Quick answer. MEX has real bank ATMs from BBVA México, Banorte, Citibanamex, and Santander México in both T1 and T2 arrivals. They charge an MXN $30–50 foreign-card operator fee and give you the actual interbank rate. Skip the bright-yellow Cazh, Inbursa standalone, and PaymentXchange machines at the exit doors (MXN $80–120 plus a DCC trap of 6–12 percent), and ignore the Travelex and Global Exchange counters in arrivals (8–12 percent over mid-market). The Metro Line 5 and Metrobús Line 4 both reach central CDMX from outside T1, so you can leave with zero pesos if you have a contactless card and load the Mobility Card on arrival.
Where to get Mexican peso at MEX
MEX has the standard Mexico airport mix: real bank ATMs from BBVA, Banorte, Citibanamex, and Santander; standalone Cazh, Inbursa, and PaymentXchange machines along the walkways; and Travelex / Global Exchange counters in arrivals. The cost math below assumes you withdraw MXN $3,000 (about USD $175 at recent rates) starting from a USD account.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBVA / Banorte / Citibanamex / Santander ATM (MEX arrivals) | T1 and T2 arrivals halls | MXN $30–50 operator fee + interbank rate | ~$177 + $2 fee |
| Real bank ATM in central CDMX (BBVA on Reforma) | After 30-min Metrobús or 25-min Uber | MXN $30–50 + interbank rate | ~$177 + $2 fee |
| Pre-ordered pesos (CEI) | Delivered to your US address | ~2–3% | ~$180–185 |
| Travelex counter (T1/T2 arrivals) | Adjacent to ATMs | 8–12% over mid-market | ~$190–195 |
| Global Exchange counter (T1/T2) | Arrivals concourse | 8–12% | ~$190–195 |
| Cazh / Inbursa standalone / PaymentXchange ATM | T1 + T2 exit doors and walkways | MXN $80–120 + 6–12% DCC | ~$192–205 |
Bank ATM locations at Mexico City Airport
MEX is Mexico's largest airport, handling roughly 50 million passengers a year across two terminals. T1 is the original terminal and serves most international arrivals (United, Delta, American, JetBlue, Spirit, Alaska, Air Canada, plus all European carriers). T2 opened in 2007 and is the AeroMéxico hub plus SkyTeam partners (Delta, Air France, KLM, Korean Air). The two terminals are connected by an Aerotrén shuttle inside the secure side and by a free interterminal bus on the public side. Both terminals have the same general ATM layout described below.
Terminal 1 (International + most carriers)
United, Delta, American, JetBlue, Spirit, Alaska, Air Canada, Iberia, Lufthansa, Air France (some), British Airways, Volaris, VivaAerobús
Bank ATMs cluster in arrivals between the customs exit (Puerta 7) and the ground-transportation hall. BBVA is typically nearest the customs doors; Banorte and Citibanamex sit closer to the taxi podium; Santander is on the upper level near the food court. After collecting bags, follow signs toward 'Salida Internacional / Transporte Terrestre' for the easiest pass-through to a real bank ATM. The standalone Cazh and Inbursa machines are bright yellow and sit right at the exit doors; ignore them.
Terminal 2 (AeroMéxico + SkyTeam)
AeroMéxico, Delta (some flights), Air France (some), KLM, Korean Air, Aeromár
T2 has BBVA, Banorte, and Santander ATMs in the arrivals concourse on the ground floor. The Citibanamex machine is on the upper level near the AeroMéxico ticketing counters. T2 also has a Cazh standalone at the exit; same advice as T1, walk past it. The free interterminal bus to T1 runs every 7 minutes from Puerta 4 if you want to combine ATM stops with finding the Aerotrén.
Do you actually need cash at Mexico City Airport?
Almost never. The Metro and Metrobús both run on the rechargeable MI card (loadable with foreign cards at any vending machine), authorized airport taxis accept cards, and Uber and DiDi are card-only. The first cash-only situation you are likely to hit (a taqueria al pastor, a Mercado Roma stall, a tip jar, the R-1 Hotel Zone bus if you're connecting to Cancun) is in the city itself, where bank-ATM density is much higher. Here is what works on tap:
Metro Línea 5 (Terminal Aérea to Pantitlán) (MXN $5 fare + MXN $15 MI card): MI card sold at any station vending machine; pay with foreign card or cash. Line 5 from T1 only (no T2 access). 50 minutes total to Centro with one transfer..
Metrobús Línea 4 (T1 + T2 to San Lázaro / Centro) (MXN $30 (foreign-card swipe at boarding kiosk) or MI card): Express bus that hits Centro Histórico in 30 minutes. Stops at both terminals. Tap-to-pay supported at boarding kiosks..
Authorized airport taxi (Taxi Sitio Fijo, yellow podium) (MXN $250–450 to Roma/Condesa/Polanco): Buy ticket at the yellow podium inside arrivals before going outside. Fixed-rate by zone. Card payment accepted at the podium..
Uber, DiDi, Cabify (MXN $200–400 to Roma/Condesa/Polanco): T1 pickup: Puerta 7 ground floor. T2 pickup: Puerta 4 second floor (NOT ground floor; rideshares cannot pick up at T2 ground level). Card-only via app..
ADO bus to Puebla / Querétaro / Toluca (MXN $200–400 depending on destination): ADO ticket counters in T1 and T2 accept cards. Useful if MEX is your gateway and your final destination is outside CDMX..
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from Mexico City Airport to Mexico City?
No. Metro Línea 5 (Terminal Aérea to Pantitlán) accepts contactless. Most taxis accept cards. Uber and other apps are card-only.
Can I order Mexican peso before flying?
Yes. CEI Currency Exchange ships physical Mexican peso to your US address in 2-5 days at rates well below airport counters. Order 50-100 Mexican peso for taxis and tips on day one.
Which bank ATM is best at MEX arrivals?
BBVA México is the largest network and has the most machines in both T1 and T2 arrivals (look for the navy-blue branding). Banorte (red) is the cheapest on the foreign-card operator fee, typically MXN $30–43. Citibanamex (red and white) and Santander (red and white with the flame logo) round out the major chains, all in the MXN $35–50 fee range. Any of the four is fine. The screen offers an English-language toggle on first prompt; pick it. Decline DCC every time the screen offers "charge in USD" in favor of a straight MXN withdrawal.
Should I use the Cazh, Inbursa standalone, or PaymentXchange ATMs at MEX?
No. These are the bright-yellow and orange standalone machines at the exit doors and along the walkways to ground transportation. They charge MXN $80–120 per withdrawal (more than triple a real bank ATM) and run an aggressive DCC pitch that costs another 6–12 percent. Real BBVA, Banorte, Citibanamex, and Santander machines are 60–120 seconds further into arrivals; walk past the standalones.
Are the MEX Travelex and Global Exchange counters worth it?
No. The exchange counters in T1 and T2 arrivals (Travelex, Global Exchange, Casa de Cambio) post mid-market-plus-8-to-12 percent rates, far worse than the bank ATMs nearby. They do accept walk-in business when ATMs are temporarily out of service or down for cash refills, but otherwise treat them as emergency-only fallbacks.
Can I leave MEX with zero pesos?
Almost. The Metro Line 5 (Terminal Aérea station) is a 4-minute walk from T1 but requires a Tarjeta de Movilidad Integrada (MI card), bought for MXN $15 cash at the station vending machines. The Metrobús Line 4 from T1 and T2 accepts the same MI card. Authorized airport taxis (Taxi Sitio Fijo, the yellow podium inside arrivals) accept cards. Uber and DiDi work from designated pickup zones at both terminals (T1: Puerta 7 ground floor; T2: Puerta 4 second floor) and are card-only by definition. So a contactless-only traveler can leave the airport via taxi or rideshare and pull pesos at a downtown BBVA when needed.
How do I get from MEX to Centro / Roma / Polanco?
Three good options. Metro Line 5 (Yellow Line) from Terminal Aérea station runs every 5–10 minutes; transfer at Pantitlán for Line 1 to Centro and Line 9 for Roma/Condesa. About 50 minutes total, MXN $5 fare plus the MXN $15 MI card. Metrobús Line 4 from T1 (San Lázaro stop) reaches Centro in 30 minutes for MXN $30. Authorized taxi or Uber runs MXN $250–450 to Roma / Condesa / Polanco depending on traffic; allow 45 minutes outside rush hour and up to 90 during it.
Can I order pesos before flying to Mexico City?
Yes. CEI Currency Exchange ships physical Mexican pesos to your US address in 2–5 days at rates roughly 2–3 percent over interbank, far cheaper than any MEX exchange counter or standalone ATM. Useful if you arrive late, are heading directly to a non-resort destination outside CDMX (Oaxaca, San Cristóbal, Mazatlán) where ATM coverage is thinner, or just want a guaranteed buffer for the airport taxi without queuing.