San Ysidro
Tijuana – San Ysidro
Passenger vehicles
- Standard4 h
- Ready Lane3 h 20 min
- SENTRI30 min
Pedestrians
- Standard20 min
- Ready Lane5 min
San Diego, California ↔ Tijuana, B.C.
San Diego – Tijuana border wait times
LiveChecked with CBP 2 min ago · 6:38 p.m. (Tijuana time)
Quick answer: right now, crossing from Tijuana to San Diego by car takes San Ysidro 4 h (standard); Otay Mesa – Passenger 3 h 10 min (standard). On foot: San Ysidro 20 min (standard); Otay Mesa – Passenger 1 h 40 min (standard). Source: CBP, checked at 6:38 p.m. (Tijuana time) on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
- Fastest: Otay Mesa – Passenger
- 3 h 10 min
- Dollar today (MXN)
- $18.63
Otay Mesa
Tijuana – Mesa de Otay
Passenger vehicles
- StandardPending
- Ready LanePending
- SENTRIPending
Pedestrians
- StandardPending
- Ready LanePending
Commercial vehicles
- StandardPending
- FASTPending
Otay Mesa – Passenger
Tijuana – Mesa de Otay
Passenger vehicles
- Standard3 h 10 min
- Ready Lane3 h 30 min
- SENTRI50 min
Pedestrians
- Standard1 h 40 min
Otay Mesa Port of Entry
Tijuana – Mesa de Otay
Passenger vehicles
- StandardPending
- Ready LanePending
- SENTRIPending
Pedestrians
- StandardPending
- Ready LanePending
Commercial vehicles
- StandardPending
- FASTPending
San Ysidro – Cross Border Express
Tijuana – San Ysidro
Pedestrians
- StandardNo wait
- Ready LaneNo wait
San Ysidro – PedWest
Tijuana – San Ysidro
Pedestrians
- Standard15 min
- Ready Lane15 min
Otay Mesa – Commercial
Tijuana – Mesa de Otay
Commercial vehicles
- StandardClosed
- FASTClosed
Up to 20 min 21 to 60 min Over 60 min Closed · Hover over a wait time to see how long ago CBP measured it.
What the community is reporting
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How to cross between San Diego and Tijuana
If you live in San Diego and are coming back from Tijuana, your options are San Ysidro, on foot or by car, and Otay Mesa. The time shown here is how long the line takes on the Mexican side to reach the CBP booth, and it's the best way to decide which way to come back.
On the U.S. side, San Ysidro connects to I-5 and I-805 and has a Trolley station (Blue Line) right next to the pedestrian exit, so many San Diegans leave their car in a parking lot and walk across. Otay Mesa connects to SR-905 and SR-125.
Tips for crossing at San Diego
- If you cross on foot, the San Ysidro Trolley takes you to downtown San Diego in about 45 minutes.
- The parking lots next to the border fill up early on weekends: arrive before noon.
- As a citizen you don't need a passport to go to Tijuana, but you do need one to return to the U.S.
What do you need to go from San Diego to Mexico?
The wait times on this page are for entering the United States. There is usually no long line to enter Mexico, but Mexican Customs may inspect you using the red/green light system. Before heading south:
- If you are a foreign national going beyond the border zone or staying several days, check with Mexico's National Immigration Institute (INM) whether you need the Multiple Migration Form (FMM).
- Your U.S. auto insurance almost never covers you in Mexico: buy Mexican liability insurance.
- To drive outside the free zone you need a temporary vehicle import permit (Banjercito).
- Declare it if you carry more than 10,000 dollars in cash or its equivalent.
On the way back, have your passport or resident card ready and check the wait time above. Also read what you can bring across the border.
Are you in line?
Share how the line looks in Tijuana on the community forum. You need a free account.
Frequently asked questions about the San Diego border crossings
How long is the wait right now to cross from Tijuana to San Diego?
According to the latest CBP report, by car: San Ysidro 4 h (standard); Otay Mesa – Passenger 3 h 10 min (standard). On foot: San Ysidro 20 min (standard); Otay Mesa – Passenger 1 h 40 min (standard). The data on this page refreshes every 5 minutes.
How long does it take to get back from Tijuana to San Diego?
It ranges from a few minutes to more than two hours depending on the time, the day and the lane. Check the live times on this page before leaving Tijuana.
What do I need to go from San Diego to Tijuana?
A passport or passport card to return to the U.S. and, if you drive, Mexican auto insurance. If you are a foreign national going beyond the border zone, check with Mexico's National Immigration Institute (INM) whether you need the FMM.
What is the dollar exchange rate today in Tijuana?
The reference exchange rate is $18.63 pesos per dollar. Banks and exchange houses apply their own buy and sell margin. Check today's exchange rate.
Guides for crossing at San Diego
All guidesBefore You CrossCar Insurance to Cross Into the United States: What It Covers and What It CostsWhy your Mexican insurance doesn't work in the US, what coverage you need to drive in California, Arizona or Texas…Money & PaymentsWhere to Exchange Dollars at the Border: Exchange Houses, Banks and CardsHow to get the best exchange rate at the border: exchange houses, banks, ATMs and no-fee cards. What to avoid and what…Documents & PaperworkSENTRI and Ready Lane: Differences, Requirements and How to Apply for SENTRIWhat SENTRI is, what Ready Lane is, which documents work for each lane and how to apply for SENTRI step by step to…Documents & PaperworkWhat Documents Do I Need to Cross Into the United States? Full ChecklistDocuments to cross into the US at a land border: passport, B1/B2 visa or laser visa, I-94, vehicle papers, minors and…
Tools
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