BajaNomad - Mexico City Layover

Mexico City Layover

Kgryfon - 6-10-2014 at 09:43 PM

I'll be flying down to Mexico later this year and will have an 8 hour layover in Mexico City. Is that long enough to do anything while I'm there? If so, what are your suggestions? I kind of hate to sit in the airport for 8 hours...but don't want to get stuck somewhere and miss my connecting flight. Thanks for your feedback!

Loretana - 6-10-2014 at 10:06 PM

Go to the Anthropology Museum.

<http://www.mna.inah.gob.mx/index.html>

There are lots of quiet spaces there after you've walked around to relax.

Eat, head back to the airport. Only use the "official taxis".

Mulegena - 6-10-2014 at 10:25 PM

This museum is absolutely astounding!
Get an English-speaking tour guide.
Excellent suggestion, Loretana.

monoloco - 6-10-2014 at 11:28 PM

It's about a 10 minute cab ride from the airport to the Zocalo and the Centro-Historico district. Tons of museums, cathedrals, historic buildings, and restaurants. Well worth seeing.

elizabeth - 6-11-2014 at 08:09 AM

The anthropology museum is great, but to really appreciate it, I think it's a multi day experience. I'd suggest the Zocalo, starting with the Palacio Nacional and the Rivera murals. There is often a temporary exhibit on the zocalo. The Tenochtitlan ruins and Aztec museum behind the cathedral are well worth the visit. Then take the elevator to the rooftop restaurant in the Majestic Hotel on the Zocalo for lunch or snack or drink and watch the action below. If you're still up for it and have time walk up Madero or Cinco de Mayo to the Alameda for the Bellas Artes and at the far end the museum that houses the Rivera mural "Dream of a Sunday afternoon in Alameda Park".
Lots of other stuff in that area as well...you'll just come upon something of interest walking around! I love Mexico City and visit often.

Ateo - 6-11-2014 at 08:22 AM

Zocalo. You can just take a cab (or subway?), see tons of cool stuff, the old church, Palacio Nacional, and there's always cool people to watch in the square. The anthropology museum is epic too, and you could visit Chapultepec park briefly. Or take a bus to the pyramids?

dasubergeek - 6-11-2014 at 10:23 AM

Cab is easier than subway... you have to change twice to get to the Zócalo on the subway.

Bear in mind it will take you as long as 2 hours to get through the security and FMM check on the way back in.

durrelllrobert - 6-11-2014 at 10:38 AM

How many Cervezas can you drink in 8 hours?

rhintransit - 6-11-2014 at 10:44 AM

I did 6 hrs in that airport in March. not a lot to do except wander and eat. fortunately they had the Olympics on big screen tvs all over the international area. no free wifi unless you eat in a restaurant, can't remember names.

Brian L - 6-11-2014 at 11:26 AM

We had a similar layover in 2002 and took the subway to the Zocalo. Plenty of time to see that area. Can't wait to actually visit DF sometime

Archie - 6-11-2014 at 11:26 AM

If using Aeromexico national or intl´flights, you can buy a pass to the VIP area , you get good coffee, clean restrooms, Wifi internet and nice seats, all seperated from crowds, public restrooms and hard plastic benches.

layover

SlyOnce - 6-11-2014 at 02:38 PM

I had a long layover there, twice. The first time I arrived at 11 PM, the next flight left at 8 AM. I checked my bags through to the destination. Then I attempted to spend the night in the food court. Next day I arrived at my destination, my bags were lost and I felt totally exhausted.

Second time I checked my bags to MX city. I retrieved them when I landed. I went outside and found a hotel van. I asked the guy to take me to a place close, and cheap. I was taken to an airport hotel. It cost $50 US with a free breakfast (close yes, cheap, no). I checked in, showered, slept, got up, had a breakfast, and the hotel van guy was waiting for me. He took me to my flight. I gave a nice tip. I was clean, rested, and my bags were checked in for the flight to TJ.

Kgryfon - 6-11-2014 at 02:40 PM

Wow - what a great bunch of suggestion! Thanks...I was really dreading sitting in the airport for 8 hours. I think it's a toss up between this:

Quote:

I'd suggest the Zocalo, starting with the Palacio Nacional and the Rivera murals. There is often a temporary exhibit on the zocalo. The Tenochtitlan ruins and Aztec museum behind the cathedral are well worth the visit. Then take the elevator to the rooftop restaurant in the Majestic Hotel on the Zocalo for lunch or snack or drink and watch the action below. If you're still up for it and have time walk up Madero or Cinco de Mayo to the Alameda for the Bellas Artes and at the far end the museum that houses the Rivera mural "Dream of a Sunday afternoon in Alameda Park".
Lots of other stuff in that area as well...you'll just come upon something of interest walking around! I love Mexico City and visit often.

and this:

Quote:

How many Cervezas can you drink in 8 hours?