Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) is located 3.1 miles northeast of the city center in the state of Baja California, Mexico. This airport is located just south of the US border.
It is Mexico’s fifth busiest airport. The airport serves both the Tijuana metropolitan area and the San Diego area via the Cross Border Xpress (CBX) terminal. The airport is operated by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP). Approximately 13 million passengers use this airport annually. The airport has a single main runway.
Interactive Tijuana Airport Map
Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) stands as a fascinating example of cross-border innovation, where passengers can literally walk between two countries mid-journey. This Mexican hub has transformed into an unexpected alternative for Southern California travelers, offering a distinctive blend of affordability and accessibility that challenges traditional airport geography.
Tijuana International Airport Terminal and Cross Border Xpress (CBX) – terminal and gate map
Tijuana Airport has a single terminal building. This terminal is used for both domestic and international flights. The terminal has 23 boarding gates.
Cross Border Xpress (CBX): One of the most unique features of the airport, CBX is a pedestrian bridge connecting the main terminal of Tijuana International Airport directly to a special terminal located in the Otay Mesa area of San Diego, United States. It is only available to ticketed passengers arriving at or departing from Tijuana International Airport. The U.S.-Mexico border is thus crossed quickly. Use of the CBX is subject to a fee. The CBX terminal on the US side has check-in counters, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities, car rental services, and parking areas.
Terminal Floor Plan (Main Terminal – Mexico Side):
Lower Level (Arrivals – Llegadas): Baggage claim areas, customs, passenger pick-up points, taxis, shuttles, and car rental counters are located on this level.
Upper Level (Departures – Salidas): Check-in counters, security checkpoints, duty-free, food and beverage, and shopping areas, and gates are located on this level.
Car Parking
There are short- and long-term parking areas at the main terminal on the Mexican side of Tijuana Airport. Fees are calculated hourly or daily in MXN (Mexican Pesos). There is a 5-story parking lot with a capacity of 1,521 vehicles in front of the terminal building. Fees: 1 hour 65 MXN, 2 hours 130 MXN, 8–24 hours 500 MXN, daily max. 500 MXN.
On the US side, the Cross Border Xpress (CBX) terminal has large parking areas (Street Parking, Lot A, B, C, and Premium Lot). Valet parking is also available. Street Parking is an area where you can park your vehicle for a limited time without a reservation, payable with a QR code for $15 per day. Lots A, B, and C are open parking areas available for $33 per day, either self-serve or with advance reservation. Payments can be made with Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and AmEx cards.
Car Rental at the airport
Mexico Side (Main Terminal): There are offices of international and local car rental companies such as Avis, Hertz, National, and Europcar on the arrivals level of the airport.
US Side (CBX Terminal): The US side of the CBX terminal also has counters for major car rental companies such as Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz. Passengers can pick up their vehicles here after crossing the CBX bridge.
Car rental offices are generally open seven days a week, depending on flight schedules.
Find transportation Mexico side and Us side
Mexico Side:
Taxis: Authorized taxi stands (Taxi Seguro) are available at the airport exit. Fares are calculated based on the destination and are fixed.
Buses: Local bus routes are available from the airport to the city center and other areas.
Rideshare: Platform-based transportation services such as Uber and Didi are widely used in Tijuana.
U.S. Side (CBX Terminal):
Shuttle Services: Shuttle services operate from the CBX terminal to downtown San Diego, the San Ysidro Border Crossing, and other important locations.
Rideshare: Services such as Uber and Lyft pick up passengers from designated areas on the U.S. side of CBX.
CBX Shuttle: Free bus service is available between the CBX parking areas and the CBX terminal.
VIP Lounge at Tijuana Airport
There are three lounges in the US side of the CBX terminal.
Sala VIP GAP: Located in the main waiting area inside the CBX terminal, immediately after security check, on the right side. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Sala VIP Volaris: Located in the VIP Lounge area on the right side after security in the CBX terminal, Airside. Open Monday and Wednesday: 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday: 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday: 24 hours. Maximum stay is 3 hours.
Aspire Lounge (CBX): Located in the CBX terminal. For international flights, it is located in the right corridor immediately after check-in and passport control. It is open from early morning to late evening, in line with the flight schedule.
Lost & Found
For lost property reports and returns, it is important to first determine where you lost your item:
Airport General Areas: If you have lost your item at the airport, you must contact the Tijuana Airport Lost and Found Office (Oficina de Objetos Perdidos). The Lost & Found office is located on the lower level of Terminal 1. The office operates by appointment. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The phone number is +52 664-980-0998.
If you lost your luggage on the plane or during baggage claim, you should contact your airline.
ATM at Tijuana Airport
There are ATMs belonging to various banks in the terminal building. These ATMs are available 24/7.
Smoking Areas
Smoking, including electronic cigarettes, is strictly prohibited in all enclosed areas of the terminal building. Passengers who wish to smoke should use the designated outdoor areas outside the CBX terminal. These areas are easily accessible.
Restaurants at Tijuana International Airport
The main terminal of Tijuana Airport has restaurants, cafes, and fast-food chains offering Mexican and international cuisine in the pre- and post-security areas.
Starbucks Coffee: Located in the pre-security area. Serves a variety of fresh coffee and light snacks.
Carl’s Jr.: Located in the pre-security area, near the check-in counters. Open from 4:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Known for its American-style burgers and French fries.
Las famosas tortas by Mera: Located in the pre-security area, on the ground floor of the terminal. Serves quick snacks such as Mexican tortas.
Tacos Frontera: Located in the pre-security area, near the domestic flight check-in counters. Serves regional Mexican tacos and homemade salsas.
Wings: Located in the pre-security area, next to the last waiting lounge. Serves chicken wings and American-Mexican fusion flavors with a variety of sauces.
Panda Express: Located in the area after security, on the corridor leading to the boarding gates. Serves chicken, meat, and vegetable dishes inspired by Chinese cuisine.
Shopping at Airport
The terminal building has duty-free shops, gift shops, bookstores, clothing stores, and shops selling travel accessories.
MOBO: Located in the area after security check. Sells local Mexican gourmet products and souvenirs.
Toros de Tijuana: Located in the area before security check, near the check-in counters. Here you can find licensed jerseys, hats, and accessories of the Tijuana baseball team.
Mumuso: Located in the area after security control, in the door corridors. Japanese-Korean design home goods and small electronic items are sold here.
La Casa del Chocolateü: Located in the area after security control, near the last waiting room. If you are looking for 100% handmade chocolate, you can find it here.
Librerías Gandhi: Located in the area after security control, right at the entrance of the door corridor. Books, magazines, and travel guides are sold here.
Ay Güey!: Located in the section after security control, near the duty-free area. Mexican-themed T-shirts, hats, and gift clothing items are sold here.
Duty Free
In the airside section after security control at the terminal, there are duty-free shops selling internationally accepted products to passengers. Duty-free shops at Tijuana Airport are open 24 hours a day.
SKY FREE SHOP: Located in the main duty-free section leading to the gate corridors, after security control. Here you can find perfumes, cosmetics, chocolate, and tobacco products.
La Cava de Don Chava: Located in the area after security control, right next to SKY FREE SHOP. Here you can find select wines, tequilas, and liqueurs from Mexico and around the world.
Hotels near Tijuana Airport
There are many hotels located near the airport:
City Express Junior Tijuana Otay: Located in the Otay industrial area of Tijuana. Close to the US-Mexico border crossing. Approximately 3.4 miles from Tijuana International Airport. Free parking and daily buffet breakfast are available.
Hampton Inn by Hilton Tijuana: Located on Carretera Tijuana–Playas de Rosarito. Just a few steps from the US Consulate. Approximately 4.2 miles from the airport. 24-hour shuttle service to the airport is available.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Tijuana Otay: Located at Boulevard General Rodolfo Sánchez Taboada No 10461, Río Tijuana. Approximately 5.3 miles from Tijuana Airport. Free hot breakfast buffet, free Wi-Fi in rooms, 24-hour fitness center, and business center.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites San Diego Otay Mesa (CBX side): It is approximately 4.2 miles from TIJ via the CBX bridge. It offers a free hot breakfast, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and free parking.
Tijuana International Airport Flights and Airlines
Tijuana International Airport is an important hub, especially for Volaris. Volaris operates as a hub here, offering flights to 39 different domestic and international destinations. The three main Mexican carriers operate at the airport. Some US carriers, such as American Eagle, also offer a limited number of flights to Phoenix from time to time.
Most flights from the airport are to cities within Mexico. Regular flights are operated to cities such as Mexico City, Guadalajara, Cancún, Monterrey, and Los Cabos. Thanks to CBX, passengers from San Diego and Southern California can easily reach various regions of Mexico.
Satellite view of Tijuana Airport. Click to enlarge
Tijuana Airport destination map (June 2025). Click to enlarge