Border Crossing Information

The fastest, and safest way to arrive to the San Ysidro Port of Entry, is to drive or Uber. If you decide to drive, commercial parking is available for your vehicle on the US side, and you can walk across one of the two pedestrian crossings. Unfortunately, the cost of Tijuana border commercial parking is expensive and there is an alternative way to crossing. If you are driving to the San Ysidro Port of entry (also known as El Chaparral) there are two main freeways: 

Interstates 5 and 805 southbound

If you do not have a vehicle, no worries. We recommend The Blue Line Trolley which operates frequent trains between downtown San Diego and its final southbound stop at El Chaparral and the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Trolley runs early morning to late evening, seven days a week. Drivers may also park in public parking lots next to the Blue Line Trolley stations for a minimal fee.

Commercial parking lots on the US side are located near all ports of entry in the region. Those closest to the border are occasionally full at peak crossing times. You will most likely be crossing a large footbridge spanning over the 5/805 freeways that converge to enter Mexico by vehicle. We don't recommend crossing into Mexico with a vehicle because the line to wait for US customs inspection in a vehicle when returning to the US can take anywhere from 2-4 hours, depending on day and time. If you cross on foot it usually takes 1 hour or less to cross back into the US from the PedEast or PedWest crossings. Again, there is also no need to worry about Mexican auto insurance. 

If you decide to park in a commercial parking lot near the border you will most likely be crossing the freeway via the pedestrian foot bridge making your way to the PEDWEST Port of Entry. If you are taking the trolley or Uber you will most likely begin your trek across the international border near the trolley station or PEDEAST. 

Tours will begin near the PEDEAST crossing. Video below is for reference use only.

Crossing at the PEDEAST crossing will ensure your guide will be there when you arrive in Tijuana. 

You are going to walk towards Mexican customs and US and foreign citizens are going to stay to the right and display your passport to Mexican customs officials. If you have a purse or backpack you will have it scanned prior to entering Mexico. Only a few hundred feet from the customs building will be a final turnstile into what may seem to be a chaotic atmosphere of taco vendors and taxi drivers offering a ride. Simply focus on crossing the street towards the Roma Farmacia, where you will promptly be greeted by your tour guide. 

There are two ports of entry to return to the US on foot. PedWest is located closer to Las Americas Outlets and parking lots and PedEast is closer to the trolley station. Depending on guest circumstances and border wait times, closures, etc. will depend on which crossing will be best for crossing the day of tour. Crossing on foot requires a passport and can take on average 1 hour to cross.