How to find a cheap car hire deal in Mexico City
Start your adventure off right with a cheap rental car in Mexico City. With prices averaging $116 a day, you're on the road to better value. From fuel-savers to people movers, we'll help you pick the right ride at the right price.
Daily home prices in Mexico City start from just $10.
For longer trips, book a weekly home from $70 and pack more sights into your itinerary.
Timing is everything when it comes to finding the best price on a Mexico City car hire. Try booking around one week before your departure date.
INFINITY RENT, America and MEX are some of the most popular providers in the city. They're a great starting point for comparing offers.
Check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your Mexico City car hire policy, whether you book with INFINITY RENT or any other supplier. Some companies offer it as a paid extra instead of including it.
Choosing a one-way car hire is often a great hack for finding a deal. Simply select 'Return car to a different location.' Providers often need to move vehicles between locations, which means you can snag some awesome one-way prices on a car for rent in Mexico City.
Avoid those steep refueling fees by choosing a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start your journey with a full tank and return it the same, paying only for what you use.
Hit the road without counting the miles and racking up additional charges. Go to the 'Policies' filter and select 'Unlimited mileage' to find a car that lets you explore without limits.
Best value car hire options right now
You'll get the best value with this company. Prices average $59 a day.
Next in line is this provider, offering daily rates of around $68.
The third option also keeps costs manageable. Expect to pay roughly $43 a day for one of their homes.
The Compact home category is a dependable pick if you're not sure what kind of wheels you need. It's also the car type that's booked more than any other in Mexico City.
Flying to Mexico City? Think about an airport pick-up
If you're flying into Mexico City, hit the road sooner by booking a car hire at Mexico City Juarez International Airport. The drive from this airport to the city centre is around 13 kilometres and takes about 30 minutes.
Or make a smooth getaway with a car hire from Felipe Angeles International Airport. After grabbing the keys, it'll take roughly 55 minutes to drive the 56 kilometres or so to the centre.
Compare car hire types in Mexico City
Small: Whether you're darting along city streets or taking a short trip, this car category offers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can expect great mileage and easy handling.
Medium: Not too big, not too small, this is the home that's juuuust right! Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they strike a balance of fuel efficiency and interior space and are popular with couples and small families.
Large: Offering a more comfortable driving experience and extra tech features, this Mexico City car hire category includes full-size cars. With bigger back seats and ample storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.
SUV: When adventure calls, an SUV answers. It's your ultimate road trip buddy, ready for highways, country roads, and everything in between. These sports utility vehicles also deliver on space and improved safety features.
Van: Usually featuring commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Mexico City effortlessly handles larger loads and group travel. They're tough, versatile, and ready to take on any task.
Insurance and optional extras
Excess insurance covers the cost you'd have to pay if your Mexico City car hire is stolen or damaged. While not compulsory, it's a safety net if something happens. Just remember that policies differ from one provider to another, so make sure you know exactly what's included.
Travel smarter when you rent a car in Mexico City by adding a few nifty extras. Think things like a GPS unit to make sure you never miss a turn, or reverse cameras that make parking feel effortless.
Good to know
Age requirements often vary by provider (and even car type), so be clear on the rules before you book. Some providers in Mexico may rent to younger drivers for an extra fee. If you're outside the typical age range, simply uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to explore your options.
If the kids are tagging along, find out if you need to add a child car seat to your Mexico City car rental reservation. Whether required by local laws or not, they're always the safest way for youngsters to ride.
Bring the right documents and save time at pick-up. You'll typically need your physical driver's license (not a screenshot or digital version) plus another photo ID. Also bring a credit card that can cover the deposit. If anything else is expected, it'll be listed in your booking.
Familiarise yourself with your home. Adjust your seat and mirrors, learn where everything is, and get a feel for its handling before you drive away. And don't forget to stick to the right side of the road in Mexico.
Stay within local speed limits of about 45kph through built-up areas and around 100kph on highways. Check the road signs, as limits may vary.
The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Mexico is 0.04%. Because alcohol affects everyone differently, the only way to be certain you're safe to drive is to skip the drinks.
Around 8am is one of the busiest times for traffic in this destination. Try to avoid peak times generally for a smoother trip.
You'll be using the Mexican peso (MXN) for all your purchases and expenses on your trip. You may find it helpful to carry a mix of cards and cash to cover you in every situation.
Best hotels in Mexico City for drivers
Offering parking, Brick Hotel Mexico City - Small Luxury Hotels of the World adds extra convenience to your stay. This hotel is around 3 kilometres from central Mexico City and also comes with luggage storage and a laundry.
Hotel Novit also works well if you've got a few road trips in mind. It features parking, plus ironing services and a fitness centre. Base yourself here and you'll be roughly 6 kilometres from the city centre.
Browse through the hotels in Mexico City for even more choice. Use the 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' and 'Valet parking' filters to find the perfect fit. You can even use the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to bring up places with on-site charging.
After you've locked in a car hire deal in Mexico City and your hotel, the only thing left is to decide where to explore first. Kick things off with leading attractions such as Zócalo, Historic Centre (Centro Historico) and Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Mexico City
Ecatepec de Morelos should be on your itinerary if you're eager to visit Zoologico Zacango and Centro Ecoturistico y Educación Ambiental Sierra de Guadalupe. This city is around 21 kilometres northeast of central Mexico City.
Álvaro Obregón has some good places to stay including One Toluca Aeropuerto and Hotel Opus Grand Toluca Aeropuerto. Both are convenient choices for guests with cars.
There's plenty of road left if you're up for more. Take off to Irapuato, around 274 kilometres northwest of Mexico City. From Cerro Del Piloncillo to El Convento, it'll round out your trip nicely.
Check out the room availability at Galeria Plaza Irapuato or Hampton Inn by Hilton Irapuato. Make one of them your base and enjoy everything Irapuato has to offer. They come with room for your wheels too.
