In order to use this lane, youll need a WHTI-compliant RFID-enabled card that is approved by the Department of Homeland Security. The traditional San Ysidro crossing is the larger and busier of the two - on Sunday afternoons and on holidays expect at least a one hour wait at the crossing (it could be shorter or longer). If so, how does that work on the return trip? You will stand in line for hours without a bathroom. 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. Use the map below as a reference, or follow the directions here. You must carry this document with you while youre in Mexico. Once you receive your SENTRI, you will be allowed to use the SENTRI vehicle lanes at both Otay and San Ysidro. For more information on safety, check out my article: Is Tijuana Safe? my complete guide to the FMM visitors permit and Mexican visas. Add to . Parking is located on the East side of the 905, as the map below shows, you can see that the parking lots are very close to the Otay pedestrian crossing. Happy if my sort of unique experience helps! You will follow a path for about 2 blocks until you exit the border area and arrive at a street. The arch is the heart of downtown Tijuana. The Tourismo Express Bus runs 7am-6pm every hour on the hour and tickets are $10 each way. . However, it has become the norm to wait at least 2 hours. Overall, crossing into Mexico via Otay is usually faster than San Ysidro. Taxis de ruta are shared vans and busses that transport people around the city. When crossing back into the USA in a vehicle, the US CBP Officer will ask you to provide documents for everyone in the car. Dress down and walk with purpose. You can come and go as you please as long as the FMM permit is still valid. There should be plenty of signs to guide you, though you shouldnt have any trouble finding the entrance (theres literally only one way to go). Do I Need Mexican Pesos to visit Tijuana? There are several blue line stops in downtown San Diego including America Plaza, Petco field, and Barrio Logan. You will walk up a slight incline and walk across a bridge that goes over the line of cars waiting to cross into the U.S. After crossing the bridge, continue walking straight on Frontera street. From the parking lot follow signs for border crossing into Mexico. Youll find several border parking lots in the area. The second option is PedEast, or the original pedestrian port of entry. It is also possible that the Officer will check your trunk or other parts of the vehicle. For most travelers, I recommend parking at Palomar or Palm trolley station in Chula Vista. Things To Do in Tijuana. Is there a place to do this when exiting Mexico near PedEast? 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. But I'm pretty sure you'd run into problems if let's say you enter TJ on foot like I did without getting the FMM, and then try to exit MX by plane. Obviously, dont bring anything illegal into Mexico. You can also walk to the border if youre crossing during the day. If we take the Tourismo Express across the border, can we bring our luggage? You also dont have to worry about corruption at the border. The same ticket works on the whole Metropolitan Transit System (MTS). You can hop on and off wherever you like along the taxi route. As you can see, parking is limited and will be on the expensive side. At no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links. For most travelers, the San Diego trolley is the most convenient way to travel from San Diego to the border. You could have been sent to Secondary Inspection because the first CBP Officer believed the vehicle required a more thorough inspection, someone didnt have a Passport, or if you got in the wrong lane (e.g. On average, Id say the wait is around 1 hour. If you decide to drive and park, you will need to takeI-5 south, exit at 1A. After passing through immigration, youll pass through customs. Sharing the love of Jesus is one of my favorite things ever, hence why I started this blog! At the end of the walkway, you will see turnstiles and a massive MEXICO sign, leaving no doubt you are entering another country. You will walk down a pathway, through a large metal turnstile, and into the Mexican immigration building. The FMM is a visitors permit or tourist permit. Between San Diego and Tijuana, over 50 million people cross the border each year. Once again, you shouldnt expect delays getting into Mexico. Turn left at the walking street. So, the only reason I have why I was able to "evade" the 30+USD fee for the FMM is that I went in and out on foot and MX authorities basically don't perform checks of FMM. Pedestrian. If the CBP Officer believes further inspection is necessary, he will attach a document on your windshield and guide you towards the secondary inspection area. Youll do this for days trips and longer stays alike, whether you pass through on foot or in a car. It is the 6th largest city in Mexico with a population of just under 2 million. You can drive and park your car at one of several lots. It is also possible to take the Greyhound bus to the border. This includes around 70,000 vehicles and 20,000 pedestrians. If youre there because you got in the wrong lane, you might get a fine or a warning, try to avoid doing so again. If you are a United States citizen, you must bring one of the following: If traveling by car, make sure to also bring: I personally recommend the US Passport Card, as it is a credit card sized ID that easily fits into a wallet, much more comfortable than a more bulky Passport. Alcohol and tobacco products are restricted. Its quite easy to cross between Mexico and the United States via the Tijuana border crossing at San Ysidro's land border inspection station. Nonetheless, if you are traveling to Tijuana constantly, its well worth the cost and effort. Wondering why I wasn't confronted at all with the FMM. I would not plan on paying a taxi to drive you across the border from San Diego into Tijuana. If you want to travel to the Otay Mesa Crossing by public transit, youll have to take the bus. The street you are crossing is called Avenida de la Amistad. 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. Since the San Ysidro border crossing is a duty free port of entry, U.S. Customs allows you can bring up to $800 worth of personal use goods back into the United States. You will get an FMM form to fill out on arrival at the border. Now available at the Apple and Google Play stores. 4. If youre staying in one of these areas, you can hop on a green or orange line train and transfer to the blue line once you reach downtown. I useWorld Nomads travel insurance. They're normal people like everyone else. Look for someone else making the walk and ask them to walk with you. This includes up to one liter of alcohol, if 21 or older (, Discover Tijuana's Underground Hipster Scene (who knew?! 2. San Ysidro; San Ysidro - Cross Border Express; San Ysidro - PedWest; Santa Teresa - Santa Teresa Port of Entry; Tecate; Otay Mesa - Passenger. I know the biggest question you have is, is Tijuana safe? 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. The city of Tijuana sits directly on the Mexico side of the border. You can catch a 901 bus either downtown or on Coronado Island. Do we walk across the pedestrian bridge or drive in the bus? Exit 1A is, From the parking lot follow signs for border crossing into Mexico. There is an immigration office in Tijuana where you could ask. If you cross at PedWest, youll arrive at Jos Mara Larroque street. After spending over a year living in Tijuana and working in San Diego, I have made the walk across the border hundreds of times. If you are going to use the Tijuana Airport, using the Cross Border Xpress bridge is a no-brainer, it will save you many hours and is just more convenient. Date: 7/1/2023 . Yes, it is perfectly safe to walk across the border to Tijuana. When you enter the immigration building, there are two lines. 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. Single Speed Vs Geared Bike: Pros and Cons, How to Park for Free at the Tijuana Border. Tell the Uber/Taxi to drop you off at the East Pedestrian entrance or in Spanish Cruce Peatonal Este (East pedestrian crossing) or Cruce Peatonal Viejo (Old pedestrian crossing). After paying the fee, you return to the immigration official with your receipt. There is a bus hub at PedWest on the USA side, so its a great option if you use the bus. It's been less abusive recently (2023). A common deal is $9 for 10 hours or around $25 per 24 hours. However, returning from Tijuana into San Diego can be a headache. Use the map below or click here for directions. Upon passing the turnstiles, you will immediately enter Mexican Customs, if a US citizen, you must line up in the Foreigner line. The steps in this guide will show you how to walk across the border step by step. There isn't really any passport control for Mexico when you're leaving. Non-Alcoholic Mexican Drinks: 10 Authentic Mexican Drinks You MUST Try! Plan Your Visit Back San Ysidro Border By Anna Shoultz on Apr. Its simply a better route if youre coming from the center of Tijuana. For cross border travel impacts due to COVID-19, please visit the DHS website and USA.gov website. Chances are youll have to wait in line. The area is heavily policed on both sides. Don't make it sound like the border agents are some magical people who are immune to corruption and bribery. Youll have to exit the bus at immigration and wait for everyones documents to get checked. Tickets are valid on trollies and city buses. Police corruption is an issue in Tijuana. If you can answer Id really appreciate it! Alternatively, they may ask you some questions about your trip and fill out the form for you. This is the fastest of all the options and is the most convenient by far if you are using Tijuana airports services. The San Ysidro border and the Otay Mesa border are open all day long. There is always a taxi de ruta waiting at the border. If you are driving from San Diego to Tijuana, the drive typically takes only 30-35 minutes. The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Tijuana from San Diego, Mexico Entry Requirements: Visas, The FMM Visitors Permit, and TIP Explained. Its kinda amazing. If traveling by car, you will want to avoid the following times, or face spending 3+ hours to cross the San Diego Tijuana border: If youre walking across the Tijuana border, its best to avoid the following times: You can always check the official US. If you absolutely must walk from the border to downtown at night, do not walk alone. Youll have to get out of the car at the border and walk across to Tijuana. These are a convenient option for those who are just making a day trip. Once you get to the front of the line, youll hand your passport to the U.S. immigration official. ), Left my heart in Antigua Entering Mexico from the United States side of the border is done via the I-5 or I-805. Would it make a difference whether we use San Ysidro or Otay Mesa? If you want to use the Ready Lanes (blue in map above), you must get on the Blvd de las Bellas Artes. The San Ysidro border crossing can seem a bit intimidating if youve never done it before. This crime usually happens on the bridge that crosses over the Tijuana River. var shrs_empty =''; var shrs_MAP59508_loadSubPage = function (pageNum, aEl){ try{ var arrPage = shrs_getElementsByClassName(document.getElementById('shrs_MAP59508_target'), 'MAP59508_pagedDisplay'); var pageToshow = document.getElementById('MAP59508_page'+pageNum); var menuEl = document.getElementById('shrs_MAP59508_pagingListEl'); var dspCurrentPage = document.getElementById('shrs_MAP59508_pagingDspCurrentPage'); for (var i=0;i Breaking News Queens Shooting,
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