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Tijuana sits on Mexico's border with the United States, right against San Diego. It's known for its food scene and the busy crossing into California. The country is wide here, so flying covers the distance from Cancun to Tijuana. The flight takes 5h 45m - 6h and fares start at $88 (1,540 MXN).
Distance from Cancun to Tijuana
Cancun and Tijuana are about 3238 km (2012 miles) apart — roughly the distance you cover by air. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 5h 45m and 6h.
How to get from Cancun to Tijuana?
The flight is the only suitable way for travellers to travel from Cancun to Tijuana. The journey takes around 5h 45m, and ticket prices start from $88 (1,540 MXN).
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- Getting→Cancun Airport45m
- Cancun→Tijuana5h
- Tijuana Airport to the City Centre15m
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Cancun to Tijuana by Flight
Travelling from Cancun to Tijuana is quite a journey because you’re going from the eastern tip of Mexico to the most western part of the country.
Direct flights take around 6 hours, including airport transfers.
Your departure airport is Cancun International Airport, 30 km from Cancun city centre.
Tijuana’s airport is conveniently located next to the border with the United States and you can actually cross the border without leaving the airport. If you do want to visit Tijuana, the city centre is just 15 minutes away by car.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Getting to Cancun Airport
To get to Cancun Airport, you can catch an ADO bus from ADO Centro Cancun. Buses begin operating as early as 01:00, with departures every 30 minutes from 04:00 to 22:30. Travel time is around 30 - 45 minutes. You can book your tickets directly at the bus station or online via BookAway, starting at $7.70 (135 MXN).
Uber is also available with rates starting at $19 (335 MXN). But if you want to pre-book your private transfer, you can do so via BookAway, where you can get a 5-seater car for $38 (660 MXN).
See our Cancun Airport page for a more extensive guide.
Step 2: Cancun to Tijuana by Direct Flight
Two airlines fly direct flights from Cancun International Airport to Tijuana: Viva Aerobus and Volaris. Flight time is around 5 hours.
Prices for airline tickets start from $69 (1,210 MXN). Make sure to check Skyscanner for the cheapest flights!
Step 3: Tijuana Airport to the City Centre
The arrival airport is Tijuana International Airport on the northern side of Tijuana, next to the border with the United States. It takes around 15 minutes to get to the city centre by car/taxi.
Authorised taxi counters are located in the airport arrival hall and a taxi to the city centre will cost around $20 (350 MXN).
For cheaper rates, you can always book an Uber. They are available in Tijuana, and a ride from the airport to the city centre starts from $11 (190 MXN).
But just a heads-up: there have been reports that Uber drivers aren’t officially allowed to pick up passengers at the airport. You might need to walk a bit away from the terminal to meet your driver, and prices can sometimes be higher because of this.
Both taxis and Uber are available 24/7.
Border crossing into the United States
If you want to travel into the United States, you can cross the border through CBX (Cross Border Express), which connects directly to Tijuana Airport and is located after the baggage claim.
To use CBX, you need to buy a special ticket through your airline for $29 (505 MXN), and you have two hours from the time of arrival to cross. Note that you must not exit the airport, or you will lose the right to use the CBX.
The paperwork takes around 15 minutes, significantly less than if you go through the San Ysidro crossing, where the waiting time is between 1-2 hours. As San Ysidro is the main crossing point where the rest of the travellers go, there are usually long lines and the vehicle inspection usually delays traffic.
After you pass through customs, you will arrive at the CBX bus terminal. There are different buses and shuttles departing constantly for cities in California like San Diego or Los Angeles.
Travelling this route round trip? You can also check out our guide for Tijuana to Cancun.
Flight tickets are available on Skyscanner.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Tijuana?
Tijuana is Mexico’s most significant border city to the United States. It’s located in the Mexican state of Baja California, right next to the city of San Diego in the US.
The border crossing of San Ysidro is one of the most transited in the world. Many travellers going to the US prefer to fly into Tijuana and then cross the border by land because flying from Mexico to San Diego or Los Angeles directly is often 1,5 times as expensive.
The border crossing between Mexico and the USA isn’t the only reason people visit Tijuana. The city is a thriving cultural hub with a well-known and vibrant nightlife centred mainly in the downtown area around Avenida Revolucion. Or as Manu Chau would put it: Welcome to Tijuana, Tequila, sex and marijuana.
Tijuana also claims to be Latin America’s capital for craft beer and FYI, the place where Caesar salad originated.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Cancun to Tijuana, roughly 3238 kilometres (2012 miles) apart. Flights are usually the cheapest way to go here, and if you're lucky with timing you might find a ticket for even less. The quickest trip takes 5h 45m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Cancun to Tijuana?
The distance from Cancun to Tijuana is 3,238 kilometres (2,012 miles).
What is the cheapest way to get from Cancun to Tijuana?
The cheapest way to get from Cancun to Tijuana is by flight with ticket costs starting from 1,540 MXN.
About the Authors
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Travel Writer
A writer and full-time mom who loves planning beach trips. London is her favourite destination.
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