Transport & Stay
Travel Note
AIRPORTS
San Diego or Tijuana
Travel Note
FROM SAN DIEGO TO THE BORDER
1) Rent a car through Avis (other rental companies may not allow you to cross the border). 2) Take ride share to San Ysidro (~$50dlls). 3) Private shuttle ($300 one-way, takes you all the way to your Airbnb). Contact Ricardo Espinoza (Spanish): +52 646 132 8940. Let us know if you need help.
Travel Note
CROSSING THE BORDER TO MX
1) If you’re driving across the border: we recommend crossing the border before 3pm to avoid rush hour. Account for up to 1hr of border crossing time (but if it is before 3pm it should only take a few minutes). Stay on the far right lanes as this will make your exit easier. Don’t make eye contact with the Mexican guards and you’ll be fine! There’s no documentation you need to provide nor should you expect to be stopped. 2) If you’re walking across the border: just walk right on in! There’s no documentation you need to provide. Say you’re there for the weekend- there should be no charge. They will run your bags through x-ray and in seconds you’ll be in Mexico! 3) Private shuttle: try to schedule this to arrive at the border before 3pm to avoid long rush hour lines.
Travel Note
TIJUANA TO ENSENADA
1) If you’re driving: once you cross the border, the drive time to the Airbnb will be ~1hr. Please use google maps and take the toll road to Ensenada. Follow the sign that say playas Tijuana, Ensenada, Rosarito- you will exit on the right hand side and take the ramp up and into Tijuana. Then, the signs for the Ensenada toll road will say “Ensenada Quota.” DO NOT take “Ensenada Libre”. Now enjoy the beautiful scenic drive along the ocean! There will be three toll booths. They only accept cash, US dollars ok, about ~$2.50 per toll booth. 2) Take the shuttle: once you enter Mexico make a right on the side walk and walk straight ~5-10 min, over a bridge, across an intersection, until you see the ABC bus terminal at the corner of the block (Google maps: Terminal de Autobuses Internacional, Av. Frontera 26, Zona Urbana Rio Tijuana, 22010 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico). A bus will leave every hour to Ensenada starting from 7 am - 9:05 pm and has a price of $14 USD. It will drop you off at the Ensenada Bus Station, and you will then ride share to the Airbnb. WE RECOMMEND THIS OPTION- it is comfy, clean, and safe. 3) Take ride share: $60-80 4) Take a taxi: ~$120 (take the ones that are immediately available after crossing the border)
Travel Note
THE RETURN: ENSENADA TO TIJUANA
1) If you’re driving: allow for 1hr drive time to the border. 2) Bus: rideshare from the Airbnb to the Ensenada Bus Station, and take the bus to Tijuana. 3) Rideshare (will not get you across the border though) 4) Private shuttle: $300 gets you to San Diego airport). They will use a medical pass at the border so you don’t wait in line. Contact Ricardo Espinoza (Spanish): +52 646 132 8940. Let us know if you need help.
Travel Note
THE RETURN: CROSSING THE BORDER
1) If you’re driving: allow for up to 3hrs time to cross the border after 12:00pm on Sunday (less time on Monday). Do not take the medical lane (unless you bought a medical pass) or SENTRI/Global Entry (unless you have SENTRI/Global Entry). 2) Walk- have your ID (passport ideal but not necessary). 3) Pay a shuttle ~$20 gets you across the border in a shuttle and quickly. You can buy these pases next to the walking border entry. You will see and hear many vendors selling these tickets the bus is a small red buss with TJ initials on it.
Rental Car
Hertz Tijuana Aeropuerto - Tijuana Airport
Open 24 hrs - Abierto las 24 hrs
Rental Car
Avis - Rental car from US to Mx
Avis is a company that allows you to rent a car and drive it to Mexico. You will have to pay extra for insurance but is one of the few companies that allows this feature.
Travel Note
Bus ticket link
This link is to buy ABC bus tickets from TJ-Ens-TJ