Mexico City is one of the great driving bases in the Americas, though not because of driving in the city itself. Within two or three hours of Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) you have the pyramids at Teotihuacan, colonial Puebla, the silver town of Taxco and the volcano roads around Popocatépetl. A rental car turns those into easy day trips. But MEX is not a pick-up-and-go airport, and drivers used to renting in the US or Europe tend to get caught out by the same handful of things.
Know which terminal you are flying through
MEX has two terminals, and they are separate buildings that you cannot walk between. Rental desks operate in the arrivals areas of both, and many companies run lots next to each terminal. Book pickup and return at the terminal you actually use. Aeroméxico and most of its SkyTeam partners fly from Terminal 2, while most other airlines use Terminal 1, but check your ticket rather than assuming.
If you end up at the wrong terminal, there are two ways across. Passengers with a boarding pass can ride the free Aerotrén between the terminals, which runs from 05:00 to 23:00, with stations at Terminal 1 gate 6 and Terminal 2 gate 4. Since 1 August 2026 everyone else, and anyone travelling outside those hours, uses a dedicated Metrobús shuttle between the terminals. It costs MXN 30, runs from 04:30 to midnight roughly every 12 minutes and takes bank cards. At Terminal 2, check that the bus is signed for the terminal transfer, not the Ruta Quetzalcóatl service into the city.
Liability insurance is not optional
This is the single biggest source of “the price doubled at the counter” stories. Mexican law requires third-party liability insurance from a Mexican insurer, and it cannot be replaced by your credit card’s rental coverage or your policy at home. Credit-card benefits may cover collision damage to the rental car itself, but not your liability to others.
Many cheap online quotes leave liability out. The desk then adds it on arrival, and the total jumps. When you compare prices, compare quotes that already include liability (it often appears as “Responsabilidad Civil” or third-party liability). A slightly higher headline rate with liability included is usually the cheaper rental.
Hoy No Circula and the hologram
Mexico City runs a driving restriction programme called Hoy No Circula (“No Driving Today”). It bans cars from circulating on certain days based on the last digit of the licence plate and the emissions hologram on the windscreen. Newer cars with an exempt hologram can usually drive every day, except when the authorities declare an environmental contingency, when tighter rules apply to everyone.
Rental cars are not exempt by default. Before you drive off, ask the agent which hologram the car carries and whether any days are restricted for that plate. If you plan to stay in the city for several days, this can matter more than the car’s size.
Inspect the car like a local would
Mexico City traffic leaves its mark. Bumper scuffs and mirror scrapes are common, so photograph every panel at pickup, together with the wheels, windscreen, fuel level and odometer. Two checks are specific to Mexico:
- The underside and the front lip. Mexican speed bumps, called topes, are tall, frequent and often unmarked. Low cars scrape on them, and the damage is easy to be blamed for later.
- The spare, jack and tools. Roadside assistance thins out quickly once you leave the metropolitan area. Make sure you can change a tyre yourself.
Getting out of the city
The fastest routes to Puebla, Cuernavaca and Querétaro are the cuotas, the tolled highways. They are better maintained and generally safer than the free roads. Ask the rental agent whether the car carries an electronic toll tag. If not, carry pesos for the booths, as not every booth accepts cards.
Plan your departure. Leaving the airport at the evening rush can add an hour before you reach the highway. An early-morning pickup, or a night at an airport hotel before collecting the car, makes the first drive much calmer.
Where to book
The big international brands operate at MEX alongside Mexican companies. Comparison sites often show both, sometimes with very different inclusions for the same car class. Check three things before paying: whether liability is included, the deposit (cards are standard, though some local operators accept a cash deposit), and whether pickup is at the terminal or by shuttle at an off-airport lot.
For terminal-by-terminal pickup details, insurance and a comparison of booking platforms, see this Mexico City airport car hire guide.
The short version
Rent at the terminal you fly through, insist on a quote with Mexican liability insurance included, ask about the Hoy No Circula hologram, photograph the car with extra attention to the underside, and use the toll roads to get out of town. Do that, and a car from MEX is the best way to see central Mexico.
Matthew Wilde
Matthew Wilde is an automotive journalist with experience contributing to leading publications. He focuses on delivering clear, well-researched analysis of automotive industry news and vehicles. Growing up surrounded by a variety of cars, Matthew developed a strong foundation in automotive technology and design. His work emphasizes accuracy and depth, aimed at informing both enthusiasts and industry professionals with straightforward, precise reporting.
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