If you’re in the United States and flying to anywhere in Mexico, flying out of Tijuana airport will save you so much money! Simply using the Cross Border Xpress (CBX), my flight turned into a domestic flight instead of an international flight and saved me over $200! But what the heck is Cross Border Xpress (CBX)? I had no idea what it was until a few months ago, so keep reading if you want to find out how to save money on flights to Mexico using CBX.
What is the Cross Border Xpress (CBX)?
The Cross Border Xpress opened in 2015 making Tijuana the world’s first binational airport. It was designed to make flying out of Tijuana convenient and easy. It provides travelers access to budget Mexican airlines with more affordable flights and takes away the hassle of crossing over the busy Tijuana border and traveling through the city to the airport.
The Cross Border Xpress is a special terminal located in Otay Mesa (20 minutes south from downtown San Diego) right across the border from the Tijuana airport. It’s a 390-foot sky bridge that crosses over the US-Mexico border with immigration checkpoints on both sides.
Why Should I Use the Cross Border Xpress?
The two main reasons to use CBX are to save time and save money. The Tijuana border crossing is one of the busiest border crossings in the world. It can take hours to cross over by car, shuttle, taxi, and even by foot. Using CBX from check-in on the US side to your gate on the Mexico side takes less than 30 minutes.
In addition, the cost of your flight will be significantly cheaper using the Cross Border Xpress. Not only can you take advantage of Mexico’s budget airlines but you’ll be flying domestically and avoid paying expensive US airport taxes as Mexican airport taxes are much cheaper.
Is CBX Safe?
Using the Cross Border Xpress is extremely safe because the sky bridge leads you directly into the airport. The airport has 24-hour security and you won’t even have to walk outside into the city.
How do I use CBX?
First, you’ll need to book your airline ticket with a Mexican-based airline departing from Tijuana airport. Once you have your ticket, you’ll need to buy a CBX ticket here. Select your date of departure and purchase either a one-way or round-trip ticket. One-way tickets are $16 and round-trip tickets are $30.
While you can also purchase your CBX ticket in person, buying online ahead of time is the most convenient option, especially during peak hours. This way, you can breeze through the process without waiting in line.
When you arrive at CBX, you’ll find airline counters for Aeromexico, Volaris, and Interjet and check in for your flight there on the US side of the border. The staff working in the Cross Border Xpress terminal all speak English and Spanish.
They’ll ask to see your passport, Cross Border Xpress ticket, boarding pass, and Mexican Immigration Form (FMM) completed. There is a counter to grab an FMM form and fill it out on-site, but it’s best to do it online ahead of time and print it out.
Mexican Immigration and Security Checkpoint
After you check in, you’ll go through a security checkpoint where you’ll scan your CBX ticket and passport at an automated gate and your luggage will go through an x-ray machine. Once the gate opens, you’ll proceed across the sky bridge. The sky bridge is fully enclosed and takes less than 5 minutes to walk across. If you need help with your luggage, the terminal offers baggage carts to cross over.
At the end of the bridge, there is a Mexican Immigration booth. Here is where you’ll hand them your boarding pass, FMM, and passport and the immigration official will stamp your passport.
FMM Form
These next 2 things are THE MOST important things. First, check your FMM form to confirm how many days you have in Mexico, and do not overstay this number or you’ll be fined upon exiting the country and possibly refused re-entry. Second, HOLD ON TO YOUR FMM like it’s your passport. You’ll need this form when you are leaving Mexico.
Check your Luggage
If you have a bag to check, you’ll need to check it at the counter. Depending on which airline you’re flying, you can check it before leaving the CBX terminal or you’ll go into the Tijuana airport and check it at the counter.
Tijuana Airport
Welcome to TJ! The airport has a variety of restaurants to grab a bite to eat at before going through security. Yes, you’ll need to go through another security. Now it’s as if you’ve arrived to the Tijuana airport as you would any other airport. You’ll go through security and proceed to your gate to catch your flight. ✈️ Safe travels!
Check out my Moving to Mexico Story Highlights here to see how easy using CBX was for me! Have you used Cross Border Xpress before? Share your experience in the comments below!
