🚗 Car Rental Guide at Mexico City Airport (AICM)

🔍 Compare and Book Your Vehicle

Use a comparator to get an idea of the base prices, but remember to apply the tips from this guide before finalizing your decision.

Car rental agencies are located in the national and international arrivals corridor of Terminal 1 and in the international arrivals area of Terminal 2, near the banking area.

🏢 Analysis of Rental Agencies

🗣️ User Experience:

The experience of renting a car at AICM is a minefield. Low online prices are almost always a mirage that vanishes at the counter, where forced insurance sales and pressure tactics are the norm. No company comes out unscathed from criticism, but some show patterns of more serious problems than others. Below is a summary based on the analysis of hundreds of recent experiences.

Alamo (Tel +52 800 849 8001 - 24 hours)

✅ Pros:

• Isolated Positive Experiences: Some users report a quick and trouble-free process, receiving new and well-maintained vehicles.
• Flexibility in Return: The possibility of returning the vehicle at other branches in the city is valued.

❌ Cons:

• Aggressive Insurance Tactics: This is one of the most common complaints. They reject third-party insurance and push to sell their own at very high prices.
• Lack of Availability: Reports of arriving with a confirmed reservation and being told that there are no cars available.
• Poor Customer Service: The staff can be rude and unhelpful when problems arise.

Avis (Tel +52 555 762 3262 - 24 hours)

✅ Pros:

• When the process works, it can be relatively simple and uncomplicated.

❌ Cons:

• Vehicles in Poor Condition: Serious complaints about the delivery of cars with safety problems, such as completely worn-out tires.
• Poor Problem Resolution: If the vehicle fails, the company is reluctant to offer a suitable replacement or a refund.
• Excessive Charges for Minor Damages: Tendency to charge disproportionate amounts for small scratches or wear.
• Forced Insurance Sales: The tactic of pressuring to buy their insurance, claiming it is a "refundable deposit" that later turns out to be a charge, is a recurring complaint.

Budget (Tel +52 555 784 3011 - 24 hours)

✅ Pros:

• Its fleet of vehicles tends to be new, with models from recent years (2025-2026).

❌ Cons:

• Reservations Not Honored: One of the most cited problems. It is common to arrive and they do not have the vehicle you reserved, or any at all.
• Misleading Sales Tactics: The price at the counter can be up to three times higher than the reservation due to "mandatory" insurance.
• Non-existent Customer Service: The staff at the counter is often unavailable, and they do not answer the phones, leaving customers stranded.
• Questionable Damage Charges: Reports of being accused of damage without clear evidence.

Europcar (Tel +52 55 1560 1773 - 24 hours)

✅ Pros:

• Helpful Staff: Some employees, such as Guadalupe López or Casandra, are mentioned for their excellent attention and ability to solve problems.
• Agile Process: When there are no hitches, the pickup and drop-off process can be fast and efficient.
• Good Value for Money (sometimes): They offer good value if the insurance sales tactics are avoided.

❌ Cons:

• Rejection of Credit Card Insurance: Famous for refusing to accept external insurance, forcing the purchase of their own with complex excuses.
• Fleet Problems: Mechanical failures on the road have been reported and the company has shown little willingness to help, even asking the customer to buy the parts.
• Difficulties with Refunds: The refund processes for cancellations or deposits are slow and complicated.

Hertz (and its associates Dollar/Thrifty) (Tel +52 800 709 5000 - 24 hours)

✅ Pros:

• Fast Process (sometimes): Some users have had fast and efficient pickup and drop-off experiences.
• Friendly Staff: Cases of attentive and helpful employees are mentioned.

❌ Cons:

• Misleading Prices: Online reservations are not honored, and the final price at the counter is much higher.
• Vehicles in Poor Condition (Dollar/Thrifty): Old, neglected, and poorly maintained cars are reported.
• Fraudulent Damage Charges (Dollar/Thrifty): Accusations of inventing damage, such as "cracks in the tire," to charge the deposit.
• Prepaid Reservations Not Honored (Thrifty): Cases of arriving with a paid reservation and no vehicles being available.

Mex Rent a Car (Tel +52 33 4624 2114 - 24 hours)

✅ Pros:

• When it works, the experience can be positive with vehicles in good condition.

❌ Cons:

• Disrespectful Customer Service: Multiple complaints about rude staff, who imply that the customer might steal the car and create unnecessary obstacles.
• Reservations Not Available: Recurring problem of not having the reserved car, affecting travel plans.
• Excuses to Not Rent: The use of pretexts, such as "fake" licenses or lack of proof of address, to deny service and not refund is reported.
• Dirty or Damaged Cars: Despite having a decent fleet, they often deliver dirty or previously damaged vehicles.

National (Tel +52 55 5786 9026 - 24 hours)

✅ Pros:

• Generally Good Customer Service: Several users highlight the friendly and professional attention of the advisors.
• Transparency: Reports of an experience with no hidden charges or unexpected problems.
• Modern and Clean Fleet: They usually deliver vehicles in excellent condition.

❌ Cons:

• Poor Internal Communication: There can be a lack of coordination between the airport counter staff and the vehicle delivery office staff.
• Slow Process: Despite the good service, the process can be slow.

Sixt (Tel +52 55 1560 0895 - 24 hours)

✅ Pros:

• Transparent Process (sometimes): Some users value that the reservation price was respected and there was no pressure to buy additional insurance.
• Professional Staff: Mentions of employees who clearly explain the terms and conditions.

❌ Cons:

• Closed Offices: Serious complaints about arriving at the reservation time and finding the office closed, with no one answering the phone.
• Arbitrary Rules to Deny Service: They invoke unwritten rules (such as a passport less than 1 year old) to cancel reservations and not refund the money.
• Dirty or Damaged Vehicles: Although mechanically functional, they often deliver cars with noticeable aesthetic damage and lack of cleanliness.