Pick up your vehicle at Benito Juarez International Airport after landing and drive out to the city or toll highways.
Benito Juarez International Airport MEX serves Mexico City from two terminals connected by the Aerotren shuttle. The airport sits about 10 km east of the city centre via Viaducto Miguel Aleman, and the drive takes 20-40 minutes depending on traffic. Rental desks operate in arrivals halls, or you will meet a representative outside the terminal according to your voucher instructions.
After landing, you collect baggage, pass through customs, and proceed to the arrivals area where you follow the voucher directions - either to a rental desk or to a designated meeting point. The representative checks your documents, completes the rental agreement, notes any existing vehicle marks, and hands over the keys. You then drive out via Circuito Interior to reach Viaducto Miguel Aleman, Periferico ring road, or toll highways 150D and 57D.
This page covers airport pickup specifically - meeting after your flight, terminal logistics, and routes from MEX. If you plan to collect a car in the city itself rather than immediately after landing, see Mexico City for neighbourhood offices and urban driving. Airport collection suits travellers who want to leave directly for Puebla, Queretaro, or other destinations without entering the metropolitan area first.
Four straightforward steps bring you from the arrivals gate to the driver's seat. Each rental company provides precise instructions in your voucher, including terminal, meeting point, and contact details.
Retrieve checked luggage from the carousel, pass through customs inspection, and walk into the public arrivals hall. If you land in Terminal 2 but your voucher specifies Terminal 1, take the free Aerotren shuttle between terminals before proceeding.
Check your voucher for the exact location - some companies maintain desks inside the arrivals hall, others ask you to exit and meet a representative holding a sign with your name or the company logo. Use the "Specify location" field in the search widget above to select Mexico City Airport MEX and see which companies operate here.
Present your driving licence, booking voucher, and payment card. The representative prepares the rental agreement, records existing scratches or dents on a diagram, and explains the fuel policy. You sign the contract, receive keys and paperwork, and confirm the return procedure.
Walk to the car park level indicated on your key tag, locate the vehicle, load luggage, and drive to the exit booth. Follow signs for Circuito Interior or Viaducto Miguel Aleman according to your destination. Early morning or late evening pickups help you avoid peak congestion on the exit roads.
Five common routes start at MEX and connect you to the city centre, nearby cultural sites, and inter-city highways. Distances and times assume light to moderate traffic.
About 10 km west via Viaducto Miguel Aleman, 20-40 minutes depending on the hour. A compact sedan such as the Nissan March or Chevrolet Aveo handles narrow colonial streets once you arrive. Exit the airport on Circuito Interior, merge onto Viaducto westbound, and follow signs for Zocalo.
Approximately 130 km east on Highway 150D cuota, about two hours. The Nissan Sentra or Volkswagen Virtus offers comfort for the toll-road run. Leave MEX via Circuito Interior east, join 150D at the interchange, and pay tolls at three plazas before reaching Puebla's Periferico.
Around 210 km north on Highway 57D cuota, roughly 2.5 hours. The MG RX8 or Volkswagen Taos provides space for family luggage on this inter-city route. Exit onto Circuito Interior north, connect to Periferico Norte, then merge onto 57D at the toll gate.
About 50 km north-east via Highway 132D and 85D, one hour. A Nissan Kicks or Toyota Raize suits the paved approach to the pyramids and gravel parking areas. Follow Circuito Interior north, exit onto 132D, then 85D to San Juan Teotihuacan.
Approximately 15 km west via Viaducto and Periferico, 25-50 minutes in traffic. The Suzuki Swift or Volkswagen Virtus fits hotel parking garages in this business district. Merge onto Viaducto westbound, exit at Periferico, and follow signs for Polanco or Chapultepec.
The airport fleet ranges from compact city hatchbacks to mid-size SUVs. This table lists common models; actual availability appears when you search dates in the widget above.
| Model | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Aveo | Economy sedan | Solo travellers or couples, city parking |
| Nissan March | Compact hatchback | Short urban trips, narrow streets |
| Suzuki Swift | Compact hatchback | Airport shuttle to hotel, light luggage |
| Toyota Raize | Compact crossover | Mixed city and highway, two passengers |
| Nissan Kicks | Compact SUV | Higher seating position, moderate luggage |
| Nissan Sentra | Mid-size sedan | Inter-city toll roads, four adults |
| Volkswagen Virtus | Mid-size sedan | Long-distance comfort, trunk space |
| MG RX8 | Mid-size SUV | Family trips, multiple suitcases |
| Volkswagen Taos | Compact SUV | Highway cruising, extra cargo |
| Suzuki Ertiga | Seven-seat MPV | Groups, airport transfers for six |
| Subaru Forester | All-wheel-drive SUV | Rainy-season traction, mountain routes |
These models illustrate typical options at Mexico City Airport. Search your dates in the booking widget to see real-time inventory, specifications, and terms for each car. Requirements for payment method and excess vary by individual vehicle, not by category.
Six practical points smooth your collection and drop-off at Benito Juarez International. Small details prevent delays and confusion.
Selected cars at MEX eliminate the security hold or let you pay the balance with a debit card or cash. Both features depend on the individual vehicle, not a blanket airport policy.
Enter your dates in the search widget and examine each result. Cars that require no security hold display "No deposit" in the terms. Cars that accept debit cards or cash for the remaining balance show those payment icons below the model name. These conditions vary by vehicle - one Nissan Sentra might require a credit card and hold while another Sentra at the same airport does not.
No-deposit does not mean zero excess; if damage occurs, you remain liable up to the stated excess amount. The absence of a hold simply means the rental company does not freeze funds on your card at pickup. Excess and deposit are independent attributes of the rental contract.
When you complete your booking on 4Drive, you pay a portion online by card - this is the booking advance, not a security deposit. The remaining balance is due when you collect the car at the airport. The voucher and the car's listing specify which payment methods the company accepts for that balance: debit card, cash, or credit card.
If a vehicle requires a credit card for the balance or for a security hold, consider increasing your debit-card limit or arranging a credit card before arrival. For full details on how the payment and advance system works, visit our dedicated guide.
Six common queries about collecting and returning a car at Benito Juarez International.
Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have rental desks in their arrivals halls, and some companies offer meet-and-greet outside either terminal. Your voucher states the exact location. If you land in one terminal but need to collect from the other, take the free Aerotren shuttle that runs every few minutes between the two buildings.
Yes, certain cars accept debit cards for the balance payment at pickup. Search your dates in the widget, then check each car's payment icons and terms. One model may require a credit card while another allows debit or cash - requirements are set per vehicle, not per category or company.
Exit the airport car park and follow signs for Circuito Interior, then merge onto Viaducto Miguel Aleman heading west. The 10 km journey to Centro Historico takes 20-40 minutes depending on traffic. Early morning or late evening departures avoid peak congestion on Viaducto.
Yes, rental plates are subject to the same weekday driving ban as private vehicles, based on the last digit of the licence plate. Your rental agreement will note which day the car cannot circulate in the restricted zone. Plan alternative transport or routes outside the city that day.
Follow the "Car Rental Return" signs as you approach the terminal; parking areas for returns are signposted near both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Your voucher includes the exact return location and any special instructions. Refuel at a nearby Pemex along Circuito Interior before entering the airport grounds to avoid refuelling fees.
Yes, Highway 150D cuota runs 130 km east from the airport to Puebla in about two hours. Exit MEX via Circuito Interior east, join 150D at the interchange, and pay tolls at three plazas. A mid-size sedan such as the Nissan Sentra or Volkswagen Virtus handles the toll road comfortably with luggage.
Search live inventory at Benito Juarez International, compare no-deposit and debit-card options, and reserve online in minutes. You will receive a voucher with terminal meeting instructions, contact details, and payment breakdown. For broader Mexico car rental overview covering other airports and cities, visit our main page.