*2019 Crossing Stats Available Visit: https://smartbordercoalition.com/blog/facts-and-figures
WAIT TIMES INTO THE U.S. San Ysidro - All Traffic: Vehicles: 1:00 Pedestrians: 1:00 Ready Lanes: Vehicles: 1:00 Pedestrians: no delay Sentri Lanes: Vehicles: 0:10
Otay Mesa - All Traffic: Vehicles: 0:45 Pedestrians: 0:20 Ready Lanes: Vehicles: 1:00 Pedestrians: N/A Sentri Lanes: Vehicles: no delay Cargo Standard: Lanes Closed Cargo FAST: Lanes Closed
Tecate - All Traffic: Vehicles: 0:20 Pedestrians: no delay Ready Lanes: Vehicles: N/A Pedestrians: N/A Sentri Lanes: Vehicles: N/A
WAIT TIMES INTO MEXICO Tijuana - I-5: I-805:

Long Guide to Crossing the Border

This guide provides detailed information, some of it also found in the Guide Basics of Crossing the Border for southbound and northbound land travelers, including those using CBX Cross Border Xpress to access Tijuana International Airport.

Northbound into the U.S.
There are five pedestrian crossing points into the U.S. along the border between Mexico and San Diego County. Only passengers on flights arriving at Tijuana International Airport may cross into the U.S. at CBX Cross Border Xpress.

El Chaparral PedWest

PedWest, also called Pedestrian West at El Chaparral, and PedEast are closest to the main tourist areas of Tijuana.

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San Ysidro PedEast

Known as PedEast, the entrance has 22 lanes, and significantly increases the pedestrian inspection capacity at San Ysidro, the busiest land port in the Western Hemisphere.

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CBX Cross Border Xpress

Cross Border Xpress (CBX), also called the Tijuana Cross-Border Terminal and the Puerta de las Californias, is an airport terminal located in the Otay Mesa area of southern San Diego, with an access bridge connecting it to the Tijuana International Airport.

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Otay Mesa

The Otay Mesa Port of Entry connects Otay Mesa in the City of San Diego with the Otay Centenario borough of Tijuana.

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Tecate

The Tecate Port of Entry is located between Tecate, California in San Diego County's Mountain Empire and the Tecate Municipality in Baja California.

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Crossing points for cars, trucks, and buses

  • Cars ( San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Tecate )
  • Trucks ( Otay Mesa, Tecate )
  • Buses ( San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Tecate )

How to get to border crossings into the U.S.

  • Taxis
  • Uber

Travel documents required to enter the U.S.

For U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents:

  • U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport; Passport Card; enhanced driver’s license; Trusted Traveler Program card (SENTRI or Global Entry); U.S. military identification card when traveling on official orders; U.S. Merchant Mariner document when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or Form I-872 American Indian Card, or (when available) Enhanced Tribal Card.
  • U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious, or other youth group) need only present a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship. The birth certificate can be original, a photocopy, or a certified copy.
  • U.S. lawful permanent residents are required to present their permanent resident card (Form I-551) or other valid evidence of permanent residence status.
    More https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative.

For Mexican citizens residing in Mexico:

Other foreign nationals:

Options for expedited crossings for qualified travelers:

  • SENTRI Program
    Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. There are no age or nationality requirements for SENTRI. Participants may enter the United States by using the dedicated primary vehicle and pedestrian lanes into the United States at southern land border ports only. SENTRI cardholders may not use SENTRI vehicle lanes without first registering the vehicle bring driven.
    More https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/sentri
  • Global Entry Program
    Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents and citizens of Mexico and certain other countries are eligible for Global Entry membership. It is not limited to the southern land border ports. Global Entry cardholders may not use SENTRI vehicle lanes without first registering the vehicle bring driven with the SENTRI program.
    More https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry
  • Medical Lane into the U.S.
    Certain medical facilities in Tijuana may provide their patients with passes to use the special Medical Lane at San Ysidro to cross into the U.S. more quickly. The Medical Lane is on Mexican territory and is therefore regulated by Mexico.

Which items does the U.S. limit or prohibit from bringing from Mexico?

Mexican government assistance in San Diego

  • The Mexican Consulate General in San Diego is located at:
    1549 India St.
    San Diego, CA 92101
    Phone: (619) 231-8414
    Regular business may be conducted at the Consulate General from Monday through Friday. Business hours vary, depending on the department. Persons seeking emergency assistance may call (619) 231-3847.
    Website https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/sandiego/index.php#popup
  • For official government information on immigrating to the U.S., go to
    https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate.html
  • Wait times
    For real-time northbound wait times, go to: https://bwt.cbp.gov/index.html
  • Peak times on weekdays
    With many adults and children residing in Mexico but working or attending school in the U.S., northbound traffic is usually heavy between 4 and 8 a.m. on weekdays. Delays are also often common during the evenings of U.S. holidays or the following mornings.
  • Peak times on weekends and holidays
    Border crossing traffic congestion is unpredictable and often occurs early morning for people going to work or school in the United States and on U.S. holidays as well as Sunday evenings and Monday mornings.
  • For information about San Diego points of interest, click here https://www.sandiego.org/about.aspx