Getting a taxi in Tijuana
Tijuana has thousands of taxis ready to take passengers to their destination. There are three types of taxis in Tijuana: Libre Taxi, economic taxis, and airport taxis. Libre Taxis are white with an orange or red logo on the side and fitted with taximeters. These taxis are the most reliable in Tijuana and offer pickups on the streets and from taxi stands. The yellow economic taxis are primarily for border pickups and operate with fixed fares set by local regulations. Although economic taxis are legally supposed to collect passengers only from designated taxi ranks, they often roam around the streets as well. These vehicles tend to be older and charge higher fares. Airport taxis are the only ones authorized to pick up passengers from the airport. These taxis are white with green logos on the side and don’t use taximeters to calculate fares.
You can catch a taxi in Tijuana by hailing one in the street, going to a taxi rank, calling a phone dispatch Tijuana taxi service, or using a ride-sharing app. For time-sensitive journeys, such as to and from the airport, you can also pre-book a private Tijuana Airport taxi with a private company. Be sure to choose only one of the three types of taxis in Tijuana mentioned above, and always look out for the company logo on the vehicle and the driver’s ID displayed inside the car.
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How much does a taxi cost?
Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
TIJUANA AIRPORT TO DOWNTOWN | 20 € | 20 € | 30 MIN |
TIJUANA TO ROSARITO | 40 € | 40 € | 30 MIN |
TIJUANA TO ENSENADA | 90 € | 90 € | 1 HR 30 MIN |
DOWNTOWN TO ZONA RIO | 10 € | 10 € | 20 MIN |
TIJUANA AIRPORT TO OTAY MESA BORDER CROSSING | 15 € | 15 € | 20 MIN |
DOWNTOWN TO US BORDER CROSSING | 10 € | 10 € | 20 MIN |
What are the Tijuana taxi prices?
Each type of taxi service has a different way of charging customers. The white Libre Taxis are equipped with taximeters and it’s up to the driver to either use it or offer a fixed fare. The yellow taxis don’t have meters and must follow strict fixed fares, which should be shown on a rate card. The airport taxis don’t have meters either and each driver sets a price based on the destination. If you take one of the common Libre Taxi cabs and the driver uses the meter, you can expect the following rates:
Base fare: €1.40 (MXN 30)
Price per km: €1 (MXN 23)
For fixed fares, a ride from Tijuana Airport into the city generally costs around €20 (MXN 450), and around €10 (MXN 200) to the U.S. border. Fixed prices may vary depending on the time of day, as traffic conditions in Tijuana increase dramatically during rush hour. You may also try negotiating with the driver to secure a fair rate.
Extra charges:
For any type of Tijuana taxi, you’ll need to pay the toll road fee if you request your driver to take that route. There’s also a charge of around €8 (MXN 180) for keeping your driver waiting for an hour.
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How to get a taxi in Tijuana
Getting a taxi in Tijuana couldn’t be easier as there are thousands of cars available 24 hours a day. The white Libre Taxi cabs can be hailed on the street or found at taxi stands around the city, known as ‘sitios’. The yellow economic taxis are only allowed to pick up passengers from the U.S. border and from designated stands called “Taxi Estand”. The white and green airport taxis are only permitted to collect passengers from the airport taxi rank. Tijuana taxi ranks can be found outside of large shopping malls, Playa Tijuana, the main bus station, border crossings, and the airport.
For a more personalized transfer, you can call a Tijuana taxi dispatch number, use a ride-sharing taxi app, or pre-book a ride with a private company such as Welcome Pickups.
How to get a taxi from Tijuana Airport
A dedicated taxi rank at Tijuana Airport is located just outside the main passenger terminal and operates 24/7, serving both domestic and international visitors. You will find the rank as you exit the Arrivals Hall. Airport taxis don’t use meters; instead, they offer fixed fares based on destination. A ride from Tijuana Airport to the city center usually costs around €20 (MXN 450).
How to get a taxi from Playas Tijuana
Many tourists visit Playas Tijuana to surf and enjoy the summer sun. After a long day at the beach, you can find a convenient taxi stand between Playas Sur Surf Spot and Playa Delfin. The taxi rank is located on the curb as you exit the beach. Taxis here may be equipped with meters, but often use fixed fares.
How to get a taxi from Galerias Hipodromo shopping mall
Galerias Hipodromo, one of the largest shopping malls in Tijuana, has a dedicated taxi stand, to help you get all your purchases back to your hotel. The stand is located inside the multi-story parking lot of Galerias Hipodromio, marked with large blue “Taxi Sitio” signs as you enter. Taxis from the rank at the mall offer fixed fares based on distance.
How to get a taxi from the CBX border crossing terminal
A dedicated taxi rank is located outside the CBX border crossing terminal exit. After crossing the bridge between San Diego and Tijuana, you can step out and take a taxi from this rank into Tijuana. Yellow economic taxis operate with strict fixed fares that are displayed on a rate sheet inside the CBX Terminal.
Tijuana taxi app options
Traveling late at night in Tijuana can be intimidating. Rather than searching for an available taxi on the streets, it’s better to use one of the Tijuana taxi apps to request a ride. Among the various options, Uber, inDrive, Didi and Eiby Taxi receive the highest reviews. It’s important to remember that both wait times and prices can increase significantly during peak travel hours.
To avoid long waits and high Tijuana taxi rates, you can also use the Welcome Pickups app for guaranteed on-time pickups and fixed, reliable fares.
Useful Tijuana taxi numbers
To avoid the hassle of downloading yet another app, you can always call a Tijuana taxi number. Since not all phone dispatch taxi operators speak English, it may be helpful to ask your hotel reception or a restaurant server to call one for you if you’re not fluent in Spanish. If you prefer to call one yourself, consider using these numbers:
AK Cab: +52 619 306 9761
Aquarios Cab Taxi Service: +52 619 422 1102
Taxis Plaza Las Fuentes: +52 664 610 0775
Super Radio Taxis: +52 664 682 8139
1 Libre Taxi: +52 664 565 9691
Why book your taxi in Tijuana in advance?
While there are many different taxi options in Tijuana, you may face long waits for an available car or risk being overcharged as a tourist. Constantly needing to haggle over fares can be stressful and might detract from your enjoyment. To ensure smooth travel and a worry-free experience, consider pre-booking your taxi in Tijuana.
Pre-booking your rides with a trusted company like Welcome Pickups offers peace of mind with guaranteed on-time pickups, friendly English-speaking drivers, competitive fixed fares payable in advance, and a 24/7 customer service line for comfort and convenience.
Useful Tijuana taxi tips
- Taxis in Tijuana are fitted with meters but the drivers rarely use them. Most likely, you will have to negotiate a fixed fare before beginning your journey.
- Many Tijuana taxi drivers are completely new to the city and don’t know the roads well. Rather than giving an address, try to use a landmark to explain your destination.
- You can’t pay for your taxi in Tijuana by credit card, you will need to bring cash to pay for your ride.
- Tijuana taxi drivers accept both Mexican Pesos and USD, however, paying in pesos is usually cheaper due to the exchange rates.
- If your driver used the taximeter, it’s customary to tip around 10-20%, if you agreed on a fixed fare, no tip needs to be given.
- Tijuana taxi drivers can’t usually make change for large notes. Try to carry a few $200 or $100 peso bills with you.
- Pre-booking your Tijuana taxi service will give you the peace of mind of guaranteed on-time pickups, English-speaking drivers, competitive fixed-rate fares, and 24/7 customer support.
Wheelchair accessible Tijuana taxi service
Tijuana can be challenging for wheelchair users, including when it comes to accessible transportation options. Standard Tijuana taxis don’t offer vehicles with ramps or hydraulic lifts, so it’s recommended to book a specialized transport provider in advance. A Tijuana taxi company that provides wheelchair-accessible vehicles and other special medical transport is Pro Shuttle.
Tijuana taxi safety and complaints
Taking a taxi in Tijuana is generally safe and reliable. However, service quality may vary due to the number of private taxi companies operating across the city. If you experience issues such as overcharging, a rude driver, or any situation where you feel your safety is compromised, you can contact the tourist police helpline at 078. Bilingual staff are available 24/7 to assist with complaints or claims.