🚕 Guide to Taxis and Ride-Hailing Apps (Uber/Didi) at AICM

🤔 Frequently Asked Questions about Taxis and Apps

🛡️ Which option is safer?

The authorized taxis, paid for at the official kiosks inside the terminal, are universally considered the safest option. By eliminating negotiation and direct payment to the driver, the risk of scams is reduced. However, app-based services like Uber are also very popular and generally safe, as long as they are used with caution.

💰 Is it really much cheaper to use Uber or Didi?

Yes, the difference is considerable. A trip in an Uber or Didi can cost between 50% and 70% less than an authorized airport taxi for the same destination. While an official taxi to the city center can be around MXN 300-350, an Uber could cost MXN 100-150, depending on traffic and demand.

🚶 Is it difficult to find the Uber/Didi pickup point?

Yes, it can be confusing and requires a walk. App drivers cannot pick you up at the arrivals door. You must walk to the main avenues outside the terminal building (Circuito Interior at T1, Av. Fuerza Aérea at T2), which can be uncomfortable with a lot of luggage or at night.

⚠️ I've heard that taxi drivers sometimes try to overcharge. How do I avoid it?

With authorized taxis, the method is foolproof: pay exclusively at the official kiosk inside the terminal and give the ticket to the driver. Never pay extra money to the driver, except for a voluntary tip. With regular street taxis, there have been reports where they try to renegotiate the fare mid-trip. The best defense is clarity and firmness from the beginning.

📖 Traveler's Guide: Critical Points of Transportation

🚫 The Risk of Unofficial "Taxis"

Upon exiting to the public area, it is very likely that several people will approach you offering "taxi, taxi."  Never accept these services. These are unregulated transports that often result in scams, exorbitant charges, or, in the worst cases, security situations. Your strategy: completely ignore these people and go only to the kiosks of the authorized taxi companies or open your trusted app.

⏳ The Long Wait for an Authorized Taxi

Although safe, official taxis often suffer from a major disadvantage: a lack of units. It is not uncommon that after paying for your ticket, you have to wait in line for 20 to 40 minutes for a vehicle from the company you chose to arrive. Your strategy: before paying at a kiosk, take a look at the boarding area and see how fluid the line of the company you plan to use is. If you see a lot of people waiting, consider another company or an app.

💸 The "Zone Change" or "Incorrect Fare" Scam

Some street taxi drivers (not the prepaid ones from the airport) may try a common tactic: halfway through the trip, they pretend to call their "base" and tell you that the fare they gave you was incorrect or that your destination is in a "more expensive zone," demanding more money under the threat of leaving you there. Your strategy: if you use a street taxi outside the airport, always agree on the final price before getting in. If they try this tactic, stay calm, refuse to pay more than agreed, and ask them to take you to your destination as agreed or to a public and safe place to get out.