How to Get to Ciudad Juarez. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

By Air

Airports Serving Juárez

Air travel offers the quickest way to reach Ciudad Juárez or its immediate vicinity. You have two main airport options, depending on your origin.

Airports

Abraham González International Airport (CJS): This is the local airport in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico.
El Paso International Airport (ELP): Located across the border in Sun City, Texas, USA, it offers more international and US city flight options.
Many visitors discover better options into THEP and then cross the border into Ciudad Juárez.

Airlines and Routes

Both airports connect to various destinations, with ELP serving more straightforward US connections and CJS focusing on Mexican hubs.

Main Carriers

From CJS: Aeroméxico Connect, VivaAerobus, Volaris, MagniCharm (seasonal).
CJS Routes: Mexico City, Guadalajara, Cancún, Monterrey, Tijuana, León/Bajío, Mazatlán.
From ELP: Major US airlines (American, Delta, Southwest, United, Allegiant, Frontier, Alaska).

Seasonal Travel

Expect elevated prices in peak holiday seasons. Consider Dollar Flight Club for deal alerts.

Airport Amenities

CJS is a small-to-medium airport with basic services. ELP, larger, offers more dining and shopping.

Airport Transfers

From CJS: Cabs or ride-sharing-sharing. From ELP: Cross border by taxi/ride-share to a bridge, then walk/take Mexican taxi.

Direct Flight Options

From CJS Mexico

Direct international flights are limited from CJS.
CJS mainly connects to major Mexican hubs (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey).
These Mexican hubs then offer onward international connections.
Seasonal routes for vacation destinations are more common from CJS.

From ELP USA

Direct flights from ELP mainly serve major US cities.
These US cities act as hubs for global connections to and from Sun City.
Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas, The City of angels, and Chicago.
Check flight aggregators like Skyscanner for routes and prices.

Transfer Options from Airports

From CJS to City Center

Taxis are available outside the terminal; agree on fare or ensure meter use. Ride-sharing apps (Uber/Didi) offer an economical alternative. Vehicle hires are also an option.

From ELP to City Center Cross-Border

Take a cab or ride-share to a border crossing (e.g., Paso del Norte Bridge). Walk across (pedestrian fee applies). Then take a Mexican taxi or ride-share from the Ciudad Juárez side.

Rental Cars from ELP

Renting in Sun City and driving into Juárez is possible. Confirm your insurance coverage and border crossing rules for the rental vehicle beforehand.

By Land

Border Crossing Points

Ciudad Juárez shares a border with El Paso, Texas, USA. Several international bridges connect both cities, each with specific access types and procedures.

Crossings

Paso del Norte Bridge (Puente The City different): Offers pedestrian and vehicle access, connecting downtown Sun City to downtown Juárez.
Bridge of the Americas (BOTA / Puente Libre): Offers vehicle access, connecting Paisano Drive in Sun City to Avenida Lincoln in Juárez.
Ysleta-Zaragoza International Bridge: Handles automobile and commercial access, connecting Ysleta, El Paso, to Zaragoza, Juárez; often faster for vehicles.

Crossing Procedures

Be ready for immigration processes when getting over the border. Waiting periods can be significant, sometimes hours long, particularly at busy times.

Immigration Steps

Entering Mexico: Present your passport and FMM (if staying more than ONE week) to Mexican immigration.
For vehicles, Temporary Import Permits (TIP) might be needed if traveling beyond the border zone.
Entering USA: Provide your passport and any necessary a visa OR an esta to US Customs and immigration.

Long-Distance Bus Options

An extensive bus the setup connects Ciudad Juárez to major cities across Mexico. Bus travel offers a comfortable and economical way to explore the country.

Bus Travel Details

Main Bus Terminal: The Central de Autobuses de Ciudad Juárez serves as the main hub for local and long-distance connections.
Major Coach Operators: Omnibus de México, Chihuahuenses, Futura, Primera Plus (premium), ADO (via hubs of the central part of/southern Mexico).
Routes: Regular services operate to Chihuahua City, Torreón, Durango, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and numerous other destinations.

Self-Driving Considerations

Driving yourself offers flexibility but entails specific requirements and considerations for safety and legality. Confirm all necessary papers before beginning your journey.

Driving Requirements

Requirements: Valid driver's license (US/Canadian accepted), vehicle registration, and mandatory Mexican auto insurance.
Mexican Auto Insurance: US/Canadian policies are generally not valid in Mexico; purchase a separate policy from a Mexican provider.
Temporary Import Permit (TIP): Necessary when operating a vehicle a foreign-plated vehicle beyond the "border zone." Obtain this via the web or at Banjército offices.

Road Conditions & Safety Concerns

City Roads: Vary from well-maintained to pothole-ridden. Speed bumps (topes) are common and sometimes unmarked.
Highways: Main highways are generally good, particularly toll roads (cuota), which are safer and in better condition.
Safety Concerns: Exercise caution when driving, especially outside daylight hours or on less-traveled routes. Avoid displaying valuables.

Navigation: GPS applications like Google Maps or Waze are extremely useful.
Train Services: No passenger train services operate to or from Ciudad Juárez. Freight trains do operate.
Sea/River Arrivals: Not applicable. Ciudad Juárez is an inland city, and the Rio Grande is not used for passenger transport here.

Departing Juárez

Exit Fees & Taxes

Most standard fees are commonly part of your initial travel bookings.

Departure Cost Details

For air travel, the Mexican departure tax (Derecho de No Inmigrante - DNI) typically comes covered by your airfare.
Verify this inclusion with your airline if you fly out of Mexico.
For land travel, if you entered with a FMM and paid the fee, no extra exit fee applies.

Departure Procedures & Timing

Plan your departure from Ciudad Juárez carefully, if by air or land, allowing ample time for check-in and border crossings.

Recommendations

Air Travel (CJS): Get THERE two-THREE hours prior to international flights (if any) and ONE.5-2 hours for internal flights flights.
Land Travel (to USA via border crossing): Check border waiting periods using apps (e.g., CBP Border Wait Times) or websites before heading to the bridge.
Queue times can range from 30 minutes to several hours, especially during peak times (mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays). Allow ample time.

Pre-Departure Check List

Verify flight details or bus schedules. Ensure your passport and FMM are in order. Allow extra time for border crossings.

Departure Facilities

CJS offers standard airport facilities. The Central de Autobuses provides waiting areas, ticket counters, and food options.

Land Travel Advice

Car Rental Tips

When renting a car, always confirm the age requirements and necessary documentation. A major credit card in the driver'the name is essential. Check your options with DiscoverCars.com.

Rental Company Choices

International chains like Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and National have offices at CJS and in the city.
Mexican liability insurance is mandatory for rental cars. You usually purchase this through the the rental agency.
Decline any duplicate coverage from your credit card if it does not cover Mexico.

Public Bus Advantages

An extensive bus the system connects Ciudad Juárez to major cities across Mexico. Public buses represent an affordable and convenient way to travel within the country. The Central de Autobuses serves as the main hub.

Bus Travel Benefits

Major companies include Omnibus de México, Chihuahuenses, Futura, and Primera Plus.
Regular services connect to Chihuahua City, Torreón, Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.
Bus travel is often significantly cheaper than flying for inter-city travel.

Driving Rules and Conditions

Driving Laws

Seatbelts are mandatory. Using a cell phone while driving is illegal. Speed limits are posted in km/h. A right turn on red is generally permitted unless explicitly prohibited. DUI laws are strict.

Road Conditions

City roads vary. Watch for potholes, unmarked speed bumps (topes), and sometimes erratic driving. Major highways are generally well-maintained, especially toll roads.

Parking Information

Street parking (pay attention to signs), parking lots (estacionamientos), and shopping centers offer parking. Downtown areas commonly feature metered parking or paid lots.

How to Get to Ciudad Juarez