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GDL

Guadalajara Miguel Hidal Airport (GDL) Flights & Flight Status

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Guadalajara Miguel Hidal Airport: Expert advice and recommendations

Expert travel writer Brandon Schultz shares all you need to know before booking a flight to or from Guadalajara Miguel Hidal Airport.
Brandon Schultz
August 19, 2024

Guadalajara International Airport (GDL), also called Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport, is the gateway to western Mexico and the country’s third busiest airport. If you’re heading to hot spots like Puerto Vallarta or the tequila-producing Jalisco region, you’re likely to pass through here. These expert tips for flying through Guadalajara International Airport will help you navigate this modern Mexican hub with ease.

How early to arrive at GDL

I generally believe that you don’t really need to be at most airports two hours ahead of a flight, but Guadalajara International Airport is one of the exceptions. The airport is large and modern, but it’s often crowded and considerable lines can form at both airline check-in counters and security checkpoints. Plus, because it’s outside of the US, there are also no TSA PreCheck lanes to expedite the process.

Keeping all this in mind, while you may breeze through the airport in 30 minutes some days, I recommend arriving at GDL at least two hours before your flight, and three hours if you’re not a fast walker, are newer to travel, or are a travel-worrier. In all these cases, having that extra hour will help you stay calm and make fewer mistakes.

Traveling to and from GDL by public transportation

If you’re looking to save some cash by taking public transportation, you have one reliable option to get between GDL and downtown Guadalajara. The Chapala bus service stops at the airport and connects to the downtown area, but it’s worth noting that this is not an airport express bus. This is a regular bus that happens to stop at the airport, so don’t expect a lot of space for luggage.

The bus is very inexpensive and generally takes a little over an hour to reach what is otherwise about 20 minutes away by car. To find the bus, exit Terminal 1 from baggage claim and follow signs toward the bus station, about three minutes away on foot. Buses leave hourly, on the hour, but be aware that the last departure is usually 9:30 pm (this is a bonus departure after the hourly 9 pm bus).

I recommend this option for more seasoned travelers who are transportation savvy and don’t mind a little extra legwork. As I travel to Mexico regularly, this is an easy and affordable option for me, but if you want the most stress-free and convenient experience, you’d be better off taking one of the car options.

Getting to and from GDL by car

Of the car options available, taking a taxi offers the quickest and most convenient drive from Guadalajara International Airport. To get one, look for the taxi counter inside the arrivals areas by baggage claim, give your destination, and you’ll receive a fixed rate for a cab, just outside. This is the easiest and most straightforward way to reach the city center – alternatively, you can try to score a bit of a deal through a rideshare.

You’ll typically save at least a few dollars per ride if you order an Uber through the rideshare company’s app. The pickup point for rideshare services is just a bit past the taxi queue. It takes an extra minute or two, but I find it worth the slight effort for the savings. Returning to the airport, you’ll be dropped off curbside by either your taxi or rideshare service.

If you’re staying within the main neighborhoods of the city, you don’t need your own car in Guadalajara. I rely on walking and rideshares for these short distances, avoiding parking, buying gas, and local traffic customs. But if you’ll be heading onward to Jalisco, Lake Chapala, or other destinations beyond the city limits, consider picking up a rental at the airport.

There are more than a dozen car rental agencies offering services at GDL, and most of them will be familiar to you. Online quotes may seem inexpensive, but Mexican rentals always require Mexican insurance, which is rarely quoted online, even by brands you already trust in the US. On arrival, you can expect your bill to be considerably higher than you were quoted.

To avoid this, I reach out to my hotel in advance if I know I’ll be leaving the city for further exploration. Most hotels can provide contacts for reputable car services, with guides to take you outside of Guadalajara. With these, you’ll know your accurate final cost, avoid driving, and maximize personal safety.

Genuine culture and amazing art at GDL

Most airports have an art program today, but Guadalajara’s is almost entirely centered on the cultural heritage of the region and its mural collection alone is well worth exploring. You’ll find these throughout the airport, from check-in through terminals and into baggage claim, where both of my favorites are.

In the main terminal arrivals hall, “Flight of Quetzalcoatl” is a vibrant mural of detailed patterns in bright colors, depicting the flight of this mythical bird deity. Hugely important to the Aztec and other Mesoamerican civilizations, Quetzalcoatl helped create both the world and humans, making his flight just as noteworthy as all the other flights coming in and out of GDL each day.

I also enjoy the “Tequila Sunrise” mural at baggage claim, which highlights the tequila production of Jalisco through its depiction of soothing agave fields and the distillation process. Aside from murals, there are many cultural exhibits throughout the airport; my favorite pieces to look out for are the Huichol works, full of tiny, colorful beads or eye-catching yarns. These traditions are kept alive today by the Huichol people, who have been native to northern Guadalajara for up to 2,000 years.

Lounges at GDL

Guadalajara International Airport is currently home to two VIP lounges for extra comfort before flying. There’s one for domestic departures and one for international departures, and both are available for free entry with Priority Pass, along with some other club membership programs.

Some airline premium cabin ticket holders may also be able to enter these two lounges at certain times. Current access requirements are listed outside each lounge. You’ll find the domestic lounge entrance by gate D30 and the international lounge entrance by gate B13.

For airline elites, only those with SkyTeam lounge privileges will be able to access an airline-operated lounge here. AeroMexico’s Salon Premiere is located by gate 5 and I’ve found it to be clean with quick service and a nice selection of food and drinks, including alcohol. Though small, in my opinion it’s one of the nicer AeroMexico lounges.

If you don’t mind paying, all three lounges sell day passes (space permitting) for about the same cost. I recommend the VIP East lounge (domestic) if you have the option. It’s the largest and has the most options for eating, drinking, and relaxing, plus it’s rarely filled to capacity due to its size.

What to do with a long layover at GDL

If you have a layover of around four or more hours and your second flight is domestic (within Mexico), hire a rideshare and head to Tlaquepaque. This is one of my favorite of Mexico’s “Pueblos Magicos”, a national designation for culturally rich and historic towns. It’s just 30–40 minutes away in normal traffic and is teeming with artisan shops, cafés, bars, restaurants, galleries, and more, with a lively street vibe.

I only recommend this option for domestic connections when you’ve already entered Mexico and don’t need to pass immigration controls again at GDL. These can be quick, but I’ve also seen them to take nearly two hours, so it’s not worth risking your connection if you’ll have to pass immigration after your layover. Do this on your way into Mexico rather than your way out.

If you need to stay at the airport for your layover, there’s still some good news. I’ve come across several restaurants that stay open 24 hours at GDL, so you’ll always have options for grabbing a bite regardless of your layover’s hours.

Free Wi-Fi at GDL

Even if you don’t subscribe to an international phone plan, most major US carriers provide free service in Mexico, so you’re still likely to be covered here. If not though, you’ll have access to unlimited free Wi-Fi throughout GDL. I’ve also never had a problem finding an outlet to keep my devices charged while waiting around the gates.

This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.

Flight Status - Guadalajara Miguel Hidal Airport

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Guadalajara Miguel Hidal Airport departures

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Latest Guadalajara Miguel Hidal Airport flights

Recent round-trip flight deals

12/6Fri
1 stopVivaAerobus
29h 05mMIA-GDL
12/10Tue
1 stopVivaAerobus
27h 25mGDL-MIA
$170
4/9Wed
1 stopVivaAerobus
7h 45mMIA-GDL
4/22Tue
1 stopVivaAerobus
22h 10mGDL-MIA
$195
12/9Mon
nonstopVivaAerobus
3h 30mLAS-GDL
12/11Wed
nonstopVivaAerobus
3h 25mGDL-LAS
$197
12/9Mon
nonstopVivaAerobus
3h 30mLAS-GDL
12/16Mon
nonstopVivaAerobus
3h 25mGDL-LAS
$207
12/4Wed
nonstopVivaAerobus
3h 30mLAS-GDL
12/11Wed
nonstopVivaAerobus
3h 25mGDL-LAS
$209
3/21Fri
1 stopVivaAerobus
15h 30mLAS-GDL
3/24Mon
nonstopVivaAerobus
3h 20mGDL-LAS
$220
12/3Tue
1 stopVivaAerobus
16h 20mMIA-GDL
12/10Tue
1 stopVivaAerobus
27h 25mGDL-MIA
$227
4/24Thu
1 stopVivaAerobus
8h 45mDEN-GDL
4/27Sun
1 stopVivaAerobus
7h 20mGDL-DEN
$234
11/11Mon
1 stopVivaAerobus
15h 20mLAX-GDL
11/26Tue
nonstopVivaAerobus
3h 35mGDL-LAX
$234
12/3Tue
2 stops
25h 09mSFO-GDL
12/5Thu
nonstop
4h 33mGDL-SFO
$279

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FAQs about Guadalajara Miguel Hidal Airport

  • Is Guadalajara Miguel Hidal the only airport in Guadalajara?

    No, there are 3 airports in Guadalajara. These are Guadalajara Miguel Hidal, Aguascalients and Colima.

  • What is the busiest day to depart from Guadalajara Miguel Hidal Airport?

    The day with the most flights departing from Guadalajara Miguel Hidal Airport is generally Monday, with an average of 4 flights leaving the airport.

Airport information - Guadalajara Miguel Hidal

IATA CodeGDL
ServesGuadalajara
Terminals1
Hub forJapan Airlines, Volaris Costa Rica, Delta