Flying to Mexico doesn't have to mean dealing with crowded border crossings and lengthy wait times. The Cross Border Xpress (CBX) offers a brilliant solution that connects Tijuana International Airport directly to San Diego, allowing you to maximize your travel rewards while minimizing hassle.

Whether you're chasing better flight deals, earning more points, or simply seeking convenience, understanding how CBX works can unlock significant value for your travel strategy.

What Is the Cross Border Xpress?

The Cross Border Express (CBX) is a 390-foot enclosed pedestrian bridge that connects Tijuana International Airport in Mexico directly to a terminal in San Diego, California. Operational since December 2015, this innovative facility allows passengers to bypass traditional border crossings at San Ysidro and Otay Mesa, which can involve wait times exceeding an hour during peak periods.

The $120 million project represents a significant advancement in cross-border travel, serving millions of passengers annually who want to avoid the unpredictable delays at conventional land border crossings.

Why Consider Flying from Tijuana?

Superior Flight Deals and Destinations

Tijuana International Airport offers access to over 35 destinations throughout Mexico, often at significantly lower prices than departing from Los Angeles or San Diego airports. Major airlines serving Tijuana include:

• Aeromexico
• Volaris
• Viva Aerobus
• Air Europa
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
• Avianca
• Frontier Airlines

The airport connects to destinations like Shanghai, Beijing, La Paz, and Guadalajara – many routes not available from other Southern California airports.

Credit Card Earning Opportunities

When you book flights from Tijuana, you can still earn points and miles with your favorite travel credit cards. International travel often triggers higher earning rates on cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which earns 2x points on travel purchases.

How to Use the Cross Border Xpress

For Departing Passengers (US to Mexico)

Step 1: Purchase Your CBX TicketCBX ticket prices start at $19.95 per passenger for one-way tickets and $37.95 for round trip. Family packages are available at discounted rates for groups of 4, 5, or 6 people traveling together. Prices vary by season.

You can purchase tickets:

• Online at crossborderxpress.com
• Through the CBX mobile app
• At airport kiosks or counters
• As part of airline packages with Volaris, Aeromexico, or Viva Aerobus

Step 2: Check-In at the San Diego TerminalAt the CBX terminal in San Diego, you'll find airline counters for Aeromexico, Viva Aerobus, and Volaris, with all personnel speaking English. Complete your check-in, get your boarding pass, and have your luggage weighed and tagged.

Step 3: Gather Required DocumentsBefore crossing, ensure you have:

• Valid passport (book or card)
• CBX ticket
• Boarding pass
• Multiple Migration Form (FMM) completed for Mexican immigration

Step 4: Cross the BridgeIf your flight departs from Tijuana, you may use the CBX service up to 24 hours before your flight's departure. Walk across the enclosed bridge, present your documents to Mexican immigration, and proceed through customs.

Step 5: Drop Off Luggage and Continue to GateAfter passing Mexican immigration and customs, you can drop your luggage directly at the CBX Passenger Exclusive Drop-Off area, then proceed through the CBX passenger security checkpoint.

For Arriving Passengers (Mexico to US)

Step 1: Collect Your Luggage After landing in Tijuana, collect your baggage from the claim area.

Step 2: Purchase CBX Ticket Follow signs to the Cross Border Xpress access gates in the baggage claim area. Purchase your CBX ticket at the kiosks or counters located there.

Step 3: Cross to the United States If you purchased the service to cross from Tijuana to San Diego, you must use it within 2 hours of your flight's arrival. Walk across the bridge and clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon reaching the San Diego terminal.

CBX Terminal Services and Amenities

San Diego Side

The CBX terminal in San Diego offers airline counters for check-in assistance, shuttle service, car rentals, taxis and Lyft pickup, Starbucks, Wetzel's Pretzels, food truck area, well-lit and secure 24-hour parking, Sky Duty Free Store, ATMs, and currency exchange.

Transportation Options

Parking: Rates start at $15 per day, with valet parking available. You can reserve parking in advance.

Shuttle Service: CBX offers authorized shuttle service with routes to San Diego ($14), San Ysidro ($9), Los Angeles ($33), Riverside, and Sacramento.

Ride Services: Lyft and Uber provide convenient pickup and drop-off service.

Public Transit: From downtown San Diego, take the blue line tram to Iris Avenue, then transfer to connecting transportation.

Important Considerations and Restrictions

Document Requirements

Everyone entering Mexico through CBX needs a valid passport (card or book), including infants under 2 years old. Foreign passengers traveling more than 25 miles from the border or staying more than 30 days in the United States will be required to prepay and complete their provisional I-94 permit before crossing through CBX.

Pet Travel

Pets must be in carriers when crossing the bridge, with service dogs being the only exception. The CBX terminal has a designated pet area.

Time Restrictions

• Departing: Use CBX up to 24 hours before flight departure
• Arriving: Must use CBX within 2 hours of flight arrival
• Age Restrictions: People over 60 traveling unaccompanied cannot purchase CBX service

Maximizing Value with CBX

Cost-Benefit Analysis

While CBX tickets add $20-40 to your travel costs, the time savings and convenience often justify the expense. Consider that:

• Traditional border crossings can take 1-3 hours during peak times
• CBX crossing typically takes 15-30 minutes
• Parking at traditional crossings plus travel time often exceeds CBX costs

Points and Miles Strategy

When booking Tijuana flights, consider using Capital One transfer partners or Chase Ultimate Rewards to book award travel. Many Mexican airlines partner with major U.S. loyalty programs.

For maximum flexibility, cards like the Capital One Venture X provide excellent earning rates on travel purchases and valuable transfer partners for booking awards.

Making Your Crossing Smooth

Pro Tips for Success

Download the CBX App: The official mobile app allows you to purchase tickets, reserve parking, link boarding passes, and access interactive terminal maps.

Arrive Early: Airport counters generally operate from 4:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., with restaurants and stores open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. to late.

Keep Documents Ready: Have your passport, CBX ticket, and boarding pass easily accessible before reaching immigration checkpoints.

Pack Smart: Remember you'll be crossing international borders, so ensure compliance with both Mexican and U.S. customs regulations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don't purchase CBX tickets at kiosks if you can buy online – you'll save money
• Don't exit the baggage claim area in Tijuana if arriving, as you won't be able to re-enter CBX
• Don't forget to complete required immigration forms before reaching checkpoints

Is CBX Worth It?

The entire CBX process is very smooth and certainly saves time – it's worth the cost for the easy cross-border experience. When you factor in potential flight savings, reduced stress, and time efficiency, CBX represents excellent value for travelers.

The facility particularly benefits:

• Frequent Mexico travelers
• Points and miles enthusiasts seeking better redemption rates
• Business travelers valuing time efficiency
• Families wanting to avoid unpredictable border delays

Getting Started with Cross Border Express

Ready to experience streamlined border crossing? Start by comparing flight prices between Tijuana and your nearest U.S. airport. Often, the savings exceed CBX costs, especially when booking international destinations.

For your next Mexico trip, consider earning extra points by using a travel rewards credit card that offers bonus categories for travel purchases.

The Cross Border Express transforms what was once a tedious border crossing into a simple 15-minute walk. With proper planning and the right credit card strategy, you can maximize both your travel savings and earning potential while enjoying this innovative travel solution.

Ready to optimize your travel strategy? Explore our comprehensive guides on maximizing travel rewards and choosing the best travel credit cards for your next adventure.