BajaNomad

Pedestrians / Tijuana airport ?

joerover - 1-25-2012 at 03:40 PM

What is the best way for a pedestrian to get to the Tijuana airport (before 9 am ).

Is there a micro from tj border to the tj airport?

Walk across at Otay mesa?

Get a room in Tecate and catch a micro in the morning?

I will be a single male with a carry on bag only. I can walk a mile maybe 2.

No car involved. I will take a room in TJ, Tecate, or ?? the night before.

Alan - 1-25-2012 at 03:45 PM

I always just have my kids drop me off at the end of the cul-de-sac across from the AM/PM in Otay Mesa. Follow the path about 100 yds to the border and catch a cab. I then get my FMM right at the airport.

[Edited on 1-25-2012 by Alan]

joerover - 1-25-2012 at 03:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by joerover

No car involved.




how much was the cab?
is there a bus to Otay mesa border crossing

sancho - 1-25-2012 at 04:01 PM

Funny you should say walk, I walked to the TJ airport
a couple yrs. back from Otay, since then they have made the rd. to the airport more of a Blvd, a little less ped friendly,
not to say it couldn't be done, 45 min walk. As mentioned
Otay border cab to airport approx. $12, maybe you could get it to
$8. Get the reg cabs, not the white airport cabs.
At TJ, I have caught city busses to the Central Bus
station, I see no reason that a city bus wouldn't run
by the airport, $.40 or so, but some Spanish would be
needed to get the right bus

Kalypso - 1-25-2012 at 11:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by joerover
What is the best way for a pedestrian to get to the Tijuana airport (before 9 am ).

Is there a micro from tj border to the tj airport?

Walk across at Otay mesa?

Get a room in Tecate and catch a micro in the morning?

I will be a single male with a carry on bag only. I can walk a mile maybe 2.

No car involved. I will take a room in TJ, Tecate, or ?? the night before.


Not Tecate, not that close.

Is there a reason why you want to cross at Otay rather than San Ysidro? Most of the cabs I've taken recently in Tijuana have been about $5 to anywhere in the city.

I agree Otay is probably walkable, but as noted above, the route is not exactly pedestrian friendly.

paranewbi - 2-5-2012 at 06:03 PM

Any insight on key stress easers in TJ Airport?
Volaris counter?
time necessary at that counter?
FMM...where do you get it at the airport?
Any sight that shows the layout of the terminals?
Carry on insights...laptop, camera, size of bag?
Problems with weight restrictions?
Thanks

[Edited on 2-6-2012 by paranewbi]

gallesram - 2-6-2012 at 09:49 AM

Couple of easy ones: 1, they are doing a lot of construction at the airport right now so it definitely takes a bit longer than usual; give yourself some extra time. 2, check-in for your Volaris flight online; that way you can avoid the counter (but only if you're not checking bags). 3, you can now purchase your FMM right at the immigration booth; no need to go to the bank or the AeroMexico ticket counter (at least, that was the case a few weeks ago). Due to the construction, I wouldn't trust any layouts online because it's in a state of flux right now.

Security is much quicker than the US; and generally speaking, the whole process is easier than the US; largely depends upon what time you're traveling. We were on the 1:00 am flight to Acapulco and while it was busy, it wasn't too bad (there are lots of late-night flights leaving around that time and things were moving pretty well).

El Jefe - 2-6-2012 at 11:44 AM

If you give yourself 1 1/2 to two hours at the airport ahead of your flight you will have PLENTY of time. The immigration counter is just to the right as you enter the airport building. After doing your paperwork, you walk past the counter and the ticket/baggage area is right around the corner. If you have printed your boarding pass and need not check luggage just go down to your left where the gate and security area is for passage to the boarding areas. Pretty easy.

This is all info gathered last week when we flew back down. It is very easy to have somebody drop you off at the San Ysidro crossing or even take the trolley from down town San Diego. Cabs to airport are just across the border 100 yards or so. Walk straight ahead after crossing through the turnstiles. Go straight ahead through the second turnstile after the luggage inspection area and you will see yellow cab guys just waiting for your business. $12-15 dollars. I give him $20 and it makes his day. Maybe a 15 minute ride to airport.

If someone is dropping you off it is much easier for them at San Ysidro, since Otay is kind of out of the way for most folks. And Tecate, forget about it.

If you want to spend the night before you fly near the border, try the Palomar Inn in Chula Vista. One block from trolley stop. From there it is four trolley stops to the border down the I-5 corridor.

paranewbi - 2-6-2012 at 01:36 PM

thanks El Jefe and gallesram...you've added to an expected good time!

Curt63 - 2-6-2012 at 03:18 PM

I do what Alan does. Very easy.