In 2015, a wildly innovative idea came to fruition. Connecting two vibrant communities—San Diego and Tijuana—the Cross Border Xpress, or CBX, became a literal bridge between the two nations, offering travelers an easily accessible means of travel between California and Baja California, MX
The idea stemmed from the desire to solve an obvious problem: the San Diego airport needs more space. As the busiest international single-runway airport in the U.S., the demand for travel from San Diego is high, yet there is zero room for growth. Rather than build an entirely new binational airport for the region, investors and innovators had the idea, “What if we connect San Diego to the Tijuana Airport instead?”
At the time, the Tijuana airport was growing at a rate of about 2% each year and flew only to a small handful of destinations. Today, as a direct result of CBX, the Tijuana airport is growing at 15% year over year and now flies to more than 35 destinations directly, connecting travelers not only to popular cities in Mexico, but to destinations across Central America, South America, Europe, Asia, and the entire world. CBX Chief Commercial Officer Eduardo Schutte says that this past year, over 4 million travelers were serviced at the Tijuana airport, hugely a result of CBX. In addition, the estimated economic impact to the region is $1.5 billion each year, and is only expected to grow. With such significant impact, it’s no surprise that CBX is heralded as a leader in travel and binational innovation.
Travel made simple
It could not be more simple to travel using CBX. When purchasing flights with an airline, all you need to do is click a single button to add on the bridge fee, and you’re good to go. Prefer to purchase in person? Just walk up to a kiosk and grab your ticket.
The benefits of CBX travel are endless—the ease of purchasing a ticket is just the beginning. First, it’s worth noting that when you use CBX, you go through customs on the front end of your flight, which means you won’t need to do it when you land. No need to be worried about wait times, either, because compared to other airports, the ones at CBX are nearly nonexistent.
Are you someone who worries about parking? CBX has you covered there, too. Affordable, long-term parking is available on both sides of the border, with significant discounts for Southern California residents. That means you can scrap your concern about grabbing an expensive rideshare or asking that family friend to drop you off yet again, and simply arrive, leave your car in a safe lot in San Diego, and walk right across into the Tijuana airport to catch your flight. Still don’t want to drive? They also offer shuttle services to Los Angeles, Los Vegas, El Paso, Phoenix, and Oxnard as well as private transport and rental cars. No matter your situation, the ease of getting to CBX for your flight is unmatched.
When looking to the horizon, the team at CBX has huge plans. Soon, their offerings won’t stop at fights and rides. If you’re looking for ways to enhance your vacation, all you will need to do is consult their website for a whole host of offers for tours, excursions, theme park tickets, and experiences. Paired with their offers of medical travel insurance and SIM cards, and you have a one-stop-shop for your next family vacation that makes planning a true breeze.
In the coming years, CBX also has plans to help expand the terminal at the Tijuana airport, build a ground transportation center to house their transportation partners, and even build a hotel onsite so travelers with early morning and late night flights have the ease of overnight rest before continuing on their journey. There is no stopping the momentum they’ve built—CBX has brought vigor to the region that travelers are hungry for and their acceleration level has one speed: fast.
At the end of the day, the San Diego-Tijuana border region is built on collaboration, innovation, and cross-border friendship. A bridge like CBX not only helps increase economic progress and amplify access to travel opportunities, it does something much more profound. It increases diplomacy, acting as an avenue to deepen positive relationships between the U.S. and Mexico. In a time when so much of our world is divided, it’s an honor that our very own backyard serves as a leading example of what true binational collaboration can look like. In our minds, that’s always a win.
Where will YOU adventure?
We sat down with Eduardo Schutte, Chief Commercial Officer, of CBX and asked him about the best travel destinations in Mexico this year for CBX travelers to consider. His answers have our travel bugs itching.
There are, of course, the beach towns. The whisper of the waves in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, La Paz, or Puerto Escondido call the names of those looking for a coastal respite. Beyond the travel guides and vacation hot spots, though, are a number of colorful Mexican towns drenched in culture, history, and community. At the top of Eduardo’s list is Merida, the capital of Yucatán and a bustling city with a rich history and indigenous roots. It makes for the perfect basecamp to explore surrounding archeological sites, colonial sites, and small surrounding towns full of inviting charm.
If you’re like us, all this talk of travel means it’s time for an adventure. Where will you go next?
In a time when so much of our world is divided, it’s an honor that our very own backyard serves as a leading example of what true binational collaboration can look like.