Car Rental in Mexico City
Cheapest Car Rental Rates
Most Popular Car Rental Deals
Travel Information
Mayan
Why rent a car in Mexico City?
Mexico City is an incredible destination that's unlike anything else in the world. As one of the largest cities on the planet and the capital of one of Mexico's 32 states, it's an impressive place to explore. Whether you're interested in Aztec artifacts and colonial architecture, or just want to experience the lively cultural scene, there is so much to explore in Mexico City. One of the best parts about visiting is the foodie scene that ranges from classic street food like tacos al pastor to high-end contemporary Mexican cuisine. Plus, Mexico City is a great starting point to explore other gems in Central Mexico. Trust us, you won't regret making the trip!
One-Way Car Rentals in Mexico City
The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Mexico City and drop off in another city include:
- From Mexico City to Cancun - 224 offers from $73.38 per day
- From Mexico City to Puerto Vallarta - 81 offers from $51.11 per day
- From Mexico City to Oaxaca - 58 offers from $40.64 per day
- From Mexico City to Aguascalientes - 76 offers from $35.63 per day
- From Mexico City to Guadalajara - 97 offers from $38.51 per day
Top ways to enter Mexico City
- Mexico City Airport: Also known as Benito Juarez Airport after the Mexican statesman, it handled over 36 million travelers in 2021, making it one of the busiest airports in all of the Americas. In addition to plenty of domestic connections, the airport also offers flights to and from North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Located just 6km (3.7 miles) east of the city center, the airport can be reached in 20-30 minutes, depending on the traffic.
- Toluca Airport: Located an hour from the city center in the southwestern suburb of the same name it’s officially known as Licenciado Adolfo López Mateos International Airport. The much smaller Toluca Airport hosts flights of four different airlines (Volaris, VivaAerobus, Flexjet, Fly Across), offering local connections with places like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Tijuana, and Monterrey and International destinations such as San Francisco. Depending on the traffic, the trip from this airport to the center of Mexico City takes 60 to 90 minutes.
Top destinations and activities
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National Museum of Anthropology. Mexico City is rich with museums — according to some estimates, no other city in the world has as many as the Mexican capital. While many of them would deserve special mention, the National Museum of Anthropology is definitely one of the standouts. It is the largest and most visited museum in Mexico and the majority of its impressive collection is dedicated to the various indigenous cultures of Mexico — not just the Mayans, Aztecs, and Olmecs, but also some lesser-known ones. In addition to stunning historical artifacts, there are also more recent exhibitions about rural life in modern-day Mexico.
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Frida Kahlo Museum. Also known as the Casa Azul or "Blue House," is a must-visit destination for art and history lovers in Mexico City. Located in the bohemian neighborhood of Coyoacán, this museum is the former home of Frida Kahlo and her husband, Diego Rivera. Visitors can explore the house and gardens, which are filled with personal items, artwork, and artifacts that offer insight into the life and work of this iconic Mexican artist. The museum is a popular attraction, so it's best to book tickets in advance to avoid long lines.
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Zócalo. The main square of Mexico City, El Zócalo is also the city’s beating heart. Located in the place of the ceremonial center of the Aztec city that preceded it, it is one of the largest public squares in the world. Many of the city’s most important buildings, such as the National Palace and the Mexico City Cathedral, are located on it.
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Coyoacán. A large neighborhood inhabited for many centuries (its name means ‘the place of coyotes’ in the native Nahuatl language), Coyoacán is nowadays one of the best places to enjoy Mexico City’s colonial architecture. Famous examples include San Juan Bautista Church and La Conchita Church.
Traffic and parking
If you're planning a trip to Mexico City, it's important to be aware of the city's notorious traffic congestion. As one of the most clogged cities in the world, you're likely to spend a lot of time in traffic, especially during rush hour (hora pico) which occurs from roughly 6 am to 9 am and 6 pm to 9 pm each day. When it comes to parking, you have a couple of options - you can either use individual meters (Parquímetro monoespacio) where available or ticket machines (Parquímetro multiespacio) on the street. Keep in mind that individual meters require continuous credit as long as the car is parked, and they only accept coins. It's always a good idea to plan ahead and give yourself extra time to navigate the city's traffic and parking situation.
Mexico has a program called Angeles Verdes (Green Angels), which is similar to AAA in the USA. It provides trucks that patrol the tolled highways to assist drivers of broken-down vehicles. The operators of these trucks can fix basic problems or tow your vehicle and will do it for free. You can call the Green Angels toll-free at 01-800-987-8224 or dial 078 in an emergency. Do be sure to keep your receipt from the tolls, as this is funded through the tolls.
Toll roads
Mexico has an extensive system of toll roads due to a government program that started in the 1980s to update the country’s road system. The Mexican toll road system is called Cuota, while the parallel-running free roads are called 'Libre'. Toll booths are located along the highways at the end of sections of the road, therefore, on a long ride, you can pass through multiple toll booths.
While credit cards used to be accepted, drivers can now only pay with either cash or an electronic tag placed on the car’s windshield. The electronic tags may be available from your rental car provider but usually comes with a fee. However, the fee is usually just a one-time fee for the tag, not a daily fee as in other places like many places in the United States. ATMs are few and far between along the highways, so be sure to keep plenty of cash to pay for the tolls.
As of May 2023, the toll costs range from MX$ 25 to 150 MX$ (approximately US$ 2.50-15) for passenger cars. Compared to other countries, Mexico’s tolls can seem rather expensive.
It is possible, however, to avoid most toll roads as Libre (or free) roads usually go alongside them, though they are much slower to travel on due to going through many villages along the way. This may make for more scenic travel on short trips but would certainly hinder progress on any long trips.
Ideas for day trips
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Teotihuacan. Also known as the City of the Gods, Teotihuacan was the largest settlement in the pre-Columbian Americas and is now a major archeological site. The main attractions are the giant Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, as well as the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, but many of the smaller structures and places of worship are just as fascinating. Located some 50km (31 miles) northeast of the city center, Teotihuacan can be reached in about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
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Desierto de los Leones. As fascinating as Mexico City is, its constant energy, colors, and smells can sometimes leave a traveler feeling overwhelmed. Luckily, a green escape is just a short ride away in the form of the Desert of the Lions National Park. Do not be confused by its name — it notes a wild, deserted place rather than eternal sand, and the area is characterized by highland forests, streams, and waterfalls. A great place for hiking, the national park is home to wildlife species like the ringtail (sometimes called a cat, but actually a relative of raccoons), white-tailed deer, and sparrowhawk, as well as some well-preserved architecture. The park is about an hour’s drive southwest of the city center.
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Puebla. One of the largest cities in Mexico, Puebla is mainly known for its beautiful colonial buildings. The city’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, boasts such gems as the forts of Loreto and Guadalupe, Puebla Cathedral, and the Chapel of the Virgin of Rosario. Meanwhile, the surrounding state of the same name has highland lakes, volcanoes, and ancient sites for a curious traveler to explore. The trip from Mexico City takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes, so while it’s possible to visit Puebla on a day trip, spare two or three days if you can.
Most popular cars
The most popular rental car in Mexico City is the Chevrolet Spark, although many travelers also go for the smaller Chevrolet Spark 3d, as well as the Chevrolet Aveo and Nissan March. The most popular rental car types are economy, compact, and mini.
Car Rental Prices in Mexico City
- Large cars - from $38 per day
- Medium cars - from $34 per day
- Vans - from $117 per day
- Premium cars - from $46 per day
- Small cars - from $29 per day
- SUVs - from $46 per day
Money-saving tips
These are some good ways to save money on your rental car:
- Compare the rates of different rental car providers
- Book your rental car well in advance
- Plan your route before you go
- Know your fuel and mileage requirements
- Consider a smaller car: Opting for a smaller, more fuel-efficient car can save you money on rental costs and gas.
- Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Mexico City is the cheapest in March when renting a car is about 45% cheaper than the yearly average.
Top 20 Cities near Mexico City
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Puebla Car Rentals from $45.76 per day79.6 km / 49.5 miles away
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Queretaro Car Rentals from $27.02 per day175.9 km / 109.3 miles away
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Morelia Car Rentals from $36.68 per day209.9 km / 130.4 miles away
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Veracruz Car Rentals from $45.76 per day304.6 km / 189.3 miles away
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Leon Car Rentals from $15.66 per day305.2 km / 189.6 miles away
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Acapulco Car Rentals from $45.76 per day306.1 km / 190.2 miles away
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Ixtapa Car Rentals from $44.86 per day324.0 km / 201.3 miles away
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Tampico Car Rentals from $39.11 per day341.3 km / 212.1 miles away
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San Luis Potosi Car Rentals from $36.97 per day368.5 km / 229.0 miles away
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Aguascalientes Car Rentals from $39.41 per day421.3 km / 261.8 miles away
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Puerto escondido Car Rentals from $25.07 per day448.1 km / 278.4 miles away
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Guadalajara Car Rentals from $17.49 per day458.9 km / 285.1 miles away
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Colima Car Rentals from $45.76 per day472.9 km / 293.8 miles away
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Huatulco Car Rentals from $47.60 per day504.3 km / 313.4 miles away
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Zacatecas Car Rentals from $36.68 per day537.1 km / 333.7 miles away
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Manzanillo Car Rentals from $36.09 per day576.9 km / 358.5 miles away
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Puerto Vallarta Car Rentals from $26.12 per day660.1 km / 410.2 miles away
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Monterrey Car Rentals from $24.62 per day713.1 km / 443.1 miles away
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Tuxtla Gutiérrez Car Rentals from $33.44 per day715.5 km / 444.6 miles away
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Durango Car Rentals from $39.71 per day768.1 km / 477.3 miles away
Top 20 Locations near Mexico City
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Benito Juarez International Airport Car Rentals from $29.07 per day
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Mexico Penon de los Banos Car Rentals from $37.04 per day1.6 km / 1.0 miles away
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Felipe Angeles International Airport(NLU) Car Rentals from $38.55 per day35.7 km / 22.2 miles away
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Puebla International Airport Car Rentals from $45.76 per day79.6 km / 49.5 miles away
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Queretaro Airport Car Rentals from $27.02 per day175.9 km / 109.3 miles away
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Veracruz Airport Car Rentals from $45.76 per day304.6 km / 189.3 miles away
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Acapulco Airport Car Rentals from $45.76 per day306.1 km / 190.2 miles away
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Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport Car Rentals from $44.86 per day324.0 km / 201.3 miles away
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San Luis Potosi International Airport Car Rentals from $45.76 per day368.5 km / 229.0 miles away
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Aguascalientes Airport Car Rentals from $39.41 per day421.3 km / 261.8 miles away
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Puerto Escondido Airport Car Rentals from $25.07 per day448.1 km / 278.4 miles away
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Guadalajara Int. Airport Car Rentals from $17.49 per day458.9 km / 285.1 miles away
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Colima Airport Car Rentals from $45.76 per day472.9 km / 293.8 miles away
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Bahias de Huatulco International Airport Car Rentals from $47.60 per day504.3 km / 313.4 miles away
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Zacatecas International Airport Car Rentals from $36.68 per day537.1 km / 333.7 miles away
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Manzanillo Airport Car Rentals from $36.09 per day576.9 km / 358.5 miles away
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Puerto Vallarta Airport Car Rentals from $26.12 per day660.1 km / 410.2 miles away
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Monterrey Airport Car Rentals from $24.62 per day713.1 km / 443.1 miles away
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General Guadalupe Victoria International Airport Car Rentals from $39.71 per day768.1 km / 477.3 miles away
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Merida Airport Car Rentals from $30.22 per day995.9 km / 618.8 miles away
Map of Car Rental Locations
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Mexico City?
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
What’s the usual rental length in Mexico City?
What's the most popular month to rent a car in Mexico City?
Car Rental Information
| Car rental locations | 19 |
| Airport locations | 2 |
| Popular suppliers | MEX RENT A CAR, America Car Rental, SIXT, Economy rent a car, Alamo |
| Popular car categories | Small cars, Large cars, Medium cars, SUVs |
| Lowest price | $29 per day |
| Cheapest supplier | Europcar |
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEX RENT A CAR | Volkswagen Polo | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| MEX RENT A CAR | Volkswagen Vento | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| MEX RENT A CAR | Kia Rio | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| MEX RENT A CAR | Kia Sedona | 4 | 4 | Vans |
| MEX RENT A CAR | Kia Forte | 4 | 3 | Large cars |
| SIXT | Chevrolet Aveo Aut. | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| MEX RENT A CAR | Nissan Versa | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| America Car Rental | Volkswagen Jetta | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| America Car Rental | Volkswagen Teramont | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| SIXT | Chevrolet Aveo | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
Our Customers' Reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.
Car Rental Statistics
Top 16 Suppliers in Mexico City in 2023
