You can park at the multi-level parking structure, with daily rates of about $16. There will be plenty of signs leading you to the CBX bridge, and since most of the surrounding area is full of warehouses, there really isnt much traffic. As of 2015, CBX connects San Diego to the Tijuana Airport. CBX speeds up and simplifies the process of using the Tijuana Airport, and I highly recommend it to anyone traveling from SoCal to Mexico. You can enter the Tijuana Airport VIP Lounge if youre a Priority Pass member, or by paying 570 Pesos ($25-$30 USD, depending on exchange rates). If youre flying from Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), youll often find prices over $700 roundtrip. Its a quick, five-minute walk across the pedestrian bridge to the airport terminal building on the Mexican side of the border. Instead, the best way to get there is to use the Cross Border Xpress (CBX) pedestrian bridge. On the day I traveled, there were no lines at all. Is this similar to customs forms - "one per family? Thank you for your information. VivaAerobus is another Mexican budget carrier, they dont offer as many flights out of Tijuana as Volaris, though prices tend to be quite cheap as well. At this point, the process is the same as if you just arrived at the airport like everyone else. Its relatively easy to find the saver award space on this route, which costs just 100,000 Skywards miles roundtrip. Use the Cross Border Xpress (CBX) There's no need to navigate the streets of Tijuana to get to or from the airport. Particularly if you use the Cross Border Xpress. Once you reach the terminal, youll go through Mexican customs and immigration. Be sure to negotiate the fare before accepting the ride. For example, you could book a cheap flight from Tijuana to Mexico City. Your email address will not be published. Doing so is easier than you think, which is why we present this step-by-step guide to fly from Tijuana airport and use Cross Border Xpress. You can even take a shower. The Tijuana Airport Main Terminal is shaped like a flat U, a flat walkway connects concourses A & B. If youre looking for flights to the Caribbean, I recommend you check flights from Cancun. If you are going to be in Mexico 7 days or more: You will have to pay about $575 Mexican pesos (approximately $30 dollars) as tourist tax. If youve reached this point, you should be ready to enjoy the best Mexico has to offer, and the cheap domestic flights the Tijuana airport provides via the CBX bridge. Still, thanks to Cross Border Xpress (CBX), it is possible to cross easily from San Diego to the Tijuana International Airport (TIJ). The biggest benefit is the money you can save on tickets. Easy peasy. Peter is a points and miles reporter and flight deal analyst at Thrifty Traveler who joined the team in March 2022. Make sure to plan ahead! Learn more atcrossborderxpress.com/en/I94. Hope you give it another shot someday. Pass the U.S. Customs and Border Protection checkpoint: Here, you will be asked for your travel documents, and you your luggage will be scanned. Once you have crossed the CBX bridge and completed the Mexican Immigration process, you have finally arrived at the actual Tijuana Airport. Thanks for the info. Columbia). It also offers several stops within these routes. Here, you must scan your CBX ticket, passport, at an automated gate. Go to ourtravel documents and requirements page to learn more. The cheapest way to get from San Diego Airport (SAN) to Tijuana Airport (TIJ) costs only $92, and the quickest way takes just 28 mins. Out of the four airlines, I almost always use Volaris. Youll still have to pay the 500 peso FMM visitors permit fee if you are staying in Mexico for more than 7 days. Zooming in on the map, youll see this border crossing connects the U.S. side of the border directly with the airport terminal. If you fly out in late December, CBX parking will be at 100% capacity, and street parking full for miles around. When I went to buy tickets on CBX site it only asked for one (me) travelers info and we are a family of four. You can see the pricing in the table below, not too terrible for airport parking, though it can add up for long trips. Youll need a boarding pass in order to use the CBX. I use TIJ whenever I travel to Mexico or South/Central America. The San Diego-Border area is a densely packed area with numerous ways to get there. Have you flown out of Tijuana Airport or used the Cross Border Xpress? They will weigh your luggage and charge you if you are over. We recommend doing it on the San Diego side to save you time. Once everything has been scanned and the door opens, you will be able to cross the bridge. I had lost my receipt and had no option but to pay again. The network reaches as far as Sacramento or El Paso, Texas, but that would be a bit of a hike. ThePort of San Diego Big Bay Boom July 4th Fireworks Show is back, promising another spectacular display over San Diego Bay. Cross Border Xpress and Tijuana Airport Step by Step Guide, Immigration officials will not check your, There is another important form that you will need to cross into the Tijuana Airport via the CBX bridge, the, Cross Border Xpress Steps Before You Arrive, Buying Tickets for Tijuana Airport Flights, What to expect Day of Departure via Cross Border Xpress, Crossing the CBX Bridge into the Tijuana Airport. Youll have to put all of your bags through a scanner after passing through immigration. If you dont live in San Diego and want to use Uber or Lyft, then you would still need to figure out where to park. The Cross Border Xpress is convenient but it is also kind of expensive for what it is. If you are a foreigner, you must present a valid passport since you will be passing through Mexican Immigration. The sky bridge leads you directly from a terminal on the US side into the boarding area inside Tijuana Airport. traveling through Tijuana is a great way to save compared to Southern California fares. To be frank, I have not used the CBX Shuttle, so I cant comment on the quality or time it takes. TSA PreCheck isnt available when flying from Tijuana, but you can get expedited security screening by visiting the VIP Lounge. It is perfectly safe to fly out of Tijuana Airport. CBX operates und. Even when crossing on foot. Its a ton of steps, and you definitely want to give yourself plenty of time to complete all of these tasks. Immigration officials will not check your CBX ticket nor boarding pass (though they will ask where youre going/came from), but you will need both upon entering the CBX bridge, as Cross Border Xpress staff will require you to present both. Crossing back from Mexico to the US can take hours. If you decide to cross the border at the big Tijuana crossing then take a taxi to the airport, you will have to travel through the city. Step 1: Getting there Cross Border Xpress is located in Otay Mesa, about 20 minutes from downtown San Diego, just across the border from Tijuana. He spends most days digging for the best points and miles deals to send to Thrifty Traveler Premium+ members. The San Diego Tourism Authority is funded in part by the San Diego Tourism Marketing District Corporation with City of San Diego Tourism Marketing District assessment funds. Here, you must scan your CBX ticket. If you fly into the Tijuana Airport and have the appropriate passport/documents, yes. Those are just two quick examples of a trend that plays out again and again and again. The terminal offers free baggage carts if you need help hauling your luggage across the bridge. This is where you pay the tourist fee for entering Mexico, which can be anywhere from $25-$30 per person. The Cross Border Xpress address is 2745 Otay Pacific Drive, San Diego, CA 92154. You will then use that ticket to exit parking. U.S. citizen children under age 16 arriving by sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean may present an original or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or Certificate of Citizenship. After crossing the border, catch a taxi or Uber to the airport. To walk you through the crossing, check out my guide: How to Walk Across the Border to Tijuana. In this case, you wont even have to walk outside. Check out this Google Flights search for flights from San Diego (SAN) to Cancun (CUN) in March all three major U.S. airlines are charging around $500 roundtrip for 1-stop flights. CBX reopens for non-essential travelers: Foreign passengers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are permitted to enter the United States for non-essential travel through CBX. There are also long-distance shuttle buses with stops in several cities throughout California, including Anaheim, Huntington Park, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, and more. If youre looking for those options, youre probably a CBX pro and dont need my humble advice. One of the travel methods is: Taxi or uber from Tijuana airport to border crossing "pedeast" San Ysidro trolley station. Yes, but it should be in its carrier when you cross the bridge. Family of four. At this point, the process is the same as if you had just arrived at the airport like everyone else. Here is a, A completed Mexican Immigration Form (FMM), For more info, check out my complete guide to. The price is slightly higher for the airport taxis. So if youre looking for a cheap flight to Mexico (or beyond), keep your options open and search for flights from Tijuana as well. The main reason for using Cross Border Xpress is to save time at the border crossing when returning to the United States. I highly recommend you buy it online, you dont want to be stuck in the massive lines of people waiting to buy a CBX ticket. The airfares are low because Mexican airlines dont pay U.S. salaries and I presume theres no international ticket tax (if you fly within Mexico). Trust me: Ive skipped my home airport of San Diego (SAN) and headed across the border for Tijuana several times, and Ill do it again and again. CBX (Cross Border Xpress) is the service that allows you to cross the border between Tijuana and San Diego more quickly and safely. Voter's registration card, military ID, driver's license and social security cards are not considered valid forms of citizenship identification. You get to eat and drink all you want, plus Wi-Fi, plus comfy seating. Unlike those arriving directly at an airport in the United States, travelers will not be required to also present a negative COVID-19 test. You must show your boarding pass at one of the prepaid ticket counters to enter the bridge. That makes it quick and easy to get to from the city. If youre staying fewer than 7 days, the immigration official will just stamp your passport. Inside, youll find both Mexican and US immigration booths that you pass through while crossing the international border. All rights reserved. To check-in, you have two options, at the Viva Aerobus, Volaris, or Aeromexico counters at the CBX San Diego terminal and at the Tijuana airport. An Uber or Lyft from the San Diego area should cost around $30 to $50 each way a little more than what it costs to get to the centrally located San Diego Airport. Its that simple. One way taxi fare should cost about $6-$8. to save on your next trip. Children under 2 years old dont need a ticket to use the CBX. They dont appear to have a website, but seem to take reservations by email at reservations@damarisexpressinc.com or by phone 888-501-0854. CBX also offers a Military Discount of 15%, which applies only for individual round trip ticket, and you must present a valid military identification at the counter. Be sure you bring rolling luggage, or make use of the many CBX push carts available. But you can often find flights from Tijuana to Santiago for just 155,000 SkyMiles roundtrip, flying lie-flat in Aeromexico business class with one quick stop in Mexico City. The Cross Border Xpress really is a fantastic option, you get all of the benefits of cheaper Mexican domestic flights, without the hassle of crossing the border via San Ysidro or Otay, which can be a complete nightmare. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card. There is another important form that you will need to cross into the Tijuana Airport via the CBX bridge, the FMM, a Mexican customs/immigration form. You will find all of the amenities you would expect from a busy airport. You will also see the parking kiosks where you will have to pay for parking if you used the CBX Parking lots. The main reason to use the Cross Border Xpress is to save time on the border crossing when returning to the US. There is plenty of seating, Wi-Fi, unlimited beverages (including alcoholic), and a selection of finger foods and 2-3 hot meal options. Even if they are in the border zone, travelers must show valid proof of their vehicle registration when entering Mexico. After you land, your planes arrival gate will either be in Concourse A or B, either way, you will head towards the middle of the Terminal (the flat part of the U shaped terminal). A Round Trip for 4 people costs $105, which is $25 cheaper than if you had purchased individually. CBX will send two emails with the QR codes to enter (one for each trip) to the address you registered during your booking process. Few U.S. airports are more convenient than San Diego (SAN), a short drive away from downtown. Check-in for your flight online or at a kiosk or check-in desk inside the CBX terminal on the U.S. side of the border. Crossing from San Diego to the Tijuana Airport: All You Need to Know for the Cross-Border Xpress Bridge Want to save HUNDREDS of dollars on your next vacation to Mexico? Children under the age of 2 do not need a ticket to cross through CBX. You can check out my Tijuana Border parking guide here. The way back is equally easy. This form will be provided by the airline or at the port of entry. See the city of San Diego in a new way while cruising through its waters on a sightseeing tour, dining cruise, or just getting around town on a ferry boat. It is located off the 905 Freeway Britannia Blvd exit. Given that the Tijuana Airport primarily serves domestic flights, the VIP Lounge does not provide sleeping areas, nor showers. Proof of a negative COVID-19 test is not required for CBX crossing. CBX provides the U.S. market with a convenient and easy way to access the Tijuana International Airport and thus enjoy the air connectivity it offers- 36 direct routes within Mexico. You can connect to San Diegos trolley with a shuttle to either San Ysidro or Santa Fe Depot for $8, but it only seems to run five times per day. You also dont have to drive in Mexico. Its a no-brainer for San Diegans looking for a flight down to Mexico, while it may hit or miss for those living in the Los Angeles area. Teens on a San Diego vacation will enjoy all-ages music venues, record stores and a unique tour where teens can get caught up in San Diegos local music scene. Remember, you will have to print out your boarding pass at the airline counter, complete the FMM form at the CBX Terminal, walk across the bridge, go through Mexican immigration, walk from the bridge to the Tijuana airport airline counters, document your luggage, then go through security, and finally walk to your boarding gate. If you exit the country through another crossing they may try to charge you again. Tickets Parking Shuttle SAN DIEGO TJX From TIJUANA TIJ To Ticket Type Passengers Travel AeroMexico and Volaris have counters at the CBX terminal, where you can complete your flight check-in, change or add services to your reservation, or weigh your luggage. From there, you can transfer to bus 909. If youre staying six days or less, you dont need to pay it. Order a Lyft: This is another very convenient option. Do not exit the baggage claim area, or you will not be able to use CBX. Really, the security process at the Tijuana Airport is very similar to what you will expect at any USA airport. Nov 2, 2021, 5:52 AM PDT Using Cross Border Xpress at Tijuana International Airport. There are taxis that can take you to the airport after you cross. And yes, youll need to make sure you get an FMM form wherever you actually cross the border (you need to ask for it when crossing at San Ysidro). You can always wait for the day of your flight, but ticket costs are higher, and you might encounter a long line, something you always want to avoid when having to get to a flight on time. Still, parking is plentiful for much of the year. Aeromexico, Viva Aerobus and Volaris offerthe option to buy a CBX ticket along with your flight by selecting the TJX route as the origin. Dont want to leave a car? After crossing, you can catch a taxi or Uber to the airport (about $5-$7). Traveling from San Diego, California to the Tijuana International Airport, is fast, convenient and now, even safer with Cross Border Xpress. If you are going to stay in Mexico for less than 7 days: No payment is necessary. If you dont have your boarding pass yet, go to your airlines ticketing counter to get it. When choosing your flights, just select the TJX option in your destination or origin, as applicable, and you can use the bridge to cross the border between Tijuana and San Diego without needing to add an extra service fee. It has its own private security screening directly into the lounge on the secure side of the airport. The process is very simple, you will likely face a more stringent process from US Immigration coming back to the US. Cross Border Xpress is a convenient pedestrian bridge connecting the Tijuana airport to a terminal in San Diego, allowing travelers to bypass long border wait times. Home Mexico How to Fly Out of Tijuana Airport and Use Cross Border Xpress. For example, when I travel in December, I make sure to arrive at the CBX terminal 4 hours before my flight. If you want to avoid dealing with parking, CBX does allow Uber and Lyft to both drop-off and pick-up. Signage and instructions could be better, so you will see plenty of people go straight to the immigration lines, not realizing they will be told to go pay the tourist fee. The CBX sky bridge is fully enclosed and is 390 feet long. Ive listed them below, all prices USD. Ive been an avid user the CBX bridge, and encourage you all to try it out. Follow the signs and start walking towards your vacation. One way tickets cost $16 and round trip tickets cost $30. There are discounts for families or if you buy tickets in bulk if you need to cross often. Add this service while booking your flight at www.volaris.com. There are two Tijuana Airport parking options. How long does it take to cross Cross Border Xpress bridge? On the Volaris website, to add it to my airfare it's $59 and on the CBX website it is $38. If you need to go to a different border crossing, I would recommend an Uber, which should cost around $5 $7 to the Otay or San Ysidro border. Prior to entering the Tijuana Airport, you must pass through Mexican immigration, this is where the FMM form is presented.
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