Navigating Tijuana Airport: A Guide To Crossing Borders

If you're looking to get to Tijuana Airport from San Diego, the Cross Border Xpress (CBX) is a pedestrian bridge that connects the Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) to San Diego. It's a convenient and easy way to access the airport and avoid the Tijuana border crossing. It's located in Otay Mesa, about 20-30 minutes from downtown San Diego, and you can get there by driving, shuttle, Lyft, or city bus. You can purchase CBX tickets online, at the kiosk, or through your airline, and they usually cost $16-20 each way. Once you've crossed the bridge, you'll go through Mexican Immigration and then security before heading to your gate.

Cross Border Xpress (CBX)

The CBX bridge can only be used by passengers with boarding passes for flights into or out of Tijuana International Airport. The bridge offers a straightforward way to cross the border without the need to navigate traditional border crossings, potentially bypassing lengthy wait times.

• Purchase a single or round-trip CBX ticket online. Ticket prices vary depending on the season, typically ranging from $19.95 to $30 each way.
• Drive, take a taxi, or use a ride-sharing service to the CBX on the US side. Alternatively, public transportation such as the trolley can be used, but a taxi or ride-sharing service may be needed for the final part of the journey as there is no trolley station at CBX.
• Upon arrival at CBX, complete your customs form at the computers in the lobby. You will need your passport, flight information, dates of your visit to Mexico, and the address of your accommodation. CBX employees are available to provide assistance.
• Scan your passport and print the customs form.
• Scan the QR code on your CBX ticket and boarding pass to pass through the turnstiles.
• Walk through the bridge into the Tijuana airport.
• Go through customs. If you are staying in Mexico for more than three nights, you will be directed to the computers to pay the tourist fee. If your stay is three nights or less, proceed to the customs line.
• Once you clear customs, you are ready to check your bags, go through security, and find your gate.

When returning to the US from Tijuana via CBX:

• After landing in Tijuana, collect your checked baggage and follow the signs for the Cross Border Express.
• Scan your return CBX ticket to go through the turnstiles. If you only purchased a one-way ticket, you can buy a single trip for the way back.
• Follow the signs for customs. If you have Global Entry or Sentri, you can use that line. Ensure you have your passport and Global Entry or Sentri card.
• After clearing customs, go through the bag scan and proceed to the hallway that leads back to the US side.
• Exit the CBX building and depart via pickup, taxi, or ride-sharing service.

Getting to CBX from San Diego

The CBX is located in Otay Mesa, about 25 minutes from downtown San Diego. The CBX is located about 15 minutes east of the border crossing in San Ysidro.

You can drive, take a taxi, or use a ride-share service to get to the CBX. If you're using a ride-share service, be sure to input CBX bridge as your destination, not the San Ysidro border crossing. They are in two separate locations.

If you're being dropped off at the CBX, the dropoff point is right in front of the doors. If you're using a ride-share service, they will drop you off at the rideshare dropoff/pickup location, which is about a 2-minute walk to the CBX entrance.

You can also use public transportation to get to the CBX. Take the trolley from Washington St/Middletown down to the Iris St stop by the 905, then catch a ride-share 7 miles east to the CBX.

CBX offers parking, which you can pre-pay for on the CBX website.

Buying a CBX ticket

CBX, or Cross Border Xpress, is a service that allows you to cross the border between Tijuana and San Diego quickly and safely. It is a convenient and easy way to access the Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) and avoid the hassle of crossing the busy Tijuana border.

You can buy CBX tickets online on the CBX website, which is the most convenient and affordable option. Tickets cost around $19.95 each way and may vary slightly depending on whether it is high or low season. You can also purchase tickets through the CBX app, at a kiosk in the terminal, or with some airlines (Aeromexico, Viva Aerobus, and Volaris) when you book your flight by selecting the TJX route as your origin.

If you have already booked a flight to/from Tijuana and need to add the CBX service, you can do so by entering your reservation code and passenger name, choosing "Additional Services", adding CBX, and completing your purchase. If you purchased the service separately, you will need to show the CBX confirmation code, and a boarding pass will be provided at the service desks.

There are also discounted rates for families, groups, military personnel, or frequent CBX travellers. Children under 2 years old do not need a ticket.

When purchasing your CBX ticket, you can also reserve parking in advance. Parking rates at CBX start at $15 per day, and valet parking is also available.

It is recommended that you arrive at CBX 2-3 hours before your departure time, as you would for any international flight.

Getting your documents ready

To cross to Tijuana Airport, you will need to have the following documents ready:

• A valid passport book or card. It is important to note that the authorities are very strict about this.
• A Cross Border Xpress (CBX) ticket. This can be purchased online, on the CBX app, at a kiosk in the terminal, or through some airlines (Aeromexico, Viva Aerobus, and Volaris) when booking your flight.
• A completed Multiple Migration Form (FMM) to be delivered to Mexican Immigration. This form asks for basic travel information such as your name, passport number, destination in Mexico, and length of stay. It can be filled out online. If your stay in Mexico is less than 7 days, no payment is necessary. However, if your stay is 7 days or longer, you will need to pay a tourist tax of approximately $30, allowing you to stay in the country for up to 180 days.
• Your boarding pass.

It is recommended to arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before your departure time, as with any international flight. Additionally, it is worth noting that you can only use the CBX bridge if you have a ticket for a flight departing from Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) or if you are returning to the US directly after a flight into TIJ.

Crossing the CBX bridge

The CBX (Cross Border Express) is a pedestrian bridge that allows travellers to cross the US/Mexico border directly into Tijuana Airport. This service is available to anyone travelling from the United States who wants to take advantage of Tijuana Airport's typically lower-priced flights to Mexico, Central and South America.

• Purchase a single or round-trip CBX ticket online. These usually cost USD 19.95 each way, depending on whether it is high or low season. You can also purchase your CBX ticket with the airline when you book your flight, so your entrance is included on your ticket.
• Drive, get a taxi or take an Uber/Lyft to the CBX. Make sure you input the correct address for the CBX bridge, not the San Ysidro border crossing.
• If you take a rideshare, you will be dropped off at the rideshare dropoff/pickup location, which is about a 2-minute walk to the CBX entrance. If you are being dropped off by a friend or taxi, the dropoff is right in front of the doors.
• Walk into the lobby and go to the left side to complete your customs form. You will need your passport, flight information, the dates you will be visiting Mexico, and the address of your hotel.
• Once you’ve filled out your information, swipe your passport through the passport scanner and it will print out the customs form.
• Scan the QR code on your CBX ticket and your boarding pass to pass through the CBX turnstiles.
• Walk through the 'bridge' (hallway) into the Tijuana airport.
• If you are staying more than three nights, the customs officers will direct you to the computers on the left to fill out and pay for the typical tourist fee. If you are staying three nights or less, you will go straight into the customs line.
• Once you’re in the Tijuana airport, you’re flying domestic at this point so you do not need to do customs again until you return to the US.

Returning to the US via the CBX Bridge:

• After landing in Tijuana, collect your checked bags (if applicable) at baggage claim, then follow the signs for the Cross Border Express.
• Scan your return ticket for the CBX to go through the turnstiles. If you only purchased a one-way CBX ticket, you can purchase a single trip for the way back.
• Follow the signs for customs. If you have Global Entry/Sentri, you can use that line. Make sure to have your Global Entry or Sentri card handy with your passport.
• After customs, go through the mini bag scan and then you will be in the hallway that leads you back to the US side.
• Once you’ve made it back to the US side, you can exit the CBX building and depart via pickup, Uber/Lyft, or taxi.

Frequently asked questions