adventureseeker

We'll arrive in mid-October in Mexico City at noon for a 3 hr 20 min. layover.

We have a 7 yr old son and would like to check out the city during our layover. Is this recommended?

We'd love to check out art/museums/history about Frida Kahlo or Diego Rivera or some great architecture/history near the airport.

I haven't yet researched the lay of the land or location/logistics of airport.

Any tips/suggestions?

Stewbear

Lo Siento but that's not nearly enough time to do/see anything let alone a Museum. No Great Architecture near the Aeroport that I am aware of either. Keep in mind you would have to go again through security as well as Security/Immigration (you are not in the country until you do) so just relax, people watch, have a nice sit down lunch, shop. get a shoe shine & enjoy.

mmb23

I've flown through Mexico City a handful of times, connecting to domestic and international flights (heading to central america). I agree that 3-odd hours is just not enough time to explore. Even if your flight is on time, you'll need to be ready to board an hour ahead of your second flight. And if you're switching to an international flight, you'll need even a bit more time.

Enjoy your trip!

adventureseeker

We're taking a hop over to Zihuatanejo so would we need to be at the gate 1 hr in advance? Our luggage will be checked from LAX.

Would a trip just to Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul in a cab who waits and goes straight back to the airport not be doable under these situations?

Thx for the advice.....

Stewbear

NO! NO WAY! IMPOSSIBLE! Got it? LOL
Seriously unless you really want to sped a night forget it. If you are doing Mexicana they have a number of flights DF to Zihua so check out the possibility of spending a night OR possibly a later same day flight. I would not try what you are suggesting with out at least 5 hours. DF traffic can be incredible. Good chance somebody will be demonstrating something. I have had over 3 hour trips from The Airport to the Zocalo. I also have had it done in 30 minutes, it's just you never know.

Stewbear

PS Do not know where you live but there is a "Frida Kahlo" Exhibit currently at San Fransico's Museum of Modern Art through I believe September. Not sure where it goes next but might be worth checking out.

lisabella

The traffic in DF (Mexico City) is what really makes a trip from the airport a problem. When I visited, I took at cab from the airport and it was nearly an hour trip to my hotel. On my way back to the airport from my hotel, the same trip took only fifteen minutes. As great of an idea as it is, you really don't have the time.

adventureseeker

Okay, so we'll have to stay at the airport.

But....Stewbear, a big Gracias to you for the heads up on the SF Frida Exhibit. I'm planning a trip to SF to see the Chihuly Glass Exhibit at the de Young Museum next month and Frida being there is PERFECT!

suze

Sounds like it's already figured out, but absolutely 3 hrs. 20 mins. is not enough time to leave the airport... If you plan to make your connecting flight.

Dude

You could go to the Camino Real attached to the airport for a drink, but that's about it. No time.

Inani

I agree with the others who responded. Even getting through security at the airport can be difficult. By the time you clear customs and immigration it will leave you with enough time to visit the facilities and have lunch before you get in line at security.

Seamus

Sounds like you have a unanimous verdict, but let me add my two pesos. Last month it took us well over an hour to get from the airport to our destination (which is not far from the Frida house.) The return trip took only 30 minutes. You just never know. Don't do it unless you are prepared to miss your flight. If it's any consolation, the new international terminal has a food court with several restaurants and Starbucks.

Continental_Drifter

I agree with the others:

STAY PUT!!!

Beware of the multiple gates along a very long stretch of concourse, two of which were both labeled "A1" two (or three?) years ago. One was upstairs and one down.

Further, it's likely they will make announcements in Spanish for gates to move, but not in English. Since I speak Spanish, I heard it, but many other travelers did not. Our gate was changed three times.

If you can avoid checking bags through Mexico City, we highly recommend it. We noted that there were (literally) thousands of bags lined up on the tarmac, none being moved at all over our four hour layover. The tram just kept pulling up and dropping off loads of bags. In the time we were there, none ever left this area in the broiling sun and heat.

Many of those on board did not receive their bags on arrival at their destination.

However, we found it to be an adventure and still laugh about it. It's likely that the concourse has now been renovated.

Enjoy!