Travelling from Mexico City to Los Angeles: what you need to know
Mexico City is home to two main airports that could be the jumping-off point for your adventure. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Mexico City to Los Angeles departing from Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) or Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU).
Step off your plane in Los Angeles at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
Hop on a direct Mexico City to Los Angeles flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 4 hours 15 minutes.
Los Angeles's timezone is UTC-7, which makes Los Angeles one hour behind Mexico City.
Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the most traveled route that connects these two cities. There are 54 flights a week to choose from. If you prefer a later start to the day, the last flight from Mexico City to Los Angeles is with Volaris at 20:15. Opt for the first MEX to LAX departure with Aeromexico at 06:35 to maximise your time in Los Angeles.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your Mexico City to Los Angeles flight.
Be prepared for longer queues during popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Mexico City to Los Angeles
Book three months before you travel. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap Mexico City to Los Angeles flights.
The best month for landing cheap plane tickets from Mexico City to Los Angeles is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then select the dates with the lowest fares.
Finding a cheap flight from Mexico City to Los Angeles is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as there's a better deal.
Save on your Mexico City to Los Angeles flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Mexico City
Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX)
Depart from Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) on a nonstop flight from Mexico City to Los Angeles. From MEX, you can fly directly to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
These are some of the popular carriers offering direct Mexico City to Los Angeles plane tickets out of MEX:
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and perhaps even tour another city. When searching for Mexico City to Los Angeles flights leaving from Benito Juarez International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport (GDL)
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX)
Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR)
MEX is around 6 kilometres from central Mexico City. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the trip time to be around 55 minutes.
After an easy start to your journey? Stay near Benito Juarez International Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Mexico City to Los Angeles or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are perfect:
80.91% of flights leaving Benito Juarez International Airport arrive at their destination on time. With its strong performance rating, you're unlikely to be delayed when taking off from MEX.
Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU)
Get more out of your holiday with a stopover on your Mexico City to Los Angeles flight. Visit friends or family or tick a new city off your list. Whatever you'd like to do, check out these options between Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport and Los Angeles:
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport (GDL)
Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR)
Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)
NLU is around 32 kilometres from central Mexico City. It'll take 55 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
Getting everyone to the airport on time before your flight from {"defaultCase":"Mexico City","accusativeCase":"Mexico City","nominativeCase":"Mexico City","dativeCase":"Mexico City"} to Los Angeles is so much simpler when you stay near Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport. Think about checking in to Verticca Hotel the night before flying out.
67.58% of all departures from Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles takes about 30 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 19 kilometres away.
It typically takes 55 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
Consider booking a hotel near LAX if you're coming in on a late flight from Mexico City to Los Angeles. Check in to one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a Los Angeles International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz to explore Los Angeles and beyond.
Lock in the best possible rate by booking your vehicle from Los Angeles International Airport around one week before your travel date.
The street address for LAX is One World Way.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
As soon as your flight from Mexico City to Los Angeles has hit the runway, you can get to the city centre in about 35 minutes by car. Central Los Angeles is roughly 29 kilometres from Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
If you hop on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 1 hour 40 minutes or so.
There are some comfortable places to lay your head close to VNY. Tuck yourself in after your Mexico City to Los Angeles flight at any of these perfectly located options:
No time to waste? The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Van Nuys Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Budget, Dollar or Hertz and be off and running.
Get your ideal vehicle, not just what's left over, by securing your ride from VNY before your arrival. You can also avoid paying more than you need to, especially during busy airport times.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
July is the most popular month for flights from Mexico City to Los Angeles. To steer clear of the crowds, visit Los Angeles in May.
Book a Mexico City to Los Angeles ticket departing in August if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Los Angeles to range from 16ºC (61ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Mexico City to Los Angeles in February when temperatures average between 6ºC (43ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF).
More about Los Angeles
Start your Los Angeles trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Mexico City to Los Angeles, check out our range of accommodation options including:
All great journeys should include a little sightseeing. Griffith Observatory, The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum are must-visits when exploring Los Angeles.
Explore more of United States
You've seen Los Angeles, now it's time to explore other parts of United States. Travel around 177 kilometres south-east to San Diego to check off its popular sights. From San Diego Zoo to USS Midway Museum and SeaWorld San Diego, there's plenty to keep you on the go.
San Jose is another favourite destination in United States and is around 499 kilometres north-west of Los Angeles. No trip is complete without experiencing Winchester Mystery House, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and San Jose Museum of Art.