With vibrant public spaces, an exploding culinary scene, and a thriving culture of creativity, Mexico City needs to be the next destination on your bucket list. Walking through the city, you'll stumble across incredible street art, mouth-watering street food, and speakeasy bars tucked down alleyways. If you love art, then you'll never have a dull moment, as Mexico City has more museums than any capital city in the world – with over 150 to choose from! It's also the perfect place to dive deep into ancient history, with three world-class Mesoamerican, Toltec, and Aztec ruins within a few hours of the city. It's no surprise that Mexico City is quickly becoming one of the world's most popular destinations!
Airlines flying to Mexico City
It's a long flight to Mexico City from Australia, but relatively straightforward. Flights departing Perth and Adelaide will require two stopovers, while flights from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, only stop once, generally in Los Angeles. Virgin and Qantas both offer competitive airfares, followed closely by American-owned airlines, Delta and United. Fly to Mexico City with the following airlines.-
- Delta Air via Los Angeles - Departing Sydney
- Air New Zealand via Aukland and Houston - Departing Perth, Adelaide, and Melbourne
- Qantas via Dallas or Los Angeles - Departing Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane
- United Airlines via Los Angeles and Houston - Departing Melbourne and Sydney
- Air Canada via Vancouver - Departing Melbourne and Brisbane
- American Airways via Los Angeles - Departing Sydney
Getting to and from the airport
Mexico City Benito Juarez airport is conveniently located only 5km from downtown. There are three main transfer options available.
Taxi. Taking a taxi is the fastest and easiest way to reach downtown Mexico City. Fares are about $11AUD, and the trip should take about 20 minutes.
Bus. Catching the Metrobus is an affordable and convenient way to get downtown. The trip takes around 30 minutes, and tickets are approximately $2AUD. The service runs from 4.30 am to midnight, seven days a week.
Metro. Catching the subway is the cheapest transfer option, but it's also the longest and the most difficult to navigate with luggage. While tickets are only about $0.40AUD, the journey will take approximately 50 minutes.
Getting to Mexico City
The fastest and easiest way to get around Mexico City is with the metro network. With 195 stations on 12 lines, the Metro will be able to get you to your desired destination. Tickets are very cheap, about $0.40AUD a ride. Trains arrive every two or three minutes, so you won't have to worry about decoding a timetable. The trains operate from 5 am to midnight. If you need a ride after midnight, Uber is a safe and reliable option.
What to do in Mexico City
Zocalo. The Zocalo is the symbolic heart of Mexico. The city's central square holds not only the government buildings but also two symbols of Mexico's duel heritage. The Templo Mayor, an important Aztec temple which was unearthed in the early 1980s, and the Spanish Metropolitan Cathedral, which was constructed from the stones of the same ancient Aztec temple.
Xochimilco. When the Aztecs built Mexico city, it was built on a lake that was connected via canals. Xochimilco is a beautiful natural reserve outside of the city centre. You can take a cruise along the canals in a colourful gondola-like boat, and enjoy the festive air with mariachi bands floating by and food vendors operating from boats. It's popular with locals and tourists alike, and you may even see a Mexican wedding party float past!
Chapultepec Castle. Don't miss this beautiful historic castle perched on top of a hill in one of Mexico City's largest parks. The outlook from the top offers a stunning panoramic view of Mexico City. Keep your eye out for the adorable squirrels in the park, too!
Casa Azul. Casa Azul is the childhood home of the famous artist, Frida Kahlo. She later returned to this house where she lived with her husband, and renowned muralist, Diego Rivera, until her death in 1954. Now it serves as a museum dedicated to the Life and Art of Frida Kahlo.
Murals of Diego Rivera. Diego Rivera's murals can be found all around Mexico City. He was part of a movement with the Mexican Government to help educate the masses and instil national identity, through art. The best place to see his art is at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, a historic opera house that now houses a world-class art museum. Here you can see many of his artworks, including his most famous mural "Man at the Crossroads".
Pyramids of Teotihuacan. This UNESCO world heritage site is an easy day trip from Mexico City. Here you can see ancient Mesoamerican pyramids, structures, and temples that date back about 2000 years, to when Teotihuacan was a vibrant city with a population of 200,000 people. The complex is best known for its two massive pyramids, the Pyramid of the Sun (which is the third oldest in the world!) and the Pyramid of the Moon.
What to eat in Mexico City
Modern Mexican cuisine. Forget about beans and rice, Mexico City has so much more to offer. Mexico City is one of the culinary hotspots of the world. Try Amaya for an introduction to modern Mexican cuisine, with dishes full of fresh local produce, served with natural organic wine. If you're feeling adventurous, try Limosneros, a restaurant taking influence from the traditional cuisine of ancient Mexico, including the use of insects! Dishes include ant egg caviar and a cheese-stuffed squash blossom topped with Puebla beetles.
Mezcal. Mezcal is like artisanal tequila. While most people might consider tequila a party liquor, to be consumed in an eyewatering shot, you should appreciate Mezcal like a fine whisky, and slowly savour it. Try Corazon De Maguey for a fantastic selection of Mexican Mezcals.