BajaNomad

Getting from San Diego to Tijuana

sbillings - 11-12-2007 at 09:00 PM

We're flying into San Diego from Minneapolis and wondering if there is a shuttle or some way of getting to the border from the airport. We want to rent a car in Tijuana then drive to Ensenada to a friends home there. Renting a car in CA then driving to Ensenada is way expensive.

Is there a bus or anything that goes from the airport to the border?

Mango - 11-12-2007 at 09:48 PM

I took the San Diego light rail system from the border crossing at TJ/San Ysidro to the airport. It was pretty convenient for me with just a backpack years ago.

There is a stop about 50 yards from the border crossing. I think I had to take a shuttle bus from the closest stop to the airport; but, it was very close.. like a five minute ride. Very easy to use and the way to go. Maybe somebody in SD can link you better from the airport to the light rail system.

mtgoat666 - 11-12-2007 at 10:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sbillings
We're flying into San Diego from Minneapolis and wondering if there is a shuttle or some way of getting to the border from the airport. We want to rent a car in Tijuana then drive to Ensenada to a friends home there. Renting a car in CA then driving to Ensenada is way expensive.

Is there a bus or anything that goes from the airport to the border?


take taxi from airport to santa fe depot ($10)
take trolley from depot to border (sdcommute.com)
walk across border

BajaNomad - 11-13-2007 at 01:45 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
walk across border
Or, take Mexicoach ($5):
http://www.mexicoach.com/

There's a Mexicoach bus stop across the street from the trolley stop in San Ysidro.

bajadock - 11-13-2007 at 08:33 AM

Bus #992(i think) goes from SD airport downtown to Santa Fe station. $3, exact change please, and it runs approx every 15 min. Per mtgoat's link, tijuana trolley is ez to border.

sbillings - 11-14-2007 at 07:01 PM

Wow, you are some informed travelers. Thanks a lot.

wilderone - 11-15-2007 at 09:41 AM

Get a transfer when you get on the bus, and you can use that transfer on the trolley (don't pay again). Get off the bus at the American Plaza trolley stop, which is on Broadway and Kettner - you'll see the train station. Get on the blue line trolley to San Ysidro. Once at the end of the line, walk across into Mex. and get a taxi to your car rental office - all the major car rental companies have an office in TJ. That taxi ride shouldn't cost more than about $7.

Bajagypsy - 12-17-2007 at 09:49 AM

Are there any car rental places at the border?

Pstreet1 - 12-18-2007 at 11:12 AM

See Shari's post "Renting a car in TJ."

Woooosh - 12-18-2007 at 12:59 PM

I think Enterprise in San Diego still lets'you rent in the USA and drive across into Mexico a ways. The Fox Baja Studios in ROsarito recommends Eneterprise. Be sure to stop on the MExico and get the Mexican insuance for the day.

bajaguy - 12-18-2007 at 01:33 PM

Dollar and AVIS also. You have to buy their Mexican insurance

sbillings - 12-19-2007 at 04:20 PM

Thank you everyone for the information you sent. We were able to get on the 992 blue line bus from the airport and onto the trolley very easily. Crossed the border, got the rental car at Dollar and were on our way. Went to Ensenada and it was so cold when the sun wasn't shining that I wasn't sure I was in Mexico! Otherwise pretty uneventful. Didn't realize the Baja was so "americanized." Don't think I'll be back there anytime soon. Will look farther south in Mexico for my retirement abode.