This last trip to Puerto Vallarta had me going all over the place. I went from Los Angeles international to Dallas Texas. From there, I hit Puerto Vallarta before arriving in Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) in Mexico. From Tijuana Mexico, the plan is to walk across the border using the new Cross Border Xpress (CBX) bridge, rent a car in San Diego and head back to Los Angeles. But, everyone is concerned about walking across the border. Is it safe? Dangerous? Is Tijuana really in chaos? How much is it? Do you need a passport? Etc.
If you want to read the previous flight report on how I got to Tijuana Mexico, click here! However, to answer your questions up front, crossing the border is all very easy and super safe. In fact, you never leave the airport.
TRAVEL TIP:
Why would you want to cross the Mexican border into Tijuana International Airport? Because flying domestic in Mexico guarantees cheaper flight prices. Consider this a travel hack. Traveling from TIJ is WAY cheaper over all!
Crossing CBX | All Your Questions Answered!
From Puerto Vallarta Mexico, we arrive in the domestics terminal in Tijuana. Although, I should mention you have to buy a ticket to cross the border from the TIJ airport beforehand. The bridge is called the Cross Border Xpress or CBX. It’s $16 USD each way. You can print out your pass or download it on your phone, which is what I did.
Upon landing in TIJ you follow the signs for the CBX. As you walk, you eventually hit a fork in the road. Here, you turn and head into the baggage claim area. Behind the baggage claim area, you’ll find more signs that direct you. I never check bags so I didn’t wait for any bags to arrive. This is important because this means I was the only one crossing.
The sign before entering the CBX bridge. 
This is what the bridge looks like from the inside.
After baggage claim you hit the entrance to the Cross Border Xpress. Present your CBX ticket. Scan it then walk through the turnstile. The signs are very clear. Walk one way for Mexico or the other for the US. You walk up and down a few stairs. You even wind into a Dutty Free store on the bridge, just in case you forgot to buy anything while traveling.
Before you get to the actual bridge you get to another turnstile with airport employees. You show them your CBX ticket. You scan your passport and show them your boarding pass.
TIP:
Therefore, you definitly need your passport, the boarding pass from the flight you came from and your CBX ticket.
Windy hallways before getting to the actual bridge. 
Going up some escalators before getting to Dutty Free…
It’s a pretty easy. It’s efficient and not as popular at the moment. Although, I heard lots of people talking about doing it on the plane. I’m not sure how many people actually did it. Since I didn’t have baggage, I wouldn’t be able to say if there was a mad rush across the bridge after my lonely walk across.
After you cross the bridge and go down some escalators, you land in San Diego. From here you have to immigrate just as if you’re in an airport. You wait in line (although me and my partner were the only ones.) They stamp your passport and you enter the US. Once you go past this you walk into a building with a couple of coffee shops and restaurants. In fact, this place also has a rental car station.
The rental car lot with cars to choose from and the CBX bridge in the background… 
That gate in the distance is the Mexican/American border wall that exists today…
We rent a car at AVIS and make our way back to Los Angeles, where our adventure first began.
For those of you trying to do this. It’s absolutely safe and hassle free. It’s super efficient and easy.
Let Me Break It Down For You:
Flying in and out of Tijuana practically guarantees cheaper plane ticket prices. It worked in this case even though the flight was still $200. It was cheaper than $1000 I saw flying in and out of LAX. So, why not use this as an option!
Crossing the Tijuana Mexico border using CBX into San Diego is safe, easy and affordable. In fact, you never leave the airport.
You have to buy your Cross Border Xpress ticket beforehand for $16 USD.
You must present your passport, boarding pass from the flight you just came out of, and CBX ticket.
It’s not as popular at the moment, but it’s so efficient and easy, this place is going to get extremely popular soon!
You land in a rental car station in San Diego California. From here you can rent a car, or perhaps even Uber to where you need to go.
I was a little skeptical and scared before trying this.
Do I recommend it? Absolutely. Now that I’ve done it. I’m surprised I haven’t done it before. In fact, I will definitely do it again in the future.
If you need to get more info or buy your Cross Border Xpress ticket check out their website here: https://www.crossborderxpress.com/en/
James,
Loved your blog about CBX. My question is: I have 2 small kids and 2 cats. Is the bridge accessible with 2 loaded carts? Sounds like you travel light and it was a piece of cake for you. We’d like to fly to Cabo/Tijuana, CBX over to SD; rent a car to SB. Doable?
Hi. Thanks for reading and commenting. You are correct, I travel very light.
If I remember correctly CBX is set up like a customs/immigration and also has a declaration section. They stamp ur passport and check ur documents and all that. It is a long-ish bridge. Once you enter SD you land at a rental car center. All that seems doable.
The one thing i dont quite remember is if they have elevators and such for carts of baggage. Ur cats shouldn’t be a problem tho. But, i can assume that people travel with many bags of luggage. I would think they have access for people to get all their bags and carts thru.
I hope this helps. Sorry I couldn’t answer entirely.
I know you mention it’s safe , but I hear crossing a bridge in Tijuana and it sounds scary , my boyfriend really says it’s safe and no problem entering back into the u s a