lovers and Patagonia bound explorers. Across Central America, Guatemala City is about 2 hours 30 minutes and San José around 4 hours, which is handy for last minute escapes to volcanoes, coffee regions, and beaches. Long haul fans can push further: Tokyo is about 13 hours and Seoul about 14 hours, while Istanbul links Mexico City with Europe and beyond, with service by Turkish Airlines. Frequencies vary by season and are subject to change.
Timing matters. Knowing the city’s seasonal rhythm and using the right tools can surface options others miss.
Peak travel typically runs December through April, aligning with holidays and drier weather, while May through November is generally off peak, often bringing more availability and competitive fares, especially during shoulder periods. For many short haul trips, a booking window around 4 to 6 weeks out balances choice and price, and for long haul seasonal flights, start watching earlier and book when your target fare appears.
Set a Price Alert to track fare drops without constant searching; you will get notified by email or push when prices change so you can book the moment a deal appears. If your plan involves several stops, the Nomad Search Tool arranges a multi city trip and finds an efficient order of destinations matching your dates. When you want to keep it wide open, use an anywhere style search to reveal unexpected value for weekend flights from Mexico City or spontaneous one way hops. For extra flexibility, explore Kiwi.com’s Travel Hacks to learn about self transfer, hidden cities, and throwaway tickets, and decide which tactics match your comfort level.
Here is how the main airport works in practice, plus who flies where and how Kiwi.com can protect complex itineraries.
Benito Juárez International has IATA code MEX and sits about 5 kilometers east of the center, operating with two terminals connected by an on site shuttle bus. Terminal assignments can change, so always check your booking before you go. Terminal 1 is the older and larger terminal, serving both domestic and international flights with extensive shopping, dining, lounges, and family areas; it is busy at peak hours, so factor in extra time for security and boarding queues. Terminal 2 opened more recently and primarily handles international services, and if you need to move between terminals, use the official shuttle connection and allow enough buffer time, especially if your plans involve a self transfer.
Metrobús Line 4 links both terminals with San Lázaro Metro Station, running daily roughly from 05:00 to 00:00, subject to change. Authorized airport taxis queue outside arrivals, and reputable private transfers can be prebooked, while for most international departures, arrive about 3 hours early and around 2 hours for domestic flights. Airlines flying from Mexico City include full service carriers such as Aeroméxico and major US and European airlines, alongside budget friendly operators like Volaris and VivaAerobus. Kiwi.com can combine separate carriers into one self transfer itinerary when there is no through ticket available, expanding your options. For peace of mind, add the Kiwi.com Guarantee, which covers you if carrier changes stop your trip in its tracks and includes 24 by 7 chat support and automatic check in. If carrier changes affect your journey, Disruption Protection offers instant Kiwi.com Credit to rebook right away or help applying for an airline refund, all manageable on the Kiwi.com App.