General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport serves Tijuana, a border city between Mexico and the United States, one of the world's most trafficked border crossings.
It is directly connected to the Cross Border Xpress (CBX), an exclusive pedestrian bridge that allows passengers with airline tickets to cross the border directly from the terminal to San Diego, avoiding queues at the road crossing.
How to get to General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to TIJ
Parking near General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport
The multi-level parking is located adjacent to the terminal on both the Mexican side and CBX/San Diego side.
Rates are in line with standards of a major border crossing.
How to get to Tijuana from TIJ
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport
Major car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area.
Bring your driver's license, passport, and credit card; an International Driving Permit (IDP) is generally required for driving in Mexico.
Hotels near General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport
Otay and the airport
The hotels in the area are within 1-2.5 km of the terminal: by car it takes 5-10 minutes, with free or paid shuttles on request and official SAAT taxis available at the arrivals exit.
Best for: Short layovers, early-morning flights and those who need to cross the Garita de Otay towards the United States without entering the city.
- All the hotels are within a few minutes by car from the terminal, handy for those crossing the Garita de Otay right after arrival
- Dedicated shuttles running from the early morning hours, handy for the earliest flights
- Only the industrial area of Otay and the Plaza Otay shopping centre around: for dinner you almost always stay in the hotel
- For the evening life of Revolución or the Zona Río you still need 15-25 minutes by taxi
Recommended hotels
- Hilton Garden Inn Tijuana Airport About 2 km from the terminal in the industrial area of Otay, with an outdoor pool, whirlpool and gym; convenient for those who need to cross the Garita de Otay towards the United States right away. View availability
- Fiesta Inn Tijuana Otay Aeropuerto About 1 km from the terminal on Rampa Aeropuerto, with a free shuttle on request from 7 to 21 and very close to the Garita de Otay; pool and gym for those with a long layover. View availability
- Hotel Principado Tijuana Aeropuerto 2.4 km from the terminal on Boulevard Cuauhtémoc Norte, with a paid airport shuttle running round the clock; rates among the most affordable in the airport area. View availability
Zona Río
About 10 km from the terminal, 15-20 minutes by car or taxi without traffic; no direct public transport to the airport.
Best for: Those who work or have appointments in the city and want Tijuana's financial district, with restaurants and the Plaza Río shopping centre close at hand.
- Financial district with restaurants, the Plaza Río shopping centre and the San Ysidro border crossing a few minutes away by car
- International chain hotels, with more consistent standards than the city average
- About 10 km from the terminal: you always need a taxi or a car, 15-20 minutes without traffic
- A work-oriented area: many venues close early on weekends
Recommended hotels
- Hyatt Place Tijuana On Boulevard Agua Caliente, in the heart of the Zona Río and less than 10 minutes from the San Ysidro crossing; among the most recent international brands to arrive in the city. View availability
- City Express by Marriott Tijuana Rio On Doctor Atl, a few minutes from Plaza Río and the San Ysidro border crossing; free American breakfast included in the price, rare among the budget chains in the area. View availability
Zona Centro and Avenida Revolución
About 8-9 km from the terminal, 20-25 minutes by taxi or car depending on traffic on the Bulevar Cuauhtémoc; no train or metro available.
Best for: Those who want the evenings on Avenida Revolución, the historic centre's markets and quicker access to the San Ysidro pedestrian crossing.
- Avenida Revolución, historic bars and markets a few steps away, also convenient for the San Ysidro pedestrian crossing
- Zona Centro remains the city's most touristy and walkable neighbourhood
- 8-9 km from the airport: 20-25 minutes by taxi depending on traffic, with no rail alternative
- A central neighbourhood, so traffic and evening noise around Revolución on weekends
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal, connected to the famous CBX, is a strategic hub for cross-border traffic.
For international flights, it's recommended to arrive at least 2.5–3 hours early (additional time if using CBX).
Map of General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. What is the Cross Border Xpress (CBX)?
A toll pedestrian bridge that directly connects Tijuana airport's terminal to the US side (San Diego), reserved for passengers with a plane ticket, avoiding the long lines at the San Ysidro land crossing.
Q. How much does the CBX cost?
Roughly 19.95-26.95 USD for a one-way crossing (37.95 USD round trip), with online discounts compared to kiosk prices (corrected from an earlier estimate of 20-42 USD).
Q. Is it better to stay in Tijuana or San Diego?
It depends on your itinerary: many visitors choose San Diego, conveniently reachable via the CBX directly from the terminal.
Q. Do you need more time for your flight if you use the CBX?
Yes, factor in extra time to cross the bridge on top of the usual airport procedures.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
