León · Mexico
BJX — Del Bajío International
One airport, three very different destinations, none of them next door
Bajío International serves the industrial city of León, the colonial city of Guanajuato and, most importantly for foreign visitors, San Miguel de Allende. None of the three is immediately adjacent to the airport, and the difference between them is significant enough that choosing ground transport before you arrive is worthwhile.
The US traffic here is heavily driven by people visiting family. Guanajuato state has sent large numbers of migrants to Houston, Chicago and Los Angeles over decades, and the airline schedules track those communities rather than tourist demand.
Terminals and how they connect
Single terminal
One compact passenger terminal handling both domestic and international flights. International arrivals clear immigration and customs here. It is small enough that navigation is not a concern.
Getting into León
Times below are realistic ranges rather than best cases. Rail journeys keep to a timetable; road journeys do not, and treating the two the same is how people miss flights.
Taxi or private transfer to León
25–40 minutes
The closest of the three cities. Authorised taxis operate from the terminal at fixed prices by zone.
Taxi or shuttle to Guanajuato
35–50 minutes
The colonial city is a straightforward road journey. Shared shuttles run alongside private taxis and are considerably cheaper if you are willing to wait for other passengers.
Shuttle or private transfer to San Miguel de Allende
75–100 minutes
The longest of the three by a wide margin. Pre-booking is the sensible approach here, because turning up and negotiating for a ninety-minute journey is both slower and more expensive.
Connecting through BJX
This is a point-to-point airport rather than a connecting one. If you are connecting onward within Mexico, the single small terminal makes it simple, but frequencies are limited and a missed connection may mean a long wait rather than the next departure.
Worth knowing before you fly
Check which city you are actually going to
The airport is marketed under several names — Bajío, León, Guanajuato and sometimes Silao. They all refer to the same place, coded BJX. San Miguel de Allende has no airport of its own, and this is the usual arrival point for it despite the distance.
Pre-book transport for San Miguel
It is a long enough journey that arriving without a plan is the main way this trip goes wrong. Shared shuttles are the economical option and private transfers the convenient one, but both are better arranged in advance.
The altitude is moderate but noticeable
The region sits around 1,800 metres. Less demanding than Mexico City, but enough that a strenuous first day after a long flight is worth avoiding.
Terminal assignments, transit timetables and fares all change. Confirm the details that matter to your trip with the airport or transport operator before you travel.
Routes through BJX
Flying to León
FAQ
BJX — common questions
Terminals, transfers and getting into the city.
Which airport do I use for San Miguel de Allende?
Bajío International, coded BJX, is the usual choice, roughly seventy-five to a hundred minutes away by road. Querétaro airport is another option at a broadly similar distance, and Mexico City is around four hours. San Miguel has no airport of its own.
Is BJX the same as León airport?
Yes. The airport is variously called Bajío, León, Guanajuato and Silao. They all describe the same airport, coded BJX, which serves the whole region rather than a single city.
Still have a question? We're happy to explain — just call.
Call now — +1 (888) 410-4445 →