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Getting There
Less than 20 miles south of downtown San Diego lies the world's busiest port of entry -
the international border crossing between San Ysidro, CA and Tijuana, Mexico.
Here are several ways to get to the border:

Getting There By Boat
Guidelines and requirements necessary to enter a vessel into Mexico, either for sport or recreational purposes.

Please Note: There is NO border charge to enter Tijuana.

By Bus: (800) 231-2222 Greyhound Bus Lines offer daily service from San Diego to Tijuana. Costs between $5 and $9. Note: Greyhound and Crucero joint bus terminal are located adjacent to the Trolley’s 12th & Imperial Station in downtown San Diego and next to the San Ysidro Station in San Ysidro at the International Border.

By Car: Drive to the border, park at one of several pay parking lots on the U.S. side and walk across. Parking rates average $2 per half-hour or between $6 and $10 for 24 hours.

By Trolley: By Public Transit: The San Diego Trolley’s Blue Line is an excellent alternative and provides 15-minute service to the San Ysidro Trolley Station located at the International border seven days a week. From downtown San Diego, the trip takes approximately 45 minutes and the cost for a one-way trip is $2.50. One, two, three and four-day Day Passes (at $5, $9, $12, and $15) provide unlimited rides on the all San Diego Trolley and most Metropolitan Transit System bus routes for the day(s) valid. For route and schedule information visit www.sdmts.com or call (619) 233-3004.

By Air: TIJUANA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. Located 5 miles east of downtown. The front of the terminal is right across the street from the fence separating Mexico and the United States. Several commercial flights arrive and depart daily, including Aerocalifornia, Mexicana, and AeroMexico, but air traffic is generally light all day long. The terminal offers several main floor restaurants, an upstairs restaurant and bar with a view of the runway, several retail shops, 3 money exchange booths, telephones, a fax and an ATM machine. Car rentals booths are inside (Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National) and TAXIS are outside, as well as BUSES. A travel agency is also available in the terminal on the ground floor. Luggage and arrivals are located at the far east end of the terminal (left side when facing the terminal), and ticketing and most departures are located at the west end (right side). Parking is easy and close by, on the west end of the terminal. For further information, telephone 011-52 (66) 83-2418. AEROMEXICO Tel. 011-52 (66) 85-4401 and (800-237-6639). MEXICANA AIRLINES Telephone 011-52 (66) 85-7879 and (800) 531-7923 * Diego Rivera #1811, Enificio Fontana. AEROCALIFORNIA Telephone 011-52 (66) 81-7211 and (800) 237-6225 * Paseo de los Heroes.

Mexican Auto Insurance: If you plan to take your car into Mexico, you must purchase Mexican automobile insurance prior to crossing the border. Most U.S. policies are not valid in Mexico. In the unfortunate event of an accident, only a Mexican insurance policy will be recognized as valid.

Border Insurance Services: (800) 332-2118 Mexican Insurance by phone. Representing the largest and most reliable Insurance Company in Mexico.

Mex-Insur, Inc.: (619) 428-1121 213 Sycamore Road, I-5 at the Via de San Ysidro exit San Ysidro, CA 92173

Border Crossing Stations
Visitors to the northern part of Baja California do not need passports or tourist cards if staying in the country for 72 hours or less. If you plan to stay longer or travel beyond Ensenada, you'll need to obtain a tourist card. This document is free of charge; proof of U.S. citizenship is required.
San Ysidro Station: (619) 639-7100 (open 24 hours)
Otay Mesa Station: (619) 661-3249 (6AM-10PM)
Tecate Station: (619) 478-5545 (6AM-Midnight)

Important Phone Numbers
When calling Mexico from the United States,
dial the international code and country code, 011-52,
then the 2 digit city code ( ) and 6 digit local phone number.