Border Crossing Guide
Everything about the crossing itself, in the order you will actually need it.
Choose your crossing
The busiest land crossing in the hemisphere, and the one most patients use. About five minutes from Zona Rio along a direct route. Vehicle and pedestrian queues do not track each other, so the faster option changes by the day.
- Direct route to Zona Rio, about 5 minutes
- Pedestrian and vehicle lanes queue separately
- Long-stay parking available on the U.S. side
East of San Ysidro and generally quieter, particularly at the hours when San Ysidro is at its worst. Worth comparing against San Ysidro on the day rather than assuming either one.
- Usually lighter than San Ysidro at peak hours
- Commercial traffic uses a separate facility
- Check published wait times before choosing
A pedestrian bridge connecting directly to the Tijuana airport terminal, for patients flying in. It bypasses the land crossing entirely and requires a ticket for a flight through that airport.
- Connects directly to Tijuana airport
- Requires a boarding pass for that airport
- Useful for patients north of Orange County
Planning the return, not the departure
Documents before anything else
A valid passport or passport card for everyone traveling, including children. Nothing else in the plan matters if that is missing.
Vehicle or pedestrian
The two queues move independently. Parking on the U.S. side and crossing on foot avoids the vehicle wait entirely, and suits appointments where you will not be driving comfortably afterwards.
The hour is a decision
Northbound waits vary by time of day and day of week. Appointment times are suggested with the return in mind rather than assigned at random.
Everyone in the vehicle needs
- A valid passport or passport card
- The same for children, without exception
- A driving license is not sufficient on its own
Worth having if you will cross often
- SENTRI or Global Entry membership
- Ready Lane, for the right card types
- Prescription medication in its original labeled packaging
How long is the wait coming back?
It varies more than any other part of the trip, which is precisely why it is the part to plan around. Weekday mid-mornings are generally lighter than Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings and holiday weekends. Pedestrian and vehicle queues do not track each other, so the better option on a given day is not always the same one. Current wait times are published publicly by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and are worth checking before you leave, and appointment times here are suggested with all of it in mind.
After a procedure
If you have had surgery or sedation of any kind, the return should not involve you driving. Bringing someone with you, or crossing on foot with ground transport arranged on the U.S. side, is planned into the appointment beforehand rather than resolved afterwards in a queue.
What documents do I need to come back into the United States?
A valid passport or a passport card, for every person in the vehicle, children included. A driving license is not sufficient on its own. If you expect to make several trips over the course of a treatment, a SENTRI or Global Entry membership gives access to a dedicated lane and changes the northbound wait considerably, and Ready Lane is a lighter alternative for holders of the right card types. All of them take time to obtain and none can be arranged at the border, so if the treatment is going to take months, that application is worth starting early.
Frequently asked
Can I bring my medication back across?
Prescription medication for personal use should stay in its original labeled packaging and be declared if you are asked. Where a treatment involves a prescription, the documentation you need is provided with it.
Should I drive across or park and walk?
Driving suits appointments where you will be numb or sore afterwards, or where someone is coming with you. Parking on the U.S. side and crossing on foot avoids the vehicle queue on the return, and ground transport covers the short distance to Zona Río.
Is the route from the crossing complicated?
No. Zona Río is roughly five minutes from San Ysidro along a direct route, and directions with parking recommendations are sent with your appointment confirmation.
Planning your crossing
Once an appointment is set, the route, the parking options and a suggested crossing time come with it. If you have not crossed before, say so and the instructions come in more detail.
US: +1 (619) 202-0423
MX: +52 (664) 634-2023
atencionmakeover@outlook.com
Frida Kahlo 10410, Torre Quatro, 1st floor, office 106
Zona Urbana Rio, Tijuana, B.C. 22010
Mon-Fri 9:00am – 6:00pm | Sat 9:00am – 4:00pm
