Travel Hack: Find Cheap Flights In Mexico
This travel tip is something I was keeping to myself for a while, but now I feel it is time to give it out to all of you Globetrot fans. However, this tip only works if you are planning on traveling to Mexico from Southern California.
Domestic Flight vs. International Flight (Mexico)
So, you are planning a trip to a Mexican destination, let’s say Mexico City or even Oaxaca City. One of the first steps you will take is to look at flights out of an international airport. More likely than not you will find some options, but you may also be surprised by the cost. If Los Angeles or any other Southern California location is going to be your leaving point then consider finding your way across the border into Tijuana. Here you can fly out of the Tijuana airport which will now be a domestic flight in Mexico, and in turn the cost will be reduced.
Flying to any Mexico destination from the Tijuana International Airport
Tijuana International Airport is located just across the border from the San Diego county city of San Ysidro. The airport is clean and easy to navigate even for the non-Spanish speaker. Domestic flights from here to popular Mexico destinations usually have multiple times per day leaving at all hours. The real benefit of taking a domestic flight in Mexico is the cost. Here are some Google Flight results for a one-way trip in January.
Getting to San Ysidro
From any city with an Amtrak line, you can take the Amtrak train directly to the Downtown San Diego or even the Old Town San Diego Station. Here you will wait for the Blue Line Metro Train, which you will ride all the way to the end and last stop which is San Ysidro. The station is literally right at the borders edge.
Getting Into Tijuana from San Ysidro
At The Border
San Ysidro is the last United States city before the border into Mexico. You have two options to enter Mexico from San Ysidro, and that is by foot or by car. Since you are most likely headed straight to the airport, it will be the easiest and faster to enter through the pedestrian gate.
NOTE: Dont forget your passport!
Using the CBX Bridge to the Tijuana International Airport
The cross border express allows anyone with an departure from Tijuana to cross directly from San Diego, California into the International airport via a connecting bridge. The process is very easy to figure out, and you can book your passage across the bridge in person or make a reservation in advance. You can take an uber to be dropped off here, or even park your car here for a fee.
Coming Back Into The United States
Using the CBX Bridge to the Tijuana International Airport
With your boarding pass and passport along with your return ticket to pass over the bridge you can return to the US by walking across back into San Diego. The bridge also has its own Customs department where you will go through proper customs to return.
Walking Back into San Ysidro
Just like you walked into Mexico, so you can walk back into the United States (this is for US Citizens Only) check all current Covid 19 restrictions before using this option to enter the USA.
However, re-entering the US is not as easy as going into Mexico. Wait times are very long, and you can expect to be waiting in line for up to two to three hours. It was an experience on its own waiting in the line, with people rapping and singing for money. Along with the interesting people you will meet and chat with in line.
If you want to skip the line you can pay for an under the table service for about $10 to $20 a person. Approach the guys with the packs on and walked talkies on. They will escort you to the front of the line, where they have a person holding a place in line for you. Be careful to not get scammed!
