Posted By: zane2010
The last time I went I was in May - we crossed at about 6:30 pm and it took about an hour to come back. The reason was the construction going on in the US Building side.
What is it like coming back on Tuesday around 6:30 or 7pm - how much time should we allocate ?
Thank You
I am often asked questions by people who without knowing it do provide enough information to properly answer their questions. With respect, I feel that is what is happening here.
You do not say if you are returning by car or on foot. Or if you will be crossing at San Ysidro or Otay. (Both San Ysidro and Otay have had construction issues--admittedly minor ones at Otay-- which have impacted all lanes used by both cars and people.) It matters because the wait at Otay, especially for pedestrians, will be substantially less than at San Ysidro.
Nor do you say if you will use the regular lanes, the Ready Lane, or the SENTRI lane. That could change a 60 minute wait to a 1 minute wait.
I am guessing you will cross at San Ysidro on foot using the regular lane. Returning by foot around 7pm on a Tuesday at San Ysidro between now and the holiday shopping season will probably be about an hour wait in the regular lane, less in the Ready Lane (if it is open), and non-existent in the SENTRI lane. The darker and colder it gets the shorter the wait will become. (Meaning after Day Light Saving Time ends the wait will improve.)
If you call (011-52) 664-700-7000 you will get an actual count in Spanish update every 15 minutes between 6am and 10pm provided by Telnor.
If you call:
619-671-8999 you will get info from the CBP about Otay
619-690-8999 you will get info from the CBP about San Ysidro
The CBP info is provided 24 hours a day in English and Spanish, supposedly updated hourly, and IME is often optimistic. (I prefer Telnor's information.)
http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/ provides the CBP information on line.
There are times you can cross quicker by car than on foot. Furthermore, crossing times are like NFL games: on any given day anything can happen.
Have fun!
-- Modified on 10/11/2013 11:37:43 PM