Travelling from San Diego to Tijuana Airport (TIJ): What you need to know
San Diego's main base, San Diego International Airport (SAN), is where great travel stories take off. Explore the options for leaving from here when booking your flight from San Diego to Tijuana Airport (TIJ).
Tijuana (where Tijuana Airport is located) and San Diego share the UTC-7 timezone. You can plan your trip without factoring in timezone differences.
To ensure you catch your flight from San Diego to TIJ, allow plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
During peak travel periods, allow for longer queues and arrive earlier. Aim for at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and up to four hours for international trips.
Airports in San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Whether you want to discover another city as part of your journey or just take a break, we make it a breeze to book a flight with a stopover. To check out your options leaving from San Diego International Airport (SAN), uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX) is a stop you can make when searching for cheap flights from San Diego to TIJ.
Located around 5 kilometres from the centre of San Diego, SAN can be reached in about 10 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport takes roughly 20 minutes.
Catching an early flight from San Diego to Tijuana Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by staying at one of these hotels near San Diego International Airport:
Of the departures from San Diego International Airport, 71.38% arrive on time at their destination.
You'll find SAN at N Harbour Dr.
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)
CLD is about 56 kilometres from central San Diego. It'll take you 40 minutes or so to get to the airport by car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 2 hours 15 minutes.
Get a head start on your holiday with an additional night away from home. Before catching your San Diego to TIJ flight, unwind in one of these hotels close to McClellan-Palomar Airport:
About Tijuana Airport (TIJ)
If you're arriving on a late flight from San Diego to Tijuana Airport, few things top the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your luggage at baggage claim and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these hotels near TIJ:
Grab a Tijuana Airport rental car and discover Tijuana and beyond with your own set of wheels. MEX, Dollar and Ace Rent a Car are popular providers you can book with here.
Lock in the best rate by reserving your ride around one week ahead of your San Diego to Tijuana Airport flight.
Getting from Tijuana Airport (TIJ) to central Tijuana
Tijuana Airport is roughly 6 kilometres from central Tijuana. How long it'll take to get there in a cab or car hire depends on the time of day. Do a little research before you go.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of around 3 hours 40 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego to Tijuana Airport (TIJ)
Currently, R 3,038 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from San Diego to Tijuana Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 6,715. Remember fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
To pick up cheap flights from San Diego to TIJ, book in advance. Airlines usually offer the most competitive fares when flights first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest San Diego to Tijuana Airport tickets across the entire month. It's a good way to find a bargain if your plans are flexible.
Finding a cheap plane ticket from San Diego to TIJ is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when a better deal is available.
Filters make it easier to land a deal on your flight from San Diego to Tijuana Airport. Pick the airlines, flight times and stops that line up with your plans. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the lowest price right away.
The best time to fly from San Diego to Tijuana Airport (TIJ)
It's time to work out when to book your flight from San Diego to Tijuana Airport (TIJ). July is the peak month for travel to Tijuana. If you're all about a more relaxed kind of trip, go in April.
Before locking in your San Diego to TIJ plane ticket, consider what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Tijuana, with temperatures ranging from 16ºC (61ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).
February sees temperatures of between 7ºC (45ºF) and 22ºC (72ºF). Look for cheap tickets from San Diego to Tijuana Airport around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Tijuana
Start your Tijuana trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from San Diego to Tijuana Airport, check out our range of hotels including:
Your trip to Tijuana should come with a side of sightseeing. Attractions you can't miss include Avenida Revolucion, Tijuana Beach Promenade and Coko Bongo Mega Nightclub.
Explore more of Mexico
Tijuana will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other corners of Mexico you'll want to see. Around 145 kilometres east of Tijuana, a trip to Mexicali will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with leading attractions like Catedral de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, Parque Reforma and Rancho Santo Niño.
San Luis Rio Colorado is another must-experience destination in Mexico and is around 209 kilometres east of Tijuana. No trip is complete without experiencing Cueva de Adulam, Bellavista Park and Alhóndiga de granaditas.
