Flying from Chicago to Mexico City: what you need to know
Start your vacation planning by considering where you'll board your flight from Chicago to Mexico City. O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are Chicago's main airports.
Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) and Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) are Mexico City's chief entry points.
Around 4 hours 25 minutes is how long you can expect to be traveling on a direct Chicago to Mexico City flight.
Mexico City is one hour behind Chicago and observes the UTC-6 timezone.
The most popular route for flights from Chicago to Mexico City is from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX). Take your pick of 41 services every week between these two airports. If you'd like to maximize your time on arrival, the earliest flight from ORD to MEX is the 00:58 Volaris service. If you have other commitments or plans on your day of travel, the latest available service is at 23:58 with Volaris.
Give yourself enough time to get on your Chicago to Mexico City flight. It's generally best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You'll likely experience bigger queues in popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Mexico City
To score cheap Chicago to Mexico City flights, book your journey ten months before your departure date.
January is the best month for picking up a fantastic deal on a plane ticket from Chicago to Mexico City. If you want to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for every month.
Finding a cheap flight from Chicago to Mexico City couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when the price has dropped.
Tailor your trip using filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' Chicago to Mexico City flights.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Take off from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) on a nonstop flight from Chicago to Mexico City. From ORD, you can travel directly to Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX).
Pick from a variety of airlines that offer direct Chicago to Mexico City plane tickets out of ORD. Claim your seat with one of these carriers:
Consider adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Chicago to Mexico City flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from O'Hare International Airport. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular options:
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport (GDL)
Located around 26 kilometers from central Chicago, ORD can be reached in about 35 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport will take roughly 55 minutes.
Need a convenient hotel near O'Hare International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Chicago to Mexico City, these accommodation options will have you sleeping nice and close to your departure gate:
When it comes to O'Hare International Airport's on-time performance, 74.85% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Make the most of your vacation with a stopover on your Chicago to Mexico City flight. Visit friends or family or cross another city off your list. Whatever you'd like to do, check out these options between Chicago Midway International Airport and Mexico City:
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Cancun International Airport (CUN)
You can get to MDW from the center of Chicago in about 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The ride on public transport takes roughly 45 minutes to cover the 14 kilometers or so.
You're going on vacation, so why not enjoy an extra night away from home? Think about checking in to one of these hotels near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your flight from Chicago to Mexico City:
78% of flights taking off from Chicago Midway International Airport make it to their destination as expected.
You'll find MDW at 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Mexico City
Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX)
Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) to central Mexico City takes around 25 minutes to reach by car. The center is roughly 6 kilometers away.
Traveling to the center by public transport takes about 55 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel close to MEX if you have a late flight from Chicago to Mexico City. Pick one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Hit the road running by picking up a Benito Juarez International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from INFINITY RENT, MEX or America to explore Mexico City and beyond.
Reserving your ride from Benito Juarez International Airport about four weeks ahead can help you get the lowest rate.
Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU)
After your flight from Chicago to Mexico City has touched down, you can reach the city center in about 55 minutes by car. Central Mexico City is roughly 32 kilometers from Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU).
Traveling by public transport will take approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.
Settle in and unpack not long after your flight from Chicago to Mexico City at Holiday Inn & Suites Mexico Felipe Angeles Airport. This comfy accommodation option is an easy drive from NLU.
Europcar, MEX and Keddy By Europcar make collecting a Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport rental car easy and quick. These companies are located in or around the terminal and will get you on your way in no time.
Avoid potential price surges. Reserving your ride one week ahead of your arrival at NLU will help you stay within budget.
Best time to go to Mexico City
April is the quietest month for flights from Chicago to Mexico City, while July is the most popular. Work out the ideal time to visit Mexico City based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
When booking your Chicago to Mexico City tickets, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. April is the warmest month in Mexico City, with temperatures ranging from 10ºC (50ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).
If you like cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Chicago to Mexico City in January when temperatures average between 6ºC (43ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF).
More about Mexico City
After booking your flight from Chicago to Mexico City, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Mexico City:
Every great vacation has to include some sightseeing. Zocalo, Chapultepec Park and National Museum of Anthropology are attractions you won't want to skip in Mexico City.
Explore more of Mexico
Mexico City will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other parts of Mexico waiting to be explored. About 21 kilometers north-east of Mexico City, a trip to Ecatepec de Morelos will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with leading attractions like Grupo Scout 360 Aztlan, mirador del Valle Park and Kinder casanueva.
Guadalajara is another favorite destination in Mexico and is around 467 kilometers west of Mexico City. No trip is complete without a visit to Guadalajara Cathedral, Teatro Degollado and Portales Tlaquepaque Park.