One of the extras promoted when I was purchasing my airline ticket to Tijuana was called the Cross Border Express. I envisioned a bus that took you from the airport to the border, where you’d walk across to the US side, and it would continue on to San Diego. At least I remember reading something about walking across the border. I ignored it because it cost an extra $16, and I had gotten it in my mind that I wanted to get across the border of my own volition and for free.

 

I’d taken the bus from the airport to downtown Tijuana before so I knew that it was one of those that had service just a short walk outside the airport entrance. From downtown Tijuana, I figured I’d walk to the border, cross into the US, and catch the streetcar to downtown San Diego. That or climb over wall just for fun.

 

I remember a funny site from the last time I crossed the border. While waiting in a line of cars for about 2 hours, I witnessed a ladder propped up against the wall with a line of Mexicans climbing over like a trail of ants scaling a log. So much for the effectiveness of a wall.

 

I knew the wait to cross could be long so I decided to check if Global Entry passes were accepted at the pedestrian crossing. Global Entry is one of the best investments I’ve ever made. For a mere $100 and a 20 minute interview, I now bypass customs lines at all US airports. The first opportunity I had to use it saved me an hour of waiting in line. Given that my flight had arrived after midnight, the cost more than paid for itself in that first usage.

 

I didn’t know if Global Entry was accepted at the pedestrian border crossing, however, and I didn’t think I’d be looked upon too kindly for cutting to the front of the massive line only to find out Global Entry was not accepted there. I decided to search online for the answer.

 

The first several results included information on the Cross Border Express (CBE). In fact, it specifically mentioned that Global Entry was accepted at the CBE bridge. This was new information. Apparently, there was a bridge specifically for those who’d paid for the CBE. Upon further investigation I learned that the CBE was a bridge that had been built from the airport terminal in Tijuana, over the border wall, and onto US soil at its other end. Here we’re busy building walls, and some smart entrepreneur has come up with a way to get over it for just $16. The only catch is that you have to have a flight that originates or terminates in Tijuana.
Sixteen dollars later, I had my CBE pass, and I still got to walk across the border of my own volition. As I’ve mentioned before, flying to/from Tijuana can be cheaper and easier using the budget airlines that fly throughout Mexico. My flight from La Paz landed at 8:30am, and by 9, I was in the Unites States thanks to my Global Entry, Cross Border Express, and bridge over the Wall.