Getting to Tijuana

Taking the Trolley

The San Diego trolley can take you from Santa Fe Railroad Station (downtown) to the border. Trolleys run every 15 minutes during daytime and early-evening hours and every half-hour at night and on weekends. Once at the border, follow the crowd and walk into México. Once across the border, there are cabs waiting to take you wherever you need to go. Orange/white cabs have meters, with yellow and other cabs operating on a flat fee basis.  You should always negotiate and agree on the fare to your destination before riding in any non-metered taxi.

Walking Across

If you drive to the border, just follow I-5 or I-805 south. Both lead into the Mexican entry point at San Ysidro. Exit at the last U.S. exit and park on the U.S. side to walk across, or drive into Mexico with equal ease. Shuttle buses run every half-hour from U.S. parking lots and from the end of the San Diego trolley line directly to Avenida Revolución shopping area. Mexicoach runs its famous red buses every 20 minutes from the Border Station Parking & Tourist Information Center, 4570 Camino de la Plaza, in San Ysidro. Round-trip rides from San Ysidro to Tijuana run from 8AM to 9PM daily. Other destinations include Rosarito, Foxploration (the Fox Studios Baja theme park) ,and Calafia.

Driving Across

You should purchase Mexican auto insurance before entering Baja California, available on a per-day basis at many drive-thru insurance outlets near the last exits of I-5 and I-805. These are easily spotted from the highway. US auto insurance is not valid in México. Some car rental agencies allow their vehicles to be taken into México as far south as the Ensenada area. Mexican auto insurance is mandatory with rentals. There is no deductible for Mexican rental car insurance at some agencies. Inquire before you reserve a car.

Busing Across

Some San Diego tour companies specialize in trips to Baja that may include or combine shopping, dining, sightseeing, golf, wine-tasting and the Puerto Nuevo lobster village, as well as longer excursions.

By Air

Tijuana airport hosts mostly domestic flights. Other important airport in the vicinity is San Diego’s Lindbergh Field, just a 30 minute drive from the border. Brown Field at Otay Mesa serves private and cargo flights.

Emergency Information Resources

Telephone Assistance

Secretary of Public Safety: (01152) (664) 688.55.00

Red Cross: (01152) (664) 21.34.10

Emergency: (01152) (664) 066

PGJE: (01152) (664) 686.67.55 and (01152) (664) 686.56.41

Preventive State Police: (01152) (664) 089

General Hospital: (01152) (664) 684.09.22

Social Security: (01152) (664) 629.63.42

Federal Highway Police: (01152) (664) 682.52.85

Crisis: (01152) (664) 075

Civil protection Agency: (01152) (664) 634.93.60

PGJE (01152)(664) 104.29.17, (01152)(664) 104.29.18, (01152)(664) 104.28.30