# Spending your layover inside Mexico City International Airport

Mexico City airport has no transit area and no airside hotel, so a long wait means either a hotel at Terminal 1, after immigration, or a lounge past security. The Hilton is inside Terminal 1, and the Courtyard and the Camino Real are a bridge away; Terminal 1's pay lounges are open 24 hours, from US$42 for up to 3 hours.

- Web page: https://mexicocitylayover.com/airport/
- Guide: [Mexico City Layover](https://mexicocitylayover.com/), an independent layover guide to Mexico City International Airport (MEX), part of City Layover
- Updated 10 November 2026; facts checked 8 November 2026

## Can you sleep at Mexico City airport during a layover?

Not airside: Mexico City airport has no transit area and no airside hotel, and every passenger from abroad passes immigration. For a bed, the Hilton is inside Terminal 1, and the Courtyard by Marriott and the Camino Real are joined to it by bridges; the Camino Real showed rooms from US$160 a night (seen November 2026). For a few hours before your flight, Terminal 1's pay lounges past security are open 24 hours, from US$42 for up to 3 hours.

## At a glance

- **Hotels at the terminals**: Hilton inside Terminal 1; Courtyard and Camino Real by bridge; all after immigration
- **Airside rooms**: None: no transit area and no airside hotel
- **Lounge entry**: From US$42 for up to 3 hours, Terminal 1, open 24 hours
- **Showers**: In The Grand Lounge Elite, with entry from US$47
- **Left luggage**: Ground floor of both terminals, 24 hours; prices not published
- **Wi-Fi**: Free in both terminals

## Hotels in and next to the terminals

At Mexico City International Airport (MEX) there's no transit area and no airside hotel: every passenger arriving from abroad passes immigration, so all three hotels are on the landside, a short walk from Terminal 1.

That makes a night here simpler than it sounds. You were going to pass immigration anyway; after customs, you walk to the hotel, and in the morning you walk back, check in and go through security.

| Hotel | Where | Airside or landside | How you get there |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Hilton Mexico City Airport | Inside Terminal 1 | Landside, after immigration | From gate 8, the escalator up to Hall G, then the hotel's lifts |
| Courtyard by Marriott Mexico City Airport | Next to Terminal 1 | Landside, after immigration | A bridge from the second floor of Hall G, at gate 7 |
| Camino Real Aeropuerto Mexico | Next to Terminal 1 | Landside, after immigration | Its own footbridge from Terminal 1, at gate B |

All three run free transport to Terminal 2, which Aeroméxico and its partners use: the Courtyard's shuttle every 20 minutes, day and night, and the Camino Real's round the clock. The Camino Real showed rooms from US$160 a night (seen November 2026); the Hilton and the Courtyard show their rates when you book.

For a night arrival with a morning in town, the Metrobús into the centre leaves Terminal 1 from gates 7 and 8: [rest, then the old centre at opening](https://mexicocitylayover.com/itineraries/#rest-at-the-airport-then-centro-at-opening).

## Day rooms

None of the three hotels publishes a day rate or a rate by the hour. If you want a room for a few hours, ask the hotel directly for a daytime stay, and compare the price with a lounge (below), which costs from US$42 for up to 3 hours but has no bed.

## Lounges you can pay for

Every lounge is past security, so you reach one after immigration, once you've checked in for your next flight. Terminal 1's are open to flights from Terminal 1, and Terminal 2's to flights from Terminal 2.

| Lounge | Terminal | Hours | From |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| The Grand Lounge Elite | Terminal 1, past security, through entrance G | 24 hours | US$47 |
| Lounge 19 | Terminal 1, past security | 24 hours | US$42 |
| Celeste Lounge | Terminal 1, past security | 3pm to 11pm | US$42 |
| VIPort Lounge | Terminal 1, past security, opposite gate 9 | 24 hours | Priority Pass |
| The Lounge Mexico | Terminal 1, past security | 24 hours | Priority Pass |
| VIPort Lounge | Terminal 2, past security | 24 hours | Priority Pass |
| The Harmony Lounge | Terminal 2, past security | 24 hours | Priority Pass |

Prices seen in November 2026, for walk-in entry, per person. They cover up to 3 hours, with food and drinks; booking ahead online adds a US$5 fee that isn't refunded. You can pay in the lounge by card or in cash.

- **Priority Pass.** All seven lounges take it, most for up to 3 hours; The Grand Lounge Elite also takes LoungeKey and Diners Club. Two more lounges, The Gate Priority Club in Terminal 1 and The Hidden Gate in Terminal 2, charge Priority Pass members an extra fee.
- **Children.** The Grand Lounge Elite lets in two children under 12 free with each Priority Pass membership.
- **Dress.** The Grand Lounge Elite asks for smart casual clothes.

## Showers

The shower open to anyone is in **The Grand Lounge Elite**, in Terminal 1 past security, which comes with lounge entry: US$47 for up to 3 hours. Otherwise, a room at one of the three hotels at Terminal 1 (above) is the way to a shower.

## Left luggage

Terminal 1 has left-luggage lockers on its ground floor, run by Mexicana de Lockers, and Terminal 2 has a left-luggage desk on its ground floor, run by Viajes Kokai. Both are open 24 hours. Their prices aren't published, so ask at the desk before you leave a bag. Use them for a day in town: the Metrobús has room for luggage, but the old centre is a walk, and the Metro's stairs and turnstiles are no place for a big case.

## Connections, money and Wi-Fi

- **Wi-Fi.** Free in both terminals, for anyone.
- **Information desks.** In Terminal 1, by domestic arrivals and domestic departures, from 6:30am to 10pm.
- **Between the terminals.** A Metrobús shuttle runs between Terminals 1 and 2 about every 12 minutes, from 4:30am to midnight, for MXN 30 by card or phone. The Aerotrén, free with a boarding pass, may be running too: check the airport screens ([getting between the terminals](https://mexicocitylayover.com/getting-to-the-city/#between-terminal-1-and-terminal-2)).
- **Works.** The airport is being remodelled in stages, so expect building work and some changed signs. The airport asks passengers on international flights to arrive 3 hours ahead, but that's for checking in: with your boarding pass and no bag to drop, 90 minutes is enough.
- **Money.** Prices are in Mexican pesos. The Metrobús into town takes contactless cards or phones only, no cash.
- **Your airport.** Check that both flights use Mexico City International (MEX), not AIFA (NLU), the city's other airport.

## Questions people ask

### Can I sleep at Mexico City airport on a layover?

Not airside: there's no transit area and no airside hotel. For a bed, pass immigration and walk to a hotel at Terminal 1: the Hilton is inside the terminal, and the Courtyard and the Camino Real are joined to it by bridges. For a few hours' rest before a flight, Terminal 1's pay lounges past security are open 24 hours, from US$42 for up to 3 hours.

### Is there a hotel inside Mexico City airport?

Yes: the Hilton Mexico City Airport is inside Terminal 1, reached from gate 8 by the escalator up to Hall G. The Courtyard by Marriott and the Camino Real are next door, joined to Terminal 1 by bridges. All three are after immigration, and all run free transport to Terminal 2.

### Can I pay for just a shower at Mexico City airport?

Yes, with lounge entry: The Grand Lounge Elite in Terminal 1, past security, has showers, and walk-in entry costs US$47 for up to 3 hours, plus US$5 if you book ahead. A hotel room is the other way to a shower.

### Can I use Priority Pass at Mexico City airport?

Yes. In Terminal 1, The Grand Lounge Elite, Lounge 19, VIPort Lounge and The Lounge Mexico are open 24 hours, and Celeste Lounge from 3pm to 11pm; in Terminal 2, VIPort Lounge and The Harmony Lounge. All are past security, and most limit a visit to 3 hours.

### How much is left luggage at Mexico City airport?

Its prices aren't published, so ask at the desk before you leave a bag. Both terminals have left luggage on the ground floor, open 24 hours.

## Sources (checked 8 November 2026)

- [AICM: hotels in the terminals (checked 10 Nov 2026)](https://www.aicm.com.mx/pasajeros/servicios/prestadores-de-servicios/hoteles)
- [AICM: left luggage (checked 10 Nov 2026)](https://www.aicm.com.mx/pasajeros/servicios/prestadores-de-servicios/locker)
- [AICM: passenger guide, VIP lounges (checked 8 Nov 2026)](https://www.aicm.com.mx/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/guia-del-pasajero.pdf)
- [AICM: information modules (checked 8 Nov 2026)](https://www.aicm.com.mx/pasajeros/servicios/servicios-aicm/modulos-de-informacion)
- [AICM: frequently asked questions (checked 8 Nov 2026)](https://www.aicm.com.mx/aicm/preguntas-frecuentes)
- [AICM: free Wi-Fi 7 in both terminals (checked 9 Nov 2026)](https://www.aicm.com.mx/aicm-ofrece-internet-wi-fi-7-gratuito-en-sus-dos-terminales/15-07-2026)
- [AICM: bulletin 55/2026, car-park works and 3-hour advice (checked 8 Nov 2026)](https://www.aicm.com.mx/el-aibjcm-pone-en-marcha-alternativas-de-movilidad-para-sus-usuarios/04-11-2026)
- [Camino Real Aeropuerto Mexico: hotel page (checked 10 Nov 2026)](https://www.grupocaminoreal.com/en/caminoreal/camino-real-aeropuerto-mexico)
- [Hilton: Hilton Mexico City Airport (checked 8 Nov 2026)](https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/mexahhf-hilton-mexico-city-airport/)
- [Marriott: Courtyard Mexico City Airport (checked 8 Nov 2026)](https://www.marriott.com/en-gb/hotels/maps/travel/mexcy-courtyard-mexico-city-airport/)
- [Priority Pass: lounges at Mexico City International (checked 9 Nov 2026)](https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/mexico/mexico-city-international)
- [Priority Pass: The Grand Lounge Elite, Terminal 1 (checked 10 Nov 2026)](https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/mexico/mexico-city-international/mex13-the-grand-lounge-elite)
- [Priority Pass: VIPort Lounge, Terminal 1 (checked 9 Nov 2026)](https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/mexico/mexico-city-international/mex21-viport-lounge)
- [The Grand Lounge Elite: access and walk-in prices (checked 10 Nov 2026)](https://thegrandloungeelite.com.mx/en)
- [Mexico City Tourism Office: Mexico City International Airport (checked 8 Nov 2026)](https://mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx/venues/aeropuerto-internacional-de-la-ciudad-de-mexico-aicm/?lang=en)
- [Metrobús: airport route, Line 4 Ruta Amajac (checked 8 Nov 2026)](https://www.metrobus.cdmx.gob.mx/ruta-aeropuerto)