How to use the CBX Bridge

Fly from the Tijuana airport easily & save yourself money on your flights!

Did you know that American based travelers can fly to Mexico for cheap? This alone is one of my favorite conveniences for using the CBX to get to the Tijuana airport.

By using the CBX Bridge in San Diego, California passengers can book a flight to Mexico with a Mexican airline for nearly half the cost (if not less) than it would cost to fly out of San Diego or Los Angeles directly. However, there is a lot of confusion on what this bridge actually is, where to go to cross it and if it is safe for travelers.

Read below for my experience and all of the information that you will need to use the CBX bridge at the Tijuana Airport.

What is CBX?

CBX stands for Cross Border Xpress. It is a pedestrian facility located on the San Diego/Tijuana border that allows people to walk straight into the Tijuana airport from the United States. People call it the CBX bridge, as it is technically a covered, indoor, pedestrian walkway.

To clear away some confusion: NO, CBX is not an outdoor bridge. The facility is entirely indoors. You purchase your ticket to cross (read below), check in to your flight and walk down a hallway that marks where the border of the United States meets the border of Mexico. Once you exit this hallway you will be inside the Tijuana Airport.

Where is CBX & How to get there from the United States?

Surprisingly, the CBX bridge facility is not the same border that you drive across when trying to get to Baja California. It is located in San Diego and is approximately a 15-minute drive from the border patrol area into Tijuana.

From central San Diego (Mission Valley/USD area) it will take approximately 20 minutes to drive to the Cross Border Xpress.

It is very easy to park or drop off travelers as it has a clearly marked entrance and roadway to the front doors. And offers large open parking lots with security driving throughout.

Photo credit: CBX Website

Preparing to use the CBX bridge & the costs of crossing

Make sure you have a boarding pass available; this proves that you have a reason to be crossing into the airport
Purchase a ticket to cross through CBX in advance; this can save you time by not having to purchase in person at a kiosk (really it’s not that much time saved, but more convenient for ease of access)
Tickets for CBX are $30 for a round trip crossing, $16 for one way, or $105 RT/$55 one way for families (four to six people)
Just like any other trip to the airport, prepare how you will get there. Whether that is having a friend drop you off, parking your car (see detailed information below) or a ride share service.
Parking is $17/day, and you pay when you return. It will most likely be cheaper to order a Lyft or Uber to take you to CBX rather than park a car.

[New to ride-sharing? It is one of the most convenient ways to get around if don’t want to or cannot drive. Use these links to receive discounts on your first ride with them! Lyft // Uber ]

How to Cross the Cross Border Xpress

Walk inside the set of doors that are closest to the drop off area (if you drive past the cross walk speed bump you’ve gone past the correct doors). With your boarding pass and CBX ticket in hand, walk to the tables inside to complete immigration forms. At the inside entrance, an agent will scan your CBX ticket, ask if you have your passport and boarding pass then will allow you to walk across the pedestrian sky bridge.

Every staff person we spoke to/with spoke English and was kind, friendly & efficient. Which makes any travel anxiety lower quickly.

The bridge itself is modern and covered, and there is an official line marking where you actually cross from the United States into Mexico! At the end of the bridge you enter directly into the Tijuana airport terminal. Find your airlines ticket counter if you need to check any bags. If not, head to security as you normally would at any other airport. Except this time you’ll be walking over with a smile of satisfaction that you not only very easily crossed into another country, but that you most likely saved yourself a lot of money flying out of Tijuana to your destination!

Flying into the Tijuana Airport, to cross back into the United States

Almost identical to how you can cross from the United States into the Tijuana airport through CBX bridge facility, you cross back. After the baggage claim area, there is a clearly marked area for the CBX bridge. Show your CBX ticket to an agent and then cross back over the pedestrian bridge.

*Do NOT exit the airport into Tijuana– an airport agent will guide you to the CBX exit, however, be present and aware regardless.

Customs at the CBX bridge facility has little to almost no lines to wait in. They scan your luggage, but you don’t have to take anything out. Declare anything you bring back with you, and then walk across the bridge and outside to your ride back home.

Utilizing the Cross Border Xpress in San Diego is a wonderful way to travel for cheap to and from Mexico. It is set up to be convenient and easy for travelers, and as someone who has used it, i can attest to its convenience and ease of use. Have any questions — feel free to leave them in the comments below!

Happy travels!

Related: Interested in planning a trip to a Mexican destination?

Check out my travel guides for Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende to gather some inspiration!

TIPS for Using the Cross Border Xpress (CBX) in San Diego, California

Flying out of Tijuana airport is cheaper than another US based airport if you are flying to a location in Mexico or Central America. This isn’t always 100% true, but 90% of the time you will find a much better deal
People often say to leave time for traffic, however I drove down to the CBX facility a couple of times (different days of the week and different times of the day) and never had a traffic issue. It is almost in the middle of nowhere so is not a traffic heavy area. And with there not being much to do in the airport I wouldn’t suggest showing up very early as you’ll arrive and go through the facility quickly and then be bored at your gate.
The security lines are much shorter here, so no need to stress the time spent waiting to go through
Currently there are not many food options in the airport (this also depends on where your gate is/which airline you are flying), however we saw signs stating that new eateries are being added in 2019.

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Mexico City Travel Advice

Destinations, Mexico, Travel Tips

Mexico City Travel Advice

Tips to help you feel prepared for your trip to Mexico City

The most populous city in North America is a staggering characterization to anticipate for a non-Spanish speaking traveler. However tourism is booming here. Each year millions come to explore Mexico City’s many museums, gardens, and clubs, and it’s begun to be spoken about in the same sentences as with London, Paris, etc. Many have a misconception that the city is rife with crime, overpopulation and pollution. To the contrary, Mexico City is a beautiful and colorful destination waiting for you to explore its deep rooted history, culture, and possibly most important, food! After traveling here, I’ve put together my most useful Mexico City travel advice.

20 Pieces of Travel Advice for Mexico City

1. There are (essentially) no rules of the road. People will drive in all directions and nudge their cars through where they want. And adjust your ears for the car horns, as they are extensions of a Mexico City drivers arm.

2. Public Transportation should be avoided if you are not a local. Pick pocketing happens to many tourists, so use Uber instead

[New to Uber? Use this link to earn your first ride for free on me!]

3. Avoid the taxis too (they are pink & white). This may be a preference on the traveler, but I’ve read plenty of stories of Mexico City taxi drivers who skim your credit card information and overcharge non-Spanish speakers. If you insist on taxis, NEVER hail one from a tourist attraction. Go to the stations that have taxis parked, or one that your hotel can call for you.

4. In fact, the ratio of drivers to people living in the city is fairly low, which makes its people more sustainable than most other cities.

5. Overall, Mexico city is very safe for tourists! In fact tourism is booming here; with over 12 million plus visitors coming each year.

6. The city is very vegetarian and vegan friendly!

[ Related: Here is a vegan food tour we did ourselves in Mexico City! ]

7. Mexicans are not fans of sarcasm and can take things very personally. So use caution if your go to humor is sarcastic. (*we were advised of this by a few different Mexico City locals, however I never experienced it firsthand)

8. Cinnamon is a popularly used spice. Embrace it or go home.

9. Mexico City is not for morning people (or so I’m told). They enjoy late nights out, and who couldn’t blame them with their exciting club scene. Lucky for travelers, that just means it is easier to take morning photos since there will be less people out.

10. The city is massive. While on a map it may not look like it will take you long to get there, in real time it will. So, incorporate travel time and traffic if riding in a car.

[ Related: Mexico City Travel Guide ]

11. There are 16 districts in Mexico City, also known as colonias. Each has its own personality, and vibe. Polanco, for example, is one of the wealthiest residential areas with expensive designer boutiques, upscale restaurants, and swanky clubs and hotels. While Condesa and Roma are home to hip cafes and bars, quirky shops, and cool art galleries.

[ Related: Wondering where to stay in Mexico City? Here’s why you should stay in Roma or La Condesa ]

12. The city was built on a high altitude lake bed- and it continues to sink… (could this be north america’s version of Venice?) When people speak about pollution in the city this is because the air takes awhile to migrate away from this valley.

13. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day, so should not be missed. The gastro scene in Mexico City is booming. You can find a delicious meal on any spectrum of price you’re willing to pay. Dinner typically starts around 9pm.

14. Carry loose change to tip at restaurants. 10% is customary, and it can be left on your table when you depart.

15. Speaking of cash, it’s best to carry small denominations of pesos with you. Use your credit cards for larger purchases.

16. Pack to dress in layers- the weather can be sunny all morning with showers in the afternoon.

17. You cannot and should not drink the tap water. My advice would be to purchase a large jug of water at a local convenience store and refill your own water bottle throughout your trip.

18. Leave your valuables at home. There is no need to flash off your expensive jewelry or handbags. As a visitor, you can easily be targeted. We were even told that many locals won’t wear their nice jewelry out in certain areas of the city.

19. Dress smart. While many may not wear expensive jewelry, as a whole, the people of Mexico City dress professionally.

20. Set aside at least three FULL days in Mexico City. While you could spend weeks here to see it all, the major sites can be done in a weekend. Plus that’s three lunches and three dinners where you can eat your way to happiness here.

Laura of Blue Eyed Compass, a Sustainable Travel Blog

Hi! I’m Laura, a sustainable travel blogger, as well as freelancing online brand strategist. I share real & honest information about traveling, how to do so sustainably, and ways to earn an income while working remote.