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LAS Will Start Offering Direct Flights Between Las Vegas And Tijuana

There is a Mexican budget airline called Volaris that is gearing up to launch direct flights between Las Vegas and Tijuana. Flights will start later this year, on October 29th,…

The Millennial Arch (Arco y Reloj Monumental), a metallic steel arch at the entrance of the city of Tijuana in Mexico. Direct flights between Las Vegas and Tijuana begin soon.

The Millennial Arch (Arco y Reloj Monumental), a metallic steel arch at the entrance of the city of Tijuana in Mexico. Direct flights between Las Vegas and Tijuana begin soon.

f8grapher via Getty Images

There is a Mexican budget airline called Volaris that is gearing up to launch direct flights between Las Vegas and Tijuana. Flights will start later this year, on October 29th, 2024 and according to the website Mexico Now, the new route is part of the budget airline’s strategy to expand across the United States, Mexico and Latin America. The new route will operate 3 times per week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The other routes that are part of this expansion include Miami to El Salvador, San Jose, Costa Rica to Guadalajara, and McAllen, Texas to Cancun.

For those unfamiliar with the airline, Volaris is Mexico’s largest commercial airline. Just last year, Volaris flew over 24.3 million passengers.

Volaris Isn’t the Only Airline to Offer Direct Flights Between Las Vegas And Tijuana

According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, Volaris isn’t the only airline offering a flight to Tijuana this year. In February, American Airlines launched a non-stop route between Phoenix, Arizona’s Sky Harbor International Airport and Tijuana. Following the closure of the Volaris Tijuana to Oakland route, the American Airlines route is the first direct flight to Tijuana in over 4 years.

Here Are Some Fun Things to Do in Tijuana

If you’ve ever wanted to travel to Baja, there are some fun attractions you should be aware of.

Avenida Revolución – Yelp calls this iconic street a main tourist destination in the city of Tijuana. The nightlife is said to be some of the best in Baja and there are souvenir shops, coffeehouses, cigar lounges, and even donkeys painted like zebras!

El Trompo Museum – If you’re ever in Tijuana with children, the Trompo Interactive Museum is a perfect spot to visit. The museum is focused on science and technology and there are lots of interactive displays for you and the kiddos.

Mercado Hidalgo - Do you love a good farmer’s market? Then you should check out the Mercado Hidalgo! The market is known as a part of deep Mexican culture, in Tijuana, and is filled with unique hand crafted items, incredible food, and fresh produce.

La Caja Galería – If you’re a fan of art exhibits, this is the one to visit when visiting Tijuana. It’s a contemporary gallery filled with the work some of the most outstanding local and international artists. Even the building can be considered a work of art, as 100% of the resources to rebuild and refurbish it are recycled and unprocessed.  

For More Information about the new route from Las Vegas to Tijuana, visit the Volaris website here.

Secret Tips to Save Money on Your Next Vacation

It's almost vacation season. Well, really, any season is vacation season. People travel year-round, but it amps up in the summer months and over the holidays. Travel has really increased since the end of the pandemic. People are itching to get out and explore the world after being couped up for so long. So, if you want to travel a bunch but don't want to waste money, I have some smart and secret tips for you to save money on your next vacation.

Travel by the Numbers

For the 2023 holiday season, the AAA projected a whopping 115.2 million travelers to travel 50 miles or more from home during the travel period from Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, to Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. The number of travelers was projected to increase 2.2% over last year. It also marked the highest projection since 2000, when the AAA first started tracking holiday travel. The busiest travel season, according to the AAA, was in 2019. So, it's obvious that people are traveling pretty much more than ever.

So, where are people traveling? According to the AAA, some of the most popular vacation spots for travelers are the usual suspects. Those include Orlando, Florida, the home of Walk Disney World; New York City, New York; Las Vegas, Nevada; Chicago, Illinois; Alaska and beyond. Other spots around the world include Mexico, Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and Iceland. According to the latest numbers, the AAA says that Orlando is the No. 1 travel spot for Americas. "Home to world-famous theme parks that attract millions of visitors a year, like Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld, it comes as no surprise that Orlando is the number one top travel destination in the U.S.," they state.

If you're traveling to some fun hotspots, you'll want to save some cash. Read on for some helpful tips to save money on your vacation this year.

Under-the-Radar Ways to Save Cash on Your Next Vacation:

1. Try to Negotiate Your Lodging

Did you know that hotel fees can be negotiable? Fidelity.com points out that, "You may be able to negotiate the online price by calling a hotel directly, or asking if they have any discounts for students, government employees, or members of certain groups, such as AAA." So, don't settle for that price you see on your laptop. Try to do better. It's a secret tip that can pay off bigtime.

Woman on her phone

Getty Images / macniak

2. Get Smart with Your Lodging

Did you know some hotels that are virtually the same, including the same brand, can be cheaper just a few miles apart? As a general rule, hotels that are near the airport are more expensive. So, you can look at the hotels you want to stay at and their multiple locations in the area for the best rate. "Some hotels that are under construction may rent rooms at a discount, which is a great option if you can deal with the noise," Fidelity.com points out.

Woman at the airport

Getty Images / macniak

3. Snack Your Way to a Cheaper Trip

Going out to eat on vacation can be one of the most exciting things about the trip. But, if you want to save on cash, skip a few meals out and opt for healthy, hearty snacks. Pack (or buy at a local store) some protein-rich snacks, like protein bars and meal bars, and limit your dining out. You can still enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer, just not as much of it. This is a way to stay fit on your trip, too. A lot of people don't think of this tip, so it's a bit of a secret.

Woman snacking on cereal

Getty Images / djiledesign

4. Timing is Everything

You've heard it so many times in life: Timing is everything. That's true for travel, too. Research to find the least-busy times to visit your destination. If you travel during those downtimes, you'll save big. While this is a common tip, something people forget is that every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, be specific for your travel spot.

Woman smiling on her laptop

Getty Images / BartekSzewczyk

5. Travel with a Friend

If you're thinking of traveling solo to a place you've always wanted to visit, go cheaper by traveling with a friend. You two can share lodging fees. Also, sometimes there are more deals and discounts for those traveling with multiple people. I always do this when going to a big music festival, if it's far away. I'll usually meet my friend there, and we share lodging costs. It also makes the trip more fun.

Two friends traveling

Getty Images / PeopleImages

6. Find Free Spots to Travel

Look for some free attractions in your travel area. Chances are, they won't be as packed as the big-named places, too. You can still visit some of the popular landmarks. But, if you add a trip to a national park or free museum to your itinerary, it will save you some cash.

People hiking

Getty Images / MargaretW

7. Max Out Your Memberships

Are you a member of any random groups? You might have travel deals just waiting for you. Check everything, from your college alumni membership to your credit cards, for travel discounts. You may be surprised what you find.

Woman with a credit card

Getty Images / Andrii-Borodai

8. Don't Get Picky

Say you just want to get out on a fantastic trip, but you don't really have a place in mind. That's actually a good thing. Take an hour to look at flight specials happening right now. If you aren't picky on where to travel, chances are you'll find a great rate on airfare and lodging somewhere. Once you find the most reasonable place to travel, then you can start looking at what to do when you're there.

Airport terminal

Getty Images / 06photo

This is a bit ironic, but often times, the most popular tourist destinations are also the cheapest. That's because there is a lot of competition for all those travelers. So, big-named destinations like Orlando, Florida, or Las Vegas, Nevada, tend to have really good travel deals. Go popular, or go home.

The ocean with palm trees

Getty Images / Gabriele-Maltinti

Ransom Garcia is the music director and afternoon host on 1079 Coyote Country. He’s been with the station since 2017, but he’s been on the Las Vegas airwaves since 2003. Although he's Vegas Born AND Raised, Ransom also has on-air duties on sister station Kiss 95.1 in Charlotte, NC. He is also set to be inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame in September of 2024. Ransom writes articles about pop culture, human interests, technology, video games and anything affecting Las Vegas.