TIJUANA AIRPORT (TIJ) INFORMATION

Tijuana International Airport is a joint public and military airport located in Mexico just south of the border between Mexico and the USA. While there are several binational airports in the world, Tijuana International Airport is a so-far, one-of-a-kind as it has passenger terminals geographically located in two countries.

The airport itself is located in Mexico. This includes the Main Terminal, taxiways, runway, control tower, bus terminal and everything else, except for one terminal, CBX, which is located just north of the border on US land.

Tijuana Airport has the IATA code TIJ and the ICAO code MMTJ, and it serves the Mexican city of Tijuana and the US city of San Diego. The area the airport is located in is Tijuana, Baja California while the CBX Terminal is located in Otay Mesa, San Diego, California. The airport is also known as General Abelardo L. Rodriguez International Airport after the late (substitute) president.

The airport is a public as well as a military airport and it is the fourth busiest airport in Mexico, and the 11th busiest in Latin America.

TIJ opened on May 1st, 1951, as Aeropuerto Federal de Tijuana, replacing a former airport.

The Main Terminal opened in July of 1970 assigning the original terminal as an air base for the Mexican Armed Forces. The original terminal is known as Aeropuerto Viejo, which means Old Airport. The new Main Terminal is also called Terminal 1.

In the 1980s the fast growing city of Tijuana meant increased demands on the airport and the terminal, as well as the parking areas, was expanded.

In the 1990s, as part of Mexico’s airport privatization program, the Tijuana Airport became part of Grupo Aeroportario del Pacífico (the Pacific Airport Group) which consists of 12 airports.

In 2002 the airport terminal was expanded and renovated with the extension of concourses A and B, allowing the terminal to double its capacity, and the concourses were expanded and remodeled during 2011 and 2012.

At this point new customs and international arrivals facilities came into place, the exterior was renovated and a new bus terminal located right next to the terminal was constructed.

This was followed up by the Cross Border Xpress Terminal that opened in December of 2015.

The construction of a new Main Terminal has been underway since 2018. This new terminal will allow direct access to the US from international arrivals, via CBX, in a more efficient way that it allows for today.

The airport has one open and active asphalt runway of 2,960 m/9,711 ft.

The airport saw 6,316,600 passengers come through it in 2020, a decrease from the more than 9 million passengers that came through it in 2019. The decrease was due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The airport has 23 gates divided on the two concourses with international arrivals handled at Concourse B and departures at Concourse A.

The airport also has a general aviation terminal, GAB.

Arrivals, Departures and Airlines at Tijuana Airport

• See live flight arrivals information at Tijuana Airport
• See live flight departures information at Tijuana Airport
• See all airlines and routes that serve Tijuana Airport

The CBX Terminal at Tijuana International Airport

The terminal located in the US is called Cross Border Xpress, CBX for short, and it is connected with the Main Terminal through a 390 ft/120 m covered pedestrian bridge going across the border.

Crossing the bridge requires travel documents including a boarding pass for a flight about to depart or that just arrived, a CBX ticket (a ticket for crossing the bridge), as well as a passport. Everyone who crosses the bridge will be subject to going through the normal procedure of entering another country, i.e. customs and immigration.

The CBX Terminal handles check-ins and processes passengers coming from the US side of the border about to depart from the airport.

The terminal is a joint venture funded by private Mexican and US investors and Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico.

CBX Tickets at Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)

Tickets can be purchased online, through airline partners, or at the counters or ticket kiosks available in the CBX Terminal as well as in the Baggage Claim areas of the Main Terminal.

Rental Cars at Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)

Mexican Side – Car rental companies are available in several areas of the airport.

US Side – Car rental companies are available in the CBX terminal.

See all car rental companies at Tijuana Airport.

Buses/Shuttles at Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)

Mexican Side - The airport’s bus terminal is located just east of the Main Terminal. Local buses to Tijuana are available here as are Greyhound, ANC Autobuses, and more, that provide transfer to other destinations in Mexico, as well as the US.

US Side – Shuttles buses to various destinations in the San Diego and Los Angeles areas are available from outside the CBX terminal.

More information about bus services at Tijuana Airport.

Taxis at Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)

Mexican Side – Official taxis can be found right outside the airport terminal. Unofficial taxis can be found across the road off airport grounds as they are not allowed to collect passengers on airport land. Official taxis tend to be more expensive, but all should be sufficient.

US Side – Taxis with drivers vetted by the CBX staff can be found outside the terminal.

More information about all taxi services at Tijuana Airport.

RideShares at Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)

Rideshare companies are available on both sides. Transfers are requested through the company's own apps.

Hotel Shuttles at Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)

Hotels may offer an airport shuttle service to their guests. Check with the hotel for availability, cost and point of collection. Need to book a hotel? See a selection of hotels near Tijuana Airport.

Trains at Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)

Tijuana Airport doesn’t offer a direct train transfer option, but for those wanting to continue their journey via train there are train stations located in Tijuana as well as San Diego that connect with various destinations of each country, as well as destinations across the border. More information about train services near Tijuana Airport.

Parking at Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)

Mexican Side – There is a multi-level parking garage as well as a surface lot located near the Main Terminal. Short-term and long-term options are available as are covered and uncovered alternatives.

US Side – Several parking lots are available near the CBX Terminal, offering short-term parking prices. No specific long-term parking is available, although it is possible to park for longer periods.

More information about parking at Tijuana Airport.

Services at Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)

Mexican Side – The Main Terminal offers a lot of different services, including ATM, currency exchange, luggage carts, porters, VIP Lounge, food courts and shopping alternatives.

US Side – The CBX Terminal has a coffee house, an eat-in restaurant and a sports bar, as well as a Duty Free Shop, free luggage carts, ATMs and currency exchange services.

Lost and Found at Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)

If an item is lost at one of the airport’s terminals, please contact the terminal's information desk.

Closest International Airport to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)

Mexican Side – Mexicali International Airport (MXL) sits 103 mi/166 ft from TIJ.

US Side – San Diego International Airport (SAN) sits 19 mi/31 km from TIJ.

Additional Services and Amenities at Tijuana Airport

At Tijuana Airport you will find the usual array of bars and restaurants, airport lounges and shops.

• See all bars and restaurants inside Tijuana Airport
• See and book airport lounges at Tijuana Airport
• Plan your shopping in advance - see all the shops (including duty-free) at Tijuana Airport

Things to do in Tijuana

There are a number of activities to suit all ages and interests in the region - see a selection of tourist activities in Tijuana, Mexico.

Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) Contacts

Address: Tijuana International Airport, Aeropuerto S/N, Nueva Tijuana, 22435 Tijuana, B.C., México
General Phone: +52 664 607 8200
Lost and Found Phone: +52 664 607 8200
Official Tijuana Airport Website: https://www.aeropuertosgap.com.mx/en/tijuana-3.html
CBX Website: https://www.crossborderxpress.com/en/

Local Information

Drive on: Right
Electricity: 127V/60 Hz
Plug: A, B
Currency: MXN, $, Mexican Peso