You must walk straight to Mexican immigration. By following these tips, travelers can make their journey through customs a smoother experience. 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. 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. During the week days, what hours are the best time to walk across? Rates are available between 10/1/2012 and 09/30/2023. To preview what the app looks like, click your store's button below. To preview what the app looks like, click your store's button below. Information is updated hourly and is useful in planning trips and identifying periods of light usage and or shorter waits. Representatives said Mexico currently has 17 border infrastructure projects in the works and the Otay East border crossing is their top priority. Official websites use .gov Newsroom, Presidential & Congressional Commissions, Boards or Small Agencies, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility, Otay Mesa LPOE Pedestrian Bridge Extension Nears Completion. average border wait times of only 20 minutes, Current rainy season could be a drought buster, forecaster says, Settlement reached in Tijuana sewage lawsuit, Brittney Griner urges the return of U.S. detainees abroad at NAACP Image Awards, Washington state attorney general says FDA rules on abortion drug are unreasonable, An Arizona driver is in custody after crashing into bicycling group, killing 2, What you should know about the IRS tax deadline extension, Rain and cool temperatures help the Carlsbad Flower Fields bloom, San Diego students weigh-in on Supreme Court controversy over loan forgiveness, California and San Diego County's pandemic emergencies are over, what's next. Every day of the week, Otay Mesa is open 24 hours a day. The SENTRI programprovides dedicated vehicle lanes and expedited processing at various ports of entry on the Southwest border for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. Despite the fact that the FastLane or SENTRI Lanes may speed up the process, it is still a good idea to avoid driving over backed up lanes. If a person is allowed to enter Mexico without a visa, they must fill out an FMM form upon arrival. Visitors to Tijuana are generally welcome as long as they avoid the bad areas and do not draw undue attention to themselves. 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. The majority of the time it only takes 10 minutes to complete; however, it can take up to 25 minutes during the morning rush hour. GSA NEWSLETTERS: Sign up to keep up with all the latest news, arts and culture, and TV highlights from KPBS. 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). 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. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws. Previously, Uber drivers could transport you across the border into Tijuana, but that option is no longer available. 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 cannot rely on border wait times," said Porfirio Perez, a mechanic who works in a San Diego. Access to all Premium App features for 30 days at no charge, No credit card or payment info is required. Desktop, Android, iOS PORTS & BORDER CROSSINGS TERMS OF USE This website is for individual, personal use only. Tijuana, a vibrant city on Mexicos northernmost border, is well-known for its arts and culture. Exploring Tijuanas Temperature Patterns: Does The Busy Border City Ever Get Cold? Once travelers proceed north, they will see signage outside directing them to enter through the rightmost door. There are two lines to fill out: one for Mexican citizens and residents and another for everyone else. PROVIDING TRAVELERS WITH CURRENT TEXT AND VIDEO UPDATES - BORDER CROSSING TRAFFIC, BORDER WAIT TIMES, FREEWAY TRAFFIC, This website is for individual, personal use only. Looking for U.S. government information and services? Kounalakis pointed out that even amid the pandemic, California exported $21 billion goods through the Calexico and Otay Mesa border crossings. The new Otay Mesa East Port of Entry aims to have average border wait times of only 20 minutes a drastic improvement on the hours motorists currently spend waiting to cross.. Otay Mesa is still an incredibly busy port of entry but about half as many people pass through it every month compared to San Ysidro. We are expanding the operating hours for the SENTRI lanes at Otay Mesa border crossing in response to increased demand, and are optimistic that these shorter wait times will persuade others, who are eligible, to apply for the Trusted Travel program, said Sidney Aki, Port Director overseeing operations at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa passenger crossings. It costs money to use the Cross Border Xpress. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said a new port of entry will have social benefits as well. There are different options for using this website. Eleni Kounalakis. Each year, approximately three hundred fifty million (350,000,000) people cross the border, making it the most common international border crossing in the world. Gustavo became the Investigative Border Reporter at KPBS in 2021. March 2011 Will I need a passport to go to Tijuana? However, travelers should be prepared for long lines at customs when arriving at the airport. If you want to cross the Otay Mesa crossing, you should use freeway 905 or freeway 125. There is a lane specifically designed for tourists, businesspeople, and medical tourists who have recently visited certain establishments on the Baja peninsula. Walking to Tijuana from the U.S. side of the border is the most convenient and safest way to travel. Saving you time, money, gasoline, aggravation Site owned by Solutions XYZ LLC. Yellow cabs are more expensive because they have a fixed rate. Border Crossing Locations & Wait Times In Baja SEE THE BLOG POST PLANNING ON BUYING REAL ESTATE IN THE ROSARITO BEACH AREA? 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. Border Traffic's Border Wait App. Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website. Otay border crossing wait time data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 1 or 2pm but later you cross line goes down alot but i have see lines at 4pm but still not much as wait. The waiting time in a pedestrian line is generally very short. OTAY MESA, Calif. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials announced today that the vehicle and pedestrian SENTRI lanes at the Otay Mesa port of entry will now be open from 4 a.m. until midnight, seven days per week, starting Tuesday, Feb. 16. Javascript is disabled on this browser. In 2018 he was part of a team of reporters who shared a Pulitzer Prize for explanatory journalism. In general, travelers can expect to spend anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours at customs, depending on the number of travelers and the time of year. If I were writing this review before I had my SENTRI pass, my review would be a lot poorer, but the SENTRI pass makes crossing soooo much easier. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. All unauthorized uses of this website and its copyrighted material will be pursued legally. Aug 29, 2022, 12:22 AM. Safe Parking at San Ysidro - TIJ border - 4 nights . ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. It is therefore advised to check wait times before crossing the border. I cross about three times a week. Explore The Music Scene In Tijuana Baja California: Check Out The Top Headliners In The City, Explore The Cost Of Tijuana Hotel Tickets Discover The Discounts And Tips For The Best Experience, Exploring Tijuana: Exploring The Convenient Stops Of Tourismo Express In Downtown Tijuana, Exploring A Vegan Lifestyle In Tijuana: Delicious Vegan-Friendly Options And Tips For A Plant-Based Diet. San Ysidro is the busiest border crossing in the world. On Monday, officials from both countries gathered on the U.S. side of the planned crossing to announce that it might open ahead of schedule. To start your trial, download the app "Border Traffic" to your mobile device. It will take about two hours for the wait to be successful. Staffing levels are already a significant reason for long border wait times in San Ysidro, Otay Mesa and the Cross Border Xpress. Alternatively, you may use. Domestic and international layovers should be planned at least an hour ahead of time, though this is not a strict rule. Those traveling from Mexico must also have a valid U.S. passport book or card, as well as an entry permit issued by the Instituto de Migracin (INM). 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. When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties, even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality. The new port of entry is expected to provide an economic boost to the region. The least amount to cross is one hour. The least amount to cross is one hour. Pedestrian Wait Times at Otay Mesa 1 year ago Save We just crossed on foot at Otay Mesa Northbound. 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 ? Between San Diego and the border, there are a number of ways to get there. When backed up lanes are visible, using a FastLane or an SENTRI Lane may speed up the process, but avoid driving over them. From the Otay Mesa border crossing it's about a 15-minute drive to the airport, and about 20 minutes from San Ysidro. . Shipments may take a long time to pass through customs depending on the size and the country of origin they are coming from. The most time to cross by foot is between one and three hours. It is required to take a taxi or public transportation to cross the boundary. Congressman Juan Vargas, who represents Californias borderlands, said he is concerned about Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staffing levels. 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