Getting there


European Airlines that offer direct flights to Mexico include: British Airways, Air France, Iberia, Lufthansa, and KLM. There are also tour operators that offer discounted charter flights from main European hubs into Mexico.

Although many of these are offered as part of all-inclusive packages likely to be less-favoured by our glocal-travelers, some tour operators do offer flight-only deals with considerable savings, especially for last minute bookings and short stays (usually no longer than a couple of weeks). Therefore it is well worth checking the flight sections on the main tour operator websites in your country when searching for flights to Mexico.

An alternative for travelers coming from Europe is flying into the US and traveling onto Mexico with one of the American carriers. This option can be particularly convenient if you are planning to reach a specific destination outside Mexico City or Cancun.

The main airlines offering combined flights are American Airlines, United, Continental and Delta, plus the two Mexican carriers: Aeromexico and Mexicana. Alaska Airlines offers services to Manzanillo and Cancun.

By clicking on the destinations listed below you can find a list of the best deals offered by the main flight booking websites connecting the US and the UK to Mexico

If you are flying from Canada, click here for a list of lastminute deals to Mexico

Internal flights

Given the size of Mexico, if you are planning to travel long distances travel by air is the most convenient way to go. Aeromexico and Mexicana provide most of the internal flights within Mexico, together with Aerocalifornia, Alma de Mexico and Aviacsa.

In the past few years low cost airlines have become popular also in Mexico; amongst these Interjet and Volaris, operating flights from the airport of Toluca (less than one hour from Mexico City) to many destinations all over the country; Alma de Mexico, connecting Mexico's main airports, Viva Aerobus, serving mainly the North of the country, Avolar, connecting Tijuana with several destinations, and Aeromar, serving mainly the North-West.

There are also a number of smaller independent commercial airlines, some of which connecting tourist destinations with the closest city. These transport services are often on board small planes like a Cessna. Examples are the services on the route Oaxaca - Puerto Escondido/Huatulco by Aerotucan and Aerovega, or Aero Calafia, serving Baja California

These flights are moderately priced, and the experience of flying in a small aircraft, enjoying the amazing aerial views, is well worth the extra money.

Flight or Bus?

If we are talking from a mere practical point of view, flying within Mexico is not hugely expensive and there is no set rule as to whether it is cheaper to travel by land. You need to weigh up the price difference considering all the travel costs, and your time constraints.

For example a 23 hour bus journey from Mexico City to Cancun would cost only USD 75 less than a 4 hour flight. However, the option of a USD 35 / 6 hour trip on a 1st class air-conditioned bus from Mexico City to Oaxaca is decidedly attractive compared to the USD 150 / 1 hour flight, especially if you consider the extra costs of two airport transfers and the waiting time if traveling by air.

If you have no qualms about sleeping on buses and traveling by night, you will also save the money for the accommodation!

Having said that, as a responsible traveler you must take into consideration the massive reduction in carbon emissions you would make by choosing the bus over the plane... Exhaustive information and proofs have now been provided about the extremely negative impact of CO2 on our planet, and unless you live on Mars you must have heard that although flights are essential for traveling, they are the biggest environmental impact of a holiday.

Always go for the bus if time is not a big issue for you, and with regards to your international flights, you can calculate your air travel emissions with Climate Care's Air Travel Calculator.

As supporters of environmental conservation, we are perfectly aware that carbon offsetting is not the solution and we believe it does little if no help in 'balancing' your emissions, therefore we strongly encourage you to take less and longer holidays and do everything you can to follow the rules of Low Carbon Living.