Tips For Crossing the Tijuana border into the U.S. By Car
Crossing the border into Mexico is easy peasy, quick and breezy, but getting back into the United States? That can be a whole lot more difficult. Take these tips as your golden ticket to cut down on wait time and make it through without your kids completely losing their lucha-loving minds.
1: Check the Border Wait Times
In a perfect situation, you will have some time flexibility in getting back to the U.S. Visit bwt.cbp.gov to check on the most up-to-date wait times. Simply select your mode of transportation (in this case, passenger vehicles) and the port of entry (when entering from Tijuana, select San Ysidro under Mexican Border Points of Entry). This will show you the current wait time, along with averages, so you can figure out what the line will look like in an hour or a few hours.
If your kids are younger, timing it so they will nap for a portion of the line is ideal to avoid tears. If the wait time is going to be excessively long, you might find that you and yours would prefer to hit the beach or take a walk until things cool down. Keep in mind that wait times tend to stay high through the evening until the early hours of the morning, around 3-6 a.m.
It’s always a good idea to check the site for wait times even if you aren’t planning to delay your border crossing experience. That way, you can better prepare for what comes next!
2: Avoid The Holidays
If at all possible, avoid the holidays! People going back and forth for holiday weekends can really cause a major jam. It’s not unheard of for a holiday line to last 6, or even 12, hours.
3: Potty Time
Before you even get to the signs telling you that U.S. soil is only a few miles away, take a few minutes to stop and make sure all passengers go to the bathroom. This is crucial! You are not going to want the added stress of your six-year-old having to pee when you still have a mile of cars to get through and your patience is wearing thin. Look for rest stops (some don’t allow pets, so make sure you let Spot get out somewhere for a wee as well) or use the bathroom in a restaurant prior to hitting the line. You’ll likely want to go to a restaurant anyhow…
4: Bring a Meal…Or Two
The only thing worse than dealing with bored kids is dealing with bored, hangry kids. If you’ve done your due diligence, you’ll have checked the border wait times and will be able to see about how long you’ll be waiting. Bring a meal along regardless, either made at home (go frugal traveler!) or from a local restaurant (we always suggest pizza, because duh, but a whole truckload of street tacos are sure to suffice as well).
5: Make Sure Everyone Has Passports!
You don’t want to be two cars away from the checkpoint booth when you realize that you accidentally left your passport at the hotel. Check beforehand!
Hint: If you make the trip often, you might want to consider getting an Enhanced Drivers License (check your state to see if this applies to you) or a Sentri Pass in order to use the Ready Lanes. This will cut down on wait times, even if it doesn’t completely eliminate them. For more info on Ready Lanes, click here.
6: Books, Books, Books
Have books—lots of them—ready for the kids to enjoy. We suggest keeping a stack up front and passing them one at a time to kids as soon as they start to utter noises of impatient disapproval. Books aren’t just for kids, though. If you’re traveling with other adults or older children who can read, take turns reading to each other! This will soothe and entertain you as well as provide some quality family time. Who knew?
If you decided you had enough family time in Mexico and are okay with screens, make sure movies are downloaded and portable video game systems are charged and ready to go.
7: Have Money For Vendors
The vendors who work the line have seen a need, and they definitely fill it. When your kids are cranky, why not whip out a few dollars for a toy or snack, like nieves or churros? You don’t need to worry about having pesos as most vendors accept U.S. dollars. There will be several vendors along the way, so don’t worry if you don’t immediately see something you like. Souvenirs are also available.
Photo by Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious Licensed Under CC BY-SA 4.0 2007
8: Don’t Forget The Adventure Bag
A bag of educational, interactive toys (along with extra sippy cups, pacis, and the like) is always recommended for any road trip. The Adventure Bag will keep you sane, we promise.
9: Take a Hike Afterwards
If it’s light, talk a walk or hike somewhere after crossing. This will keep everyone’s spirits up. Check the AllTrails app or website for the perfect jaunt near you, wherever you are!
10: Remember, It’s Not That Bad
People spend 2-3 hours in line at Disney World just to go on rides that will last three minutes. Keep that in mind as you shake your head at wait times. You’ve gained insight on Mexican culture, food, and fun! Have a good attitude. In the end, a few hours in line is undoubtedly worth it.
