Travel comparison
United States vs Mexico
A side-by-side look at the practical travel essentials for United States and Mexico — power, safety, money and getting around — so you can plan or choose between them quickly.
Quick answer
Traveling between United States and Mexico, you likely won't need a plug adapter, and a voltage converter is generally not needed for dual-voltage chargers.
| Detail | United States | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Power plug | Type A/B | Type A/B |
| Voltage | 120V | 127V |
| Frequency | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Emergency (general) | 911 | 911 |
| Police | 911 | 911 |
| Ambulance | 911 | 911 |
| Tap water | Generally safe | Use bottled water |
| Driving side | Right | Right |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD, $) | Mexican Peso (MXN, $) |
| Dialing code | +1 | +52 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 to UTC-10 | UTC-6 to UTC-8 |
| Best season | Spring and autumn are the easiest seasons for many city trips because temperatures are milder and crowds are lower. Summer is popular for national parks and beaches, while winter is best for ski regions and warm-weather states such as Florida, Arizona and Hawaii. | November to April is the most comfortable dry season for many beach and city trips. Summer can be hot and rainy, while hurricane risk matters for Caribbean and Pacific coastal plans from late summer into autumn. |
Full brief
United States travel essentials
Plugs, emergency numbers, tap water, tipping and more for United States.
Full brief
Mexico travel essentials
Plugs, emergency numbers, tap water, tipping and more for Mexico.