Flying from Washington DC to Mexico City: what you need to know
You can choose from a range of airports when organising your flight from Washington DC to Mexico City. Check out your options for flying out of Washington DC from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) and Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) are Mexico City's chief entry points.
Book a direct Washington DC to Mexico City flight and you'll be in the air for an average of 5 hours.
Mexico City's timezone is UTC-6, making Mexico City two hours behind Washington DC.
For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to board your Washington DC to Mexico City flight.
During popular months like July, it's best to get to the airport well in advance. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights when you fly during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Mexico City
To find cheap Washington DC to Mexico City flights, book ahead. Airlines usually offer their most competitively priced fares when flights first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Washington DC to Mexico City across each month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your trip dates are flexible.
You don't need to search every day to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know when a better deal is available on cheap flights from Washington DC to Mexico City.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' Washington DC to Mexico City flights.
Flying from Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to take a travel break — and maybe even tour another city. When searching for Washington DC to Mexico City flights leaving from Ronald Reagan National Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
DCA is around 6 kilometres from central Washington DC. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're using public transport, expect the trip time to be around 45 minutes.
Searching for a convenient hotel near Ronald Reagan National Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Washington DC to Mexico City, these stays will put you moments from your check-in counter:
Of the departures from Ronald Reagan National Airport, 76.44% arrive on time at their destination.
DCA's address is 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
You can book a direct flight from Washington DC to Mexico City departing Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Nonstop services from IAD will take you to Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX).
You can book a direct Washington DC to Mexico City plane ticket with Aeromexico. This is one of the main carriers that operates this route out of IAD.
Break up your Washington DC to Mexico City flight with a stop so you can stretch your legs or cross a new place off your list. Some top stopovers between Washington Dulles International Airport and Mexico City are:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
You can reach IAD from central Washington DC in about 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport will take roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to travel the 40 kilometres or so.
Start your holiday sooner with an additional night away from home. Before catching your flight from Washington DC to Mexico City, kick back in one of these hotels near Washington Dulles International Airport:
74% of flights taking off from Washington Dulles International Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
The address for IAD is 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
You can book a ticket from Washington DC to Mexico City with a stop or two leaving from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Here are some of the most popular stopovers between BWI and Mexico City:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
From the centre of Washington DC, BWI is around 40 kilometres away. It'll take you roughly 50 minutes to get to the airport by car and 1 hour 30 minutes or so if you use public transport.
Take the 'what ifs' out of departure day — stay close to Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport and know you'll reach your boarding gate with time to spare. Check in to one of these hotels the day before if you have an early Washington DC to Mexico City flight:
The on-time performance rating of BWI is 77.13%. In simpler terms, that's how frequently flights that depart this airport arrive at their final stop as planned.
Arriving in Mexico City
Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX)
The distance from Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) to central Mexico City is roughly 6 kilometres. It takes around 25 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Getting to the centre by public transport will take you roughly 55 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Washington DC to Mexico City, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these accommodation options near MEX:
Travel at your own speed with a Benito Juarez International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from INFINITY RENT, MEX or America and find adventure across Mexico City and beyond.
To secure the lowest price, book your vehicle from Benito Juarez International Airport about four weeks in advance of your Washington DC to Mexico City flight.
Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU)
As soon as your flight from Washington DC to Mexico City has landed, you can make your way to the city centre in about 55 minutes by car. Central Mexico City is roughly 32 kilometres from Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU).
The journey will take approximately 1 hour 45 minutes on public transport.
Unpack your bag and relax not long after your flight from Washington DC to Mexico City at Holiday Inn & Suites Mexico Felipe Angeles Airport. This comfy accommodation option is a quick drive from NLU.
Europcar, MEX and Keddy By Europcar make collecting a Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport rental car easy and quick. These providers are located in or around the terminal and will have you ready to go in a flash.
Avoid paying extra. Securing your ride one week before your arrival at NLU can help you lock in a better rate.
Best time to go to Mexico City
April is the quietest month for flights from Washington DC to Mexico City, while July is the most popular. Find the best time to go to Mexico City based on whether you prefer a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Book a Washington DC to Mexico City ticket departing in April if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Mexico City to range from 10ºC to 28ºC.
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Washington DC to Mexico City in January when temperatures average between 6ºC and 23ºC.
More about Mexico City
Start your Mexico City trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Washington DC to Mexico City, browse our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Zocalo, Chapultepec Park and National Museum of Anthropology are popular attractions which should feature on any good Mexico City itinerary.
Explore more of Mexico
Ecatepec de Morelos is just one of the many places in Mexico waiting to be explored once you've seen Mexico City. Around 21 kilometres to the north-east, its top attractions include Grupo Scout 360 Aztlan, mirador del Valle Park and Kinder casanueva.
Guadalajara is another standout destination in Mexico and is around 467 kilometres west of Mexico City. No trip is complete without a visit to Guadalajara Cathedral, Teatro Degollado and Portales Tlaquepaque Park.