I Landed in Mexico City and Couldn’t Get an Uber. Here’s What Nobody Tells You About AICM in 2026.

 

Last updated: March 22, 2026

If you’re flying into Mexico City right now, you need to be prepared. The AICM (Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México) is simultaneously undergoing its biggest renovation in decades AND dealing with a fresh ban on Uber and Didi inside the terminals. The combination means longer waits, confusing detours, and significantly more walking than you’d expect.

We’ve hosted over 280 guests in Roma Norte and Narvarte. Airport arrival is the #1 thing people message us about before their trip. Here’s the honest, up-to-date guide.

The current situation (March 2026)

Two things happened at the same time:

1. Massive World Cup construction

Mexico is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer. The AICM is racing to finish a $9.2 billion MXN renovation before the tournament starts in June — and they’re nowhere near done.

As of March 2026, the renovation is roughly 40% complete. The airport director has publicly admitted that not all work will be finished before the World Cup. Over 2,000 workers are operating 24 hours a day across both terminals.

What this means for you as a passenger:

• Blocked walkways and rerouted corridors in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2
• Construction barriers, dust, and noise in several areas
• Some boarding gates relocated or temporarily closed
• Baggage claim carousels being replaced (28 of them)
• Elevators and escalators out of service in several sections
• Façade work on Terminal 1 has eliminated the sidewalk between doors 2–6 — you may have to walk on the road with your luggage
• Signage is unreliable because things change week to week

Our advice: arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight. The construction makes everything take longer — security checkpoints, walking to gates, and finding your way through detoured corridors. Don’t cut it close.

2. Uber and Didi banned from picking up inside

On March 11, 2026, licensed taxi drivers blocked both terminals in a protest against ride-hailing apps. The government sided with the taxi drivers. Since March 12, the Guardia Nacional (National Guard) is permanently stationed at the AICM to prevent Uber and Didi from operating inside the airport’s federal zone.

This means:

• Uber and Didi drivers cannot enter the terminal to pick you up
• If a driver is caught picking up passengers inside, they risk losing their plates
• The official airport taxis now have a near-monopoly on arrivals
• Prices for official taxis have surged to $700–1,000 MXN ($35–50 USD) for a ride to Roma Norte — a trip that costs $80–150 MXN on Uber

The ban is not temporary. It was negotiated as a condition to prevent permanent taxi blockades during the World Cup.

How to get from AICM to Roma Norte (or Condesa / Narvarte)

Here are your four realistic options, ranked from cheapest to easiest:

Option 1: Uber or Didi — still works, but you have to walk out

This is what most of our guests do. Uber and Didi are NOT gone — you just can’t get picked up inside the terminal anymore. You need to walk outside the airport’s federal zone to a designated pickup area.

From Terminal 1:

1. Exit the terminal through any door
2. Walk toward Circuito Interior (Boulevard Puerto Aéreo)
3. Head toward Metro Terminal Aérea station (Línea 5)
4. The pickup zone is approximately 800–900 meters from the nearest terminal door
5. Open Uber or Didi and request your ride from there
6. Enter your terminal number and door in the app notes

From Terminal 2:

1. Exit through Puerta 1 (Door 1)
2. Walk to Eje 1 Norte / Avenida Fuerza Aérea Mexicana
3. The pickup bay is approximately 500 meters from the door — though some sources say up to 1,200 meters depending on which door you exit
4. Request your ride from there

Cost to Roma Norte: $80–150 MXN ($4–8 USD)
Total time: 25–40 minutes (including the walk)

The reality check: You’ll be walking 500–900 meters with your luggage, potentially at night, past construction zones. The walk is on public roads and generally safe, but it’s not the smooth arrival experience you might expect. If you’re arriving at 2 AM with heavy bags after a 10-hour flight, think about whether the $600+ savings is worth it.

Pro tips:

• Install Uber AND Didi before you fly — have both as backup
• Download CDMX offline maps in Google Maps (airport Wi-Fi is unreliable)
• Get a Mexican eSIM before you land (Airalo or Holafly) so you have data immediately
• Request UberX or Didi Express for the best price
• Surge pricing hits hard between 6–9 PM and Sunday evenings

Option 2: Official airport taxi — expensive but zero hassle

Licensed taxi booths are inside both terminals. You buy a ticket at the counter, tell them your destination, and walk to the taxi stand.

Cost to Roma Norte: $700–1,000 MXN ($35–50 USD)
Total time: 15–25 minutes

Yes, you’re paying 5–10x more than Uber for the exact same 10 km trip. That price difference is exactly why the taxi drivers fought so hard to ban apps from the terminals — and why the government backed them.

When this makes sense: Late-night arrivals, heavy luggage, first-time visitors who don’t want to navigate construction zones in the dark, or anyone who values a stress-free arrival over saving money. No judgment — after a long flight, sometimes you just want to be in bed as fast as possible.

Option 3: Pre-arranged private transfer

Several companies offer meet-and-greet service inside the terminal with a name sign. You book in advance, they handle everything.

Cost: $400–600 MXN ($20–30 USD)
Total time: 15–25 minutes, zero walking

This is the sweet spot between Uber prices and official taxi convenience. We can arrange this for our StayWork CDMX guests — just send us your flight number when you book.

Option 4: Metro — cheapest, with caveats

Metro Terminal Aérea (Línea 5) connects to the airport. From there you can reach Roma Norte via transfers.

Cost: $5 MXN ($0.25 USD)
Total time: 40–60 minutes with transfers

Honest take: We don’t recommend this if you’re arriving with luggage larger than a backpack, at night, or on your first visit. The Metro is safe during daytime rush hours but the transfers with suitcases through crowded stations are not fun. It’s a great system once you’re settled — just not ideal for airport arrival.

Quick comparison

Option	Cost (to Roma Norte)	Time	Walk with luggage?
Uber / Didi	$80–150 MXN	25–40 min	500–900m walk to pickup
Private transfer	$400–600 MXN	15–25 min	None — they meet you inside
Official taxi	$700–1,000 MXN	15–25 min	None
Metro	$5 MXN	40–60 min	Stairs and transfers

What to expect inside the airport right now

Based on current reports (March 2026) and feedback from our recent guests:

Terminal 1:

• Façade work between doors 2–6 has eliminated the sidewalk — you walk on the road
• Boarding gates in module 5 (gates 24–28) under renovation
• Baggage claim belts 1–3 being replaced
• New security screening equipment being installed (should be faster once done)
• Construction dust and noise in several corridors
• The Aerotrén (inter-terminal train) station is under renovation

Terminal 2:

• Boarding lounges in the north and south wings under renovation
• Parking structure being upgraded (new signage, colored floors by level)
• New digital signage screens installed in some areas
• International baggage claim area under construction
• Bathroom renovations across multiple levels

Both terminals:

• Rerouted walking paths with temporary barriers
• Some commercial areas closed or relocated
• Floors, ceilings, walls being replaced in phases
• Electrical, plumbing, and drainage systems being overhauled
• 2,000+ workers active 24/7

The construction is scheduled to pause between late May and July 2026 during the World Cup, then resume until the end of the year. If you’re visiting during the tournament, the airport should be calmer but still not fully finished.

Before you fly: preparation checklist

• Download Uber AND Didi apps, add payment method
• Download Google Maps offline map for Mexico City
• Get an eSIM (Airalo, Holafly) or plan to buy a Telcel SIM at the airport ($150–200 MXN)
• Have $1,000 MXN cash as backup (some taxis and shuttles are cash-only)
• Know your terminal number (check your airline)
• Tell your host your flight number and arrival time
• Leave extra time — arrive 3 hours before departure flights
• Pack light or use a backpack if you plan to walk to the Uber pickup

Once you’re in Roma Norte, you won’t need taxis again

This is the silver lining. The airport transfer is the one painful moment of arriving in Mexico City. Once you’re in Roma Norte, everything is walkable — cafés, coworking spaces, restaurants, groceries, Metro stations. Our guests rarely take a taxi or Uber during their stay because the neighborhood is that well-connected on foot.

The airport chaos is temporary. Your stay in Roma Norte won’t be.

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Landing soon? Our Roma Norte loft is 20 minutes from AICM. Fast Wi-Fi, a dedicated desk with a 27″ QHD monitor, rooftop pool, and self check-in — so you can arrive on your own schedule, even at 2 AM after fighting through airport construction.

→ See our Roma Norte loft on StayWork CDMX

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Last updated: March 22, 2026. The airport situation is evolving rapidly. We update this post as new information becomes available. The World Cup starts June 11 — expect further changes.

Written by Agustín & Analí — hosts of StayWork CDMX with 280+ guest reviews. We’ve navigated AICM arrivals more times than we can count.