Where to buy a physical SIM at MEX

Telcel — Terminal 1
Verdict: The clearest staffed option for T1 arrivals who specifically want a Mexican Telcel number.
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AICM lists Telcel on the upper floor of Terminal 1, open daily from 09:00 to 19:00.
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AICM's broader commercial directory places the Telcel unit in the Terminal 1 financial center and also gives 09:00–19:00 hours.
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Ask for the SIM price, package price and final amount before paying.
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Complete the required identity-linking process and test mobile data before leaving the counter.
Telcel — Terminal 2
Verdict: The strongest T2 choice, with longer official opening hours than the T1 Telcel location.
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AICM lists Telcel on the ground floor of Terminal 2.
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Published hours are 07:00–22:00 daily.
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The communications directory currently identifies the unit as ALL32.
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Because AICM's separate commercial listings are not fully consistent about unit numbering, use the terminal and floor details and confirm the current position with airport information if signage differs.
MOBO — observed AT&T availability
Verdict: A useful alternative when you find an open MOBO counter, but operator stock should be checked before relying on it.
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AICM officially lists numerous MOBO mobile-phone shops across T1 and T2, including several locations with early or late hours.
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A July 2, 2026 on-site report observed AT&T SIM cards at selected Terminal 1 MOBO counters near Puertas 3, 5 and 7.
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Observed airport availability, checked July 2, 2026.
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AICM does not publish the current operator inventory for each MOBO branch, so AT&T stock is not guaranteed at every counter.
OXXO and 7-Eleven — late-hours backup
Verdict: Potentially convenient outside Telcel shop hours, but less dependable for stock and setup assistance.
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AICM confirms OXXO and 7-Eleven locations in Terminal 1, including 24-hour branches.
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Recent on-site evidence observed Telcel SIM cards at selected T1 OXXO and 7-Eleven stores.
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Observed airport availability, checked July 2, 2026.
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Buying the card and completing registration are separate steps, so confirm that your line is fully active before depending on it.
How much does a SIM card cost at Mexico City Airport?
A reliable complete airport checkout price is not currently published. Recent on-site reporting from July 2, 2026 cited Telcel prepaid package examples of about MXN 300 for roughly 5 GB and MXN 500 for a larger data allowance, but those figures are package references rather than guaranteed SIM-plus-package airport totals.
Telcel's official prepaid pages continue to list Amigo Sin Límite packages in denominations including MXN 300 and MXN 500, while activation is supported through channels such as customer centers and authorized distributors.
Before paying at MEX, confirm:
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the physical SIM or starter-card charge;
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the prepaid package or recharge amount;
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any activation, setup or retailer service fee;
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the final amount payable;
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validity and included general-purpose data.
Do not treat a nationally published Telcel package price as the complete airport purchase price. Airport-counter payment methods are also not reliably published for every seller, so carrying an alternative payment method is sensible.
SIM registration in Mexico: what tourists need in 2026
Mexico now requires mobile lines to be associated with an identified user. The official DOF mobile-line rules state that foreigners can be identified using their name, country of origin and passport number.
For an arriving tourist, the practical requirements are:
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Bring a valid passport. Foreign users can use passport information to link a Mexican mobile line under the current rules.
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Expect registration before normal use. Telcel states that the identification requirement has applied to mobile lines since January 9, 2026, including tourist eSIMs.
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Complete any identity checks requested by the operator. Telcel's remote process may use passport capture and a liveness check.
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Do not assume inserting the SIM completes activation. Confirm that the line has been linked successfully.
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Test the connection before leaving a staffed shop. This is especially useful if you need immediate data or a Mexican number after landing.
Older Mexico SIM guides that say tourists can simply buy an anonymous prepaid SIM are therefore no longer a reliable description of the 2026 process.
If you are unsure whether your device accepts Mexican physical SIMs or eSIMs, see Will My Phone Work in Mexico? Roaming, SIM & eSIM.
Airport SIM vs city store vs Roafly eSIM
A city store should not automatically be described as cheaper. The useful comparison is the complete amount you would pay for an equivalent tourist-eligible SIM and package, weighed against the time and transport needed to reach a store and whether you need connectivity immediately.
A physical Mexican SIM is the better fit when a local number, conventional calls or SMS matter. It can also make sense for a longer stay when you prefer a locally rechargeable line and are comfortable completing passport registration.
Roafly is designed for the data-first case. You can keep your primary physical SIM installed, use the Roafly profile for mobile data and use hotspot from your purchased data allowance without a separate hotspot quota.
Owner-provided Roafly network information for Mexico lists Telcel and AT&T. Those network names do not establish airport coverage, speed, quality or 5G availability.
If your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible, a Mexico eSIM removes the need to find physical SIM stock or wait for an airport phone shop.
For the broader countrywide connection decision rather than this airport-specific purchase, see How to Get Internet in Mexico.
Free WiFi at Mexico City Airport
Mexico City Airport provides free WiFi in both terminals through #AICM_FREE_WIFI. The official AICM WiFi announcement says the network covers public terminal areas through the final waiting lounges and allows-click connection.
Users can stay connected for up to two uninterrupted hours. After that, AICM says you can continue by accepting the network's terms again.
That makes airport WiFi useful for messages, registration pages and immediate arrival tasks while deciding whether to buy a SIM. It is best treated as an arrival backup rather than a replacement for trip-long mobile data.
Which option should you choose after landing?
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T1 arrival between 09:00 and 19:00 + need a Mexican number: Start with the official Telcel location in the financial-center area. Ask for the complete total and finish passport registration before leaving.
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T2 arrival between 07:00 and 22:00 + need a Mexican number: The official Telcel counter is the most direct verified choice. Use the ground-floor listing rather than relying solely on unit numbering.
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Telcel counter closed: Check an open MOBO or convenience store if you specifically want a physical SIM, but confirm operator stock and whether registration help is available.
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Need data but not a local number: Roafly avoids dependence on airport stock, shop hours and a physical SIM swap.
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Can wait until the city: Use AICM WiFi for immediate arrival tasks and compare the complete offer at an official operator store later rather than assuming either location will be cheaper.
For non-connectivity arrival rules, see Mexico Airport Customs Rules: Vapes, Alcohol, and Electronics.
Mexico City Airport SIM card FAQs
Can tourists buy a SIM card at Mexico City Airport?
Yes. AICM officially lists Telcel in both T1 and T2 and multiple MOBO mobile-phone outlets across the airport.
Do foreigners need a passport for a Mexico SIM in 2026?
Yes, a valid passport can be used for the required identity-linking process for foreign users. The current rules allow foreigners to be identified with their name, country of origin and passport number.
What is the exact Telcel SIM price at MEX?
There is no reliably published complete airport total. Recent July 2026 observations provide useful prepaid-package references, but the final SIM, package and any retailer charge should be confirmed before payment.
Is Telcel available in both terminals?
Yes. AICM lists Telcel in T1 from 09:00–19:00 and T2 from 07:00–22:00.
Can I use airport WiFi before buying a SIM?
Yes. #AICM_FREE_WIFI is available in both terminals, with sessions of up to two uninterrupted hours before the terms must be accepted again.
Final recommendation
Choose the staffed Telcel counter if you need a Mexican phone number immediately and arrive during its published hours. Confirm the complete price, bring your passport and make sure registration and data both work before leaving.
If you mainly need mobile data, Roafly removes the airport-store, stock and SIM-swap steps. AICM's free WiFi gives either traveler a practical connection while completing arrival tasks or deciding whether to wait for a city store.