But dont worry, we will discuss all of your options for how to cross the San Ysidro border throughout the rest of this post. It is also possible that the Officer will check your trunk or other parts of the vehicle. This is a distance of about 16 miles. This is one of the busiest land border crossings in the World. The trolley, public bus, and Greyhound bus drop you off at the San Ysidro Trolley Station. Hi, we are planning on crossing the border from Tijuana to San Diego after flying to Tijuana Airport. If you want to use the Ready Lane when crossing back into the United States, youll also need to bring a WHTI-compliant, RFID-enabled card such as a passport card or enhanced drivers license. Take this loop, it will connect you to the Via Internacional. If you absolutely must walk from the border to downtown at night, do not walk alone. You should wait in the second line until you can speak to a Mexican immigration official. Try to take a white taxi libre rather than a yellow cab. Have you made the walk to Tijuana recently? Uber in Tijuana is slightly cheaper than taking a taxi. Your insight would be appreciated. Date: 7/15/2023 . San Ysidro has plenty of parking options available, though you might have trouble finding available spots if you go during a busy time, such as over a long weekend. It will pass through an x-ray machine, just like at an airport. Having travel insurance gives me a little peace of mind. Youll want to declare anything you bought in Tijuana that youre bringing back across the border including alcohol, medications, tobacco, gifts, etc. The tourist zones in Tijuana are also pretty walkable. From the parking lot follow signs for border crossing into Mexico. You can walk directly to Tijuana airport from the U.S. without having to travel through Tijuana. The pedestrian crossing on the east side The instructions are a bit more complicated than when you entered Mexico, but overall not too hard. Are you preparing to cross the Tijuana border? After paying the fee, you return to the immigration official with your receipt. For more information, you can check out my travel insurance page. If you are walking into Tijuana, you will most likely end up parking in either San Ysidro or Otay, depending on which Port of Entry you decide to use. Also, be aware that there will likely be Mexican troops stationed at the Customs building, again, it is expected and you shouldnt be concerned. Many locals cross occasionally to attend a doctor or dentist appointment, to get work done on their car, or to go shopping. You can hop on and off wherever you like along the taxi route. Once you arrive, follow the signs to the Mexican immigration building. The main touristy areas of Tijuana are also pretty walkable. The only fee you may be asked to pay is the FMM permit fee if you intend to stay for longer than 7 days. You can find a list of these free parking lots here. At this point, its time to enjoy your Tijuana trip. Comfortable walking shoes The border area is large and spread out. Tell the Taxi/Uber driver to drop you off at the Otay pedestrian crossing, or in Spanish Cruce Peatonal Otay. The ride from the border to downtown takes about 10 minutes depending on traffic. If possible, I would recommend getting a receipt to verify the value of your purchases. They will do their best to keep the peace and protect you from violence but in the case of petty theft, youre pretty much on your own. There is no turnaround if you miss the exit. One is for the general public, one is a Ready Lane, and the other is for those with a Sentri Pass. Youll see the walking street right after you pass a taxi stand. Fine way of describing, and fastidious paragraph to take information regarding my presentation focus, 1. After the sharp right turn, you will see several lanes with what appear to be traffic lights. You'll have to walk around 2-3 blocks to get from the dropoff point on the U.S. side to the taxi/Uber pickup point on the Mexico side. As of January 2008, a valid passport is required if you plan on crossing over to Tijuana. The area is heavily policed on both sides. However note that the San Diego Trolley doesnt actually take you across the border into Tijuana. You will follow a path for about 2 blocks until you exit the border area and arrive at a street. Its simply a better route if youre coming from the center of Tijuana. You will need to use the pedestrian bridge that crosses over the 5 Freeway, and then make your way to the border, this can easily take 20+ minutes. Without it, if there is an accident, you could go to jail. It can feel a bit confusing and intimidating because the area is so large and busy and because security is so tight. Simply follow the signs, and walk through the mall and get on the pedestrian bridge that will take you directly to the PedWest entrance, expect to walk about 1/3 mile. If you dont want to use your credit card, you can opt to pay in cash if you prefer. This crossing is also known as El Chaparral. Before I leave the country, I always purchase travel insurance. Hey there! Its like you read my mind! This is a completely legitimate question because for yearsTijuana has been in the news for its crime and drugs scene. When crossing back into the USA in a vehicle, the US CBP Officer will ask you to provide documents for everyone in the car. Youll get the best exchange rate this way. If you take an Uber, youll set your desired border crossing as your destination. Take a right on Frontera street and stay on the right side of the street. 2. If you decide to walk from the border to downtown Tijuana, youll be walking several miles. After the immigration official checks the form, they will tear off your copy, stamp it, and hand it back to you. If you plan to stay in Mexico for less than 7 days, then you will not have to pay for an FMM Visitors Permit. Now youre in Tijuana. The San Ysidro Port of Entry has 26 vehicle lanes segmented into three types of travelers; Trusted Traveler, Ready Lane and General Traffic: Sentri And Global Entry are U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs that allow expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival to the United States. The Taxi/Uber driver will know what you are referring to. You have two options when walking through the San Ysidro border back into the United States. However, the cheaper cost comes at the expense of a much longer walk. You will stand in line for hours without a bathroom. The best place to find auto coverage is through the Mexpro.com web site. Two MX officials stabnding there, one checked ID (my passport), then walked over that lengthy bridge, showed CBP at the turnstyle my I-94, headed to immigration booth inside the bldg. The tickets cost only a few dollars each way. To enter Mexico, you must first obtain a Mexico Visitor 's Permit . Youll then pass through customs as outlined above. If traveling by car, follow the Ready Lane signs (available at both San Ysidro and Otay). Nobody checks your FMM upon exit. my complete guide to the FMM visitors permit and Mexican visas. I have used them for all of my international trips and have had good experiences with them. Then you have found the right place! It is a simple form that takes just a couple of minutes to fill out. I am truly sorry! This walking street lets you off right at the base of it. San Diego - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials are announcing that all of the vehicle traffic lanes at the San Ysidro port of entry are expected to be available again for processing travelers by Saturday morning.CBP officials overnight re-opened additional lanes northbound at the San Ysidro port of entry for vehicle processing, and as of 3:30 p.m. Friday, currently have 15 lanes for . You walk straight to Mexican immigration. Another viable option to walk across the pedestrian walkway to downtown Tijuana. However I would definitely recommend either driving or taking the San Diego trolley to the San Ysidro border, and then walking across the border. But since safety is most likely still on everyones mind, before planning a trip to Tijuana or Baja California in general, its best to alwayscheck the State Departments travel advisory websitefor updates on any safety rules and recommendations. Submitted by mlame on Wed, 07/12/2023 - 09:06. Posted on Last updated: February 25, 2023, Categories Mexico, Tijuana, Visas and Borders, Home Mexico Tijuana Walking Across the Border to Tijuana. There is a bus hub at PedWest on the USA side, so its a great option if you use the bus. San Ysidro Hours of Operation: 24 hrs/day Date: 7/13/2023 Pedestrian GENERAL READY Current Wait: 5 min At 10:00 pm PDT, 10 lanes open Average Wait: 11 min Add to Favorites Graph Table More. If you hold a passport from one of these countries and do not have a resident card from one of the above-listed countries, you do need a visa to visit Mexico. You must take into account that you will be crossing from one country to another, so you must verify your personal and car documentation. If you want to find cheaper parking, park on the West side of the freeway (yellow square), there are several lots that offer better rates than on the East side, specially if you plan on parking there for more than one day. If you crossed at PedEast, youll arrive at Frontera street. On a normal weekend, I have waited up to 2 hours to cross back into the United States, but you might get lucky depending on the time of day. Youll know youve reached downtown when you see the big arch (Arco Monumental). Do I Need Mexican Pesos to visit Tijuana? These buses leave about every 10 minutes, 24 hours per day. There are several blue line stops in downtown San Diego including America Plaza, Petco field, and Barrio Logan. 5 years ago Save Do NOT drive of walk to this place without a Global Entry or NEXUS card with Sentri access. They charge about $21 per day during the week and a bit more on weekends and holidays. Location: San Ysidro, San Diego, California/Tijuana, Baja California Access: Virginia Avenue/Plaza Viva Tijuana. Pedestrians crossing into Tijuana are also required to complete a Mexico Visitors Permit (FMM), the same form you would fill out if you were flying into Mexico. For those who don't know, San Ysidro is the community that is right on the border with Tijuana, and where you will want to park to use the pedestrian crossing into Mexico. Some lots charge by the hour and some by the day. How much is a taxi to the border or is it best to use the Cross border express? This is about a 1.7 mile walk. The trolley drops you off just steps from the border. The Officer will then scan each document into the computer. This means you will need to drive and park at the San Ysidro border and then wait for the bus to shuttle you across the border into Tijuana. Keep in mind that these lots can fill up during weekends and holidays. Add to . You will walk over a big bridge that passes over the Tijuana River. If we take the Tourismo Express across the border, can we bring our luggage? Then you exited on foot where nobody checks. Line Chart Bar Chart The insurance policy doesnt have to cover the vehicle you are driving, but instead is only required to cover the damages you do to another persons property. You can drive and park your car at one of several lots. ready lane, sentr. One line is for Mexican citizens and residents. I wouldnt walk this alone and definitely do not walk at night. San Ysidro; San Ysidro - Cross Border Express; San Ysidro - PedWest; Santa Teresa - Santa Teresa Port of Entry; Tecate; El Paso - Ysleta . San Ysidro. There is also a charge to use the Cross Border Xpress. There are also parking lots nearby. It's been less abusive recently (2023). Youll need to negotiate the rate before you get in the cab. The Otay entrance leads into the East side of Tijuana, which does not have many tourists spots. There may be a little less walking at the Otay Mesa crossing but I can't really remember. Another option is to walk past the trolley station, and turn left right after passing the building housing the McDonalds. Stayed two nights in TJ to get accustomed, flew out of TIJ to Cancun, stayed three weeks, flew back to TIJ, brief sightseeing and last Fish Tacos near the beach, then Uber to PedWest. Its too far. There are four places that pedestrians can walk across the border from San Diego county into Tijuana. Unfortunately because of this, you can surely expect delays. It really is nothing to be worried about. You must apply for this at a Mexican consulate or embassy. There is a side road to the East of the car line, you can have a Taxi/Uber drop you off in that area, and then you simply continue via the walkway until you reach US immigration. Once its your turn to reach the Customs Official, present your passport. I'm not sure exactly how you got out of the $30 fee. Walking around downtown Tijuana, Zona Norte and Zona Ro is relatively safe at all hours. Passport- You need to bring your passport. You mention in your article that theres no exit procedure when leaving Mexico, but from my understanding, residents are supposed to report to INM and get their passports stamped before exiting. View Large Transit Map in English/Spanish The new PedWest border crossing is now open! And how do we show our luggage, etc., to the border inspectors? A Mexican immigration official will either hand you an FMM form or fill it out for you. This option really only makes sense if you dont feel comfortable walking across the border by yourself or if youre going to the airport. The distance from the entrance of the border zone to the exit is around 3 blocks. You will be instructed to park, and wait in the vehicle until a CBP officer arrives. This is a one-mile walk from the border to either Zona Centro or Zona Norte. Once you go through US immigration, you will enter San Ysidro on the West side of the 5 Freeway, across the Las Americas Outlet Mall. For example, Sundays and most afternoons during the holidays are very busy and youll have to wait around 2 hours if you are unlucky. The PedWest entrance has remained closed. If you plan to visit Tijuana very often, then applying for the SENTRI is a must. If you are driving from San Diego to Tijuana, the drive typically takes only 30-35 minutes. Thats it, youve reached the San Ysidro vehicle Port of Entry, if youre crossing on the weekend, get ready for a long wait! Everyone is going in the same direction. Comfortable shoes are a must. Be sure to keep your FMM form and receipt. If you take a taxi, tell the driver that you want to go to the border (la frontera or la linea in Spanish.) A day pass costs $6. There are a few busy times that you want to avoid. However I would definitely recommend either driving or taking the San Diego trolley to the San Ysidro border, and then walking across the border. Things To Do in Tijuana. Have your Uber/Taxi drop you off in the same spot where you saw the large Taxi stand when you first entered Tijuana. Your driver can drop you off just outside of your desired border crossing. However now, Tijuana has made an effort to shed its dark past and reinvent itself as a safe place to visit again. The San Ysidro border and the Otay Mesa border are open all day long. The crossing is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and typically has shorter wait times than the vehicle crossings. They leave when they are full. If you use the regular crossing, you could take the trolley from the border to San Diego. An officer can stop you on the street, search you, accuse you of a crime, and ask you to pay a bribe. Land border wait time estimates are determined using either a manual, line-of-sight methodology via predetermined benchmarks or . This is how I learned this tip. From here, you can walk or catch a bus, taxi, or Uber to your destination. Typically when crossing the San Ysidro border by car from San Diego to Tijuana, you wont experience any delays. You will pay this fee at a small bank window in the immigration building. This is by far the best and most informative Ive found so far. Ready Lanes are dedicated processing lanes for both vehicle passengers and pedestrians traveling with Ready Lane-eligible travel cards, such as those listed below. San Ysidro is the main port of entry for the San Diego Tijuana border. . There are actually multiple ways to reach the San Ysidro car line. The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Tijuana from San Diego, Mexico Entry Requirements: Visas, The FMM Visitors Permit, and TIP Explained. The San Ysidro Port of Entry is the world's largest land border crossing, connecting the sister cities of San Diego and Tijuana, Baja California. Greyhound has a bus stop right next to the San Ysidro trolley station. Don't make it sound like the border agents are some magical people who are immune to corruption and bribery. To take the trolley to the border, you want to catch a blue line train running south. You can exchange money on either side of the border. The second option is PedEast, or the original pedestrian port of entry. There are three lines at most pedestrian crossings in Tijuana. You will see a couple of vans or minibusses lined up on the street. Dont miss this exit or youll end up driving into Mexico. Pedestrian. I will cover every single thing you need to know about crossing the San Diego - Tijuana border, through both the San Ysidro and Otay ports of entry. Typically, you would expect to wait for less than 15 minutes. From this point, you will have access to the parking lots on either side of the 5 freeway. Tijuana is filled with lots of fun things to do! Instead, they're doing everything electronically. If youre in a hurry, the line is usually the shortest early in the morning before 7 am and late at night after 8 pm or so. You can also bring your bicycle with you on the trolley at no extra charge. If you want to travel to the Otay Mesa Crossing by public transit, youll have to take the bus. The official name of the border crossing is the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Your passport will be checked by Mexican immigration when entering Mexico and by U.S. immigration when leaving. This step-by-step guide outlines how to walk across the border. A round-trip ticket currently costs around $32-$34. Dont worry, at the San Ysidro border crossing you shouldnt expect delays getting, If you are wanting to cross the San Ysidro border on foot, you will first need to either drive and park at the San Ysidro border or take the Tourismo Express Bus or the, If you decide to drive and park, you will need to takeI-5 south, exit at 1A. The most common question I get (ironically mostly from real life not so much from my blogging life) is how I afford Hello, I really enjoyed reading your information here. These are the PedWest, PedEast and Cross Border Xpress crossing. If you want to enter the regular lines (green line in map above- this is if you only have the regular Passport Book), you must get on the CD Industrial Avenue and turn onto the Blvd Garita de Otay, thats it, your on your way to the United States. The Via Internacional is a road that hugs the US/Mexico border, you will see the international wall on your left. Maghiari (97,93%) Germani (2,07%) Componena confesional a satului Vsrosfalu Luterani (37,65%) Romano-catolici (35,88%) Fr religie (1,76%) Necunoscut (24,71%) Conform recensmntului din 2011, satul Vsrosfalu avea 170 de locuitori. There are a couple of ways to get to the Cross Border Xpress terminal. A taxi de ruta from the border area to downtown costs 10 pesos (about 50 cents). Youll have to get out of the car at the border and walk across to Tijuana. This includes up to one liter of alcohol, if 21 or older (Guadalupe Valley fine wines anyone?!). This light rail system runs all the way from San Diego to PedEast, the main San Ysidro crossing. Admittedly, the crossing can feel a bit intimidating the first time because it is so large and busy. Because of these unpredictable delays, I do not suggest driving into Tijuanaunless you have plans to visit other locations in Baja California such asGuadalupe Valley, Rosarito, or Ensenada. There is always a taxi de ruta waiting at the border. Taxis generally do not do this because of the Mexican auto insurance requirement and the long wait times at the San Ysidro border crossing. Usually, you dont have to wait more than 5 minutes to pass through customs. If you want to use the Ready Lanes (blue in map above), you must get on the Blvd de las Bellas Artes. Nonetheless, Otay is a great place to cross if you have to be on the East side of Tijuana, or need to go to the Tijuana Airport. This entrance is best if you are coming from Rosarito or Playas de Tijuana, as it connects from the 1D highway. At this point, simply follow the signs leading you towards the exit. If you must travel by car on a weekend, try to cross very early Sunday morning, like plan to be at the border before 8AM. Dont pay more than $5 USD one way and agree to the fare beforehand. In the past, documents were not checked when crossing into Mexico on foot. First, you need to travel from San Diego to the Border. Because of Tijuanas close proximity, many San Diego visitors make a day trip to Tijuana to experience a little bit of Mexican culture. One night I met a local man waiting for someone to cross with. This document allows you to stay in Mexico for up to 180 days for tourism or business-related purposes. Member for. From there, simply follow the path back into San Ysidro or Otay Mesa. Youll have to exit the bus at immigration and wait for everyones documents to get checked. A ride to Zona Rio costs around $5-$6. Dont lose it. At night, its too dangerous. Walking across the San Diego Tijuana border via San Ysidro can be a great way to explore Tijuana without having to deal with the potential issues (insurance, directions, etc.) I have heard several stories of people being held up by armed muggers while walking between the border and downtown. You seem to know so much about this, like A ride to Playas de Tijuana costs around $12-$14. Youll see signs marking the way. I love visiting Tijuana so I hope this guide makes your future trips smooth and relaxing. For a while Tijuana was very dangerous and these concerns kept tourists and visitors away. You can also take an Uber, Lyft, or taxi from San Diego to the border. Parking is available ranging from $7 a day to $25 a day depending on the day of the week. However, it has become the norm to wait at least 2 hours. The U.S. dollar is widely accepted, as are credit cards. The ride from the border to the airport takes around 10 minutes depending on traffic. 3. Pedestrian. After continuing on the Via Internacional for about 3 miles, you will see a 5 San Diego / Paseo de los Heroes sign instructing you to turn right (there will be a gas station there), take this right. Din punct de vedere etnic, majoritatea locuitorilor (97,93%) erau maghiari , cu o minoritate de germani (2,07%). However be careful if you do choose to walk. This way, Im covered if I get injured, robbed, or if I experience an unexpected medical issue. US Department of State website for all of the information, You can see full details on the DHS website here, Cross Border Xpress and Tijuana Airport Step by Step Guide, Saturday after 12PM (even crossing late Saturday night is a nightmare), Weekdays during the morning rush hours of 6-9AM, Trusted Traveler Program card (SENTRI or Global Entry). Alcohol and tobacco products are restricted. Is there a place to do this when exiting Mexico near PedEast? Average Wait: 37 min . Before crossing, however, pedestrians must first obtain a document. You will get an FMM form to fill out on arrival at the border. You could take the Cross Border Xpress but that is more expensive. A common deal is $9 for 10 hours or around $25 per 24 hours. Now you are on the walking street that leads directly to downtown Tijuana. The immigration officials are honest". Otherwise, they may assume that your card was stolen and shut it off. Because of the hassle with finding auto insurance and the unpredictable San Ysidro border crossing wait time, I dont recommend driving from Tijuana to San Diego as a day trip. Wondering why I wasn't confronted at all with the FMM. The only time I would recommend it is if you also have plans to visit other locations in Baja California such asGuadalupe Valley, Rosarito, or Ensenada. The San Ysidro Pedestrian Border Crossing is a popular route for those crossing the border between the United States and Mexico. There are several currency exchange booths near the San Ysidro trolley station. Continue walking until you reach a big intersection. There is also a shuttle service from San Diego, San Ysidro, Los Angeles, Fresno/Sacramento, and many cities in between. Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links, including links from the Amazon Serivices LLC Associates Program. 03, 2023 If you're considering crossing the border between San Diego, CA and Tijuana, Mexico then check out this helpful guide with everything you need to know about the San Ysidro border. Upon passing the turnstiles, you will immediately enter Mexican Customs, if a US citizen, you must line up in the Foreigner line. The police cannot stop all crimes. If youre not near a trolley stop, you can catch a bus heading toward downtown and transfer to the trolley. If you are parking at Otay because you will be using the Tijuana Airport, I recommend you use the Cross Border Xpress instead. This type of corruption is fairly common, unfortunately. Just follow the crowd. The only catch is that you will have to take the trolley to San Ysidro where you will walk across the border. The bridge has dark staircases where criminals can easily hide. If youre not already in San Diego, you can get there by driving, taking the Greyhound bus, or flying. San Luis - San Luis I; San Ysidro; Santa Teresa - Santa Teresa Port of Entry; Tecate . Once in Mexico, you can either take a taxi or walk to downtown Tijuana. This is a completely legitimate question because for years Tijuana has been in the news for its crime and drugs scene. They can drop you off at the PedEast or PedWest crossing. This journey takes a little over an hour. At the end of the walkway, you will see turnstiles and a massive MEXICO sign, leaving no doubt you are entering another country. Over 50 million people cross between San Diego and Tijuana each year. If you are staying in Mexico for more then three days, you will need to fill out a Customs form and pay a visitors fee of around $25 USD. There is a parking fee of $15-$25 per day depending on which lot you use. Once you reach the walkway, be prepared for about 1/4 mile walk uphill, thankfully, there are benches and water fountains along the way. If you plan to cross at the main San Ysidro crossing (PedEast or PedWest), the easiest way to get there is to take I5 or I805 South and get off at the East San Ysidro Blvd exit. You can catch a trolley back to San Diego, a Greyhound bus to various destinations, or you can walk back to your parked car. If youre trying to go downtown, say el centro?. Tijuana sits right on the border so you are in the city when you exit immigration. This way, you avoid expensive border parking. If you plan to stay in Mexico for less than 7 days, the official will stamp your passport and the completed FMM form and send you on to customs. Step 5: Leave Immigration and Enter Tijuana. There is a heavy police presence in these areas. You can also pay with a credit card at many grocery stores, convenience stores, and hotels. From here, youre just steps away from the PedEast crossing. This works the same way as Mexican immigration. Check out these popular posts: Im Tiffany, a travel lover, small business owner, and expert-level cat cuddler. You can also catch the blue line trolley further south in the communities of National City, Chula Vista, and Imperial Beach. Money- You will need some cash for the trolley, taxis, Ubers, busses, and possibly the FMM visitors permit.