I don't know if it's bad luck, but every time I've used PedWest in the past month, the lines have been comparable if not LONGER than my usual waits at PedEast when returning to the US from Mexico. I generally return on mornings (usually weekday mornings) FWIW. Returned this past Thursday via PedEast - 5 minute wait. PedEast is just easier for me logistically as well since my car is usually parked around there.
Really thinking about getting that SENTRI pass though...So I am puzzled and sorry to hear it took you so long to cross. I can't explain the time difference between your crossing and mine unless the San Ysidro West crossing has grown significantly in popularity between when I crossed and you crossed.
I'm new to the TJ scene (only been down one time) and I have some questions about pedestrian crossing at Otay.
My first visit I parked in San Ysidro on a Saturday morning and it was fairly expensive ($20+) to park.. Crossed and took a cab to La Mansion.. Saw an agency girl and had a great time..Took a cab back then waited for 1.5 hours to cross back into the US. So my questions are:
1. How is the parking at Otay? How much should I expect to pay? And how far of a walk to the border?
2. Once across the Otay border, is it that much more $ to cab to LM? Looking at the map, it doesn't look like it is that much further but the map can be deceiving.
3. Are there other motel options closer to Otay,and if so, will agency girls go there?
4. Will I save much time crossing back to US. I've been told the lines are shorter but how much shorter? 10 min, 30 min, 1 hour?
And advice/help would be appreciated. I would like to continue making day trips To TJ but I would prefer to do it more efficiently than I did the first time.
...at the motel next to Burger King for 24 hours in SY. They have a parking attendant there 24/7. Cheapest option thus far I've found on my trips down to TJ.
The side road (I forget the name) that the KFC sits on offers free parking everyday after 4 pm and all day on Sundays. There's another side road off of that street that offers free parking all day, everyday, but it's a small street, so it fills up quickly.
Thanks for the heads up. Have you ever crossed from Otay?
I have not. Check out tjamigos.com.
Typically I drive to TJ, however, on those rare occasions when I choose to walk across, I normally park at the H Street Trolley stop in Chula Vista where parking is free and plentiful. From there, it's an easy 15 minute trolley ride to border and R/T ticket is $5.
Of course, Otay is a possibility and the agencies can recommend the Love Hotels available as well as the chikas in the area. No doubt the Otay border is less busy than San Ysidro. Personally, I use SY 99% of the time.
For faster border crossings, at a minimum, get your Passport Card. It allows you use of the Ready Lanes. If you really want the best of the best, get either Global Entry or SENTRI. GE is probably cheaper and faster. Typically no waiting in the PED lines.....
Also, bear in mind there are now two pedestrian crossings. The new one is called PED West and I have yet to try it, however, I will soon because I recently walked back through the original and it's a mess with all the construction. Definitely use Ped West.....
Good luck and enjoy
First, there is cheaper parking available at San Ysidro for less than you paid.
Second, you can use a Park & Ride station (E Street, H Street, etc.) and trolley to the border.
Third, I'm not sure you'd save any significant money taking a taxi from Otay to someplace like La Mansion. Plus it could actually cost you more if your Spanish and taxi negotiating skills aren't up to snuff.
You could use a route taxi. But locals I know who live in Otay seldom go to El Centro because it takes too long.
There are "love motels" near the Otay crossing that some hobbyists use. El Ensueno is probably the most popular, but none are walking distance to the crossing so you'll still have cab fees to pay.
Some agencies will send escorts to Otay and others won't so check with the agency before making plans. Unless I was near Otay and just want a quickie I wouldn't see a chica in Otay.
As to saving time crossing the border:
Get a SENTRI Pass and you'll solve all your problems.
If you can't get a SENTRI then get a Passport Book/Card and use the Ready Lane.
Sometimes Otay lines also are very long. Crossing at Otay usually, but not always, save some time. But a SENTRI saves a lot more time.
The new crossing point--San Ysidro West--has (as of this posting) short lines. I've seen the line at San Ysidro west be 15 minutes when it is 1.5 hours at San Ysidro East.)
-- Modified on 10/3/2016 1:09:16 AM
Thanks all for the words of wisdom. I visited TJ a couple of days ago (Monday morning) and parked at the H Street trolley station. 15 minutes later I was cashing in dollars for pesos. Visited an agency girl at Premier and used the new (west) pedestrian crossing to return home. I'm not sure I saved much time using the west crossing (approx. 75 min) but it is new and much nicer than the old/east crossing. I got in line around 12:45 and was on US soil by 2:00. Overall it was nice quick trip.
I usually cross by car. However, I've crossed twice during the day at the San Ysidro West facililty. Both times were under 15 minutes (excluding the time it took to get to the building).
So I am puzzled and sorry to hear it took you so long to cross. I can't explain the time difference between your crossing and mine unless the San Ysidro West crossing has grown significantly in popularity between when I crossed and you crossed.
I don't know if it's bad luck, but every time I've used PedWest in the past month, the lines have been comparable if not LONGER than my usual waits at PedEast when returning to the US from Mexico. I generally return on mornings (usually weekday mornings) FWIW. Returned this past Thursday via PedEast - 5 minute wait. PedEast is just easier for me logistically as well since my car is usually parked around there.
Really thinking about getting that SENTRI pass though...
So I am puzzled and sorry to hear it took you so long to cross. I can't explain the time difference between your crossing and mine unless the San Ysidro West crossing has grown significantly in popularity between when I crossed and you crossed.
A SENTRI or Global Entry Card is an absolute must if you plan on making this a regular thing.
Really thinking about getting that SENTRI pass though...
So I am puzzled and sorry to hear it took you so long to cross. I can't explain the time difference between your crossing and mine unless the San Ysidro West crossing has grown significantly in popularity between when I crossed and you crossed.
If you're going to spend much time in Tijuana then get a SENTRI. It makes the lines all but disappear.