hi Brook,

I am traveling for the first time to Mexico City. I'm flying United and wanted to thank you for the terminal information and also the suggestion to meet my friend who is picking me up at Freedom Restaurant. I'm very excited and looking forward to the trip. I will leaving on AeroMexico and am worried about finding the right departing gate. I don't speak spanish but my friend dropping me off at the airport when I leave does. How far into terminal 2 can he go? I'm hoping he can lead me up to the departure gate.

Thanks,
Frances

Hi Frances,
How exciting! You will absolutely love Mexico City. To answer your question, I don't think you should be worried at all about getting to your gate at the airport. All signs are in both Spanish and English, and the layout of Terminal 2 is very open and intuitive. Your friend will be able to go with you all the way to security, although not to the gate itself. But once you get through security, the gates are clearly marked. The only caveat is that sometimes they don't have the gates assigned to the flights until 30 minutes or so before boarding, so you may have to check in with the information desk. If this is the case, don't be intimidated. They are used to having people that don't speak Spanish ask about their flights, and will be able to help you. If they don't understand your question, show them your ticket, and they can look up whether or not a gate has been assigned yet. You can sit and wait by the information desk until they have your gate number. Actually, showing your ticket to anyone in a uniform is a good strategy, even if they don't speak English they will point you in the right direction.

The other thing to be aware of in Terminal 2 is that if you arrive to the airport via metro you will arrive at Terminal 1 and have to take another tram to get to Terminal 2. It will be free for you with your ticket but your friend will have to pay (under US$5 if I remember right). Worth it, though, for your peace of mind.

Good luck, and feel free to post more questions!

Brook

From Terminal 2, can't i take the metro from the station called "Hangares" or "Pantitlan". Are any of these two stations within comfortable walking distance from the entrance of Terminal 2 ?

What's the issue like with the Swine Flu ? Will I need to wear a facemask when I arrive in Mexico City ?

If I visit Teotihuacan now or Zocalo ... will they be open ?

Hi there,

I can answer the Terminal 2 metro question-- You will have to take the shuttle to Terminal 1 to get on the metro.

As for the Swine Flu question, I'm not there right now so I can't tell you for sure, but my guess is that public squares like the Zocolo will be open but no one will be there, and all attractions, like Teotihuacan, will be closed. You could wear a mask, but the most important thing will be to wash your hands frequently.

Enjoy my favorite city in the world!
Brook

I am flying in on Continental...and I see this arrives at Term. 2. I am being picked up by friends. Where should I have them meet me? Can they meet me right outside of the Customs area? Is there any reason I would have to go to Terminal 1?I really appreciate any help you can pass onto me...REALLY.

Hello Tori,

Terminal 2 has a very obvious front entrance that includes a big car pull-around, huge glass doors, and planters shaped like giant styrofoam coffee cups. I would say that is a good area to meet your friends.

They can also come and wait for you outside the customs area, and no, there's no reason that you would have to go to Terminal 1 unless you and your friends are taking the metro. If you are, your friends may not be able to come meet you at Terminal 2. As I said, the metro leaves off at Terminal 1 and there is a shuttle between the two terminals. At times you can pay to take it without a ticket, and at times they won't let anyone who isn't flying take it.

Just to ease your mind a bit, it is a very well-signed airport and everything is in both Spanish and English. And the employees are very helpful if you approach them politely.

iiSuerte!!

Hi! This is the first time we are flying with aeromexico to Mexico city from Calif. We are going to Cancun with 1 1/2 hour stop over. I know we fly into Term 2. Do we have to go to Term 1 to catch the plane to Cancun or do we stay in Term 2? Is the luggage transfered for us? I assume that immigration is done in Mexico city. Any help would be greatly appriecated.

Freedom restaurant you mention in Terminal One changed name a while ago. It is Baron Rojo. Yes, it is a good place to meet and easy to find right outside of Baggage Claim and Customs.

Brook, I love your blog! I was just working in DF for a week and am going back to Mexico to study Spanish in the spring, probably in Cuernavaca... I was staying in Coyoacan while I was there so all your anecdotes and MMMs bring me back, they are awesome. Muchas gracias y espero que tu puedes regresar pronto.

-A

Thanks for the great info. Question. My wife arrives in terminal 1 Air Canada at 13:10 and has an Aeromexico flight at terminal 2 at 3pm. Is this doable??

Thanks for your help!

Rich

Hi Brook, Great Blog-Thank you

Question: Airport Hotels:

I am arriving in MEX via Air France late pm and depart Aero Mexico to Huataulcu next morning.
I can't seem to find info on which Terminal is better to book a hotel. Any sugestion between the Hilton in Terminal 1 an the New Hotel in Terminal 2?

Thanks a Million

I have students arriving on international flights at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. I know AA arrives Terminal 1 and I believe Continental arrives Terminal 2, how do I get the students who fly into terminal 2 to meet us at terminal 1?

Thanks

Thanks so much. This post is a most serious help for us. My wife and I are traveling shortly and the layout of the airport can really help! Very considerate of you to post.