Tijuana International Airport is handling nearly 39,000 passengers per day as Spring Break and Holy Week drive a sharp increase in cross-border travel. That figure is up from a normal daily count of about 35,000, and airport officials are urging travelers to plan ahead to avoid missed flights.
Many San Diego-area residents flying out of Tijuana face a familiar choice: pay for the Cross Border Xpress (CBX) pedestrian bridge or save money by crossing the border on foot and taking a taxi to the terminal. With CBX tickets running more than $50 for two or three people, the traditional route is tempting. But the savings come with real risks during peak season.
The CBX Option: Fast but Not Free
CBX is a 390-foot enclosed pedestrian bridge that connects a terminal in Otay Mesa, San Diego, directly to Tijuana International Airport. It has operated since December 2015 and is open 24 hours a day. Passengers check in on the U.S. side, walk across, and clear Mexican customs before heading to their gate. The average crossing takes 15 to 30 minutes under normal conditions.
Airlines including Volaris, Aeromexico, and Viva Aerobus serve the airport. Volaris passengers can select the “TJX” option when booking, which bundles the CBX fee into the ticket price. Others can purchase bridge access separately through the CBX website or at the terminal kiosk, though online prices tend to be lower.
The Budget Route: Walk Across, Grab a Cab
Travelers skipping CBX typically walk across at the San Ysidro or Otay Mesa pedestrian crossings and then take an Uber or taxi to the airport. The Otay Mesa crossing is geographically closer to the terminal. From San Ysidro, the San Diego Blue Line trolley drops passengers near the pedestrian border lane.
During the current holiday surge, airport officials warn that border wait times at traditional crossings are climbing during peak morning and afternoon hours. They recommend arriving at least four hours before departure if using a land crossing, checking in online beforehand, and budgeting up to one hour for the transfer from the border to the terminal when roads are congested.
How to Decide
For solo travelers with light luggage and flexible schedules, walking across can save $16 to $25 per person each way. For families, groups with heavy bags, or anyone on a tight timeline, CBX removes the unpredictability of border traffic and Tijuana road congestion. The return trip to the U.S. through CBX is particularly efficient: U.S. Customs and Border Protection processes passengers inside the bridge terminal, typically in under 20 minutes for U.S. citizens.
The holiday crunch at Tijuana International Airport is expected to continue through the second week of April. The passenger surge and travel advisory were first reported by Baja California Post.