Changing planes in Mexico City

I have a great opertunity to take a nearly free vacation on the
Mexican Pacific coast (Cabo). However, none of the airlines that
serve my area fly there from any of their hubs. To get there locally,
I must do a three plane trip, the puddle jumper to a hub (probably
Delta in Atlanta or Continental to Houston-Bush) then on to Mexico
City, and then a code share (really Aero Mexico) to Cabo. and then the
reverse. My alternate deal would be to drive about 2 1/2 hours to
another airport that is served by America West, which goes to Phoenix
and then straight from there to Cabo. Price is about the same, not
considering the 2 1/2 drive and the airport parking.

I really don't speak enough Spanish to know what is going on. I can
sound out things and know stuff like where is the bathroom and like
that. I can make change and understand numbers and letters. That is
about it.

Should I consider trying to clear customs in Mexico City and changing
planes there, or am I just out of my league trying to do that?

Thanks for any responses.

The Mexico City airport is not a big problem. Immigration first, then
pick up bags, then clear customs (random bag check), and turn left when
you leave customs. I think that you will need to recheck your bags in
the domestic terminal, which is a moderate walk (all one building, look
at the map in the article). Spanish should not be required.

Check out my article at the URL below.

http://www.mexconnected.com/mex_/tra...coairport.html

Enjoy your visit to Mexico

Richard


SP Cook wrote:

I have a great opertunity to take a nearly free vacation on the
Mexican Pacific coast (Cabo). However, none of the airlines that
serve my area fly there from any of their hubs. To get there locally,
I must do a three plane trip, the puddle jumper to a hub (probably
Delta in Atlanta or Continental to Houston-Bush) then on to Mexico
City, and then a code share (really Aero Mexico) to Cabo. and then the
reverse. My alternate deal would be to drive about 2 1/2 hours to
another airport that is served by America West, which goes to Phoenix
and then straight from there to Cabo. Price is about the same, not
considering the 2 1/2 drive and the airport parking.

I really don't speak enough Spanish to know what is going on. I can
sound out things and know stuff like where is the bathroom and like
that. I can make change and understand numbers and letters. That is
about it.

Should I consider trying to clear customs in Mexico City and changing
planes there, or am I just out of my league trying to do that?

Thanks for any responses.

" The Mexico City airport is not a big problem. Immigration first, then
pick up bags, then clear customs (random bag check), and turn left when
you leave customs. I think that you will need to recheck your bags in
the domestic terminal, which is a moderate walk (all one building, look
at the map in the article). Spanish should not be required.


Ditto what Richard said. I flew into Mexico City Airport by myself last
Thanksgiving and cleared customs with no problem at all, despite my limited
Spanish. Going back through Mexico City on a return date that differed from
my original itenerary was no problem either. I found most people spoke
enough English for me to get by.

The Terran carbon-based unit designating itself as (SP
Cook) shared its ideas in rec.travel.latin-america on Mon, 22 Sep 2003
00:57:06 GMT:

I have a great opertunity to take a nearly free vacation on the
Mexican Pacific coast (Cabo). However, none of the airlines that
serve my area fly there from any of their hubs. To get there locally,
I must do a three plane trip, the puddle jumper to a hub (probably
Delta in Atlanta or Continental to Houston-Bush) then on to Mexico
City, and then a code share (really Aero Mexico) to Cabo. and then the
reverse. My alternate deal would be to drive about 2 1/2 hours to
another airport that is served by America West, which goes to Phoenix
and then straight from there to Cabo. Price is about the same, not
considering the 2 1/2 drive and the airport parking.

You don't say where you are starting from, but I know Continental
has non-stops from Houston-Bush to San Jose del Cabo. If you can get to
Houston, that sounds like your best bet to me. Of course if I knew
where you were starting from, I might be able to come up with even
better suggestions.

Other airlines that offer non-stop service from the United States
to San Jose del Cabo a American from Dallas-Fort Worth; America West
from Phoenix; Alaska and AeroMexico from San Diego; Alaska, Mexicana and
AeroCalifornia from Los Angeles. You should be able to get to any of
these airports fairly easily from just about anywhere, so just figure
out what works best for you, if you're at all nervous about going
through Mexico City. Good luck, and have a great time!

--Douglas

SP Cook wrote:
I really don't speak enough Spanish to know what is going on. I can
sound out things and know stuff like where is the bathroom and like
that. I can make change and understand numbers and letters. That is
about it.

In the Mexico City airport there will be no shortage of people who speak
English. But all you have to do is follow the signs to your departure gate.
You can stumble through the rest.

miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Site remodeled 10-Sept-2003: Hundreds of new photos, easier navigation.

Just drive the two and a half hours, and fly direct. You're bound
to waste more time than that, screwing around with changing flights in
Mexico City.....
Don

DO THE 2.5 hour drive. You have no idea how lost you can get in mex city,
crime, and if there is ANY type of demonstration you could get stuck in a
city thats VERY unlocal. Even driving and signage is the worse you can
imagine.
I live 1 hour from there.. thank goodnes..

"Douglas S. Ladden" escribió en el mensaje
4.17...
The Terran carbon-based unit designating itself as (SP
Cook) shared its ideas in rec.travel.latin-america on Mon, 22 Sep 2003
00:57:06 GMT:

I have a great opertunity to take a nearly free vacation on the
Mexican Pacific coast (Cabo). However, none of the airlines that
serve my area fly there from any of their hubs. To get there locally,
I must do a three plane trip, the puddle jumper to a hub (probably
Delta in Atlanta or Continental to Houston-Bush) then on to Mexico
City, and then a code share (really Aero Mexico) to Cabo. and then the
reverse. My alternate deal would be to drive about 2 1/2 hours to
another airport that is served by America West, which goes to Phoenix
and then straight from there to Cabo. Price is about the same, not
considering the 2 1/2 drive and the airport parking.

You don't say where you are starting from, but I know Continental
has non-stops from Houston-Bush to San Jose del Cabo. If you can get to
Houston, that sounds like your best bet to me. Of course if I knew
where you were starting from, I might be able to come up with even
better suggestions.

Other airlines that offer non-stop service from the United States
to San Jose del Cabo a American from Dallas-Fort Worth; America West
from Phoenix; Alaska and AeroMexico from San Diego; Alaska, Mexicana and
AeroCalifornia from Los Angeles. You should be able to get to any of
these airports fairly easily from just about anywhere, so just figure
out what works best for you, if you're at all nervous about going
through Mexico City. Good luck, and have a great time!

--Douglas

PF wrote:
DO THE 2.5 hour drive. You have no idea how lost you can get in mex city,
crime, and if there is ANY type of demonstration you could get stuck in a
city thats VERY unlocal. Even driving and signage is the worse you can
imagine.

There is very little driving involved in changing planes at MEX.

miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Site remodeled 10-Sept-2003: Hundreds of new photos, easier navigation.