Travel hack: Catch cheap direct flights from Tijuana using Cross Border Xpress

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Attention travel junkies: There are exotic direct flight destinations that can be taken locally — yet not out of the San Diego International Airport.

For those out of the loop, travelers can conveniently take the Cross Border Xpress pedestrian bridge that connects a terminal in San Diego directly to the Tijuana International Airport.

Not only is flying out of the Mexican border city easy, you may also be surprised as to how cheap flights may be to certain destinations compared to rates out of America’s Finest City.

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Airlines

When flying out of Tijuana airport, there are four airlines to choose from. Adventurers can hop aboard one of the following air carriers based on their desired vacation spot:

• Volaris (35 destinations)

• VivaAerobus (14 destinations)

• Aeromexico (one destination)

• American Airlines (one destination)

Destinations

When it comes to the Tijuana airports destination options, some are direct and others require layovers. Nonetheless, there are over several flight options that can take San Diegans directly to where they are going with no stops in-between.

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From places like Cabo San Lucas, a resort city on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, to Tulum, a town on the Caribbean coastline, here are your travel hack options for vacation destinations directly from Tijuana — courtesy of the Cross Border Xpress:

For cost comparison, Google Flights shows April 27-30 flight prices from Tijuana to San Jose starting at $135 round trip, while San Diego to San Jose for that same date shows the cheapest roundtrip going for a solid $400 (these costs may fluctuate based on the day searched).

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The San Jose airport is a quick 8-mile drive to San Jose del Cabo and just 23 miles to the popular destination of Cabo San Lucas. This is just one example of several flight deals that budget travelers can take advantage of by using the Cross Border Xpress.

What you need to fly out of Tijuana

All San Diego travelers headed to the Tijuana airport through the pedestrian bridge and terminal will need to possess the required documentation to travel abroad.

U.S. citizens, who are considered foreigners in Mexico, will need the following items:

• Valid passport (book or card)

• Multiple Immigration Form which can be completed online

• Payment of migratory rights (only if your stay is longer than seven days)

• Boarding pass

• CBX ticket

As for Mexican nationals are those with dual citizenship, travels will only need these documents:

• Valid passport, INE credential, birth certificate, consular card or Mexican nationality certificate

• Boarding pass

• CBX ticket

Another pro-tip for travelers is to pay for Cross Border Xpress parking ahead of time, unless you are choosing to take a shuttle, ride-share or get a lift from friends or family.

There’s much fun and natural beauty to be enjoyed just south of the border. The convenience and budget friendly route of traveling out of Tijuana is worth checking out.

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