Advice for Overnight Layover in Mexico City Airport

You'll never make it out alive.

if you get a hotel room, you'll prob get access to a fitness center too. Other than that there might be a gym at the airport, maybe someone else knows. Thats not really a lot of time if you consider doing more than taking a nap, which I wouldn't get a hotel room for.

Stay on the airport side of your hotel. I stayed at Mexico City Airport one night and as I was checking in, overheard the American Airlines ground support staff manager ask the hotel staff to ensure the flight crews all were 'airport' side as too many gun shots on the other. I kid you not....

Good luck.

Just take a couple of sips from a public fountain and you'll be busy all night in the restroom.

I read the subject incorrectly. See above.

Why bother leaving the airport? you only have 9 hours. By the time you get a taxi, get to the hotel, it will be midnight. Then you have to probably wake up at 4 in the morning catch a taxi and back to the airport. Why waste all that money on taxis, hotel, etc. Just tough it out and sleep in the airport. Mexico City is a gem of a city. Tons of culture, history, and entertainment.

You need to plan your trip better and do a 3 or 4 day layover to truly appreciate the city. If you do this, get a hotel in the Zona Rosa. It's near Mexico City's most famous avenue "Paseo de la Reforma" where you will find great shopping, movie theaters, malls, restaurants of all type and Chapultepec Park which is Mexico City's version of Central Park in NY. The Zona Rosa is Mexico City's party central. Tons of bars and dance clubs. Be careful because there is a certain section where the gays hang out at. Not that that's a bad thing, but if it's not, you will be shocked. It's a very safe area, clean and beautiful. The US embassy is located in this area as are some of Mexico's most famous monuments including the Angel of Independence.

I would recommend staying at Hotel Del Principiado. It's only around $40 per night, it's clean, has free wifi, a restaurant and right on Londres street which is very close to Zona Rosa and walking distance from a major metro station and also Paseo de La Reforma. You really need to give this city a serious look. It's one of my favorite cities on earth. If you have time, I would recommend booking day tours to Teotihuacan (pyramids), puebla, and Taxco. You can do so from your hotel.

I was not planning on leaving the aeropuerto senior

Don't drink the water....

There's blood in the water...

There's so much dog crap on the streets of Europe and Mexico the general rule is to take your oldest pair of flats to run on the streets then throw them away before retruning to the states. The streets of Germany, Italy, France, England, Mexico are filthy 3rd world dumps.

Get a taxi, go to La Condesa eat the street food there and have a great night you can sleep on your next flight

You could always just stay in the airport. Lots of people do.

If you want a hotel, go on priceline or kayak and find one that fits your budget and level of comfort; (fitness center, etc.) read the reviews first to be sure it'll work for you.

Get a taxi to your hotel. Go to the official taxi ticket booths and ask the taxi price. Don't pay more than 200 pesos. Hopefully more like 120 - 150. Some of the taxi services are more expensive than others. Do not grab a street cab. You don't have to tip on top of the ticket price unless you want to.

Don't run outdoors in the dark in Mexico City.

It's a great town. There is a ton of stuff to see and do. But you are basically there for sleeping hours, depends on whether you want to party, eat out, etc. Once at your hotel, ask the front desk to get you a cab.

Like any big town, watch your back. But the fact is, this is a spectacular world class international city. Enjoy.

I've been through Mexico City MEX 4 times; twice with overnight stays in airport hotels. I regret not getting a cab into the city to walk around, eat, and take in at least one or two sights. The airport has some food and shops but it's only enough to occupy you for an hour or so (and many are probably closed during the timeframe you're there)

Without much experience I don't have real suggestions but I do second the recommendations of Horst Girth and RunningrunningAndrunning.

With respect to running - the two hotel airports I stayed at both had fitness rooms with treadmills. It's at 2.25 km elevation but didn't hurt my easy treadmill runs.

did wrote:

With respect to running - the two hotel airports I stayed at both had fitness rooms with treadmills. It's at 2.25 km elevation but didn't hurt my easy treadmill runs.

You think they would be cool with me just going into the fitness center to run?

Discúlpeme, soy un corredor de maratón, tengo que correr. Puedo por favor, utilice la máquina de correr?

RunningrunningAndrunning wrote:

Get a taxi, go to La Condesa eat the street food there and have a great night you can sleep on your next flight

Hmm this sounds enticing. You think 9 hours is enough to have a good time considering the time it would take to get back into the airport?

There's already a whole web forum dedicated to the topic:

http://www.sleepinginairports.net/northamerica/mexicocity-airport.htm

Yes it would be a 15-20 minute ride from the airport, all kinds of nice bars and resteraunts there. It would definitely be worth it. My favorite to go out at night of any city I've ever been to.

Check into the Hilton Terminal 1 (around $125). Run on the treadmill. I do it every 2 months for work. Makes my life easy, keeps me training.

Was that a dave matthews band reference?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psIuidkkLjI