Has anyone recently made a day trip to TJ? I’ll be in SD in a few weeks but not sure my work schedule will let me spend the night in TJ.
Thinking I would grab the trolley in downtown SD mid day Saturday and/or Sunday and return after midnight. Any idea what the border wait times are at that time ? (No Global Entry)?
Thanks RonJaxII
be aware of the trolley schedule because they shut down about 1:00 a.m. until about 4:00 a.m...
I've done plenty of day trips over the last 10+ years, and the wait times late at night at the border are negligible.
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However, Jascoi makes a good point about checking the trolley schedule, which I always do. When I was there last month, I think the last trolley north from San Ysidro was something like 11:30 pm.
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I couldn't remember the exact time, so I just checked online and saw that the last trolley was listed as 10:34 pm, even on the weekend. What???
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Then I saw this note on the MTS website: "Due to ongoing personnel constraints, Trolley and Bus routes are impacted with reduced service." Wow, that sucks. That said, you can still have plenty of fun in La Zona Norte from mid-day until 10 pm.
that sucks the trolley times are closing earlier now... it doesn't bother me too much personally because I stay overnight and check out around noon the next day. I have Global Entry so the border is not usually a problem anyway. way back before I had GE i did a late night crossing once and missed the last trolley and wound up walking back to my car. I could have taken a taxi but I didn't have enough to cover the fare.
according to another TJ website there is now a MTS bus that runs super late at night from San Ysidro. I have not checked it out.
Day trips to TJ are equally FUN as are the night trips, so no issues there. The only concern is the border-crossing into the US ( expect major delays and especially on weekends, if you will be crossing before 10pm ). So I too will recommend planning a slight adjustment in your schedule. IMO it’s still a much better option to enjoy more time at the clubs and seafood restaurants than standing in line for a couple of hours. A few times in the past upon reaching the border-crossing and seeing an endless pedestrian-line,I’ve asked the cab-driver to take me back to the clubs instead to kill more time until the long line dies down. Besides HK is mostly always a happening club regardless of your day/night time visit/s😁
Standing in a line for an hour plus late at night is no bueno. I guess lines are better later (midnight?) and one could Uber from SY to San Diego?
^ Yes, that would work. I think by, say, 11:00, the lines should be pretty empty, especially on a Sunday.
SoCalers do day trips all the time.
bwt.cbp.gov
👆This site will show you average and current wait times. Returning after midnight the wait probably won't be that bad but I would plan some slack into your schedule in case not.