MTY Airport to Monterrey: Clear Customs Fast (World Cup 2026)

Q: How far is Monterrey airport from downtown?

Monterrey International Airport (MTY) is about 24 km (15 miles) northeast of downtown, in Apodaca — roughly 30–45 minutes by car, longer in rush-hour or match-day traffic.

Q: How long does immigration take at MTY?

Budget about 45–60 minutes for immigration on arrival, especially around Monterrey's match dates of June 14, 20, 24 and 29, 2026, when inbound fan traffic peaks. Have your passport and entry details ready.

Q: What's the cheapest way from MTY to the city?

Uber and DiDi are usually cheapest at roughly MXN 250–400 (about US$15–24) to the center. Authorized airport taxis run MXN 400–600 (about US$24–36). There is no metro link from the airport.

Q: Does Monterrey airport have rideshare pickup?

Yes. Uber and DiDi both operate at MTY; use the designated rideshare pickup zone rather than accepting unmarked offers inside the terminal. Authorized taxis are paid at an official booth before boarding.

TL;DR: Monterrey International Airport (MTY) sits about 24 km northeast of downtown, in Apodaca — roughly 30–45 minutes by car. Plan for 45–60 minutes at immigrationduring the World Cup, then take an Uber/DiDi (MXN 250–400) or authorized taxi (MXN 400–600) into the city. There is no metro link from the airport, so a road transfer is your only option.

Terminals and immigration

MTY (officially General Mariano Escobedo International Airport) has two passenger terminals: Terminal A handles most international and full-service carriers, while Terminal B serves low-cost airlines such as Viva Aerobus. Immigration and customs lines can be long; around Monterrey's four match dates of June 14, 20, 24 and 29, 2026, budget a full 45–60 minutes after landing before you reach ground transport. Have your passport and entry details ready to keep the line moving.

Getting from MTY into the city

Mode	Cost	Time to center	Notes
Uber / DiDi	MXN 250–400 (~US$15–24)	30–45 min	Cheapest; use the designated rideshare pickup zone
Authorized airport taxi	MXN 400–600 (~US$24–36)	30–45 min	Pay at the official booth before boarding
Airport bus / shuttle	~MXN 60–130 (US$4–8)	50–75 min	Budget option; limited stops, slow with luggage

Get online before you leave the terminal

Every arrival task — matching an Uber, pulling up your hotel pin, messaging your group — needs data the moment you land. Mexican carrier roaming runs roughly US$10–15 a day, while a travel North America eSIM on the Telcel network costs a fraction of that and activates while you wait in the immigration queue. Compare the options:

Option	Cost	Setup time	Coverage
eSIM	Low (US$3–25)	~5 min (pre-install on Wi-Fi)	Excellent (local carrier)
Carrier roaming	High ($10–15/day)	Instant (already enabled)	Medium (partner-dependent)
Pocket Wi-Fi	Medium	Airport pickup / rental	Good (extra device to charge)

FAQ

QHow far is Monterrey airport from downtown?

AAbout 24 km (15 miles) northeast of downtown, in Apodaca. That is roughly 30–45 minutes by car, longer in rush-hour or match-day traffic.

QHow long does immigration take at MTY?

ABudget about 45–60 minutes, especially around June 14, 20, 24 and 29. Have your passport and entry details ready to keep the line moving.

QWhat's the cheapest way from MTY to the city?

AUber or DiDi, at roughly MXN 250–400 (about US$15–24). Authorized taxis run MXN 400–600; there is no metro link from the airport.

QDoes Monterrey airport have rideshare pickup?

AYes — Uber and DiDi both operate at MTY. Use the designated rideshare zone rather than unmarked offers; authorized taxis are paid at an official booth.

Bottom line

MTY is a 24 km hop from the city, but immigration is the choke point during the World Cup — build in an hour and have a ride ready the second you clear customs. Once you're settled, sort out where to stay and how to reach Estadio BBVA on match day.

Sources: Wikipedia — Monterrey International Airport, The World Cup Guide — Monterrey, Kickoff Adventures — Monterrey schedule.