It is located about 5 miles east of the border crossing at San Ysidro. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. We will work with you to provide customized pricing based on your needs. Border Traffic's Border Wait App. It is located just south of the US-Mexico border and is one of the busiest airports in the country. We will work with you to provide customized pricing based on your needs. San Ysidro is the busiest border crossing in the world. The most direct way to enter Tijuana is through an automobile or pedestrian bridge, and the current wait times can be found using the CBP Border Wait Time Mobile App. Check out Premium content by using our app's 30-Day Free Trial. They said that usually it takes about 2 hrs.. Vargas said he did not want to build a state-of-the-art border crossing only to have lanes closed because there arent enough customs agents to fill them. This option is most appealing because it is inexpensive and simple to use. The best time to cross the border between Tijuana and San Diego is between 4 and 6 a.m. What is the best way to cross the border from Tijuana to San Diego? Depending on the size of the shipment and the country from which it was sent, this process can take anywhere between 45 minutes and several hours. Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined as "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city, including independent entities located within those boundaries. Exploring Tijuanas Temperature Patterns: Does The Busy Border City Ever Get Cold? Fortunately, there are some ways to make the process easier, such as pre-registering online and applying for the Global Entry program. The commercial crossing at Otay Mesa is open 6 am until 8 pm. Every day of the week, Otay Mesa is open 24 hours a day. To start your trial, download the app "Border Traffic" to your mobile device. How long is the Otay border wait? It is possible to make the process more convenient for you. There is often no wait at the Cross Border Express, which has around 15 pedestrian lanes. Contact us for licensing information. Border wait times in Tijuana can be unpredictable and vary greatly. He was born in Mexico City, grew up in San Diego and has two passports to prove it. Before shipment arrives, it is critical that all necessary paperwork is properly completed and forwarded to customs. The least amount to cross is one hour. The agents for the most part are friendly, I haven't had any issues. The Otay Mesa border crossing is open 24 hours a day every day of the week. ins.style.display='block';ins.style.minWidth=container.attributes.ezaw.value+'px';ins.style.width='100%';ins.style.height=container.attributes.ezah.value+'px';container.appendChild(ins);(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'stat_source_id',44);window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'adsensetype',1);var lo=new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent);lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId+'-asloaded'),{attributes:true}); There are two borders crossings, or garitas, at Otay Mesa a pedestrian and passenger port of entry and a commercial port of entry. You can walk directly to Tijuana airport from the U.S. without having to travel through Tijuana. The San Ysidro border and the Otay Mesa border are open all day long. Wait times at the Tijuana border are displayed in the data package provided by Customs and Border Protection. Shipments may take a long time to pass through customs depending on the size and the country of origin they are coming from. To avoid long wait times, it is best to cross in the early morning or late evening hours, when the border is less crowded. The best time to cross the border from Tijuana to San Diego is between 4 and 6 a.m. when there are fewer cars on the road. And the wait is never 15 m minutes (unless you have SENTRI). Otay border crossing wait time data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. However, the pedestrian bridge extension is just one component of the larger $134 million modernization and expansion project at the port. An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It took 1 hr & 25 mins. However, if you are traveling with a large group or if your visa requires additional processing, it can take up to an hour or more to get through customs. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. crossings at Otay? There are different options for using this website. Travelers at the Tijuana/San Ysidro border crossing can use the Fast Pass Lane to get to and from their destinations more easily. Travelers can expect to be through customs in less than a minute if they have pre-clearance, which makes the customs process much easier. Representatives said Mexico currently has 17 border infrastructure projects in the works and the Otay East border crossing is their top priority. There are times when the wait is minimal, however, on a daily basis, it can take anywhere from 2-3 hours to cross the border. For folks who are walking across the border in Otay Mesa using the pedestrian access, where is the closest point on the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Historic wait times seem to be < 25 mins, but not sure what the current situation is like. Staffing levels are already a significant reason for long border wait times in San Ysidro, Otay Mesa and the Cross Border Xpress. On average, a round-trip ticket costs between $32 and $34. Looking for U.S. government information and services? Please note during the COVID-19 situation some of the FAQ info below might be subject to change. If you plan to stay in Mexico for more than 180 days, you must apply for a temporary residency permit. Customs for international shipments can be extremely complex and time-consuming. Ready Lanes are dedicated processing lanes for both vehicle passengers and pedestrians traveling with Ready Lane-eligible travel cards, such as those listed below. Otay Mesa also has a Fast lane for commercial traffic. The Tecate border is actually a 3rd option but is far less busy than the two main crossings. Every port is monitored by Customs Border Protection (CBP) using an electronic system. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-110184517', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car and used the general lanes as the wait was 30 minss. You can make the most of your trip to Tijuana and have a memorable time if you plan ahead of time and have the right timing. Have you read our Tijuana border crossing guide?var cid='5725099540';var pid='ca-pub-6100036215881170';var slotId='div-gpt-ad-waittimesnow_com-box-3-0';var ffid=2;var alS=2002%1000;var container=document.getElementById(slotId);container.style.width='100%';var ins=document.createElement('ins');ins.id=slotId+'-asloaded';ins.className='adsbygoogle ezasloaded';ins.dataset.adClient=pid;ins.dataset.adChannel=cid;if(ffid==2){ins.dataset.fullWidthResponsive='true';} As a result, travelers are encouraged to exercise caution when crossing the border, and to be aware of their surroundings. Tijuana Airport is a major international gateway for travelers into Mexico. You can make informed border crossing decisions based on current video information, thus saving time, money, and . Self-service kiosks are also available to travelers who do not need to enter an airlines reservation information. Some workers tried to shift from Otay Mesa to San Ysidro but encountered longer wait times. General, Sentri and Ready lane wait times are below and may take a few seconds to load Otay Mesa pedestrian & passenger crossing Passenger lanes GENERAL READY SENTRI Pedestrian lanes GENERAL READY Otay Mesa commercial crossing Commercial lanes GENERAL FAST If you plan on sending packages from other countries to the United States, you must consider customs clearance. According to the International Boundary and Water Commission, the border length is 3,169 km (1,969 mi). Live and average Otay wait times below remain accurate and are sourced from the US Customs & BorderPatrol. Javascript is disabled on this browser. Trolley lines connect some of San Diegos most densely populated suburbs. It was funny you said you had sentri On Thursday for some reason the sentri line was longer than the pedestrian line in otayi saw this (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? When your trial ends, you can continue enjoying all benefits of the Premium App and Website by subscribing, or you can use the Free App and Website at no charge. The new port of entry is expected to provide an economic boost to the region. An official website of the U.S. General Services Administration. Obeying the law and staying out of the spotlight will go a long way toward avoiding corrupt cops. The Otay Mesa Tijuana border crossing is currently the third busiest crossing point on the Mexican-US border. Between San Diego and the border, there are a number of ways to get there. The waiting time in a pedestrian line is generally very short. Officials from the United States and Mexico are now saying that a new border crossing planned for Otay Mesa might be finished ahead of schedule. Under the U.S. Customs and Border Protections (CBP) Global Entry program, low-risk, pre-approved travelers who have cleared background checks may be granted faster clearance at the border. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations, unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where lodging is obtained. There are three lines: ReadyLane (for people with RFID-compliant identification, like passport cards and green cards), SENTRI (for people with SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, or Global Entry cards), and the general line (for people with passport books). What to do when confronted with mordida extortion? Yuma Calexico Tecate Baja California California . During peak times, the wait can be longer. Travelers may consult the CBP website to monitor border wait times. There are no other border crossing in the world as busy as San Ysidro and Otay. Otay Mesa / Tijuana Subscribe now to access all videos & wait times! Saving you time, money, gasoline, aggravation Site owned by Solutions XYZ LLC. 53 reviews of Otay Mesa Port of Entry "It's the US/Mexican border, there is only so much you can say about it. After your shipment arrives at the customs brokers facility, it should take between 48 and 72 hours for it to be able to navigate customs correctly. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. The driver must also bring a valid proof of vehicle registration with him or her. 6. When your trial ends, you can continue enjoying all benefits of the Premium App and Website by subscribing, or you can use the Free App and Website at no charge. San Ysidro Port of Entry is the official name for the border crossing. If I had know this we would have just stayed in the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, construction on the new northbound pedestrian bridge extension at the Otay Mesa Land Port of Entry (LPOE) has continued at a steady pace. As you can see, it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Hello, BSquires, and welcome to the world of information. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Question, crossing on next Wednesday aro8:30 am, I have a Sentri Pass however my daughter doesn't so she has to walk across back into the USA. An official website of the United States government. If you plan ahead of time, you can check wait times using the app, which will make your crossing as smooth as possible. Line Chart Bar Chart Tourists, business travelers, and medical tourists have an easy way to quickly and easily explore all that Baja has to offer with their valid passport book, car registration proof, or entry permit. There are different options for using this website. We will work with you to provide customized pricing based on your needs. The End Date of your trip can not occur before the Start Date. Additionally, it is important to be aware of any restrictions on what items may be brought across the border. All unauthorized uses of this website and its copyrighted material will be pursued legally. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. It may have been more appealing than a traditional airport because there were more places for visitors to sit and wait for their turn at the ticket counter. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection website provides up to date wait times, as well as an online appointment system for those who need to cross the border quickly. Bus: Local city buses run to and from the airport and downtown Tijuana, or Tijuana's Zona Ro. Wait times are usually less than ten minutes, but they can get as long as 25 minutes at peak hours, such as during rush hour. We would have just stayed in the data package provided by customs border (... 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