Airports In Tijuana, Mexico: A Comprehensive Guide

Tijuana International Airport, officially Aeropuerto Internacional General Abelardo L. Rodríguez, is located 5km northeast of downtown Tijuana, Mexico. It is the second-northernmost airport in Mexico and the country's fourth busiest, serving 12.3 million passengers in 2022. The airport has a single runway, two passenger terminals, and a variety of facilities for passengers, including lounges, duty-free shops, restaurants, and cafes. It serves a network of 42 domestic destinations and is a hub for Volaris. In addition to commercial flights, the airport also houses facilities for the Mexican Air Force.

Tijuana International Airport's facilities

Tijuana International Airport, officially known as Aeropuerto Internacional General Abelardo L. Rodríguez, is located 5 km (3.1 mi) northeast of downtown Tijuana, in the state of Baja California, Mexico. It is named after the former Governor of Baja California and late President of Mexico. The airport serves a population of five million in Tijuana and the surrounding San Diego-Tijuana metropolitan area. With a capacity of approximately 13 million visitors annually and 360 flights daily, it is the fifth busiest airport in the country.

Tijuana International Airport has a range of facilities to enhance the travel experience for its passengers. The airport comprises a single 3,000-metre (9,800-foot) runway, a two-concourse main terminal with 23 gates, an ultramodern control tower, a parallel taxiway, and a food court. There are four baggage claim carousels, two lounges, duty-free shops, and various dining options, including fast food, sit-down restaurants, and cafes such as Starbucks. The airport also offers essential services like car rentals, taxis, ridesharing, and bus services, ensuring convenient transportation to and from the airport.

For premium passengers, the airport features VIP lounges in both the Main Terminal and the CBX terminal, providing a comfortable and exclusive environment. The airport recently unveiled plans for a significant expansion, including a new terminal building (Terminal 3), an additional runway, and enhanced parking facilities to meet the increasing passenger demand.

Although there are no hotels within the airport premises, several nearby hotels like Hotel Ticuán, Hotel Palacio Azteca, and Hotel Real Inn Tijuana offer shuttle services for their guests. These hotels provide amenities such as complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi, ensuring comfort and convenience for travellers with early morning flights or long layovers.

Transport options to/from the airport

Tijuana International Airport, officially Aeropuerto Internacional General Abelardo L. Rodríguez, is located 5km (3.1 miles) northeast of downtown Tijuana, Mexico. The airport is conveniently accessible by several transport options, providing travellers with a range of choices to suit their preferences and needs.

Driving

If you are coming from the US side, you can drive to the airport via the CBX (Cross-Border Xpress) Border Crossing Bridge. This option offers a seamless border-crossing experience as the CBX bridge is directly linked to the Tijuana airport. However, it's important to note that you can only use the CBX bridge if you have a valid plane ticket for the day of crossing. To access the CBX, you can either drive your vehicle and pay for parking or use a ridesharing service like Uber or Lyft. These ridesharing options can also be utilised when travelling from the airport to the CBX.

Public Transportation

The Tijuana airport can be reached by local bus from Downtown Tijuana or Zona Rio. This bus service offers an affordable option, with a fare of $11.00 MXN (approximately US$0.60). Additionally, several bus providers, including Autobuses ABC and Greyhound, operate services from the arrivals area of the Main Terminal, providing further connectivity to travellers.

Shuttle Services

Some nearby hotels, such as Hotel Ticuán, Hotel Palacio Azteca, and Hotel Real Inn Tijuana, offer shuttle services to and from the airport. These shuttles provide convenience for passengers with early morning flights or extended layovers, allowing them to rest comfortably at the hotels.

Taxis and Ridesharing

Taxis and ridesharing services like Uber are readily available at the Tijuana airport, offering travellers convenient transportation to and from their destinations. These options provide flexibility and can be utilised for various journeys to and from the airport.

Hotels near the airport

Tijuana International Airport, officially Aeropuerto Internacional General Abelardo L. Rodríguez, is located 5 km (3.1 mi) northeast of downtown Tijuana, Mexico. Although there are no hotels within the airport, there are several nearby hotels that offer shuttle services to and from the airport. Here are some options for hotels near the airport:

Hotel Ticuán

Hotel Ticuán is one of the popular choices near the airport. It provides a range of amenities, including complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, and airport shuttles.

Hotel Palacio Azteca

Hotel Palacio Azteca is another popular option that offers similar amenities to Hotel Ticuán, including complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, and airport shuttle services.

REAL INN de Tijuana

Located just 15 minutes' drive from Tijuana International Airport, REAL INN de Tijuana offers a gym and an outdoor pool with a hot tub. Each air-conditioned room includes free Wi-Fi.

Hotel Frontiere Tijuana

Hotel Frontiere Tijuana is also located 15 minutes' drive from the airport and offers a restaurant, a bar, and a fitness centre. Free WiFi access is available throughout the hotel.

Hampton Inn By Hilton Tijuana

Hampton Inn By Hilton Tijuana is very close to Tijuana Airport and offers a shuttle service. The hotel features a fitness centre, free private parking, a shared lounge, and a restaurant.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Tijuana Otay by IHG

This hotel is an 8-minute drive from Tijuana Airport and the US border. It features an outdoor pool, fitness centre, and air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi and cable TV.

The airport's history

Tijuana International Airport, officially Aeropuerto Internacional General Abelardo L. Rodríguez, is located 5 km (3.1 mi) northeast of downtown Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. It is named after the former Governor of Baja California and late President of Mexico, General Abelardo L. Rodriguez. The airport is situated near the Mexico–United States border, making it a geographically binational airport with direct access to its terminal from Mexico and from its Cross Border Xpress (CBX) terminal in the United States.

The airport was inaugurated as the 'Aeropuerto Federal de Tijuana' on May 1, 1951, replacing the former airport located on today's Aguacaliente Boulevard. In 1954, Mexicana de Aviación began direct flights from Tijuana to Mexico City. In 1965, as part of the National Plan of Airports introduced during President Diaz Ordaz's administration, the airport became part of the Government-owned corporation Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA). The growing population in Tijuana during the 1960s led to an increased demand for flights.

In 1970, a new 2,500-metre (8,200 ft) runway and a terminal capable of accommodating larger aircraft were constructed. The new runway's direction impacted Tijuana's approach, particularly over Cerro San Isidro, a 792-metre (2,598 ft) high obstacle. This caused an increase in the east approach glide slope and hindered a full Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach on runway 27, necessary during adverse weather conditions.

During the 1970s, Tijuana experienced rapid growth, leading to expansions in both terminal and parking areas to meet escalating airport demand. In 1990, Mexico initiated its first two 10-year joint ventures with private investors, which included Spanish and Mexican investors. In 1995, the publication of the 'Ley de Aeropuertos' (Airports Law) marked the beginning of Mexico's airport privatization program. In 1999, Tijuana Airport joined Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), a consortium headquartered in Guadalajara.

Under the airport privatization concession in 2002, an expansion project was undertaken, including the extension of concourses A and B, doubling the terminal's capacity, and the expansion of several taxiways to accommodate larger aircraft. Throughout its history, Tijuana Airport has served as a strategic hub for various airlines, including Volaris and Viva. It offers a network of 42 domestic destinations across Mexico and supports cargo flights, tourism, flight training, and general aviation activities.

The airport's busiest routes

Tijuana International Airport, officially known as General Abelardo L. Rodriguez International Airport, is located in the state of Baja California, Mexico. It is named after the former Governor of Baja California and late President of Mexico. The airport is situated near the Mexico–United States border, making it a geographically binational airport with direct access from both Mexico and the US. This unique feature has made it a popular option for cross-border travellers, particularly those heading to Mexican cities.

Tijuana Airport is the busiest airport in Baja California, Mexico, and ranks as the fifth busiest airport in the country for both passenger numbers and aircraft movements. In 2024, the airport handled 12,545,800 passengers, a significant increase from the 8,925,900 passengers it served in 2019. The airport's busiest route is the Cross Border Xpress (CBX) bridge, which connects the airport's terminal in Tijuana with a new terminal in San Diego, California, in the US. This route is especially popular for passengers travelling between the two countries, as it offers a seamless and convenient way to cross the border without having to go through the traditional border crossing.

The CBX terminal handled approximately one-third of all passenger movements at Tijuana Airport in 2024, which equates to around 4 million passengers. The bridge is only open to passengers with a boarding pass and is subject to specific timing restrictions. Despite the increased convenience, travellers still need to go through a thorough customs process, including presenting necessary passports and visas, before they can cross into the other country.

In terms of flight routes, Volaris, the airport's second-leading carrier, serves the longest domestic non-stop route in Mexico, from Tijuana to Cancún, with a flight time of over four hours. Additionally, Volaris offers flights to more than 35 domestic destinations, including non-stop flights to La Paz. Aeroméxico, Tijuana's top airline, provides up to 20 flights daily to and from 15 cities across Mexico.

On the international front, Hainan Airlines operates a route between Beijing, Tijuana, and Mexico City, with three weekly flights. This route is the airport's only direct passenger connection to China in the San Diego–Tijuana metropolitan area. Furthermore, American Eagle offers daily flights to Phoenix, Arizona, marking the first direct connection to the airport managed by this airline. China Southern Airlines also launched a bi-weekly route between Shenzhen and Mexico City, with a layover in Tijuana for refuelling.

Frequently asked questions