I recommend taking the free shuttle from the San Diego airport to the Old Town Station to catch the Trolley. The connection from the shuttle stop and the trolley station is much less walking and confusing than the rental car shuttle.
There is one other "hack", American Airlines now flies from PHX to TIJ direct...so fly thru Phoenix land directly in TJ and take any airline to Cabo or La Paz no ground transport at all.
Before learning Spanish, I heard most Oregonians pronouncing Tijuana exactly the way you were saying it... So don't feel bad. Like the NEWS and everything! Thanks for making this video, I do not think I will do this route, but ya never know. I think when Andy was still making videos he showed this route. It is always terrific having different options and you made me smile when you said it might take longer but it's more fun! :)
Lyft $58.68 one way from CBX-Pacific Beach June 2024 (31 minutes) MTS public transit is pathetic your first time in San Diego. You can not just tap your credit card and go as other major cities. Excellent video!
Actually... according to MTS' RU-vid channel, that just changed 5 days ago... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rI-U8p2dXN8.htmlsi=CpMxBxCunSkfy28R
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Excellent. For years they charged, as have other cities, for their transit card as you experienced for $2.00. They also require exact fare on busses offering no change. Your update is a huge step forward.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Volaris fly anytime any direct flights, one year for $499 US. Only catch is you fly stand by. Great deal for flexible flyers. I might jump on this deal soon.
When I lived in San Diego (Hillcrest/Mission Hills) in the 80s there was no CBX crossing. I'd hop a bus and then hop the trolley to the border and walk across. Then I'd catch a cab or combi to the TJ airport. Saved a TON that way....flying out of TJ instead of San Diego.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico yeah, I live in SD and fly from TJ to México city often, so when that bridge was built I was so happy, talk about a time saver, no more long waits at the regular crossing when coming back...👍
@@ivannson I've heard that the CBX crossing can sometimes be pretty backed up. I'm just glad I wasn't traveling through this week when all the computers broke down! Ouch.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico yeah, I've encountered some days like that, but usually happens on Christmas or maybe on spring break, most of the time is fast, I think the longest I've waited in line when using it was when passengers from three flights were trying to cross at the same time, so it took us about 30 minutes, still very fast compared to the two or three hours when I used to cross the regular car lanes, I have to say though, the volume of passengers has been increasing steadly every year, so I would assume the crossing times will also increase ...👍
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I've been through the CBX about 5x in the past couple of years and it's always been fast. I will go this way for fun though. Thanks for the video.
You’re in good shape, since you have your Mexican resident visa, but for those who don’t, it’s important to get the correct documentation. You are ok without a tourist visa within a shallow footprint of the border (and a time limit) but if you’re going to the airport for a flight, or venturing farther into the country, you must get a tourist visa. You wouldn’t want to subject yourself to arrest by not having the proper documents. I have nonstop flights to MEX from where I live but they come at a premium price, so I often choose the Tijuana route. All depends on how much time and extra energy I want to put into it. Note, taking Uber back to the border crossing, be sure to pick the correct entry point (I made that mistake once and you will not arrive where you want to be), and you must catch the Uber from where the buses stop. They are not supposed to make pickups in the airport taxi area. Another advantage of using this TIJ route is avoiding customs/immigration in MEX (if that’s where you’re going) because I have had it take a couple of hours or more to clear customs there when things get busy. Since you’ve already cleared customs, you can just walk right on in without delay. Nowadays, I mostly either do the TIJ route, or I connect in San Antonio, which has a large selection of budget flight options into Mexico. Travel is always an adventure, and I enjoy doing things the way locals do them.
San Diegan here. When I used the CBX, the parking was a sh** show. Luckily, I had reserved parking but next time, I will park at a friends house in Chula Vista and Uber to the border.
I've heard of other folks arriving and finding the cheap lot full and having to pay a huge amount for the expensive lot. If you have SENTRI, you might be able to park on the Mexico side after crossing at Otay Mesa - but you'd also need Mexican car insurance...
$5 greyhound bus from san ysidro to Tijuana, either airport or downtown (plaza mexicano). bus station right across from train. Or just $8.50 from san diego
Hello Brighton, What a synchronicity! Yes to this method... trolley to the border and walk across. The day you posted your video, Sunday, was the day I returned to California. I am smiling. I take the train to SD, and the Blue Line trolley from Santa Fe Amtrak station to the border at San Ysidro, exactly where you entered (40 minutes). The INM (migration) efficiently stamps you in if you are a resident or a tourist. It is a pleasure to pass through. Once outside, I walk over the pedestrian west (PedWest) bridge to where the ABC Bus to Rosarito, Ensenada is located, about a six to 10 minute walk. From there one can taxi or cumbi to downtown or to the airport. The time of day and week day at what is considered the busiest border crossing in the world is key. Weekends the traffic is super intense at the border and the airport. When I cross back to California I prefer early, early morning. Sunday I crossed about 5:15 a.m. to avoid a 3 to 4 hour hour wait in line at 85 degrees and 80% humidity (July 21), all outside, no trees or covered area. Returning....If you are a Sentri (pre-approved, low risk traveler with Global Entry or passport card) it is always easier as there is a separate line once you get to the point where that line is formed. I had no waiting at 5:15-5:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning. The cars I saw in the lanes below the bridge, in long, long lines, were waiting, waiting. I recommend your easier way to enter if you are fit and not carrying a lot of baggage. It would be a challenge to walk across if one is older and infirm, or, disabled. Thanks for the video.
Is this Wendy? Thanks for sharing! True about the need to be able-bodied to cross as a pedestrian. I hadn't thought about going south on a weekend day - that could be awful! But they seem pretty efficient with residents and tourists on the Mexico side. I'd love to do a video about you at some point re:elder care. That's a big topic of interest.
Yes - I should have mentioned the additional options - but most of them have a schedule that is less frequent than the rental shuttle / trolley option.
You can also take a bus from Santa Fe Station to Otay Mesa and it's honestly about the same time as the blue line, the bus is around $5, and vice versa when returning. From Otay, you can walk to the main street where the taxi drivers will charge you like 8 bucks to the airport. I've crossed hundreds of times, barely used CBX but Otay Mesa is the easier way to get to the airport. Great video!
A regular Fare ticket on the San Diego Trolley or bus gives you a one-way ride with no transfers. If you get off the bus or trolley and get on a different bus you pay $2.50 again. Paying with a Pronto card or a Pronto app allows you unlimited transfers for 2 hours. Seniors are people 65 and older and you go to the transit store at 12th and Imperial Trolley stop to get your card and the senior discount. The Fare for Non-Express buses and trolley with the senior discount will then cost $1.25 and you can transfer to other buses and trolleys for 2 hours without paying another Fare.
I have seen people take a free shuttle from the airport to the Old Town trolley station. That seems more popular with travelers than the 992 bus that goes to Downtown.
You can also get the SDMTS 992 bus from the airport (SAN) to Santa Fe Station/American Plaza on Broadway and Kettner Blvd in downtown and then catch the Blue Line Trolley from there. The 992 bus picks up/drop off at the front of both terminals.
Cabs to the airport or Zona Rosa are okay, but you should double-check and confirm the “standard fare” price to get to your destination. Should be $5 USD to the Hong Kong Club, por ejemplo..
I used to take the local bus, camion, combi, whatever they call it in TJ from the Tijuana Airport to the border. It was only 10 or 15 pesos and dropped me off by the border. Why wouldn't you take a taxi? I have taken a few taxis over the years, but I tend to take the local buses. (I've never taken an Uber anywhere.)
I'd love to find a collectivo type bus to the airport from San Ysidro. I just didn't know how to find it. BTW, in the middle of this video, I actually took a collectivo to downtown TJ for lunch before grabbing an Uber to the airport. The taxi drivers at the border always quote me some very high rate. According to another commenter, there are supposed to be set rates - that's something I just learned. Next time I'll try that.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Ah, that makes sense. Yes, taxis do charge a lot, probably especially for "tourists". I thought maybe it was that some might consider them dangerous, maybe they are, I don't know. As for the bus, yeah, come to think of it, I'm not sure how I'd take the local bus to the airport, but I seem to remember there's a nearby roundabout in front of a pharmacy where all the buses pass. I mostly remember getting the bus from in front of the airport to "la linea". I'm technically a resident, through my husband, but I haven't been to Mexico in a long time. Appreciated your video!
There is 3 ports of entry in to Tijuana México Interstate 5 & 805 South bound takes you to the San Ysidro Port of Entry open Year around.,(Largest Ports of Entry in the World). The CBX is between San Ysidro Port of Entry and the Otay Mesa Port of Entry Interstate (905). and Tijuana is a short for El Rancho de la Tia Juana Is the Old Orginal name. Regards Traveling Veteran From Yuma! Ex-San Diego resident. “ El Rancho de la Tia-Juana
I used this strategy to try to avoid CBX just once. First off, the video skips over needing a stamped FMM to fly in Mexico. Travel for less than seven days is free in Mexico, otherwise it's around $35 USD. I was able to breeze through the pedestrian walkway as shown in the video but forgot about the FMM since no one in customs spoke to me. I arrived at TIJ and was asked for the FMM at Aeromexico check in. I was directed to a kiosk in the main lobby and had to pay the peso equivalent of $35 even though I was staying less than seven days. CBX savings immediately blown after spending far too much time on the slow trolley and Uber ride. Speaking of Uber, many drivers in Tijuana demand cash for the ride. And waiting at the Roma store just over the border for a ride led to meeting some sketchy characters who wanted money.
Sorry I skipped the immigration part. I wasn't allowed to film there. And as a resident, I didn't go through that line. Strange that you had to pay for an FMM even if you weren't staying over 7 days. You are correct - in the airports, the security folks make you go through all the correct steps. If you use a land border, you're expected to know what you need.
I love this video bc I looked at the signs in the aeroport n saw Ithey have flight to Oaxaca , aguas calientes from Tijuana, very informative how to exit to La frontera de Tijuana thank you you really know ur way to Mexico 🇲🇽 my country su casa
Gracias! Yes, TJ has lots of flights across Mexico! I'm working on a video about how to find the pedestrian crossing going north in TJ. It's hard to find!
You can take the pronto card bus right from the airport to to red line and then right to the border ,off at McDonald’s and yes pronto cards re fillable on line Thanks for video
can you also just pay cash $2.5 for the bus? or does it support visa/mastercard contactless payment? nowadays there’s a trend in the nation wide and world wide, in more and more cities the bus or metro trains have supported visa/mastercard contactless payment, for anyone who has a visa/mastercard contactless card, you can just tap it onto the bus, or to metro train. the point to avoid an extra Pronto card is to skip a card making cost, and saves a slot in the wallet, and because not living the San Diego Metro area may not carry it every day, for using San Diego metro transit only 1 or 2 times in the year, when next time need it probably can’t find the Pronto card and then have to buy a new Pronto card?
@@2ndlife-xq2yj I've got a huge pile of these plastic cards for transit in different cities. So annoying. But I just learned that contactless payment with my Visa would have worked in San Diego. Learn something new every day!
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico definitely annoying of those city transit cards to non-local residents, eventually accumulated piles of those plastic cards. And good news is more and more cities are embracing the new visa/mastercard contactless payment on public transit, also including GooglePay ApplePay if you use that. I personally have learned that trend since the London 2012 olympics, that’s technology more than 10 years ago London already adopted, London and UK are the definite pioneer on adopting visa/mastercard contactless payment on public transit, all tubes all buses you can tap on tap off with your own card, I liked that design very much and had more trips to UK since then and verified all UK public transit nation wide has well support even including very countryside small towns buses. In the US public transit are more lagged behind, even of today 2024 still only a handful places have good public transit and have direct credit card contactless payment, the trend is right now coming to Mexico city, if you have a chance to visit CDMX a few days, all Metrobúses have supported Visa/Mastercard/GooglePay/ApplePay contactless payment, you can now have no worry of MX Pesos or another plastic city metro card, I tested my US credit card worked well on all Metrobúses, for a small 6 Pesos charge on a US credit card it worked well… Wish the trend can expand faster to more Mexico places,,, ;-) 🎉
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico the trend is right now coming to Mexico city, if you have a chance to visit CDMX a few days, all Metrobúses have supported Visa/Mastercard/GooglePay/ApplePay contactless payment, you can now have no worry of MX Pesos or another plastic city metro card, I tested my US credit card worked well on all Metrobúses, for a small 6 Pesos charge on a US credit card it worked well… Wish the trend can expand faster to more Mexico places,,, ;-) 🎉
I found that MTS posted a video 5 days ago introducing contactless payment. So San Diego is now on board. CDMX transit is amazing. Unfortunately, I don't see contactless payment coming to most of Mexico where transit is mostly private. But they do give you change and it's really efficient!
Hi Brighton, I hung out with you and your wife a couple years ago in La Paz, and now I am wanting to come back. I live in Eugene Oregon and would like to travel directly to La Paz. What would be my cheapest option? Maybe flying to San Diego, following this videos instructions and then taking a flight from Tijuana to La Paz? Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated..
Thank you for the great video! I have a question, did the INM stamp FMM stamp on your passport? If not, will there be trouble if you fly out of Mexico next time?
Sorry - I skipped that step because I couldn't film it. I'm a permanent resident of Mexico. So I walked right past immigration and showed my card. There were a few people in the immigration line where they stamp your passport.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Thank you very much for your response, I am a loyal fan to all your videosI am a permanent resident as well, I was planning to experience walking to Mexico when I’m on vacation, just curious if I should get my passport stamped when I walk in with resident card.
So question? When or who scans my passport when I do this? I’m flying to San Diego then going to do this to Tijuana. At what point do they scan my passport?
Gracias. If you are driving to San Diego/San Ysidro instead of flying into SD, where do you park your car on the US side to walk across the border? I am looking for a safe paid secure parking lot.
Hi Brighton; Maybe I missed the part, but I know You and Cat are Permanent Residents of Mexico. Where in the Video ( at what spot) did You pass through Mexican Immigrations/INM?
@L.Spencer is correct. I wasn't allowed to film in Immigration. They actually saw me turn a corner and stop recording, came up to me, had me show my footage and made me edit off the part where you can see anything in Immigration.
I live in SD. Everybody pronounces it "Tiajuana" or "TJ." But people here also incorrectly say San "Yasidro," which you also did, and obviously there is no 'a,' it should be pronounced "Eesedro." I know very little about CBX, but if you have to take an Uber to it, it isn't very "express."
Seems like a much better idea just to go to Otay Mesa in San Diego and cross over the bridge right into the airport…so many things could happen by the route you took. Possibly save a few bucks at the costs of hours of your time and the chance of missing a flight that could cost you even more in terms of time and $. Not a good hack in my opinion :)
To each their own. If I have the time, I'll save the cash. If I have to pay for Uber and CBX, that might offset the savings of flying through TJ. It just all needs to be part of the calculation when choosing flight options. And in my case, what I clipped from this video was that I had enough time to go have lunch in downtown TJ.
@@nomadnationalist2776 True - but you can save on Uber costs by loading up the car. But it depends on how much you pay to cross at CBX. Is there a standard rate? It seems to be all over the place depending on when/where you buy it.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico CBX is a standard rate, but I have noticed some small variations when some airlines offer to include it in the price of your ticket, personally I ALWAYS buy it at the crossing building, so I always get the normal, standard price..👍
Interesting - but it looks like it takes 2 hours and you still need to pay for CBX. Or do you cross at the real Otay Mesa crossing? Then how do you get to the TJ airport?
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I cross at the actual otay crossing, it’s about less than 4 miles from the airport, I then just take an Uber or taxi..the cost is less than 10-12$ US depending on the Uber or taxi
I believe the Pronto card 4:31 is not necessary, who like to pay the cost even it’s reusable card if you’ll only use it only 1 or 2 times a year? and because you’re not living the San Diego metro not carring it everyday, next trip might forget where is it and have to buy a new one again? just 2 months ago I was on the same train trip for Tijuana flight, I was able to pay just 1 way transit paper ticket for only $2 and a half dollar.
On the way back north, I used the Pronto app on my phone and the minimum was $3. I'm OK losing 50 cents. I didn't see an option for getting a paper ticket. That would have been nice seeing as I now have a piece of plastic worth $2.50 and no use for it! So I just Googled and you're right - I could have gotten a paper ticket at that machine. And, I could have just tapped my credit card to buy a 1 way fare. Who knew? They didn't make it obvious on the machine (but I was in a rush to catch the train...) Thanks for sharing
Yes - I got a bit confused at that point, but I should have just realized that the train was headed south so walk to towards the front of the train. It's even easier now than it was a few years ago.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico yes but down the line in places like national city and chula vista are gang towns and they board the trolly there to go to mex.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico naaw...all those stations are safe, but there's a free shuttle called the "San Diego Flyer" that takes you from the airport to the Old Town Station, that way you don't have to walk at all like you did in your video, that would be the difference 👍
The Tijuana airport isn’t in the United States so it’s not the best airport in the United States 😂 Also, there’s a free shuttle from the San Diego airport called “Flyer” that’ll take you directly to the Old Town transit center for the trolley line to San Ysidro. Still, after all this… CBX is much simpler, quicker & more convenient.
This is a great airport. We flew in and out of TJ when we flew to Cabo and PV. Mexico didn’t require proof of Covid vaccination and flights were so convenient and reasonable. Our friends flew in and out of LAX and it was a big hassle for them. So glad we knew this travel hack. Viva CBX!
Not sure which one you are talking about. The train stop is the end of the line "San Ysidro." The Bus stop for the train station doesn't have a name, but it's the only "bonus stop" that you can ask the bus driver for. Just tell them you want to get on the trolley (at Middletown Station.)
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I meant the trolley station. Thanks. There is also a free shuttle from the SAN airport that will take you to the Old Town station, just two stops up from Middleton. I've done that. And there is a helpful person there that will assist you in getting just one ticket from the machine. No pass card needed. Love your channel!
Online the cost is $20 in low season and $27-30 in high season. Maybe a discount if you buy with your plane fare. But the real fee is the Uber to get you there from the SAN airport. IF you can time it to catch a shuttle, or you have more than one traveler to split the Uber costs, then it's a better deal.
Sounds rushed. No direct flights from Portland to Cabo ? Even Air Canada has direct flights (at certain days and times) to Cabo. Good to know though if I ever take the wrong turn at Albuquerque, I should be able to find my way. Unlikely though, I'd just panic and most likely just give up. Like maybe a Pres. P n D
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I hope they choose wisely. Gay or Nonwhite or Female (in these times) likely will not have it easy. Personally I'd like to see a Clinton and Pete run. But what do I know I just look for honest qualified people when I vote.
@@davebaker489 I'd love to see Pete, but I don't think he could bring in a swing state. Our elections system is different - votes from 5 states usually decide the election, so the VP will probably come from one of those states. Personally, I'd love to see 2 women on the ticket (governor of Michigan as VP.) But I think we''ll probably see an old white guy because it's the US and some folks are afraid of strong women / gay men / people of color / etc. 😞
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I think you'd have to summarize & write it into the Description. I don't learn things as easily by listening or by seeing, i.e., by video. I'd really like to try using your method for travelling to Cabo San Lucas.
I love your idea of saving money here, but sometimes time is important, plus being single female . I purchased my one way CBX for $22 into Tijuana and $14 for CBX shuttle from San Diego Airport. If I had a travel partner I wouldn't mind venturing out! 🤣 Hope to see you in LaPaz soon!
@@SophiaZanzotWhitted How often does the CBX shuttle run? $36 from San Diego into TIJ sounds like a good deal. And the Uber ride is a better deal if you are splitting it with someone else, but $45 for one person is pricey!
You said $2.50 for transit, but you also said you had to buy the card, and there was a minimum you could load. Unless you're going to make multiple trips, the whole amount should be considered part of the cost of this trip. Using a land crossing scares the crap out of me as a Méxican resident. The CBX crossing was notorious for not entering residents info back and forth - what if I left via TIJ and the CBX, then flew back to my home in Mazatlán? I'd have no exit entry in their computer to match to when I returned! I've heard the same with other land crossings. And the one time I used CBX (just for fun), I couldn't get my flights to align and had to stay in a hostel -- the $$$ for that and the $$ for CBX killed any savings I may have had. Options are always a good thing though - and usually I'm super frugal. Just not when my residency is at stake :)
If I had used the Pronto app, I could have spent $3 instead of $2.50. BTW, we cross the border all the time by land without checking with immigration. I think, technically, every citizen or resident must check with immigration when they exit the country. But I've never even seen an immigration office when exiting at San Ysidro - and there are thousands of citizens and residents crossing every day. I'm not sure if this is gonna be a problem for me in the future... but I'm just sharing my experience. I cross by land and by air. I check with immigration at airports all the time, but land borders I don't.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I've seen posts from residents who have reverted back to tourist status after being processed the 'wrong' way. Since the recent (i.e. within the last 5 years) change to INM processing FMM's, things aren't as loose as they used to be. I've only used the CBX method the one time, and did it both ways. Before my residency I went through Juárez, and you have to go inside and deal with the INM agents. The last thing I want is to have my status revert to tourist and then have to hire a lawyer to be reinstated. There are some things that I will throw caution to the wind for - but my residency isn't one :)
