How Many Of You Use The Tijuana Airport ? (San Diego, Mesa: hotel, inspection)

[CNYC]

While researching prices online SD to South America it is fair to say that SD has some extremely high ticket prices. It is actually cheaper to fly from NYC all the way West than it is it to fly South from the West Coast. This is of course minus flights to Mexico...which by the way are in the same affordable range as NYC.

I know TJ very well and I've been to the airport for other reasons than flying but I've never flown out of TJ. I would use Aero Mexico since Volaris is a budget airline with budget minded issues that I'd rather not deal with.

Besides the hassle of crossing the border with luggage is the TJ airport a good airport to fly from ? Are the security lines long and what if any issues have or could arise ?

I usually travel with cash. Do they pat you down with their hands or do they have a body scanner ?


I had one instance on a bus from Mazatlan to TJ where the federales climbed the bus and started randomly frisking people. I was certain I was going to get drilled for the few grand I had on me. Luckily I hide it before they got to me.


I also noticed lots of flights leaving from SD have 2 sometimes 3 stop overs. That's insane.

Most flight leaving TJ show only one stop over in Mexico City (been there) and tickets are almost half the cost.

Thanks.

[rosa surf]

The Tijuana airport is great. I've never seen the security lines too long. I've also never had problems there.

The hassle is coming back across the border. Sometimes it just doesn't seem worth it, but try it and see.

When I went to Mexico City I had to wait 1.5 hours in inspection just so they could look through our bags for 5 minutes. Added to the wait time at the border, it is frustrating after you've been on a plane for a while.

But then again you are going to South America and the savings would be worth it. I travel alot to Brazil/Uruguay so I always check prices leaving from SD and Tijuana. Yes, SD alot of times is more expensive and you have to waste time going to cities like Atlanta or Miami before heading down to your destination. When it is in Mexico it is straight down to Mexico City usually, then South América.

[shmoov_groovzsd]

^^ this.

Though I have not done it yet, I have heard nothing but positive experiences. But definitely the same theme has rung throughout those conversations. Get a Sentri pass.

[echo42]

In about 1 year the Tijuana Airport will become a competitive and viable option in San Diego. Ground has been broken on the pedestrian bridge that will cross from Otay Mesa (US)directly into the airport. This will give immediate ingress and egress access to the Tijuana airport. This will eliminate the need to cross at San Ysidro. The lines will be much shorter as well because only airport users will have access to the bridge. There will also be a fee involved because it is a quasi private/governmental partnership. The fee is expected to be around 10-15 dollars each way.

[CNYC]

Originally Posted by rosa surf

When I went to Mexico City I had to wait 1.5 hours in inspection just so they could look through our bags for 5 minutes. Added to the wait time at the border, it is frustrating after you've been on a plane for a while.

Was this coming into Mexico City before you got on your connecting flight ? I've been that route before and I needed to pass customs/immigration before I headed to my next flight. Is this what you are referring to ? Would you say a 3/4hr layover (cushion) is a must when going through the Mexico City airport ?

Did you like the service on AeroMexico ?


I travel with meds on ice. The time I went through Mexico City the ticket agent made it a big deal but finally let me through. I wonder if I will have a hard time in TJ or MC when I connect ?

*** I do have a Sentri pass by the way.

What I planned on doing is spending one night in TJ coming and going to make it easier for me. I thought maybe that would work going from LAX but the cost of the Coaster Hotel and Fare to LAX would be too much. I have a $40 hotel in TJ and I can get there by trolley !

[elchevere]

I have flown from TJ when going to a specific 3rd country, with a connection in Mexico City....if you intend to fly out of Mexico City to a 3rd country be absolutely sure to ask for and pick up an exit visa while at the airport in TJ...if you forget to they will not let you board the connecting flight in Mexico City until you have one in hand and it was a real pain going through the process at Mexico City airport.

Flights from TJ within Mexico tend to be considerably cheaper than flights from San Diego.