Money at Benito Juárez International (MEX)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Mexico City, Mexico.
Mexico City uses the MXN ($). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly $250–$400 MXN. Card at authorized booths; cash otherwise. Refuse USD pricing.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at Benito Juárez International (MEX)?
Mexico uses the MXN ($). Airport ATMs dispense MXN directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from MEX to the city cost?
Expected fare on the MEX → Roma / Condesa route is roughly $250–$400 MXN. Around $450–$700 MXN is already high, and $800+ MXN is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at MEX?
10% is appreciated. Drivers in Mexico don't rely on tips the way US drivers do; inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at MEX?
Card at authorized booths; cash otherwise. Refuse USD pricing. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of MXN notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at MEX?
Only if you need $10–20 of MXN to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
Every transport option ranked, fare tiers, first-30-minute checklist and reported scams.