Travelling from San Jose to Mexico City: what you need to know
San Jose's main base, Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), is where many unforgettable trips begin. Explore the departure options from here when searching for a flight from San Jose to Mexico City.
When it comes to working out where to arrive in Mexico City, Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) and Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) are the chief entry points.
Mexico City's timezone is UTC-6, making Mexico City one hour ahead of San Jose.
To ensure you make it on your San Jose to Mexico City flight, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
Travelling during a popular month such as August? Public holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer lines and delays at check-in and security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Jose to Mexico City
To find cheap San Jose to Mexico City flights, book in advance. Airlines generally offer the most competitive fares when tickets are first released.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from San Jose to Mexico City throughout the entire month. It's a great way to find a bargain if your trip dates are flexible.
There's no need to search every day to see if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you when a better deal comes up on cheap flights from San Jose to Mexico City.
Tailor your trip using filters. Select your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' San Jose to Mexico City flights.
Flying from San Jose
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
We make it a breeze to find a San Jose to Mexico City flight with a stopover. To see all your options leaving from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply pick a flight offering a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Popular stopovers include:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX)
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport) (LAS)
SJC is around 5 kilometres from central San Jose. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 10 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 45 minutes.
Catching an early flight from San Jose to Mexico City? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels near Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport:
84.69% of flights leaving Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport reach their destination as planned. With its solid on-time performance, you're unlikely to be delayed when jetting out of SJC.
SJC is located at 1701 Airport Boulevard, Suite B-1130.
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 about 25 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It typically takes 55 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from San Jose to Mexico City. Book one of these accommodation options near MEX instead:
Explore without limits with a Benito Juarez International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from INFINITY RENT, MEX or America and discover more of Mexico City and beyond.
Lock in the best deal by reserving your ride from Benito Juarez International Airport around four weeks before your trip.
Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU)
Central Mexico City is around 32 kilometres from Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU). Once your flight from San Jose to Mexico City has landed and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should take about 55 minutes.
If you hop on public transport, the ride to the centre takes 1 hour 45 minutes or so.
You'll find some welcoming places to rest your head within a quick drive of NLU. Shift into relaxation gear at Holiday Inn & Suites Mexico Felipe Angeles Airport after your San Jose to Mexico City flight.
The fastest way to reach your destination is with a Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Europcar, MEX or Keddy By Europcar and be on your way in a flash.
Call dibs on the best options. Reserving your ride from NLU one week ahead of time often means better deals and a greater selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Mexico City
April is the quietest month for flights from San Jose to Mexico City, while July is the busiest. Choose the best time to go to Mexico City based on whether you like a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
When booking your San Jose to Mexico City tickets, think about what kind of weather you prefer. April is the warmest month in Mexico City, with temperatures ranging from 10ºC to 28ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between 6ºC and 23ºC. Look for cheap flights from San Jose to Mexico City around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Mexico City
Start your Mexico City trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from San Jose to Mexico City, explore our range of accommodation options including:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. Zocalo, Chapultepec Park and National Museum of Anthropology are must-visits when exploring Mexico City.
Explore more of Mexico
Mexico City has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of Mexico just waiting to be explored. Around 21 kilometres north-east of Mexico City, a visit to Ecatepec de Morelos will keep your itinerary busy. Start with leading attractions like Grupo Scout 360 Aztlan, mirador del Valle Park and Kinder casanueva.
Guadalajara is another sought-after destination in Mexico and is around 467 kilometres west of Mexico City. No journey is complete without visiting Guadalajara Cathedral, Teatro Degollado and Portales Tlaquepaque Park.
