One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
TIJ6.7
SAN6.8+0.1
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
TIJ6.4
SAN7.2+0.8
Food & retail
Best for
TIJ
San Diego–side travelers using CBX instead of SAN long-haul fares into MexicoVolaris hub connections across MexicoPriority Pass holders who can use the carry-on exclusive security lane
Watch out for
TIJ
CBX ticket is mandatory and seasonal — advance vs last-minute pricingNorthbound 2-hour post-arrival CBX window; do not exit claim toward the streetDocument stack (passport/visa/FMM/DNR/I-94) — still a real border
TIJ · Binational GAP airport: Cross Border Xpress makes Otay Mesa a real TIJ front door, but the crossing is paid and timed, and Priority Pass covers only one 24h VIP lounge.
SAN · Solid mid-tier US airport with excellent local food and cheap transit but single-runway constraints and no inter-terminal airside link create occasional friction.
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
TIJ6.0
SAN7.8+1.8
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
TIJ8.2+0.1
SAN8.1
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
TIJ7.0+0.1
SAN6.9
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
TIJ6.4
SAN7.5+1.1
Late-night waits in the 24h VIP Lounge
SAN
Local food sceneQuick downtown accessTSA PreCheck efficiency
Only one Priority Pass lounge; capacity and 3-hour max stay
GAP vs Priority Pass smoking-policy conflict
No published MCT or security wait minutes — do not trust invented numbers
SAN
Single runway weather delaysNo airside T1-T2 connectionPeak morning/evening security surges
Duty-free / F&B
Kids area in VIP Lounge
Buy the CBX ticket — and respect the clocks
Southbound within 24h of departure; northbound within 2h of landing. Leaving baggage claim toward the street can kill the CBX path.
One commercial terminal — still confirm your gate pier
Main Terminal only for airlines; Concourses A and B. CBX passengers clear Mexican processing then join the same departures machine.
VIP Lounge is the only Priority Pass room — use the exclusive security if carry-on only
Airside, immediately right after security; GAP/PP list ~24h; PP max stay 3 hours.
