Border Crossing

Negotiating the San Ysidro - Tijuana Border Crossing 

Walking to Mexico

ENTERING MEXICO:  There are two entrances to Mexico. You'll walk past the trolley station to the left and behind the market. There are signs directing the way. The pedestrian entrance to Mexico is about one hundred yards from the McDonald's Trolley Station.  The main border crossing, the McDonald's Trolley Station is open 24 hours for both entrance to Mexico and entrance to the USA.  The new Ped West Border Crossing located at the East end of the Las Americas Outlet Mall is open 24 hours for pedestrian entrance to the USA and from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm for pedestrian entrance into Mexico.
See our other article here - The New Port of San Ysidro Pedestrian Border Crossings.

The San Ysidro - Tijuana Border Crossing at the McDonald's Trolley Station is the traditional entrance to Mexico and is more convenient for several reasons.  This newly built entrance to Mexico and for returning to the U.S.A. is streamlined and affords walking across the border easily.  There is ample public parking in San Ysidro next to the complex, there are two San Diego Bus stops as well as Greyhound bus and other bus terminal stations along the side of the last stop of San Diego Blue Line Trolley Line.  Also, there is access to Interstate 5 and 805 Freeways that is situated in a manner that has the least amount of congestion and delays due to traffic. Most important the amount of walking necessary on both the US side and the Mexican side is minimal compared to the newly added PedWest Pedestrian Border Crossing.  As well, taxis and buses are easily obtained after the modest walk after clearing Mexican Immigration and Customs.  There is seldom a long wait save early weekday mornings.

San Diego Blue Line Trolley San Ysidro Station

Pedestrians Returning to the U.S.A. and Entering Mexico Via the main San Ysidro Port Of Entry Border Crossing:
The new U.SA. San Ysidro Port of Entry Immigration and Customs facility is completed with a new modern pedestrian immigration and customs infrastructure for returning to the USA making it much faster and easier to negotiate than in the past. When you return to the border via taxi or bus you will be dropped off at "La Linea" the border crossing plaza.

The New San Ysidro Port
of Entry Facility

The walk to the US Immigration and Customs facility is about 100 yards similar to the total distance that is involved when walking into Mexico. The pathway to Mexico and the modern Mexican Immigration and Customs Facility is just alongside the main pedestrian building for entry to the US and is clearly marked with signage.  The taxi fare to and from the La Linea and Tijuana's Red Light District is $3.00 to $5.00 and the fare for the bus is less than $1.00.

Pedestrians Returning to U.S.A. and Entering Mexico Via the PedWest San Ysidro Port Of Entry Border Crossing: 

Located just East of the Las Americas Premium Outlets Mall just west of the 5 Interstate Freeway, the facility is about a 10-minute walk from the McDonald's Trolley Station and the main U.S.A. - Mexico Border Crossing. This pedestrian border crossing for pedestrians crossing into the U.S.A. is fast with a short or no wait time, save early in the weekday mornings thanks to the modern pedestrian immigration and customs infrastructure.

PedWest Pedestrian Border
Crossing at the San Ysidro
Port of Entry Border Crossing

The walkway entrance for entering Mexico or the U.S.A. is a longer walk than the main San Ysidro - Tijuana Border Border Crossing let alone the 10-minute walk to and from Trolley Station. For pedestrians heading south of the border, you have to use the walkway and once you clear through Mexican Customs and Immigration there are taxis that can take you to Zona Norte for $5.00 or less. When returning to the USA via the PedWest Border Crossing you can use the pedestrian walking bridge crossing the Tijuana River to the Chaparral Plaza or take a cab and then traverse the walkway ( about 10 minutes ) to the U.S. PedWest Immigration and Customs Facility.  There is a bus route available to and from the Trolley Station which costs $2.50.

San Ysidro - Tijuana Border

Customs regulations regarding what is allowed to bring to Mexico and back to the U.S.A. is found here. Customs Regulation for Mexico and the U.S.A

Customs regulations entering Mexico is not so complicated.  Items you can bring without a permit or paying taxes, including:

New or used goods for personal use, such as clothes, shoes, including any wedding party attire, and toiletries in a quantity appropriate for the length of your trip and that does not appear as if you may be intending to sell them.

• Electronics and accessories:
• One photo camera and one video camera and the charger for each
• Up to 12 rolls of unused film or videocassettes
• Printed photos or videos
• One portable radio recorder and/or player, digital sound reproducer, CD reproducer, DVD reproducer and speakers and accessories
• Five laser discs
• Five DVDs
• 20 CDs or cassette tapes
• Five storage devices or memory cards
• One cellular phone
• One pager
• One typewriter
• One new or used portable computer, laptop, notebook, Omnibook, etc. IMPORTANT NOTE: Unless you prepare ahead, you may have difficulty bringing computers or other expensive electronic equipment into Mexico for your personal use. To prevent being charged an import tax, write a statement about your intention to use the equipment for personal use and to remove it from Mexico when you leave. Have this statement signed and certified at a Mexican consulate in the United States and present it to Mexican customs as you enter Mexico. Also, be aware of the U.S. Customs re-entry requirements regarding bringing a laptop and other high-value items back into the U.S.
• Sports and recreational equipment:
• Two sets of personal sports equipment that can be transported by one person, such as rackets
• Four fishing rods
• One surfboard or sailboard
• One musical instrument and accessories that can be transported by one person
• One tent and set of camping equipment
• One pair of binoculars
• One telescope
• Entertainment/Media:
• Books and magazines in a quantity that does not appear as if you may be intending to sell them.
• Medical
• Medicine for personal use
• One blood pressure instrument
• One glucose testing device
• Crutches, canes, walkers, wheelchairs and other items for personal use that, by their characteristics, compensate for or diminish disability.
• In the case of psychotropic drugs, you must bring the prescription. Note: Be careful not to bring a large quantity of your prescription medication. Many Americans have been jailed for violating the laws on prescription drugs in Mexico.
• Cigarettes and cigars:
• 2 cartons of cigarettes, 25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco, if you are of age (if bringing more than allowed, you must declare it and pay duties).
• Alcohol:
• Up to three liters of liquor and six liters of wine (if bringing more than allowed, you must declare it and pay duties).
• Children Items:
• Strollers and baby walkers
• Five toys that can be transported by one person
• Tools:
• Tool sets including hand drills, wire cutters, wrenches, screwdrivers, cables, etc.
• Bedding:
• Bedding sets including one sheet set, one towel set, and a set of table linens.
• Currency:
• Up to $10,000 in US currency or equivalent in other currencies, foreign or national checks, and/or other monetary instruments. (Note: We do not recommend carrying a lot of cash while driving in Mexico, for reasons that may be obvious. Please read our pages about using ATMs and credit cards in Mexico.)
• Luggage:
• The luggage necessary to transport personal items