Tijuana Airport
IATA code: TIJ
ICAO code: MMTJ
Passengers: ~ 9. 000. 000
Tijuana General Abelardo L. Rodriguez International Airport, also known as Tijuana Airport, is a binational airport serving Tijuana in Mexico and San Diego in the US. It is located in Otay Centenario, 9 km away from Tijuana, and south of the US border 29 km from San Diego.
It stands as the fourth busiest airport in Mexico with 9 million passengers annually. The airport had a 30% decrease in the number of passengers in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It serves as the hub for Volaris.
If flying to Tijuana Airport, the following guide will present you with all the necessary information to prepare for your arrival.
Table of Contents
Getting from Tijuana Airport to Tijuana
The distance between Tijuana Airport and Tijuana city centre is about 9 kilometres which is approximately a 25-minute ride. If heading to Tijuana after you land, you can choose between several means of transportation.
Bus
The cheapest way to get to Tijuana by bus is to take the local lines that operate from the airport. The price of a bus ticket is under a dollar 12 MXN, which can help you a lot if travelling on a budget or just wish to save some money. However, it being a public transport means that the ride to the city centre will be longer than with direct lines and may take up to 40 minutes.
If you are staying in Mexico, but not headed for Tijuana, there are a few shuttle buses that connect the airport to some Mexican cities. The shuttle bus service is mostly provided by ABC Bus. The company connects Tijuana Airport to Mexicali (around 450 MXN) and Ensenada (around 350 MXN).
Taxi
The official taxis in Tijuana are yellow and they are located outside arrivals at the main terminal. The taxi ride to Tijuana lasts about 20 mins. The official taxis are not the only option, Uber is also available at the airport. Getting to Tijuana is also possible by Rideyellow and Curb. The prices range from around 5 USD$ to around 15 USD$, depending on how far your destination is.
Transfer
Booking a private transfer from the airport to Tijuana is a good option. Pre-booking a transfer ensures that a professional driver will welcome you upon arrival and take you directly to your accommodation.
Car hire
Car rental is available at the airport. Several major companies – such as Hertz, Avis and Europcar – offer their services. However, renting a car online is a good idea for avoiding long queues.
Getting from Tijuana Airport to San Diego
There are several ways to get from Tijuana Airport to San Diego. The best option is to cross to the CBX terminal in the US and continue your trip from there. The text below lists details necessary for crossing the border and information about transportation to San Diego.
Crossing the border
Although Tijuana airport is binational, its main terminal and all the runways are located in Mexican territory. The terminal in the US serves primarily as a check-in point for travellers from the US and as border control.
Cross Border Xpress Bridge – often referred to as the Cross Border Bridge or simply CBX – is the US terminal and the pedestrian crossing which connects the US and Mexican terminals of the airport.
Crossing the border is a process. If crossing to the US and are a US citizen, you will need a valid passport, boarding pass and CBX ticket. However, if you are a foreigner you will need some additional documents: a visa (if the US requires it for your country) and an I-94 permit if staying longer than 30 days or going more than 25 miles from the border.
Once you land at the airport, you must cross the CBX within two hours and are not allowed to leave the baggage claim area. Make sure you take everything, as going back is not possible once you cross the CBX.
Keep all your travel documents by your side at all times, as you will need to pass Mexican and US immigration before you enter the respective countries.
NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is possible that some travellers might be restricted from crossing the border or that additional documents might be necessary. These restrictions are subject to change depending on the situation and it is advised to stay up to date with the migration policies.
Below are listed options for getting from Tijuana Airport to San Diego.
Bus
Getting to cities in the US from CBX (Cross Border Terminal) is possible via several shuttle buses to different cities. CBX to San Diego bus operates every two hours from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The fare for this shuttle bus is around 11 USD$. Buses also connect the airport to San Ysidro (around 6 USD$), and Los Angeles (around 25 USD$).
Greyhound is a shuttle bus service that operates from Tijuana Airport to San Diego. Depending on the time of day and date of your travel as well as class, ticket prices range from around 17 USD$ to around 29 USD$.
Taxi
If you prefer a taxi ride, you will find the official taxis in front of the CBX terminal. The taxis are metered and the approximate cost of a ride to San Diego is 40 USD$.
Uber and Lyft are also available at the CBX terminal.
Transfer
Booking a private transfer is an option at the CBX terminal. Once again, pre-booking a transfer ensures that a personal driver will be waiting for you at the terminal and take you to your destination.
Car hire
Car rental is available at the CBX terminal. The service is offered by the same companies who offer it on the Mexican side: Hertz, Avis and Europcar. If you do not wish to risk waiting in long queues or prefer to have all things done before you land, renting a car online is a good solution.
Tijuana Airport airlines
Arrivals and departures from Tijuana Airport are domestic flights, and there are currently no international flights from the airport. Some of the most popular domestic flights from Tijuana Airport are those to Mexico City International Airport, Monterrey Airport, Culiacan International Airport, Guadalajara Airport and Cancun Airport.
The airport serves as a hub for:
- Volaris
The biggest airlines that operate through Tijuana Airport are:
- Aeromexico
- Aeromexico Connect
- Air France
- VivaAerobus
Tijuana Airport facilities
The Cross Border Terminal serves only as a check-in point for arriving and departing passengers. Fares for using the bridge are ~16 USD$ for a one-way crossing, around 30 USD$ for a round trip and around 55 USD$ for families.
The Mexican side of the airport handles all the flights.
However, various services are available at both terminals:
- Free WiFi
- Duty-free shops
- Luggage Wrapping
- ATMs and currency exchange
- Restaurants and cafes
- Baby care rooms
- Lounge
- Lost and found
Tijuana Airport accommodation
Tijuana Airport FAQ
Depending on where you’re headed to once at the airport, bus lines might be less frequent or not operate at all. However, there is no need to worry as taxis and private transfers are available 24/7.
Yes. ATMs and currency exchange offices are available at the airport.
Yes. The free WiFI is provided by the airport for all passengers.
Luggage storage service is not available at the airport.
Yes, shuttle buses connect the airport with several cities in both the US and Mexico. There are direct lines to San Diego and Los Angeles in the US and Mexicali and Ensenada in Mexico.
CBX or Cross Border Terminal is one of two terminals at Tijuana airport.
Yes, you will need your passport to cross the bridge to the CBX terminal.
Yes. Tijuana also offers short-term and long-term parking. Fares vary depending on the type of parking lot and duration.
