How to find cheap flights to Mexico
Lock in a better price on a flight to Mexico by taking off from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo, often the most budget-friendly departure option.
Consider flying into Mexico City Juarez International to get even more value from your fare.
The cheapest time to visit Mexico is generally November.
The best price for a one-way flight is R 9,742. A round-trip ticket starts from R 11,555.
Willing to land in any city if it means you'll save? Compare the cheapest places to fly into by adding your departure airport, then entering 'Mexico' in the 'To' field.
If you know where you're headed, select 'Add nearby airports' at the start of your search. This will display flight prices for all nearby arrival airports and could land you big savings.
Stay on top of fare changes with Price Alerts delivered right to your app or inbox. Simply sign up for these automatic notifications and never miss out on a deal again.
The sooner you book, the better. You could walk away with some impressive early bird discounts.
The best time to go to Mexico
To find the month with the cheapest flights, use the 'Whole month' tool. If you're flexible with your dates, search for the green prices on the calendar — they show you the lowest fares available.
September is the most popular month to travel. Go then if you're chasing peak season vibes, but maybe look elsewhere if you're hoping for a deal.
Travel in November if you want to avoid the crowds. This is the quietest time of year and also when plane tickets to Mexico are generally less expensive.
Consider how you like to travel and let the weather be your guide. May is one of the warmest months in Mexico, with average highs of 27ºC (81ºF).
Plan your trip for sometime around January if you prefer to be there when it's cooler. The average lows then are 5ºC (41ºF).
July is usually the rainiest month, while February is the driest.
When deciding on your dates, also take into account hurricane season and periods of extreme heat. Weather risks can vary by region, so check what applies to the places you're visiting.
Getting to Mexico
When you're ready to book flights to Mexico, there are plenty of arrival airports to choose from. The busiest include:
Mexico City Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) in Mexico City
Cancun International Airport (CUN) in Cancun
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Guadalajara Intl Airport (GDL) in Guadalajara
Here's a snapshot of the airlines flying into this destination most often, along with approximate monthly flight totals:
American Airlines — 3,000
Aeromexico — 2,600
United — 2,400
Major international hubs including Dallas, Houston and Chicago are common stopovers on flights to Mexico. Your connection (if any) will depend on your airline and departure city, which you can check while you're searching.
Places to visit in Mexico
Mexico City
If you only had time for one place, this city in State of Mexico would be a strong contender. With a population of roughly 12 million, it packs in more highlights than you can cover in one visit.
Find time for well-known stops like Zócalo, Historic Centre (Centro Historico) and Palacio Nacional, among other landmarks.
You'll find plenty of flight deals to Mexico touching down at Mexico City's main airport, Mexico City Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX). Mexico City Felipe Angeles International Airport (NLU) gives you more flights to compare.
Looking for a place to rest your head? Check out the lineup of hotels in Mexico City.
Cancun
This Quintana Roo city of around 630,000 has a personality all its own.
The biggest highlights include chichen itzá Park, Playa Delfines and Parque Nacional Isla Contoy.
Cancun International Airport (CUN) is the main airport serving the city.
After your plane ticket is locked in, you can begin searching for the right stay among the hotels in Cancun.
Guadalajara
Located in Jalisco and with a population of about 1.5 million, this city also ranks as one of the most interesting places to visit in Mexico.
Leading sights to squeeze in while you're here include Guadalajara Cathedral, Temple of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Mural Gigante FRIDA KHALO.
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Guadalajara Intl Airport (GDL) is the city's main airport, with routes connecting it to popular destinations across the region and beyond.
Pick up a deal on where you'll stay by exploring the list of hotels in Guadalajara.
Good to know
Make sure you know the entry rules well before departure day. Rules can vary depending on your passport, length of stay and reason for travel. Always check with official sources like your airline, the local embassy or your travel agent.
You'll be using the Mexican peso (MXN) for day-to-day purchases.
ATMs (automatic teller machines) are common across cities big and small, so finding one is unlikely to be an issue.
Tipping is expected in Mexico. Most people base the tip on the service level, and adding one is just part of everyday etiquette here.
Anticipate moderate Wi-Fi coverage during your trip. You'll be able to connect in many hotels, but access becomes less dependable beyond main areas.
The population of Mexico is estimated at about 130 million. Mexico City is the capital.
There's more than one standard time zone across this destination, running from UTC-8 through to UTC-5.
Mexico is part of the Northern America subregion of the Americas.
Hoping to time your flight to Mexico with something big? Headline events worth planning around include the Day of the Dead, Independence Day and Carnival celebrations.
Complete your trip with hotels and a car hire
Booked that cheap ticket to Mexico? Now decide where you'll rest your head and how you'll get around. Explore the range of hotels in Mexico and filter your search by location, price range and more. You can also browse car hire options in Mexico and choose from pickup locations in cities or at airports.
