12/01/2026
How to get to the San Ysidro border crossing from San Diego.
Crossing the border to Tijuana from San Diego
JDC
12 ene 2026
How to get to our clinic in Tijuana from San Diego, crossing at the San Ysidro border crossing.
Here’s the simplest, most common way to get to the San Ysidro border, cross into Tijuana, and take a taxi—especially if you’re coming from San Diego.
1️⃣ Get to the San Ysidro Border (U.S. side)
🚋 Easiest option: San Diego Trolley
Take the Blue Line Trolley toward San Ysidro
Get off at San Ysidro Transit Center (last stop)
From the platform, walk ~5 minutes following signs for Pedestrian Border Crossing
📍 Address reference:San Ysidro Pedestrian East Crossing
🚗 Driving (if needed)
Drive south on Interstate 5 or I 805. they both merge at the border.
*If you are going to drive into Tijuana, just keep straight. after you go through Mexican Customs, you will keep to the left and take the ramp going into Zona Rio. You will then end up on the main drag, Paseo de Los Heroes , Keep straight, going through 3 roundabouts, the first has a statue of Scissor Points, the second roundabout, as you pass the big mall, has a statue of Cuatemoch, an Aztec Chief, and the third has a statue of Abraham Lincoln. After you pass Abraham Lincoln, you will see a OFFICE DEPOT, as you pass the Office Depot, turn right, and you will see our building, 5 stories tall, on your left. Copy the link below to our office location to follow it.
**If you are going to park on the US side of the border, when you get close to the border, you will take the LAST US EXIT, "1-A", and when you go up the ramp, immediately on you right is the "BORDER STATION Parking. From there you will walk to either Ped East, or Ped West to enter Mexico, where you can take a Taxi.
⚠️ Do not try to drive across unless you plan to deal with car insurance, long waits, and parking in TJ
If you drive across, we can get you a Fast Pass for the Medical Lane, which can save you a lot of time. We have the passes available for our patients only. We will need your license plate number, and will print it out for you when you finish your appointment that day. the Pass is valid for up to 48 hours, and is good for one use only.
NOTE: If you don not have your passport, when you drive across, you do not have to show your passport, if you walk across, you will be required to show your passport, because you will walk through immigration, but when you drive through, the government officials that inspect the cars, are not from Immigration but are from Customs. They are randomly inspecting cars for contraband, and to make sure that people pay importation taxes on goods that should have been declared. The Customs officials are not going to do the job of Immigration, therefor they will never ask for you documents. Sometimes we have patients who forgot their passport, or haven't got one yet, but we can help them by coordinating with a third party to pick them up at the Border Station parking, or if they are flying into San Diego, the third party will even pick them up from the San Diego Airport, and bring them to the clinic or to their hotel. The current charge for this service is made to the driver, but it runs about $60 from the airport and $35 to be picked up in San Ysidro.
Note: If you drive across, you do NOT need a US passport to walk or drive back into the US. All you need is your drivers license, and a birth certificate or another second I.D.
2️⃣ Walk Across into Mexico 🇲🇽
Bring:
Passport (required)
FMM tourist form (usually not asked for short visits, but official requirement)
Follow signs for “Mexico / Pedestrian Crossing”
Expect:
5–20 minutes depending on crowds
Usually no questioning when entering Mexico
You’ll exit into Tijuana, near Avenida Internacional
3️⃣ Take a Taxi in Tijuana 🚖
Once you exit:
✅ Best option: Official Taxi Libre
Look for:
White taxis with red stripe
These are regulated and safer than random cars
💬 Before getting in, ask:
“¿Cuánto cuesta a ___?”
(or show the address on your phone)
💰 Typical costs:
Downtown (Zona Centro): $5–11 USD
Zona Río / Avenida Revolución: $8–13
Longer rides: negotiate first
🚨 Avoid:
Unmarked cars offering rides
Not agreeing on price beforehand
Flashing large amounts of cash
4️⃣ Useful Tips
Carry pesos (cash preferred)
Uber does work in Tijuana, but pickup near the border can be tricky
Save your destination in Google Maps before crossing
Keep your passport handy for the return to the U.S.
To take a Taxi to the clinic, save this Google Maps location on your phone, before you cross. Show it to the Taxi driver or Uber. We are just 8 minutes away from the border crossing.
Dr Mexico Dental Implants in Zona Rio in the Medica Norte building, close to the OFFICE DEPOT on Calle Paseo de lo Heroes. https://share.google/Hgx6e5FYeZAJlgcx4
Keep our phone number handy to call us before you cross: (619) 292-1527
At San Ysidro out side of US/Mexico Customs.
Out Side of US/Mexico Customs at San Ysidro
Entrance into Mexico Immigration.
Entrance into Mexico Immigration
Medica Norte Building. Dr Alans Martinez is on Floor 2
Outside of our clinic in Medica Norte Building
Driving back into San Diego from Tijuana.
When you drive back into San Diego. Pedestrians are dropped of right by the gate where they entered.
