Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) is the major airport serving this part of the country. The airfield is 16 miles (27 km) from downtown, and is among the busiest airports in the US. An on-site hotel with accommodation services, health club, an urban garden, duty-free shops, and banks are all available here.
Mexico City International Airport is the primary airport serving the capital city of Mexico. It is the busiest airport in Latin America, yet the airfield is only five kilometers from the city. Several amenities are found in this airport, including ATMs, pharmacy, duty-free stores, restaurants, currency exchange, and city tour guides and services, amongst others.
There are over 15 flight carriers that fly this route every day. These flight companies include United Airlines, Aeromexico, and American Airlines. The flight distance from ORD to MEX is 1,690 miles with direct flights taking approximately four hours 25 minutes. Connecting flights with Houston being the popular connecting city takes between five hours 40 minutes to six hours and a half. Volaris, Frontier and Interjet airlines are the most popular airlines here making at least three flight trips each day.
O'Hare airport offers several parking options for passengers going in and out. Its parking features daily and hourly charges with its economy lots offering lower rates for extended days parking. Limos, ride-share, and taxi companies are available for private transfer. Besides, shuttles buses and metro trains ferry passengers from the airport to the suburbs.
MEX airport offers Airtrain transportation for services between the two terminals which takes five minutes each way. Public buses also offer transport between these terminals. From both terminals, there are bus stops with buses ferrying passengers to different parts of the city. Car rental and taxi services are available 24/7.
Visitors from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the US, and most countries in the EU are not required to apply for a visa for a short stay. However, all visitors are required to have a passport regardless of their nationality. A tourist card, also known as FMM is a must-have. Airline attendants issue these forms which are filled and submitted at the customs office at the airport. Travelers must give supporting documents like return tickets at the customs showing their date of departure before being cleared by the customs officials.
Mexican authorities require all visitors to carry their original driving license to drive in Mexico. If stopped by authorities, they will need to see your driving license and passport.
ORD and MEX have no time difference. Although these cities are on the same longitude, the weather patterns are vastly different. The best weather in Mexico City is its dry season that lasts from November to April. These months offer warm days suitable for swimming and scuba diving with cool nights ideal for relaxing. The rainy season extends from June to October, attracting a few visitors.
Travelers from ORD to MEX need to have their money converted to the Mexican Peso. The exchange rate in September 2019 is 1 USD = 19.5658 Pesos.
Mexicans speak Spanish as their official language. However, a few locals will understand English and a guide or an interpreter may be required for visitors going to the outskirts of the city. Mexicans are ceremonious and polite people. Shaking of hands during greetings is a normal thing here.
Museo Nacional de Antropologia
A state of the art museum lies at Chapultepec Park. The museum is famous for its magnificent display of treasure. A vast collection of archeological findings and the anthropology library with over 300,000 volumes fill the museum. Visitors need two or more days to exhaust the content of this vast collection.
Palacio Postal
The architectural building stands in the middle of the city. It brings an exquisite mixture of Spanish plateresque and Italian renaissance. Gargoyles add style to the design exhibiting a lovely aesthetic.
The Palace of Fine Arts
This is an iconic cultural landmark in Mexico. The marble building was designed by an Italian architect and was completed in 1934. Its heavyweight made it sink about four meters into the ground even after the designers removed some of its parts. The palace acts as a concert and opera house hosting dozens of international and local dancing events. Its impressive murals adorn the place attracting more visitors every day.
Chapultepec Park
It is the first park in Mexico. The park covers over two and a half square miles with a botanic garden, sports facilities, museums, and a lake. The park has a zoo that offers diverse animals brought from different parts of the world.